In preparation for Maddie coming home, I wanted to build her a new changing table.  We have had to change Maddie in the pack and play, which is too low and really hurts our backs.  So I thought about making it higher, big enough to hold some toys and any equipment for monitoring her pulsox stats, and with either drawers or compartments for diapers, tissues, wipes, clothes, etc.  At first I wanted to build a desk with a hutch to store things on top of the table.  That was quickly vetoed by Jen.  The design was simplified to just a rectangular table with three cloth compartments on the bottom for storage.  I purchased the wood for about $45 from Home Depot and we used a coupon at JoAnn Fabrics for some $6-7 duck cloth.

As usual, I’m too excited at the beginning to take pictures and worked in the evenings in the garage to quickly put the pieces together.  The front legs are nice pine 2x2s but the back legs are standard 2×3 studs.  The top is a decent pine shelve boards, but the rest of the wood boards are much cheaper pieces.  My philosophy has always been strength and utility over looks (and did I mention it was way cheaper?).

I used a dark stain, too dark probably – it looks like just black paint now.  But the 4 coats of semi-gloss varnish really brings out the shine.

Here’s the final product piled high with her new changing pad, toys, diapers, tissues, wipes, and with plenty of storage for her toys underneath.