thrifty decor: make a changing table from an old dresser
A changing table is one of those pieces of furniture you only need for a short period of your life, so why spend big bucks on it? We love the idea of turning a vintage find into a useful place in the nursery. Designer Lara Fishman from Designer’s Call gave us this idea with a few how-tos.
1) Find vintage dresser (flea markets are great for scouting hidden treasures). Requirements for a changing table: 36″ tall for ergonomic’s sake, plenty of drawers and cabinets.
2) Relacquer in color of choice; white is always fresh and fun for a nursery
3) Replate original hardware in finish of your choice (this changer was replated in nickel and polished)
4) Convert drawers for maximize storage; put in dividers for diapers, socks, etc.
5) Add interior drawers/partitions to increase storage
6) Place a rail on top to prevent pad from slipping
7) Select custom diaper changing pad… and voila- a unique, vintage looking changing table!
Have you converted a “found” treasure into thing of beauty? We’d love to hear about it! Email us at letters at shelterrific dotcom.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:16 am
This is adorable! When my husband and I moved in together (he was my fiance at the time), he brought with him a drab and dark, but structurally sound ’50s dresser he had inherited from one of his housemates. It didn’t go with our fresh and bright bedroom, so I glued on some cute, wooden details, painted the whole thing white and it was ready to go. I ended up not even needing to change the drawer pulls. We still use it (it’s been about 6 years).
March 11th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
We took our child’s changing table and used it in that room as a spare bureau — and when no longer needed as that, cleaned it, brought it into the dining room, and now use it to hold a lamp, clock, and table linens.
March 12th, 2009 at 10:04 am
That is a beautiful piece of furniture!
March 12th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Aww, I love this makeover of a flea market find. While I have no use for a changing station (I’m a “Mom” to only a cat and dog) it still gives me some ideas for an ugly dresser I have hidden in a closet. thanks!
March 15th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Shabby Chic Decorating includes distressed finishes, soft as well as delicate colours, mixing checks, stripes, and flower-patterned fabrics, using a rumpled but neat look, and using home décor that is worn but also elegant.
March 16th, 2009 at 5:01 am
[...] 4. There a lot of different kinds of pests in our homes! And we all want to get rid of them safely and naturally. For example, Kim writes: “Do you know of anything that works with spiders? They seem to try to move into our basement every fall.” Click here to read about using bay leaves to get rid of ants. 5. You can easily update old, drab furniture with some white paint and new hardware. Michelle VK writes: “When my husband and I moved in together (he was my fiance at the time), he brought with him a drab and dark, but structurally sound ’50s dresser he had inherited from one of his housemates. It didn’t go with our fresh and bright bedroom, so I glued on some cute, wooden details, painted the whole thing white and it was ready to go. I ended up not even needing to change the drawer pulls. We still use it (it’s been about 6 years).” Click here to see how a flea market find became a cute changing table. [...]
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:33 am
[...] few weeks ago we did a post about how to makeover a vintage dresser into a glam changing table for a nursery. A few coats of white paint and some new hardware usually does the trick to transform [...]