Making a baby changing table at home can be a fun do-it-yourself project. Saving money is just one benefit; you can also personalize the table to make it exactly fit your needs and available space. You can construct a useful and fashionable changing table that will last you well through the early years of parenthood with just a few simple tools and supplies.
We’ll walk you through the process of creating a homemade changing table from scratch in this guide. It’s an easy process that even a novice can handle, regardless of your level of experience doing projects around the house. We’ll take care of everything, from material selection to table assembly, to make sure you have a reliable and secure location for changing diapers.
You can select the precise features, measurements, and finish that best complement the design of your nursery by building your own changing table. It’s also a wonderful way to give your baby’s room a personalized touch. Together, you and your infant will love this useful and stylish piece of furniture that we can begin to create.
| Step | Description |
| 1. Gather materials | Get wood boards, screws, a drill, sandpaper, and a soft mat. |
| 2. Cut the wood | Measure and cut the wood for the frame and surface of the table. |
| 3. Assemble the frame | Use screws and a drill to secure the sides and base together. |
| 4. Sand the wood | Make sure all edges are smooth to avoid splinters. |
| 5. Add the top surface | Attach the top board securely to the frame. |
| 6. Install safety rails | Attach small rails or sides to prevent the baby from rolling off. |
| 7. Place the mat | Put a soft, washable mat on top for comfort. |
Features
- all materials must be safe, natural and certified;
- the design of the product is thought out so that the baby does not get hurt or hit, and the surface is made as smooth as possible;
- the size of the changing table should correspond to the height and weight of the child from the moment of birth and at least up to six months, while it will be actively used;
- water-repellent fabric for the mattress to avoid washing and damage during repeated use;
- creation of a rigid base of the mattress for the convenience, comfort and safety of the child.
A changing table is not a must, but it makes changing a baby much easier at any time of day. It also makes getting dressed for and undressing from walks more comfortable. Furthermore, you can perform massages and exercises on the changing table, which are beneficial for all babies and in some cases even medically prescribed.
Varieties
Thousands of mothers have long attested to the convenience of changing tables, so manufacturers have produced a sizable array of these items, of which the following types can be identified:
- portable;
- stationary;
- hanging;
- shelf table;
- changing chests of drawers;
- with a folding mechanism.
Parents select the option that best fits their needs because each has unique qualities, benefits, and drawbacks of its own:
- a portable changing table is convenient because it can be installed on any flat surface;
- a stationary changing table is safer, but requires carrying the baby to it;
- a hanging table will appeal to those who have little free space in the apartment, using a hanging structure that folds out and tucks away against the wall is the most convenient;
- the shelving table will please parents who want to have everything at hand so as not to leave the baby for a second – thanks to the shelves under the changing table, this becomes possible;
- a changing chest of drawers is suitable for those who are not going to use different surfaces to care for the child, placing all the necessary things on the shelves of the chest of drawers – you can easily change a diaper and change the baby without leaving your place;
- products with a folding mechanism are considered the most convenient, as they provide more space for mom and baby, and also allow you to use the changing table for other purposes.
Making a baby changing table doesn’t have to be difficult or costly. You can easily create a beautiful and useful changing table that meets your needs with a few simple tools and supplies. With the help of this guide, you’ll be able to easily create a secure and useful area in your home for changing diapers—from measuring and planning to assembling and finishing.
What is needed for manufacturing?
You can create the product yourself if the changing table was not purchased in a timely manner or if there was not a design that would please everyone. To get started on making your own table, you must choose the type of changing table by looking through several options. The Internet has a wealth of information, but in order to get the best outcome, the changing table needs to be designed using diagrams and drawings.
The base can be made with the following materials:
- natural wood;
- MDF;
- chipboard;
- laminated boards.
Wood is the hardest material to work with, but the results are more dependable and of better quality. Chipboard and MDF are simpler to work with; you can create any kind of table, in any size, shape, or color, from their sheets.
The following are the essential tools you should carry with you for work:
- hammer and nails;
- jigsaw;
- tape measure;
- drill with drills;
- screwdriver and screws;
- pliers.
The type of changing table and the materials used to make it will determine the differences in the manufacturing process.
Stages of work
The process of making a changing table starts with drawing out a sketch on which all of the components’ measurements are noted. For the convenience of both parents, it is crucial to consider where the future product will stand or hang and the height at which the work area will be situated before beginning any work. When every little detail is ironed out, you can start building a changing table.
The following will be the stages of work.
- Making all the parts according to the developed sketches. For work you need a jigsaw for cutting out the parts, a pencil and a tape measure for transferring the drawing.
- Sanding the products or gluing the furniture edging. In the work you can use coarse-grained, then fine-grained sandpaper.
- Assembling the parts into a finished structure. To work with a wooden structure you will need confirmats and a key for them, a screwdriver and self-tapping screws, as well as a hammer and nails.
- Checking the functionality of the finished structure and its safety.
- Decorating the changing table.
Prior to building the changing table, the box must be put together. To do this, we join the side panels with the bottom and lid. The back wall and the sides are attached to the base once it is ready, and the base should be higher than the side panels. Attaching the interior shelves is the next step. All the components are assembled together, and guides are fastened to the base and shelves. Once the product is completed, the fixtures are put in place, and you can customize the changing table to your preference.
Every kind of changing table creation has unique qualities:
- for a portable one, you need a sheet of chipboard or thick plywood 90×60 and two side panels, everything is connected and fastened together with screws;
- for a hanging one, you can also use chipboard or plywood and attach it to the wall from below with wooden or metal corners;
- a folding version can be created from the same materials, but in the form of a rack with shelves and a front door that opens from top to bottom to an angle of 90 ° using mechanisms with gas lifts;
- for tables that are part of other furniture, it is important to use the same materials for production and focus on the dimensions of the entire product.
The changing table needs to have precise measurements; if it is any smaller, the product will be dangerous and inconvenient. The table should measure 70 cm in length, 60 cm in width, and 10 cm in height on each side. Although you can make the surfaces larger, it is not advised to go beyond the measurements of the changing table work area because the child could roll over and fall on them.
Making your own changing table from scratch can be a satisfying endeavor. You can save money and give your baby a personalized, useful space at the same time. You can make something that meets your needs and complements the design of your nursery with just a few simple tools and materials.
You’ll have a reliable, secure changing station for all those future diaper changes if you stick to a straightforward plan and take careful measurements. It’s even more convenient to add storage for clothes, wipes, and diapers, which will keep you organized as a parent.
In the end, building your own changing table is about more than just functionality; it’s also about creating a unique item that you’ll use on a daily basis. Something that seems custom-made for your family can be made with a little time and effort.
