There is nothing to compare the birth of your first child with. Of my own emotions, I remember only a certain euphoria, combined with a fair amount of inhibition of thought processes. “Standing there, grinning - a fool is a fool!” - a very accurate description, I think. And therefore it is good that all the “technical” preparations were made in advance. I remember that there was renovation, buying furniture... Now I would do everything differently. And first of all, I would build a changing chest with my own hands.
This design is so obviously convenient that its absence in furniture stores is a huge miscalculation of our furniture industry. There are many variations on the theme, but since we adhere to the optimal combination of “price-quality”, we chose this model.
Sketch of a changing chest
Selection of construction and design
First of all, you need to decide on the appropriate type of changing table design. The following varieties exist:
- portable soft board;
- pelenator-shetka;
- special chest of drawers;
- suspended type of construction;
- transformable swaddling device.
The first option is characterized by simplicity of design and cost-effectiveness. It can be assembled at home without difficulty. The convenience lies in the fact that such a board can be moved to the right place, as well as mounted on any surface. The design is equipped with sides that perform the function of protecting the baby.
The board must be upholstered with a special waterproof material. The color of such a device may vary. Manufacturers mainly use pastel colors and apply children's themed drawings to the surface. The undeniable advantage of a portable board is the fact that the device can be taken on a trip. The design does not take up much space and can be used for its intended purpose at any time.
Pelenator shelves are made of wood or plastic. In addition, the frame may contain metal elements. Some varieties of this device are equipped with drawers and small shelves in which things are stored. On the shelf itself you can temporarily place small items, napkins, diapers. This is one of the best options in terms of price, quality and convenience.
Special chests of drawers differ from other designs in the large number of compartments for storing things. Inside the chest of drawers there are drawers with a large supply of free space. The upper part is presented in the form of a large space on which it is convenient to swaddle children. Changing chests of drawers have one drawback - their large dimensions. Such designs may be too bulky for a small room.
If parents have limited space, a hanging changing pad is ideal. The device is securely mounted on the wall and, if necessary, can be tilted to a certain level. In addition, hanging models often have additional pockets in which you can store small items. The advantage of such devices for newborns is a noticeable space saving.
Transformable swaddling pens have a rather complex design. Therefore, making it yourself can take a long time. The main advantage of the device is the ability to convert the diaper into a children's table at any time. The dimensions of the table will allow children to study or play freely.
The easiest way is to make your own soft portable board or changing table. These samples require the least special parts. In addition, design does not require a complex drawing. The products consist of a simple frame and upholstery made of light wood.
Portable changing tables must be lightweight, so wood materials are not suitable for their construction.
Portable soft board
Pelenator-shetka
Special chest of drawers
Suspended type of construction
Transforming diaper
Advantages
Several reasons why this design is worth having:
- Convenience for mom . It happens that a baby has to be changed a large number of times. If mom does this every time, standing over the bed or sofa, her back will constantly strain. But this part of the body of a young mother is already subject to serious stress. The changing table is located at the correct height, which makes it possible not to bend your back.
A changing table is a very useful attribute for the convenience of the mother and the harmonious development of the baby. Usually in stores it costs more than a simple table and chest of drawers, so you can make it yourself. An additional advantage of this solution is the opportunity to create an unusual and beautiful table that will become the accent of the nursery.
- Safety for the baby . A changing table or chest of drawers is usually equipped with different shelves and drawers, where there is everything that little children need. Therefore, when changing clothes, the parent has access to all the necessary things, and there is no need to leave the baby to find them. This provides additional security. After all, when a child learns to roll over, he can fall at any moment.
- Child's health . Many young children need massage or recreational exercises. Due to these procedures, flexibility improves and muscles are loosened. They require a flat surface, which can serve as a changing table.
Materials and tools
If parents decide to start making a changing table with their own hands, they need to take into account several basic rules. The main thing is that the selected materials must meet environmental safety requirements. Natural wood can be called the most suitable type of raw material. The reason for this is environmental friendliness and ease of processing. The downside is the high cost of wood. It is also worth noting that the finished wooden frame will be very heavy, which adds inconvenience when moving the diaper changer around the house.
For these reasons, many people prefer analogues of natural wood - MDF or chipboard. The materials are cheap, reliable and easy to process. The strength of this raw material makes it possible to design stable frames and use them to decorate the side parts of chests of drawers, as well as changing racks.
In the case of a soft board, a special filler and waterproof material are used. The filler is holofiber or foam rubber. The advantage of holofiber is that it is hypoallergenic. The waterproof material is often simple oilcloth, which can be found in any hardware store or pharmacy.
If paint is used to treat the frame and other structural elements, you must ensure that the composition is safe. It is better to give preference to specialized coloring compounds that are suitable for processing devices for children.
Tools you will need:
- screwdriver;
- hammer;
- saw;
- Sander;
- screwdriver;
- plane;
- roulette;
- level.
You also cannot do without consumables:
- screws;
- fasteners in the form of a corner;
- stapler;
- glue (PVC or furniture);
- varnish
PVC pipes serve as a strong and reliable frame for the pelenator. Therefore, using a special plumbing soldering iron or cold welding, you can connect the elements to create a durable base. Both methods guarantee secure fixation. Not everyone has professional soldering irons, so most often you have to use aggressive glue - cold welding.
Dimensions
Manufacturers of swaddling machines claim that these products are intended for children up to one year old. But in practice this statement is not always true. It is important to correlate the baby’s age with the size of the table.
If the changing table is 70 cm long, then it will only be convenient for a child slightly older than six months. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the child. But a surface length of 90-100 cm can be used by parents until the baby reaches a year or even more.
How to make it yourself
There are many ways to make a changing table with your own hands. The first thing you need to do is select a configuration. Since the most common type is the compact type of hanging diaper, this is the sample that should be considered.
To perform installation, you must first take measurements of the room and determine the dimensions of the future structure. After this, you can make drawings of the table.
Materials you will need:
- chipboard board;
- sides (3 pieces);
- special corners for support.
Do not use drywall or other fragile materials. The best option would be light but durable samples. During the installation process, the structure must be checked for strength several times to make sure that the finished product is suitable for the baby in size and reliability.
Gas lifts will help ensure the ease of use of a folding pelenator. The devices are compact and can be installed fairly quickly. With the help of such devices, the board can be fixed in the desired position. Gas lifts also ensure smooth operation of the mechanism.
Standard base dimensions are 950 x 660 mm. In this case, the height of the supporting strips on the sides must be at least 240 mm. To securely attach the sides to the board, use corners. When all the elements are securely fixed, screw the gas lifts onto the sides of the structure.
After assembling the base, several small shelves can be mounted on the inside of the changing table. Using simple diagrams, you can equip a convenient folding changing station with compact shelves for things.
Preparing for assembly
It is quite obvious that the parts need to be drilled for confirmations. First about planes:
The figure that you have already seen above shows the markings of the sidewall plane. The drawing shows the right side of the chest of drawers. Remember that the left one is marked as a mirror image in relation to it. A hole near the radius is drilled through with a diameter of 5 mm - there will be an intersectional tie, the axis of the rotating structure. If the size is not clear: The center of the specified radius means that the hole will be an equal (76 mm) distance from the top and leading edge of the side panel.
We drill exactly the same through hole on the sides of the folding board.
Other marked holes are for confirmations. They also need to be drilled through into the plane, with a diameter of 8 mm. I only marked the centers of the shelf lines, because I have been using a jig for marks from the edges of parts for a long time. My conductor provides the most convenient distances for different cases: 20, 40, 60 and 80 millimeters. It doesn’t matter which one you choose.
The main thing is that they coincide with the holes in the ends of the shelves, base and rear side. We drill into the end of the parts with a diameter of 5 mm to a depth of approximately 60 millimeters.
If you noticed, our guides are 450 mm long. They must be screwed in at a distance of 20 millimeters from the front edge of the sidewall, since our drawers have internal facades. The centers of the fastener line are marked on the sidewall, that is, you must hit this line with a self-tapping screw.
On the partition, this line is marked at a distance of 94 mm from the top.
How to convert a chest of drawers into a changing table
If the owners have a chest of drawers, the device can be easily converted into a changing table. There are 2 ways - to make a soft pillow on the top of the chest of drawers or to build a folding mechanism. Both options are effective. However, the best example would be a folding mechanism.
You will need additional sheets of chipboard or MDF and mounting materials. You need to assemble the mechanism taking into account the original dimensions of the chest of drawers. You should pay attention to the dimensions of the tabletop, which will be a guideline not only for the folding mechanism, but also for the soft pillow.
Initially, you need to cut a sheet from a solid board. This part will serve as the basis. After preparing the base, you need to make sides and drill special holes in them that are needed to fix the bars. The bars play the role of a connecting element between the base and the sides. All parts must be carefully coated with high-quality glue and firmly fastened.
It doesn’t take much time or effort to acquire a useful device for changing your baby. You can make your own table from fairly inexpensive materials. And if there is unnecessary old furniture in the house, then through simple manipulations it is turned into an original chest of drawers.
Prepare materials
Assemble the mechanism according to the drawing
Ready-made chest of drawers
What is needed for production
First, we need to decide which stages of work we will do ourselves, and which we can entrust to the craftsmen. For example, in special woodworking workshops you can not only purchase material for the base, but also order cutting of parts according to ready-made drawings.
- jigsaw for cutting parts from the slab;
- sanding material: fine mesh sandpaper or grinding wheel;
- screws or self-tapping screws for wood (differ in more pronounced carvings);
- special hypoallergenic paint and primer for wood.
Decoration
The main ways to decorate changing tables are to cover them with paint and varnish. The color of the coating is chosen either to match the furniture or is used as an accent color.
The same principle applies here as in the case of any other furniture: a dark color hides the dimensions, but makes the room heavier, and light shades do the opposite.
Decorating with appliqués (you can choose the motif and technique at your discretion), as well as with fabric, is very popular. Most often it is matched to the tone of wallpaper or furniture upholstery.
Results
The cost of a handmade chest of drawers is much lower than the cost of a finished product from a furniture store. But this requires some skills. In addition, if you compare handmade furniture and purchased products, the first one is much superior in quality. Thus, if you buy a chest of drawers in a store, there is a risk of not only overpaying, but also getting a low-quality product.
Original solid wood chests of drawers will look luxurious in a bedroom with a suitable interior
A durable chest of drawers made of oak or other types of wood can last for many years without losing its attractiveness. Therefore, all the money spent and efforts made will not be in vain. You just need to follow the instructions exactly and anyone can do the job.
Wooden chest of drawers
Decor
It is not enough to make a wooden chest of drawers; you also need to decorate it so that the finished product is immediately noticed by guests. This can be done using some painting techniques. First of all, for decoration you need to prepare brushes and acrylic paints, the color of which everyone can choose to their taste. The product can be completely repainted in one color or decorated with several patterns that add charm.
Retro chest of drawers, stylized at the beginning of the twentieth century
The process of decorating a chest of drawers is not as complicated as it might seem at first glance. First you need to apply a base layer of acrylic paint, and after it dries, decorate the surface of the product with special patterns. It is not necessary to draw the patterns yourself, because for this you can use ready-made stencils that are sold in stores . As soon as the patterns are dry, the entire chest of drawers needs to be varnished. That's it, the wooden chest of drawers is ready!
Decoupage of a chest of drawers with fabric with delicate pastoral motifs
