Average But Inspired

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A Changing Table Upcycle {A Changing Table Gets New Life as a Console Table}

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This idea for repurposing a baby changing table will have you rethinking getting rid of yours.

Some of you are going to hate this project and think I’ve lost my mind.  So I apologize in advance.  

Maybe I have lost my mind, but I prefer to think of this changing table upcycle as a smart way to reuse and repurpose something that was no longer needed.

Give an old changing table new life by turning it into a console table!

For about a year I have been scouring Craigslist, Goodwill, and all of the local resale websites to find a console table for my living room, but I just could not find what I was looking for.  

But then one day a changing table was posted for $20.  It was the perfect size for my space and I thought I’d take a chance and see if I could make it work as a console table.  

So I sent my wonderful husband to pick it up for me and bear the strange looks from the seller when he found out that this changing table was not going to be used for a baby.  (I’m thinking this guy was kicking himself for not coming up with this idea.  (Sure.))  

This is what the changing table looked like when I bought it.  I feel bad for the baby who had to get his or her bottom wiped on this sad table.  I knew it could be so much more!

Give an old changing table new life by turning it into a console table!

** Thank you to the kind folks at Country Chic Paint for providing the paint I used in this post!  Also, there are affiliate links in this post, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase through them.  To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.**

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I wiped it down with a wet rag and gave it a coat of Country Chic Paint in Dark Roast.  It is an amazing paint that goes on smoothly and covers brilliantly.  That is some good coverage for one coat!

After that dried, I applied another coat of Dark Roast and was happy to find out that I wouldn’t need to do a third coat.

To seal the piece, I applied two coats of Country Chic Clear Coat.  Although I typically prefer to wax pieces that have been chalk painted, this stuff is supposed to help your pieces resist scratching and stand up to a lot of wear and tear.  

Since this console table is in a high traffic area of my home, and since my kids will be digging in the baskets, I figured it was smart to apply a heavy duty sealer.

So smart! Upcycle a changing table into a console table!

Once the painting and sealing was finished, I decoupaged fabric to each of the shelves.  Then I drilled holes in the drawer for new hardware.  I was SO proud of myself for not screwing that up!  Aren’t these handles awesome?!?

console table angle

Here’s a good shot of the fabric-lined shelves / table top.  I think it’s kind of fun!  (And if you do, too, and want to learn how to apply fabric to furniture, make sure to check out that post.)

Repurpose an old changing table into a console table! A little paint and some new hardware goes a long way!

I think the sophisticated color transforms the piece from a nursery staple to a chic console table.  

Repurpose an old changing table into a console table! A little paint and some new hardware goes a long way!

I couldn’t be happier with my new table!  

console table 4

So what do you think?  Does it work as a console table or is it ridiculous?  It won’t hurt my feelings too much if you don’t like it.  I promise. 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Regina says

    oh yeah! This looks great! Found a changing table at a yard sale and bought it for $5. With this upcycle of yours I will be able make it look chic! Thank you for posting. Not average at all, very tasteful and as if you purchased it at a high end store.

    Reply

    • Bre says

      Aw, Regina – THANK YOU! That really means so much and your nice note brought a smile to my face. 🙂 Send me a picture when you’ve given your changing table a makeover!!

  2. Melva says

    Bre, awesome makeover! It took vision because I would not have seen the potential. It looks like that is what it was meant to be all along. Loving it!

    Reply

    • Bre says

      Aw, Melva – thank you!! That is so sweet of you to say. Your kindness made my day. Thanks again!

    • Bre says

      Thank you so much, Kim! My husband still likes to give me a hard time about it, but that’s OK! I just tell him, “hey – do you want me to go spend more money?!? :-)”

  4. Nancy says

    I see these tables at yard sales all the time but never thought one could be so transformed! Beautiful job! I think the color you picked is the cherry on top!

    Reply

    • Bre says

      Thank you SO much, Nancy!! 🙂 I appreciate your sweet note!! Have a great rest of your day.

    • Bre says

      Thanks, Anita! UGH, so the lower shelves are awful. I reinforced them with Gorilla Tape, and that helped. I didn’t realize how flimsy they were until I tried to actually put decent weight on them. Lesson learned!

  7. Stacy says

    This is fabulous! I have not been able to find a console table that I like that I can refinish AND is the right price, so I am going to set my sights on changing tables. One question: How did you adhere the fabric to the shelves?

    Reply

    • Stacy says

      Thank you! Now….can you tell me what brand your table is? I found an identical one on Craigslist, and I think they’re asking too much ($75). They said they paid $200 for it originally. Hmmm…

    • Bre says

      Oh that is TOO much! Unfortunately I don’t know what brand this is since I also bought it used and it didn’t have any labels on it. But I only paid $20. . . I’m pretty sure you can buy new ones for close to $100, so $75 for used seems a bit much. Good luck with finding the perfect one for a great price! 🙂

    • Stacy says

      Yep, I thought so too! I’ll see if they’ll agree to come down, otherwise I will move on! Thanks Bre!

  8. Morela says

    Hi Bre,

    Love this makeover and I’m totally crushing on the handles! I’m planning on turning my daughter’s into a bench. Did you sand it down before painting it? If not, how is the paint holding up? I am totally dreading that part :/

    Reply

    • Bre says

      Hi, Morela! Thank you!!! Your project sounds amazing!! So for this project, I did lightly sand because the piece was pretty glossy. I just used a piece of sandpaper though, because the paint I used is chalk paint, which has really great adhesion properties (much stronger than latex paint). I used an extra strong topcoat over the paint, so it has held up marvelously! No scratches or chips at all!! I hope that helps. Best of luck with your project!

    • Bre says

      Hi, Mary! Thank you so much!! It is crazy what a little paint and some hardware can do for a piece, isn’t it? Thanks for your sweet note. 🙂

  10. Erin says

    That looks awesome, we use our change table as a console too. With baby 2 we put it outside our main floor bathroom which happens to be next to our garage door and it slowly shifted from change station to family drop zone. I have no plans to give it up but it needs a nice facelift like yours as the paint is pretty dinged up and the warning sticker needs to be removed. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply

    • Bre says

      Hi, Erin! YES – a changing table is perfect as a drop zone!! As much as that warning sticker adds character, I’m sure that if you give it a little facelift you will be SO happy! Just make sure to use a heavy duty sealer to protect the finish. Thanks for stopping by and good luck with your makeover! Be

  11. Bonnie says

    I am so excited I found your post through #MotivationalMonday linky party. I have been staring at my old change table thinking it could be something more as well. My biggest question was whether or not I would have to sand it down and then repaint but it might be possible to repaint without sanding it down. Love of what you did with yours and it has inspired me to do something with mine.

    Reply

    • Bre says

      Hi, Bonnie! YAY! That is SO awesome!! Thanks for the sweet note and I hope you love your upcycle. Definitely use chalk paint. I swear, it is the best invention EVER!! I hate the prep work part of painting, but chalk paint basically eliminates that. GOOD LUCK! 🙂

  13. Terry says

    This is one of the best makeovers I’ve ever seen! It does not look like a changing table at all! I love it!

    Reply

    • Bre says

      Terry! That is SO kind of you!! Thanks so much. I really appreciate your sweet words! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

    • Bre says

      Girl you just need to watch Craigslist!! I know you have a ton of free time to do things like upcycling furniture, so you should really get on that! ;-P

  15. Sue says

    I’ve seen several changing table makeovers. Yours is by far the best. Open shelf pieces are all the rage right now. Good job!

    Reply

  18. Katie says

    OMG I love this!!! What a brilliant idea!!! I will always be on the lookout for a cheap changing table now!

    Reply

    • Bre says

      Hi, Katie! Thanks so much!! Yes definitely watch for them! I think people are so anxious to get rid of them once they’re out of the baby stage . . . they practically give them away for free!

  20. Erica says

    This is beyond brilliant! So cool to see this table get a second life as something even MORE awesome! I love the color you chose and the pattern of the fabric – perfect combo!

    Reply

  24. Laurie says

    Bre, just wanted to pop over to let you know that your Changing Table Upcycle will be one of the features on next weeks Brag About It! Party Starts Monday @ midnight! Congratulations!
    ~Laurie

    Reply

    • Bre says

      Aw, thanks, Laurie! I guess I just thought people would be like “what the heck? Who puts a changing table in a living room?” 🙂

    • Laurie says

      pfff! Then they don’t have any vision. I don’t see a changing table, I see a beautiful, unique pice of furniture that is something to be very proud of! I think you knocked it out of the ball park!

    • Bre says

      Thanks, lady! You are the sweetest. :=) You’ll have to save your little lady’s table for the future! 🙂

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