How to Child-Proof Your New Solid Wood Coffee Table

Crayons on the walls. Dirt ground into carpets. Food spills on the couch and tables. You can expect all these things and more when you have kids at home. With threats like these, you may not want to invest a lot of money into your furniture. At least, not until they grow up a little bit. 

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But why wait? Life is short, but more importantly, quality wood furniture can stand up to whatever your children throw at it, fairing much better than any readymade item you can get for a cheap buck. 

That being said, you can do things to help your latest solid wood furniture piece withstand your busy home. Check out these tips below for ideas:

Avoid Solid Wood Tables with Corners

The sharp 90-degree angle of a wood coffee table is a safety risk when you have small children in the home. To avoid bruises and black eyes, opt for a beautiful solid wood coffee table without corners. A round coffee table is a gorgeous substitute that doesn’t scrimp on style. 

Have you fallen in love with a square or rectangular wood coffee table? Don’t panic. There are soft accessories you can place over the corners as a way to childproof your home. It also doesn’t hurt to ask your craftsperson to see if they have any solutions from a design standpoint. 

Invest in Trivets and Coasters

You can prevent rings and other stains from damaging your wood coffee table’s finish with a simple set of coasters and trivets. Keep them within easy reach at all times and let your children know they should always use one whenever they have a drink. This rule applies to anytime you bring a cold or hot dish as a snack during movie time. 

Think About Storage

Keeping things neat and tidy will help you enjoy your living room more, but it’s not always easy when you have kids. Their clothes, toys, and books tend to find their way onto floors and couches. 

Choosing a wood coffee table with built-in storage is a simple solution to your clutter problem. The next time you clean, they can pitch in and throw their belongings into their very own drawer.

Follow Solid Wood Furniture Care

Solid wood furniture stands up to tough conditions and rough usage, but it will last even longer if it receives some TLC. Stay away from common wood polishers you can find at the hardware store. Many of them come with chemicals that can degrade the finish used in quality handmade furniture.

All you need is a slightly damp cloth to wipe away dust. For more tenacious grime, check out these simple cleaning tips. 

Choosing a minimal style coffee table will also help you keep your need to clean to a minimum. With fewer seams, grooves, and ornamental details, there are fewer places for gunk to collect. 

Bottom Line

You don’t have to wait until your kids are old and grown to treat yourself to beautiful, handmade furniture. You can have any piece you want. Just remember these simple rules to help your next purchase last a lifetime.