Parents magazine held a hack the changing table challenge for some bloggers a few months ago where we had to take a diaper changing table, a $50 budget, and use things from the home to turn it into something else that could be used after the child had outgrown it. I really wanted to create something that my 6 yr old son could use and enjoy. He loves to create forts with chairs and tables at our home so we decided to make something more permanent for him to play with! He loved it so much we still have it up today, and it’s now his little Star Wars hide out.
Making the roof:
Remove the bottom 2 shelves but leave the side braces. Cut 1 cardboard piece to 21 x 44” or 2 pieces to 21 x 22”. If using 1 board, use a cutting knife and straight edge, and slice gently down the middle of the short end at 22” so it can fold over. If using 2 separate pieces, tape the two with packing tape to create a spine. Sizes don’t have to be exact. You can use various found boards and just tape them together to make it stronger. The width needs to be 19” or less to fit inside the changing table top.Fold over in the middle to create the V for the roof. Place on top of the changing table and adjust height as desired.
It’s stronger if the edge can fold in a little like below, or use 2 sheets taped together.
Creating the fabric cover
Open up the fabric and cut it in half to create 2 equal sheets. Follow the folded seam as a guide. The finished side will be for the front of the house. Create a seam on one piece. Fold over and crease by hand. Use the fabric tape to close up one of the short ends.
Add fabric glue along the finished seam piece. Lay the pom pom on the edge.
Add another layer of fabric tape on top of the pom pom layer.
Now add the short end of the unfinished piece to join the two pieces. This will create one long sheet. The crease will be the top of the house peak. (This is optional. If you don’t want a pom pom lined on top, just close up the two seams with fabric tape.)
Use fabric glue to tack on the pom pom fringes for the edge of the fabric. You only need to do this to the front of the house.
Lay the fabric on top of the house and position as desired.
Decorate and play!
Materials used:
Tacky glue
- Used/Found Cardboard
- Packing tape
- Pom pom ribbon 5 yards
- Fabric Tape
- Fabric 2.5 yards
Alternate fabric sources
Check out the creative ways other bloggers repurposed the same Ikea changing table on Parents.com!
guest
Where did you get that little marquee sign?! Im in love!!