How to Baby-Proof Your Home Without Sacrificing Aesthetics, According to Designers

While each family parents their children differently, the one strategy seemingly every parent executes on is baby-proofing their space when their little ones start crawling. Doing so is the most effective way to keep infants and toddlers from sticking their fingers into electrical sockets, banging their heads on sharp table corners, and tumbling down a staircase—but the products that prevent dangerous accidents are admittedly not chic. If you're a style-minded person with a newborn who is just starting to think about baby-proofing, you might be a little stressed about losing your home's outward beauty to baby-proofing products.

Worry not. We chatted with three interior designers, all of whom have children, who offered some helpful tips on maintaining your home's carefully curated aesthetic without sacrificing your child's safety. Yes, it is possible to prioritize both—and they're telling you how.

Swap In Round Furniture

If, in your pre-baby days, you decorated your space with square or rectangular tables, it may be time to swap them out for versions with rounded edges. While an accidental encounter with the edge of a round table may still leave a little bump, it is a lot less dangerous than a toddler walking straight into the corner of a table with sharp lines. "In the early years, our living room was a favorite play zone, and after a few unfortunate head bumps, we quickly learned that sharp corners and toddlers don't mix," says designer Emily Tucker. "The round table has been a quiet hero in our home ever since."

Invest in Vintage

This tip may seem counterintuitive, as vintage pieces are often rare and more fragile than their more contemporary counterparts, but there's a reason designers love incorporating older furniture into homes where toddlers live. "One of my go-to strategies for family-friendly interiors is incorporating vintage," Tucker explains. "My grandfather used to joke that when we damaged something in their house, we were just 'antiquing it,' so I figured, why not start with pieces that already have a little patina? They add warmth, character, and a built-in forgiveness for wear and tear." She has a point! Plus, not all vintage furniture is priced high or extremely at-risk of permanent damage. Head to flea markets and sites like Facebook Marketplace and LiveAuctioneers in search of cheaper vintage pieces.

Hide Fragile Items

If you are a collector of objets d'art, keep them out of reach. There's no need to get rid of them or stick them in cabinets until your kids become teenagers, but you do need to protect them. "Don't put anything out you'd be heartbroken to lose. I collect vintage ceramics, and in nine years of parenting, we've only broken one piece (yes, it was devastating)," Tucker admits. "But that moment also taught my kids not to throw stuffed animals—or balls—inside. Most things in a home can be cleaned, repaired, or replaced." Keep your precious objects on high shelves and safe.

Upholster With Performance Fabrics

If you only pay attention to one designer tip, let it be this one, as it will be the easiest to do and the most expensive to address if you don't. "Performance fabrics are our best friend when working with young families," New York designer Ali Milch insists. "I often look at multi-textural materials like woven nubby upholstery, which are super easy to clean and have a luxe look and feel." May we suggest bouclé?

New York designer Jennifer Hunter also agrees. "Typically, I suggest using performance materials in high-traffic areas and on high-traffic pieces, such as family room sofas, rugs, and anything else that people are touching and using a lot," she says, adding that you can then layer in more fun patterns that are not necessarily stain-proof for pillows or window treatments.

Rely on Built-In Storage

Replacing freestanding mirrors, bookshelves, and storage pieces with built-ins may be a bigger project, but it's worth the investment. The combination of toddlers' love of climbing on things and freestanding pieces of large furniture is a horrific accident waiting to happen. Get ahead of it by installing a few built-ins. "Not only is it the most secure option for safety, but it is also the best way to maximize clutter storage while maintaining a sleek, design-forward space," Milch says.