How High Should You Hang a Children's Bookshelf?
Daisy AndrewsQuick answer: hang a children's bookshelf so the books sit at your child's eye or chest height, where they can see the covers and reach them while standing. For a toddler, that usually means the bottom of the shelf is around 50–60cm from the floor. If you're hanging more than one, space them about 30–35cm apart, and never directly above a cot or bed.
By Daisy Andrews, founder of Autumn's Corner, where every shelf is made in our Cardiff workshop.
You've chosen the bookshelf. Now comes the question every parent asks with the drill in hand: how high should it go?
Too high, and the books become something your child has to ask for. Too low, and they're behind the toy box or under a toddler's feet. Get it right, and the shelf becomes theirs.
Here's how to find the right height, how far apart to space more than one shelf, and what to avoid.
How high should a children's bookshelf be?
Hang it so the books sit at your child's eye or chest height, where they can see every cover and reach in comfortably while standing.
That's it. Not your eye level, and not "where it looks nice on the wall". The whole point of a front-facing shelf is that your child can see what's there and choose for themselves, so their height is the only one that matters.
As a rough starting point, that puts the bottom of the shelf around 50–60cm from the floor for a toddler, and a little higher for older children. But children grow at different rates, so the best measure is your own child.
The simple test: where does their hand land?
Before you drill, try this:
- Stand your child next to the wall.
- Ask them to reach out as if they're picking up a book.
- Note where their hand naturally lands, and pencil a light mark.
That mark is roughly where the books should sit. Hold the shelf up against it and check that they can see over the front bar to the covers behind.
What about a reading wall with more than one shelf?
A single shelf holds a small, well-chosen selection. Two or three stacked up the wall turn a corner into a proper reading spot, and give you somewhere to keep the books that aren't on rotation.
Put the lowest shelf at your child's height. This is the one they'll use every day, so it gets the favourites.
Use the higher shelves for books you swap in. They still look lovely on display, and it makes rotating books easy: move a few down every couple of weeks and the shelf feels new again.
Space them so picture books fit. Most picture books stand around 25–30cm tall. Leaving roughly 30–35cm between the bottom of one shelf and the bottom of the next gives them room to stand without catching on the shelf above.
Line them up or step them. Shelves stacked straight above each other look calm and tidy. Stepping them across the wall, like a staircase, works beautifully above a chair or chest of drawers.
Building a reading wall? Our Story Shelf sets are priced lower automatically: 10% off two, 15% off three and 20% off four or more, in any mix of sizes and colours. See the Story Shelf →
Which width should I choose?
Measure the wall first, then think about how many books you want on show.
The Story Shelf comes in five widths, from 40cm to 80cm. A 40cm shelf shows around three covers at the front; an 80cm shelf shows around six. Because it's 115mm deep inside, books stand one behind another, so every cover on show has a small stack behind it. That means a 40cm shelf holds roughly 15 picture books, and an 80cm shelf roughly 35, depending on your books.
For a small bedroom or a spot beside the bed, 40cm or 50cm sits neatly. Above a reading chair or along a playroom wall, 70cm or 80cm makes more of the space.
Where shouldn't a bookshelf go?
Not directly above a cot or bed. Books get pulled down, and you don't want them landing on a sleeping child. Hang the shelf to one side instead, or on a different wall.
Not behind furniture they'll climb. If your child has to stand on a toy box or chair to reach the shelf, it's too high, and it invites climbing.
Not where a door swings into it. Check the door's path before you drill, especially in smaller rooms.
How do I put it up?
Every Story Shelf arrives fully assembled, with two screws, two universal wall plugs and two keyhole markers. You'll need a drill with a 6mm bit and a spirit level.
- Slot in the markers. Push the two keyhole markers into the slots on the back of the shelf.
- Level it and press. Hold the shelf where you want it, check it with a spirit level and press it firmly against the wall. The markers show exactly where to drill, so there's no measuring.
- Drill, plug and hang. Drill the two holes, push in the plugs, fit the screws and hang the shelf on them.
The plugs work in both solid walls and plasterboard. Check for hidden pipes and cables before drilling, and if you're unsure about your wall, ask a professional for advice before fitting.
Frequently asked questions
How high should a bookshelf be for a toddler?
Around 50–60cm from the floor to the bottom of the shelf is a good starting point for most toddlers. The best check is your own child: stand them by the wall and see where their hand naturally lands when they reach out.
How far apart should children's bookshelves be?
About 30–35cm, measured from the bottom of one shelf to the bottom of the next. That leaves room for most picture books, which stand around 25–30cm tall.
Can you hang a bookshelf above a child's bed or cot?
It's best not to. Books get pulled down and could land on a sleeping child, so hang the shelf to one side of the bed or cot, or on a different wall.
How many books does a front-facing bookshelf hold?
It depends on the width and depth. Our Story Shelf is 115mm deep inside, so books stand one behind another: a 40cm shelf holds roughly 15 picture books and an 80cm shelf roughly 35.
Can I hang a children's bookshelf on plasterboard?
Yes, with the right fixings. The universal wall plugs that come with the Story Shelf work in both solid walls and plasterboard. If you're unsure about your wall, ask a professional for advice before fitting.
The Bottom Line
Hang it at their height, not yours. Use the hand test, put the everyday books on the lowest shelf, leave room for picture books between shelves, and keep it clear of the cot.
Get the height right and the shelf stops being furniture and becomes their own little library, one they can use without asking.