Safe, secure condo for feisty little ones
A lengthy and impressive checklist
of benefits often lures buyers to go for condominium units.
Understandably so. When you have
grand, hotel-like amenities, assured safety and security and a strategic
location, among others, it would be quite difficult for any individual to
ignore the convenience offered by modern-day condo living.
But for the young, upstart
families, a bigger question usually looms prior to making the actual purchase:
is a four-walled pad in a high-rise vertical development suitable and safe for
raising kids?
Upscale property developer Rockwell
Land Corp. would answer that with a definite, resounding yes.
After all, Rockwell prides itself
for giving families not only the amenities and security that would easily put
any parents mind at ease, but also enough space for their kids to roam around,
as if they have their own backyards.
In the case, for instance, of The
Grove by Rockwell, the Lopez-led company has claimed to be pursuing a 75:25
open space to building ratiothats a whole lot of space for young loved ones
to roam around.
Kid-friendly
sanctuary
Meanwhile, transforming your own
condo units to become more conducive for raising children is another matter.
Architect Alice Erfe of Erfe and Associates shares with Inquirer Property a
number of tips on how to create a kid-friendly sanctuary.
1 Colors should be more functional. According to Erfe, it is
best to use colors that are not too white or too light to make it easier to
clean and change. With a limited space that a condo unit affords, it would also
not be advisable to go for dark colors. Instead, neutral tones would be a best
bet, while splashes of colors should be for artworks, accents or throw pillows,
for example, Erfe explains.
2 Use furniture that is softer, sturdier and reasonably priced.
Citing examples, Erfe notes that instead of a square table that may have
potentially sharp edges, one should use those that have round or rounded
corners. Combinations of soft leather and fabrics are also advisable compared
to high-end fabrics that can be easily soiled.
Erfe also recommends the use of
sturdy furniture that has metal frames. She further reminds families to
initially steer clear of expensive furniture and stick to the basics instead,
while your children are still young. Dont invest on very expensive furniture
when your kids are still small rather go for affordable ones that look like
magazine showcases, she says.
3 Secure fixtures and outlets. Erfe specifies the use of compact fluorescents
because these are much easier to use and work around with. Halogen pin lights
and sparkles, she advises, should meanwhile be installed in safe areas where
contact is less likely. For the outlets, Erfe says it would be best to use
plastic protective covers to prevent children from sticking things into the
sockets.
4 Protect your furniture. It would be practical to use
slipcovers to protect chairs and sofas as these do not only serve as a
protection, but they also allow for easy maintenance. The slipcovers will also
serve as your kids fashion plate, Erfe adds.
Tempered table-top glass are
likewise necessary to preserve the quality of wood tables, as spills and
drawings or sketches on tables are quite common with kids around.
5 Plan your furniture layout and selection. Erfe reminds unit
owners to plan well and go for clean, modern or contemporary selections that
are multifunctional as well. For example, one should choose beds that have
drawers or tabletops could have hanging ledges which one could use to organize
things.
6 Dont put too much dcor. Try to make each space more
useful, and make each piece of furniture multifunctional. Also remember to group
accents in corners so that they dont overwhelm, she says. At the same time,
such types of furniture will allow your units to be clutter-freestill the best
way to preserve the look of your unit and make it safe for your kid, Erfe
concludes.
Philippine Daily Inquirer (Febuary 10, 2012)
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