Repurposing closet doors is actually a pretty clever idea—I’ve seen folks use old bi-folds as makeshift gates, just screwed into the wall with a hinge so you can swing them open. It’s not exactly pretty, but it’s sturdy and way cheaper than buying those fancy play yard panels. I do think you’re right about determined toddlers, though.
I once watched my niece scale a baby gate like she was training for American Ninja Warrior. At some point, you just have to outsmart them for a few months until the demo’s done....sometimes it feels like nothing short of a bank vault would stop a determined toddler...
I get the appeal of using closet doors—definitely budget-friendly—but I’d be a little worried about stability, especially if you’ve got a climber on your hands. When we started our kitchen reno, I actually used a combo of heavy-duty cardboard and zip ties to block off the area. Not pretty either, but it was surprisingly effective for a few weeks. Sometimes the simplest stuff works better than you’d think... though nothing’s truly toddler-proof, right?
Honestly, I tried the “stack random stuff in the doorway” method at first—boxes, chairs, you name it. My toddler just saw it as a new climbing challenge. Ended up using a pressure-mounted baby gate with plywood zip-tied to it. Not pretty, but at least it didn’t topple over every five minutes...
Ended up using a pressure-mounted baby gate with plywood zip-tied to it. Not pretty, but at least it didn’t topple over every five minutes...
I can relate to the “stack random stuff in the doorway” approach—tried that myself once, and it was basically an open invitation for my kid to test his climbing skills. You’re right, toddlers see obstacles as puzzles, not barriers.
The pressure-mounted gate with plywood is clever, though I’d be a bit cautious about stability if your little one’s persistent. I’ve found that screwing a piece of plywood directly into the studs (if you don’t mind patching drywall later) is the most secure, but obviously not everyone wants holes in their walls. There are also those extra-tall pet gates—ugly, but harder for kids to scale.
One thing I’d add: if you’re mid-reno and there are tools or sharp debris around, I’d double up on safety and maybe even block off the whole room with temporary wall panels. It’s a pain, but peace of mind is worth it. Kids are like tiny parkour experts... they’ll find a way if there’s any chance at all.
Honestly, I’ve seen a lot of creative “barriers” over the years, but most of them just end up being climbing gyms for toddlers. Pressure-mounted gates are fine for quick fixes, but if you’re dealing with a determined kid and a half-demo’d kitchen, I’d go for something more robust. Plywood zip-tied to a gate is better than nothing, but it’s still not going to stop a persistent little one for long—especially if they’re at that stage where they want to test every limit.
If you can tolerate a few holes in the wall, screwing plywood directly into the studs is by far the safest. It’s not pretty, but neither is a trip to urgent care. For folks who really don’t want to damage the walls, those temporary construction panels (like ZipWall or even heavy-duty cardboard) can work in a pinch. They’re not cheap, but they’re sturdy and reusable.
I’ve also seen people use extra-tall pet gates, which are ugly but surprisingly effective. At the end of the day, aesthetics take a back seat to safety—especially during renos. Kids are relentless... if there’s a way in, they’ll find it.
