Shelves are a decorating and organizing staple fulfilling numerous roles throughout the home. Aside from how they look and how they're used, most people don't really give shelves a second thought... until a small child is introduced to the scene! Suddenly shelves are redefined as anything from a safety hazard to parents' last resort for hands-off display.
Here are several ways parents of busy toddlers can address the safety issues posed by certain types of shelves, plus a few tips for adding stylish storage and display space to any room without adding safety hazards.
Safety First! Avoid Tipping, Climbing and Falls
Any tall or heavy wall unit should be secured to the wall with easy-to-install furniture anchors. Anchors or furniture straps secure the full unit and are effective in preventing dangerous tipping accidents, but safety concerns still remain. Often, individual shelves are not secured and can be flipped or pulled out by a curious toddler, and shelves beginning at floor level just beg to be climbed. A few simple changes can solve these problems and even add a decorative touch.
Reconfigure Built-In Shelving and Wall Units
If shelves are permanent in the unit, simply move fragile or hands-off items to higher levels, or out of the unit entirely if your child is prone to climb. Store a selection of toys, books or kid-friendly decor on the lower two or three shelves to divert attention from the upper shelves and reduce the urge to climb. If shelves are removable, remove the lower two or three shelves to leave an opening of about three feet at the bottom of the shelf unit. Create a stylish arrangement with a mix of decorative storage boxes or baskets, these can even be used as toy boxes, or add durable decor items.
Keep Decor and Fragile Items in Place with a Museum-Tested Solution
Museum Gel and Quake-Hold Putty are adhesive products designed to keep decorative objects secure, an ideal answer for displaying fragile items in busy homes. Both the gel and putty versions are easy to apply and remove, but create a surprisingly strong bond to help prevent items tipping or falling if the shelving unit is jarred.
Add Kid-Smart Space with Wall-Mounted Shelves
If you don't have enough space to move fragile decor out of reach, consider adding wall-mounted shelves. Multi-shelf units that mount directly to the wall are ideal for hands-off display and storage. Ready-made units are available in a variety of sizes and styles, or you can fashion a shelf unit using inexpensive bracket shelving materials found at any hardware store.
Style Tip: A secret to making inexpensive bracket shelving more attractive is painting the wall-mounted brackets the same color as the wall. Then simply cover unfinished wood shelves tightly in coordinating fabric. Easy and decorative!
Display Fragile Accents on Ledge Shelves or Sconces
Ledge shelves and wall sconces install directly to the wall and eliminate climbing concerns. Both ledge and sconce-style shelves are available in many sizes and styles to complement any decor and add interest just about anywhere. Try one over a window; stagger, stack or align three on a spacious wall; create a tiered mantle by stacking two or three above a fireplace; or embellish the walls of a wide hallway with a collection of different styles and sizes.
Krista Fabregas founded KidSmartLiving.com in 1999 to help parents combine safety, livability and style in a home that's welcoming to family members of all ages. Find more KidSmart child safety, home decorating and living ideas at KidSmartLiving.com and on the KidSmartLiving @ Home Blog
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