One more nursery task can be crossed off the list: the changing table is done.
Before Clara was born, a coworker told me changing tables were unnecessary because you often change a baby wherever is convenient — on the floor or the nearest piece of furniture. We had already bought and refinished Clara’s changing table/dresser when she said that, so it stuck with me as a possible first-time-parent misstep.
Surprisingly, we used Clara’s changing table religiously. Maybe it was because our house was small and all on one level — if we were home, she got changed on that table. The routine continued even after we moved to a bigger one-level ranch.
Stairs can change habits, though. In our current house we keep some changing supplies downstairs for convenience. Anything that simplifies life with a newborn is welcome.
We had considered using my dad’s old dresser in the nursery as a changing table. It has family history and would have been a sentimental choice, but after finishing the built-ins we realized the room already had plenty of closed storage. More drawers on the opposite side felt like overkill, and open, easy-access storage would be more useful for toys and books.
We set some clear criteria for the new changing area:
- A wide, flat surface to fit our changing pad (at least 15″ wide).
- A mix of open storage and space for bins or baskets to hide diapering supplies when needed.
- About 60″ wide to ground the long empty wall and balance the large bike prints we planned to hang above it.
Looking at a previous photo of our sunroom storage gave us an idea: why not use the Expedit? It matched our needs, was available in the office, and it felt like the right fit just as news about the Expedit changing was circulating online.
I hauled it upstairs (it was heavier than I remembered) and set it opposite the built-ins. At first it looked a bit bland. Even with the changing pad planned for the top, it didn’t stand out against the wall, rug, and doors.
Leaning the bike art on the top helped visually, but we still wanted the Expedit to feel more finished and tied to the room. To add contrast and echo Clara’s white-and-wood changing table, we decided to wrap the outside of the Expedit with stained wood. That would also connect it to the wood-topped built-ins and the homemade art frames.
That photo above is the real after — so before tackling the build, I dragged the Expedit back out to the garage to start cutting wood.
Measurements showed three 1×6 boards would cover the face and leave about a 1/2″ overhang on each side, giving the changing pad a bit more surface area. We used basic whitewood — the same wood from a previous console table project — because it offered a slightly rustic look and a good price.
I joined the boards into panels using a pocket-hole jig and screws, the same technique used on the console top. After joining and sanding the panels, I conditioned the wood to reduce blotching and improve stain absorption.
We used Minwax Dark Walnut for consistency with other wood elements in the room and applied one coat. For protection, we finished with two coats of a non-toxic water-based topcoat to lock in the stain and minimize any fumes.
After the finish dried, I attached the panels to the Expedit using wood glue and 1.75″ brad nails, keeping screw heads out of sight. I roughed up the Expedit surface a bit first to help the glue adhere.
I added the side panels to create a waterfall edge and let everything dry overnight before attaching the bottom pieces. The middle bottom section was left off since it won’t be visible in use.
Next we experimented with legs and casters. We liked the look of chunky casters, but they raised the height too much and would have pushed the art higher on the wall. Ultimately we removed the casters and kept stationary legs made from 2×2 pine so the unit wouldn’t roll during diaper changes.
After final tweaks — removing the casters and adding the legs — we hung the bike art and styled the shelves. The Expedit with its wood wrap provided a clean mix of concealed storage and open shelving for toys and books.
Update: The finished height of the changing surface is about 34″ from the floor with the pad in place. Clara’s changing surface had been around 33″, so this height is comfortable for us.
The shelves currently hold placeholder items; we plan to add baskets for diapers and wipes. The 3 Sprouts dragon box fits perfectly in an Expedit cube and was a sentimental addition from Clara.
We still need a proper changing pad cover — for now we used leftover fabric — and a system for dirty diapers, but the finished piece works well as both a changing station and future toy storage. The wood and conditioner cost about $45 total; the stain and tools were already on hand, and we returned the casters.
The changing pad secures with two oversized snaps that attach to screws in the furniture; we transferred those from Clara’s dresser to the Expedit. The bike art is secured with heavy-duty adhesive strips in addition to the screws for extra safety.
We’re happy with how this upgrade filled in that empty wall and created a practical, attractive changing area that should transition into toy and book storage as the kids grow. The room feels more complete, and Sherry is finishing a mobile to hang over the crib.
If you use a changing table or improvise elsewhere, or if you’ve hacked an Expedit yourself, we’d love to hear how you solved your nursery storage and changing needs.
