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Pop Culture

Woman shares 'genius' hack of hiding shelves behind framed pictures and people are loving it

A work of art and cleverly hidden storage—all for $30.

diy home decor, diy storage shelves
@hauz.and.co/TikTok

Dual purpose AND thrifty? What's not to like?

Sure, TikTok might be known best for its viral dances, but the platform displays all kinds of quirky, unique creativity. In the mood for stunning fashion finds? Animal mash-up drawings? Music featuring weird cat sounds? TikTok has it—and more.

That goes for inexpensive DIY home projects as well. TikTok has endless numbers of people sharing clever hacks for sprucing up a place using very little money, making the seriously fun hobby all the more accessible.

Back in August of 2022, digital creator and home decor enthusiast Sarahli Wilcox shared what TikTok users hailed as a “genius” storage hack—building small shelves and hiding them behind mounted art frames.

The process is fairly simple. As explained in an interview with Insider, Wilcox uses frames that are either upcycled from around her house or found at Goodwill. She’ll then remove any paint or varnish, fill any holes and then restain it (though she does say that repainting is an easier option). Next, Wilcox creates the backless cabinet and shelves using a brad nailer and some wood glue. The cabinet and frame are then put together with small hinges.

This video below also breaks it all down:

@hauz.and.co DIY Picture Frame Cabinets | who doesn't love dual purpose decor/furniture pieces?I'm obsessed with secret compartments & these are no exception, they're perfect to create a hallway gallery wall and store your knick knacks. What would you use the storage for?#secretcompartment #diyprojects #homediy #homedecorideas #homediyprojects #thriftflip #thriftmakeover #pictureframes #wallartdecor #homedecor♬ Little Things - Adrian Berenguer

Bada bing, bada boom: dual-purpose storage cabinets that are literally a work of art. And all for around $30, Wilcox told Insider.

In a follow-up video posted in January 2023, Wilcox shared that she mainly used her cabinets to store medicine, essential oils and hide her doorbell box.

@hauz.and.co This DIY Art frame hidden storage cabinet is truly the best storage/saving hack I've added to our home. After months of trying to find a 4th frame to complete the gallery wall, it's finally finished! Not sure if it feels like too much, but we're just going to go with it 🤗 The real question is what would you use the storage for? Give me more ideas 💡 #secretcompartment#diyprojects#wallart#pictureframe#thriftflip#thriftmakeover#storagehacks#homedecorideas#homedecor#homediy♬ Hideaway - Dunham Froebel

However, her creation has inspired several other lovely ideas for uses.

“SECRET SPICE CABINET,” someone wrote in all caps.

Another added, “This would be an amazing memorial idea. You could keep mementos behind a picture of the one you love.”

“This would make an amazing secret altar for witches in the broom closet,” commented another.

One parent wrote, “This is SUCH a great idea. I’m going to build these and put my kids’ art supplies inside."

Another person even posted a video on their own whimsical take on the idea, making it into what they called a “little fairy door.”

@happyenchantedhome I like to imagine a little fairy lives behind them 🥹🧚‍♂️ IC @Sarahli | hauz.and.co #pictureframecabinets#fairydoors#fairytok#faetok#whimsicaldecor♬ Idea 10 - Gibran Alcocer

This is TikTok at its best—a weird and wonderful pocket of the internet where creativity begets more creativity.

As you can probably expect, Wilcox has even more amazing hacks, which you can find by giving her a follow here.

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New study shows spanking hurts kids' mental health and is less effective at teaching lessons

Why is it wrong to hit an adult or an animal but OK to spank a child?

Photo by Kat J on Unsplash

Yet another study shows that spanking isn't good for kids.

Whether to spank your child or not is one of the oldest debates among parents. Many live by the age-old wisdom that to “spare the rod” is to “spoil the child,” while others believe it’s wrong to resort to violence to punish a child when so many alternatives exist.

It also begs the question: If it's wrong to hit your spouse or pet, why is it acceptable to hit a defenseless child?

The 2021 American Family Study found that support for spanking has declined in the U.S. over the past few years. In 2015, 54% either somewhat or strongly agreed with the practice, but that number dropped to 47% in 2021. Thirty-five percent of respondents disagree with the practice and 18% neither agree nor disagree.

A new research study from the Parent and Family Research Alliance in Australia led by Professor Sophie Havighurst and Professor Daryl Higgins from Australian Catholic University makes a strong case that people should stop using corporal punishment to discipline their kids. The study “Corporal punishment of children in Australia: The evidence-based case for legislative reform” analyzed countless studies on the topic and found spanking ineffective and harmful.

The study was published to urge lawmakers to make corporal punishment in Australia illegal. Sixty-five states across the world have made corporal punishment illegal, protecting 14% of the world’s children.

The study defined corporal punishment of children as using physical force to cause pain, but not injury, to correct or control a child’s behavior.

The most startling meta-analysis published in the study found that "only 1 out of 111 statistically significant effect sizes was associated with a link between 'spanking' and a positive child outcome," while 110 were found to be associated with adverse outcomes.

The one positive outcome was in a 1972 study of children of the U.S. military living in West Germany that found those spanked showed less amphetamine and opiate use as adults.

However, the remaining 110 significant results found that spanking had adverse effects, including: “reducing trust and connection with those they are closest to, lower self-esteem, more internalizing and externalizing behavior problems including aggression, mental health difficulties, and increased risk for later substance abuse, antisocial behavior, and violence.”

A meta-analysis found that when children are spanked, they are less likely to internalize the moral implications of the behaviors that led them to be disciplined. It also found that non-physical discipline was more effective at teaching “alternative behaviors,” “developing a child’s conscience,” and advancing their “emotional development.”

Another meta-analysis cited in the story found that corporal punishment in childhood was associated with mental health problems, low self-esteem and antisocial behavior.

In the end, the studies show that corporal punishment is counter-productive when it comes to raising healthy, happy children. But it will take much more than a study to get people to reconsider their views of corporal punishment because they are deeply rooted in many cultural traditions.

Looking for some non-physical alternatives to discipline your child? Here’s a great place to start from WebMD.

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