by Amanda Formaro
Most moms have, at one point, had a baby changing table. But
once the baby is too big for it, what then? Sell it at a garage sale? Save it
for your
sister-in-law? Shove it in the storage shed or garage? Instead,
create some
needed storage space for your laundry room, mud room, kitchen,
front porch, sewing room or any other area that is in need. Don't have one?
You can pick one up at a garage sale these days for $10 or less.
With a little paint and some creativity, a used changing table
can become an
attractive addition to any room. Depending on where in the house
you decide to put it, the changing table can be decorated and accessorized
in many different ways. Start off this project by applying a fresh coat
of white paint. You may need a second coat depending on the condition of
the table.
Laundry Room
Laundry supplies are not attractive. Bulky boxes and bottles,
sprays, stain sticks, extra socks and that spare change you always find in the
lint trap. To hide all the necessary evils, find a set of kitchen curtains
at a garage sale or thrift store, long enough to go from the top edge of the
changing
table down about an inch above the floor. Be sure there is
enough fabric to
wrap around the entire table. If you are ambitious enough and
know how to use a sewing machine, you can buy some fabric on sale and make
your own. Use velcro fasteners, available at many discount and fabric stores,
to attach the fabric to the changing table. These usually come in squares or
circles and have an adhesive backing. One side you will stick to the
changing table and the other you will need to sew onto the fabric.
Sew the velcro onto the fabric first. When you are finished,
placed the
other half of the velcro piece onto the sewn on piece so that
they stick
together. Then hold the fabric up to the changing table where
you want it to
go. Next, peel the backing off of the velcro, exposing the
adhesive, and
stick to the changing table. Doing it this way is much easier
and will place
the velcro directly in line with each other. If you stick the
velcro to the fabric first you have no room for error.
Note: When positioning the fabric, the two ends of the fabric,
after being wrapped around the table, should meet in the middle. This will
create a "doorway" in the front of the table for easy access to the
shelves.
After your fabric is in place you can place your large bottles
and boxes on
the large middle shelf, along with any rags you use to wipe off
your washer
and dryer with. The bottom shelf can be used as storage for
items such as
sheets, tablecloths or other flat, thin items. The top shelf
could be used for folding laundry or can be decorated with a cute lamp and a
picture of your kids. Place a small basket on the top shelf for all those
little things that end up in the lint trap or the bottom of the washing
machine; such as coins, wrappers, dollar bills (those are yours now, by the way,
possession is 9/10 of the law!) small toys, paper clips, etc. Another idea
comes from Beth Simms ([email protected]). She stacks up clear plastic,
shoe box sized containers, one for each of her family members, for mismatched
socks.
Mud Room
For this room you would not use the fabric as it would just
become too dirty too fast. If your mud room is separate from your laundry room,
the changing table can become a great storage for shoes, hats, scarves, etc.
At Beth's house the middle shelf houses a laundry basket for putting toys
in. "To avoid the mom/child war, I wait until the basket is full and take
it all up at once, putting the toys in the appropriate child's room."
The bottom shelf is a great place for shoes & boots. You could also place a small basket on the top shelf for keys and other small items. A larger basket would accomodate scarves, gloves and face masks.
Front Porch
After the white paint dries, apply some gentle green or yellow sponging around the edges of the table. Or stencil on a nice ivy pattern along the legs and outer edges. Maybe even dot in some brown here and there for effect. This can be a beautiful display for potted plants and flowers. Container gardening is not uncommon and can be very nicely displayed in decorative pots. You can use the fabric curtain option on this design to hide any items that you would like to keep on the porch for company but don't want displayed (i.e. ashtrays, kleenex, bug spray, watering can, etc).
Garden Shed or Porch
A very practical gardening table can evolve from this project
with very little work. If the table will not be out in view and will be
used for work purposes only, you can stop at the fresh coat(s) of paint. Beth
points out that the top shelf could be used for a flat of plants waiting to
be planted
or for flats of seedlings. The top shelf is a great work surface
for planting
and transplanting herbs, flowers and other foliage. The other
shelves are a
great place for extra flower pots, watering cans and various
garden tools.
Again, a nice ilttle basket will hold gardening gloves and seed
packets.
Sewing/Craft Room
After the white paint dries, rag on or sponge one or two colors to match the decor of the room. Or paint the outer edges a solid color and and use a nice gingham or floral curtain to compliment it. Accessorize the top shelf with some of your craft accomplishments such as a personalized picture frame, a hand painted flower pot, a dried floral arrangement or a decorative basket.
Many of the items that you will store are unsightly and are
better off not being displayed. The use of clear plastic shoeboxes would be
beneficial, as
well as smaller containers for the tiny items associated with
sewing and crafting. The use of baskets is always recommended, hidden or
not. Baskets are much easier on the eyes than a plastic container.
Child's Room
The possibilities here are endless. You can use the fabric
curtain method with a frilly edge for a little girl's room, or a nice solid navy
for a boy's
room. There is the option of not using fabric here as it is so
flexible. Paint the outer edges a solid color to match the room decor and
use a small paint brush to flick on a secondary color to give it the splatter
effect.
You can store toys in a plastic basket, books in milk crates or
with book
ends, dolls, cars, the list goes on. For older children you can
use this to store their clothes if they wish. Again, use a small lamp on the
top shelf
and accessorate with a couple of books or stuffed animals.
The decorating possibilities are endless. With a little
imagination and minimal work you can have a great piece of furniture that is
attractive and
practical.
Bio on Amanda
Amanda Formaro is the mother of four children. She and her
husband live in southeastern Wisconsin. She is the owner of The Family
Corner.com website at http://www.thefamilycorner.com.