How to Decorate for Preschool Children With Wall Shelves

Organize toys on shelves with bins.

Young children have a short attention span so it’s a good idea to decorate for preschoolers with creativity and forethought. Start with constructing wall shelves to store activities, crafts and books. Wall shelves for preschoolers should be decorative and also practical, so take full advantage of the storage space you design and organize while you add interest to the setting.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring Tape
• Shelves
• Primer (optional)
• Paint
• Paint brushes
• Brackets
• Level
• Electric screw gun
• Screws
• Wall anchors
• Bins
• Plastic Containers
• Baskets
• Decorations

Instructions

Preparation

1. Measure your walls and plan the best way to use the available space. Use windows and doors to help designate different groupings of shelves for distinct areas of the room. For example, designate one area as “the reading corner” and another area for play.

2. Draw a plan on a piece of paper and decide where items would best be situated. Objects on shelves should coincide with the specified areas, but at the same time items like markers and scissors should be placed high enough that they are out of reach of the children.

3. Purchase shelving and other supplies either from a lumberyard or a department store. Choose quality products for best results.

Decorate

1. Pick a color scheme. Use bright, contrasting colors in an area associated with play. Colors opposite each other on the color wheel tend to stimulate and energize the children, such as bright yellow against purple or a blue and orange combination. Use more muted colors in a reading corner where you’d like a more subdued atmosphere.

2. Install the shelves using the electric screwdriver. Use a level to help make sure they are installed properly and safely so they don't come toppling down on the child.

3. Store bigger toys at the lowest level in the play area, and use see-through storage bins on higher shelves for items that have a lot of small pieces. Rotate toys so that some are stored out of reach for the season, such as sidewalk chalk during the winter months.

4. 

   Books should be readily accessible to children.

   Place age-appropriate books low enough in the reading area so kids can handle and choose the books they like. Other story books can be situated so they are only within an adult’s reach.

5. Keep supplies or out-of-season decorations out of sight. Conceal items that should only be accessible by adults in solid colored bins or buckets, and place them on the top shelves. Label shelves or containers to stay organized.

Tips & Warnings

• Save money and purchase unfinished boards to use for shelving. Make sure to use a primer before applying paint to bare wood.

• Make sure the paint or primer used is nontoxic and very durable.

• Try to secure the brackets in wall studs for added stability. Use wall anchors if necessary.

References

• Bright Hub: Preschool Library Center Ideas for Preschool Classrooms
• Wonder Time: One Mom’s Ingenious Playroom
• Preschool Rock.com: Tips for Organizing Preschooler’s Toys

Resources

• Hertz Furniture Systems: Preschool Storage