Or I should say, my husband sawed off the awkward changing table hump!
These days new parents are using beautiful credenzas and dressers as changing tables. What a smart idea.
I used a traditional changing table complete with “awkward hump” that I really loved when my children were babies. It was only awkward when I no longer wanted to use it as a changing table. I can’t complain because my mom purchased this for my ten year old when he was a baby. He used it as a dresser until baby number two came along two and a half years ago. I’ve definitely gotten a lot of use out of it.
But now that baby number two has long outgrown it as a changing table, I knew I needed to start searching for a new dresser for him. I hadn’t gotten very far in my search when one night while reading to my two year old in his room, I got the idea in my head to convert the existing changing table to a dresser. I still love the finish and thought it would be awesome if my idea worked.
As you will soon see, it did!
Here is what it looked like before (if you squint your eyes, it’s not so blurry:)
It was a really sweet addition to both of our babys’ rooms. But it’s time had come.
This is what we did to make it over.
You can see the screws that held the top on. I removed the top and drew a level line for my husband to cut.
To make the top, I purchased a piece of 10″ x 8′ x 3/4″ pine and had them cut it to two pieces 51″ each. Then I used wood glue to attach them together to make one wider piece.
After the glue was dry, I sanded it smoothing out the edges.
Next, I applied the stain and polyurethane and reattached the top.
There was a slight gap where the drawer on the top piece once was.
So I added a small piece of trim I had in the garage to fix it. (I used mirror adhesive to attach it. It will be our little secret, ok?
This update cost me $21. That’s a lot less than a new dresser!
I chose the stain to coordinate with Brennan’s existing bed.
This was one of my favorite onsies that Brennan wore as a baby, so I displayed it in this shadow box frame that I painted to match the room.
I also love this little picture of a palm tree made from recycled glass. I purchased it years ago from a local craft market.
I am so glad it worked! I really could use this piece anywhere now. With a new coat of paint, this could even serve as a pretty sidetable.
Next, I’ll be moving all of Brennan’s toys from downstairs to his room. I’m already brainstorming ideas for toy storage. Then I’ll reveal the completed room.
Update: See his updated Big Boy Bedroom on a Budget here.
Thanks for visiting!
XO,
Heather says
What a great idea. I have always wondered what could be done about those “humps”. The stained top looks fantastic. Good work!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Heather!
Linda says
BRILLIANT! Thanks for sharing you you did this. Wow. I’m impressed! would love to have this linked to What to do Weekends Party. Best wishes, Linda
http://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/02/what-to-do-weekends-8.html
Christy K. James says
Thanks for the invite, Linda:)
Nancy says
What a fantastic idea and how well it worked! You and your hubby did a great job….it is beautiful (and it saved so much money too!)
Nancy
http://wildoakdesigns.blogpsot.com
Christy K. James says
Saving money was definitely a bonus! Thanks, Nancy:)
Susan @ sunflowerhugs.blogspot.com says
You are the smartest person EVER!!
Honestly I never understood the purpose of that hump to begin with. My friend had one and her son got too tall way before he was out of diapers to go on it. If the hump wasn’t there, they could have used it the whole time!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Susan! I don’t understand it either, come to think of it!
Brandi says
So clever, Christy. You are so awesome to be able to do the work yourself. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Brandi:)
Michele says
Great up cycle!!!!http://www.sewsweetvintage.com/2013/03/brilliant-2013.html
Brie says
Looks fabulous! I love the stained top with the white bottom – totally my new favorite look 🙂
Brie @ Breezy Pink Daisies
Christy K. James says
Thanks! I love this look, too:)
Jenn says
Awesome! Love the transformation and the paint/stain combo. I would love it if you linked this project at Thrifty to Nifty Thursdays at A Jennuine Life – http://www.ajennuinelife.com/2013/03/thrifty-to-nifty-thursdays-10.html.
Christy K. James says
Thanks for the invite, Jenn. Glad to link up:)
Christina at I Gotta Create! says
Great transformation! Looks grown up 🙂
Thank you for partying with the Wildly Original Crowd.
<3 Christina at I Gotta Create!
Christy K. James says
Thanks for coming to check it out, Christina:)
Bethany the ngnrdgrl says
Great job, Christy! Way to extend the life of a great piece of furniture! That new top looks really great and no one will be the wiser with that trim added on. Looks fabulous!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Bethany!!
Ruth says
I love this idea. It looks absolutely fabulous and seems much more functional.
Ruth
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Ruth! It works so much better in the room now!
Leslie Harris says
Christy you are amazing! What a great idea, I don’t think I would ever haved considered sawing off a top like that, and boy it came out so good!!!
I love the stained top for a contrast too.
Leslie (Gwen Moss)
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Leslie:)
Rita says
Thant was a great idea. the chest looks perfect.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Rita!
Patty says
What a wonderful transformation, thank you for showing the ‘in process’ shots, too. I seriously *adore* the framed onesie 🙂
Patty
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Patty!
Jennifer says
The pic of your husband sawing off the hump could be a pic of my hubby! I have no idea if our husbands actually look anything alike but I often have a project that I rope him into and this is the sight of him; hat turned backwards, dusty work clothes and the sweetness to do my next crazy idea.
Loving your blog!
Christy K. James says
Thanks Jennifer! My husband is such a good sport! He doesn’t even ask questions anymore. (Even when I asked him to saw off part of our sectional!!)
Kathryn says
Christy love the framing of your little man…keep that !!! when he can pick you up it will have a new meaning…
Christy K. James says
I agree 🙂
Jennifer says
Brilliant. I have the same exact dresser and was just wondering what could be done with it. I purchased it in ’09 just before the birth of my first child. 3 others have used it since then. Now, it’s time has come. I will definitely be giving this a try!
Christy K. James says
We are still using this in my son’s room almost three years later! 🙂