https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:16:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/decorating-bookcases-and-kids#post-2780244 Tue, 17 Oct 2017 14:22:04 +0000 Portboston 2780244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here’s ours. Kids are allowed to play with the record player (which is usually so entertaining they leave the records alone!). We keep blankets in the drawer. </p> [attach=6258/17/oxzf4t.450x600.image.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/decorating-bookcases-and-kids#post-2780132 Tue, 17 Oct 2017 09:40:35 +0000 Mama Bird 2780132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm partial to houseplants and cute bowls/wicker baskets that aren't very breakable. And seashells and pretty rocks. I have a few that I picked up on different vacations. One of my plants did topple a couple of times (it wasn't the kids, just a gust of wind) but there was no major damage, just had to sweep up some soil. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/decorating-bookcases-and-kids#post-2780017 Mon, 16 Oct 2017 20:03:26 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2780017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: there are definitely some bowls that would look great empty. In our area, there are a lot of bowls made from pine needles by Native American artisans that have beautiful patterns. I've also seen some beautiful painted wood bowls that would look nice empty. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/decorating-bookcases-and-kids#post-2779825 Mon, 16 Oct 2017 08:25:41 +0000 MaryM 2779825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I grew up with a large bookshelf in the living room, and it's still there (my brother lives there now...with his 10 children). </p> <p>But they were adult books, and I don't think we were ever tempted to play with them. </p> <p>Maybe if they're boring looking books...possibly large/heavier ones, they won't be messed with?</p> <p>Photos and other decorative things always went on higher shelves. But the most boring books were at the bottom :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/decorating-bookcases-and-kids#post-2779820 Mon, 16 Oct 2017 07:48:44 +0000 Foodnerd81 2779820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: freaking kids. My pre mom self never considered having to command strip down books. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/decorating-bookcases-and-kids#post-2779816 Mon, 16 Oct 2017 07:15:36 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2779816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I was even thinking you could maybe use command strips to stick the bowl to the shelf so its less enticing to try to pick up or move the bowl. Same goes for maybe books or something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/decorating-bookcases-and-kids#post-2779801 Sun, 15 Oct 2017 22:26:57 +0000 Foodnerd81 2779801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: ah, true. And I did just get a hot glue gun... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/decorating-bookcases-and-kids#post-2779800 Sun, 15 Oct 2017 22:18:58 +0000 PinkElephant 2779800@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One more thought - if you're feeling crafty, you could glue rattan/wool balls together into the bowl so that kids don't toss them around!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/decorating-bookcases-and-kids#post-2779799 Sun, 15 Oct 2017 22:12:04 +0000 Foodnerd81 2779799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: yes I have seen a lot of the fake succulents at those stores and held off on buying until I could actually put together a cohesive plan- which I’m doing now! As for the baskets underneath, I’m ok with living with the empty space for now and knowing we can put the shelves back in a couple years. Most of their toys are in other rooms so we purposely keep it not fun in this room so we can have one somewhat neat room. </p> <p>@skipra: the globe we have is actually a little toy but I like it. I would buy a nicer looking one if I come across it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/decorating-bookcases-and-kids#post-2779798 Sun, 15 Oct 2017 22:03:21 +0000 PinkElephant 2779798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've found some great looking fake succulents at Marshalls and Home Goods. Mine are in heavy stone/marble pots, which admittedly might not be great for your situation, but I'm sure there are other options/you could change that up yourself. Photo frames can be the type made from a single piece of wood with a hole cut for the photo (so there are no seams to break apart if the get dropped) and you could remove the glass to be cautious.</p> <p>I had wanted to suggest that since you took off the bottom shelf, you could put some sort of decorative basket underneath...but anything I can think of to fill it with is pretty enticing to kids (floor pillows or throw blankets), and I understand you definitely don't want them reaching under there...maybe a decorative basket w/ a kid (kept empty)? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/decorating-bookcases-and-kids#post-2779797 Sun, 15 Oct 2017 21:57:19 +0000 skipra 2779797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe you could get baskets with tops for the bottom and keep toys in them to make up for the missing shelf and keep attention off the other items?</p> <p>Also maybe a little globe would be fun to have too.</p> <p>[attach=2177/17/oxwavj.400x400.RP-39503-2T.jpg]</p> <p>[attach=2177/17/oxwavk.600x600.14907369.jpg]</p> <p>Eta haha I just looked and see you have a globe! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/decorating-bookcases-and-kids#post-2779795 Sun, 15 Oct 2017 21:44:39 +0000 Foodnerd81 2779795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs.shinerbock: Do you think a pretty bowl like that would look weird empty? I don't feel like picking up the balls every day and I know they would get played with all the time. </p> <p>@mrs.shinerbock: Good idea on the canvas print! I hadn't thought of that but it's a great idea for shelves they can reach. (In particular we have one tall and rambunctious 2 year old friend who comes over a lot!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/decorating-bookcases-and-kids#post-2779792 Sun, 15 Oct 2017 21:25:26 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2779792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you wanted to have pictures on the lower shelves, you could have them printed on canvas and displayed on tiny easels or propped against books. </p> [attach=4024/17/oxw9nl.337x600.IMG_6494.PNG] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/decorating-bookcases-and-kids#post-2779791 Sun, 15 Oct 2017 21:22:24 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2779791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That bowl on the bottom with the rattan balls would still work. A wire/wood/hammered metal bowl would look nice and wouldn't be easily breakable. Those big rattan balls would be safe for kiddos and easy to pick up if someone was playing with them. Or some big felted wool balls would be cool for fall/winter decor. </p> [attach=4024/17/oxw9ik.337x600.IMG_6493.PNG] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/decorating-bookcases-and-kids#post-2779786 Sun, 15 Oct 2017 20:31:00 +0000 Ina85 2779786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like how the pinterest one is decorated, so you could put few nice books, pretty picture frames, nice/pretty candles. I have plants all around my house so I would do a couple like orchids or succulents, you could do pretty fake ones if the real ones with soil would be a problem. There are lots of very pretty and realistic looking ones and they can be pretty light, definitely not as heavy as the real thing. You could also do wood sculpture decor, you don't have to worry about it breaking like any glass decor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/decorating-bookcases-and-kids#post-2779783 Sun, 15 Oct 2017 20:10:55 +0000 Foodnerd81 2779783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh! And you can see the bottom shelf for each has been removed. I have climbers. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/decorating-bookcases-and-kids#post-2779778 Sun, 15 Oct 2017 19:31:47 +0000 Foodnerd81 2779778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m finally getting around to decorating the leaning book cases we have flanking the TV in our family room. Up until now it’s been a mish mash of picture frames that accumulated over the years and other odds and ends. </p> <p>The problem is, curious little hands taking things down, breaking a, getting hurt. And even though I might be able to teach my own kids to leave it alone, we have little friends over a lot too. </p> <p>So I’m looking for inspiration on how to style the bookcases with things that are not very breakable or enticing to the toddler set. Attaching a current photo of them but keep in mind everything can be taken off. (And we will eventually be running those dangling wires behind the wall and putting the cable box and stuff in the media stand.)<br /> And attaching a pic of one I like on Pinterest.</p> <p>[attach=2307/17/oxw44z.450x600.C853A64A-209B-491C-A39A-9D8FB5CC4166.jpeg]</p> <p>[attach=2307/17/oxw451.337x600.5BAC0472-59D3-42C3-983D-77A2422B1541.png] </p>