The practical little things
What to hang above a crib (and how to hang it safely)
A practical checklist for the wall above the crib, from what to choose to how to fasten it, written by people who make nursery signs.
The wall above the crib is the first thing you see when you walk into a nursery, so it makes sense that it gets the most attention. It’s also the one wall a baby will eventually reach for. Here is how we think about it.
Choose things that are light and flat
Flat, lightweight pieces are the easiest to live with above a crib. Thin wood cutouts, paper prints in acrylic frames, and fabric pennants all work. Skip glass frames, mirrors, heavy shelves and anything with small parts that could come loose.
Our signs are cut from 4 mm plywood, so each piece is thin and light. Even so, we treat them like anything else that hangs over a sleeping baby: they should be fastened properly.
Tape is for walls, screws are for cribs
Every Namegrove sign comes with double-sided mounting tape, and tape is fine over a dresser or a reading nook. Above a crib we recommend small nails or screws instead. Tape can let go over time, especially on textured paint or in a humid room.
- On drywall, use small screws with drywall anchors, or picture-hanging nails for very light pieces.
- On plaster or wood paneling, pick a fastener made for that surface.
- If you’re not sure what’s behind the paint, ask someone who knows walls. It takes ten minutes and saves you from worrying later.
Think about reach, not just looks
Newborns stay where you put them. Babies who can pull up to stand don’t. Once that happens, anything within arm’s reach of the crib rail is fair game, including the bottom of a sign that hangs too low.
Leave a generous gap between the top of the rail and the lowest piece on the wall. In our room renderings the sign sits about a foot and a half above the rail, which keeps it well away from small hands and still looks connected to the crib.
Plan the cord before you plan the photo
If you choose a backlit sign, it has a USB cord of about 18 inches. Decide where it will run before you mount anything. Route it along the wall and away from the crib, use cord covers if you like, and keep the plug out of reach. The wall adapter isn’t included, so check that you have one that fits where the outlet is.
Check it again in a few months
Babies grow fast and rooms change. When you lower the crib mattress, move the crib, or notice your baby standing for the first time, give the wall a quick look. Press on each piece, check the fasteners, and move anything that’s now too close.
A simple checklist
- Light, flat pieces only
- Nails or screws above the crib, tape elsewhere
- A good gap above the crib rail
- Cords routed away and out of reach
- A recheck every time the crib setup changes
A name sign is a lovely first thing for a baby to look at. Hang it with the same care you put into the rest of the room, and you won’t have to think about it again.