In the warm season everyone longs for vacation and leisure time, and home is still the best place. Spending a little time in your own outdoor area and giving the children some freedom through safe furnishings - doesn't that sound wonderful after the cold season? We'll collect some tips on how you can use the terrace and garden in a family-friendly way and how to make the area behind the house safeFeel-good oasisto make the best possible use of them.
Use the terrace and garden in a family-friendly way: your own home is the perfect place to relax
We've already had the first sunny days of the year behind us and they've made us want more. After a long winter, nothing is nicer than finally being able to spend time outside without a thick jacket. Sunday afternoons under the blue sky are especially fun with the family. Of course, the easiest way to spend your free time in your own home is to spend wonderful days.
For parents and grandparents it is often the best thing when the children can run around in the garden without any worries. But in order for this to work without worry or constant supervision, everything must be secured and set up in a child-friendly manner. This means that the little ones enjoy maximum freedom and independence when playing, which of course also benefits the adults. We give a few suggestions on how the outdoor area can be made safe and yet visually appealing.
Make the terrace and garden child-proof
There is a risk of falling, especially if the terrace is accessed by stairs and is slightly higher than the surrounding area. Fencing or similar protection is therefore necessary to prevent falls. This can also be used as a design tool: the seating area is visually separated from the rest of the garden. Another bonus is the possibility of attaching plant boxes, traditionally equipped with geraniums, to the railings.
At the same time, such a boundary can be used as a wind or privacy screen so that you can sit outside in any weather. If this is not necessary, a palisade fence surrounding the terrace also looks very nice. Another advantage: With the gates that can be installed in it, you can choose to completely fence in the terrace or leave it open to allow little ones or pets access to the garden, depending on the situation.
Use the terrace and garden in a family-friendly way: Also be careful with furniture and accessories in the outdoor area
Choosing the right floor covering is also important so that children can play freely. The very durable stone or exposed concrete slabs are poorly suited for this, as there is an increased risk of injury if you fall. If these already exist, you can temporarily cover the area with rubber mats or soft floor tiles, which also reduce the risk of slipping to a minimum, even when wet. These are also available in a visually appealing design.
Alternatively, a floor covering made of wooden planks can reduce the risk of injury and look very elegant at the same time. The only disadvantage is the higher maintenance required to permanently avoid wood splinters. If the terrace is exposed to strong weather, wood is less recommended. Depending on the individual circumstances, it is therefore important to choose the right material for the patio floor. There is a good comparison, for examplehereat the building materials dealer BENZ24.
If the terrace is located slightly away from the garden, such as in the corner of a house, plant pots and similar accessories are often used to create a cozy design. Care must be taken to ensure that they do not have any sharp edges. Likewise, there should be no risk of them being knocked over by children playing. They should therefore be heavy and stable enough to withstand such playful “attacks”. Choose lower plants for such plant pots so as not to give children's hands any leverage to knock them over.
The same applies to outdoor furniture: the best option here is either safe plastic chairs or chairsattached bencheswithout using hard edges.
Make the entire garden childproof
If the garden is open and accessible from the terrace, it must ideally be designed to be as free of dangers as possible. Especially if you have a garden pond, you have to make sure that the little ones don't have direct access to the water. A walkable oneMetal cover grilleprovides security and at the same time gives curious children the opportunity to explore the wet element up close. The same applies to a swimming pool in your own garden - a solid cover is particularly recommended for this as it offers the greatest security.
Of course, the entire outdoor area must also be securely fenced in to prevent escapes. If possible, choose a tightly set palisade fence without spikes. Unfortunately, inexpensive wire mesh fences pose a risk of injury, especially when attempting to climb.
Likewise, our children are not allowed to have access to tool sheds or workshops - the tools stored there are often more interesting to them than their favorite toys.
Get out into the garden!
If all freely accessible areas around the house have been secured in a child-friendly manner, days in the fresh air are twice as relaxing. Without constant direct supervision, the offspring can then move freely between the house, terrace and lawn and exercise as they wish. You don't even have to forego the garden pond as a haven of peace, as long as it is correctly fenced or covered. So nothing stands in the way of relaxing at home with the family!
