Worried About Wall Art Above Changing Table?

CalinAZ

Is anyone else concerned about hanging something heavy (i.e. glass picture frames) above your changing table? I'm sure this is just coming from growing up in earthquake country and being taught that you never hang anything framed or heavy above beds, just in case. I know the baby won't be unsupervised or obviously sleeping on the changing pad, but with how often the baby's diaper needs to be changed, I'm feeling paranoid, even though I no longer live in CA, so earthquakes aren't a concern. 

Am I way overthinking this, or is this a concern anyone else is sharing? Any ideas/inspiration of what I could do to decorate the wall above our changing table that doesn't include glass/a mirror/other heavy objects? Or should I just stop being an overly concerned FTM?

Thanks!

Themaritimemama

Because you live in a place with earthquakes, I might not just to be safe. You could always go with decals on the wall?

snappyK

Thanks for posting this! I'm brand new to LA, and I hadn't really thought about wall hangings and earthquakes. I might rethink some of my home decor now...

Emztron500

If you're worried, you could just use wall decals or posters/photos mounted on foamcore (most framing shops will do that, or you can DIY it with sheets of self-adhesive foamcore board from Staples, a big ruler, and an exacto knife). Just don't cut your fingertips off with the exacto knife trimming it down. Foamcore is extremely light and your baby would hardly blink even if a large mounted piece fell on him. Doesn't look as nice as a fancy wood/glass frame though. Depending on the frame, and if you don't mind the permanency, maybe you could use long screws and drill right through the frame and into the wall at all four corners?

AcaAwkward

We have plates hanging above DD's crib. They are actually ridiculously secure (and out of her reach), but I do remove them when thunderstorms are in the forecast during tornado season...more because they make some noise during heavy thunder than from fear they'll fall (but better safe than sorry, of course).

I don't think you should worry too much if you don't still live in an earthquake zone! Even then, it's highly unlikely anything would happen with the short times she'll spend up there plus she'll be supervised the entire time!

Emztron500

Sorry, I work in the custom photo printing industry, so I keep thinking of more ideas...you could also consider hanging wrapped but unframed canvas instead. Again, it's typically MUCH lighter than a framed image, and does not include glass. There are a gazillion places that will print photos directly on canvas and wrap it.

knotty-girl

I'm hanging a cluster Japanese paper balloons with fishing wire over my changing table. They are colorful and will distract the baby and give him something to look at during diaper changes. If one were to fall it would not hurt anyone as they are a tissue paper consistency. I've also seen people do those tissue paper flower puff things (which are more appropriate for a girly nursery). It's a good alternative to wall art. Or you can do the baby's name with cardboard 3D letters from the craft store on the wall, which are lightweight and when painted or decorated not decernable from the wood ones. 

Paper balloons: https://finds.hellobee.com/2012/03/30/japanese-paper-balloons/ ;

Paper Pom Pom Flowers:https://littlelovely.typepad.com/.a/6a0120a51f715c970c0120a7c06cdc970b-pi 

Cardboard letters: https://www.countryloveceramics.com/files//GUILD/3D Craft Letters For Decorating.JPG

knotty-girl

I also forgot to mention that OOK has some really good wall hanging kits, the hooks that close around the wire so the pictures can't bounce up and off. They have ones that hold up to 90 lbs in drywall without a molly. I used these to hang to huge framed photographs that weighed over 30lbs above our headboard, and we've had a few jolts slam the house here and there, though no major earthquakes. (I'm in the Los Angeles area.) 

https://www.rakuten.com/prod/ook-professional-picture-hanging-kit/204635724.html?listingId=267802374&scid=pla_google_Wayfair&adid=18172&gclid=CKfJqpOvqr0CFUqUfgodE2gAGA

Avion22

I'd be more worried about anything nice hanging over the changing table getting dirty.  Maybe not an issue with a girl, but with a little boy I think it's a good bet that anything hanging on the wall might get sprayed with pee at some point.   

Still, it's probably best not to have anything heavy on the wall that isn't very securely anchored.

maelic

We live in boring old New England, so the only risk to the baby at this point is freezing to death. In March.