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Repurpose, Reinvent

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DIY Furniture Trash To Treasure

Repurposed Changing Table to Potting Bench

IKEA Hack: Repurposed Changing Table to Potting Bench with Thrifted Habitat for Humanity Finds

This article, Repurposed Changing Table to Potting Bench, is sponsored by the Parents Magazines Blogger Decorating Challenge. All opinions are 100% my own.

Repurposed Potting Bench (3)

I was lucky enough to be chosen to participate in Parents Magazines Blogger Decorating Challenge. They shipped me an IKEA changing table, and my job was to totally transform/repurpose it into another piece of furniture that serves as entirely different function altogether within a $50 budget. I gladly accepted this trash to treasure project and set off to a trip to my local Habitat for Humanity to find some materials.

Check out my guide for why you should buy furniture secondhand. It also includes a list of trash to treasure project ideas.

With a few ideas in mind, I brought a picture of the changing table along with the correct measurements. I ended up buying some cabinet doors and a few other things. My successful trash to treasure hunt lead me to make a potting bench for spring.

Repurposed Potting Bench (1)

Repurposed Cabinet Doors

Materials List:

  • Habitat for Humanity
    • 1 Towel Rack – $3.00
    • 2 Iron Shelf Brackets – $10.00
    • 2 Cabinet Doors – $14.00
    • 1 Cabinet Door – $1.00
  • Home Depot
    • 1X3-6 Wood – $2.72
    • 2 Pack Wood Screws – $2.36
    • 4 Cup Hooks – $4.76

Equipment:

  • Drill
  • Drill Bits
  • Measuring Tape
  • Pencil
  • Router
  • Saw Horses

Instructions:

Step One: Assemble the GULLIVER changing table according to the manufacturer’s directions. My daughter helped me with this.

Repurposed Potting Bench

Repurposed Changing Table

Step Two: Remove the hardware from the backs of the old cabinets.

Step Three: Measure and mark the top ends of each cabinet door in order to place the shelf brackets. Drill a hole with a drill bit and then attach each bracket.

Repurposed Changing Table DIY (2)

Repurposed Changing Table DIY (3)

Step Four: Position the doors on top of the changing table and drill the bottom in with screws from the back.

Repurposed Changing Table DIY (4)

Step Five: Cut a piece of lumber to brace the back of the unit.  Align it down the middle of the back of the potting bench. Screw it in to support both doors all the way down the changing table.

Repurposed Changing Table DIY (5)

Step Six: Attach a towel bar to hold towels on one side of the bench and cup hooks to hang gardening tools on the other side of the bench.

Repurposed Changing Table DIY (6)

Repurposed Changing Table 1 (5)

Repurposed Changing Table 1 (6)

Repurposed Changing Table DIY (7)

Repurposed Changing Table 1 (4)

I used a cabinet door as a shelf for the top of the brackets.

Repurposed Changing Table 1 (3)

Here are a few after photos.

Repurposed Changing Table 1 (2)

Repurposed Changing Table 1 (1)

 

Repurposed Changing Table to Potting Bench (4)

Repurposed Changing Table to Potting Bench (3)

Repurposed Changing Table to Potting Bench (2)

Repurposed Changing Table to Potting Bench (1)

This potting bench works great for the mild SoCal weather that I live in. I keep it covered under an awning. It has survived a few showers so far! It is best to keep it in the garage or shed to protect it from the elements. Be sure to check out the May issue of Parent’s Magazine to see if my project made it!

Update: Guess who made it in the Parenting Magazine May 2016 Issue???

DIY Inspired feature in Parents Magazine May 2016 Issue - Dinah Wulf

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28 Comments

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Comments

  1. Jolene wulf says

    April 4, 2016 at 5:02 pm

    Wow-so creative and looks awesome!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      April 5, 2016 at 9:40 am

      Thank you!!

      Reply
  2. t berokoff says

    April 4, 2016 at 5:30 pm

    I love this Dinah! Don’t you just love the Restore! This is so beautiful, those windows just make it pop! Awesome job my friend!

    T

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      April 5, 2016 at 9:40 am

      Thanks, T! The Restore is the best! I always find awesome things there.

      Reply
  3. Joann says

    April 4, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    I feel awful! I saw this out there but didn’t ask you about it. I actually thought maybe the sellers left it there. It is so nice and I’m sure you’ll be in Parents Magazine. Love you!!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      April 5, 2016 at 9:40 am

      Thank you!! Love and miss you 🙂

      Reply
  4. Jess says

    April 4, 2016 at 6:50 pm

    This wouldn’t actually survive outside, right? The changing table is basically particle board. Bummer! Very cute though.

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      April 5, 2016 at 8:32 am

      Hi Jess! Yes! You are absolutely right. I live in some pretty mild weather here in Southern California and I keep it under an awning. I would suggest swapping the particle board shelves out for wood. Also, it’s best to keep it in a shed or garage. For the sake of the $50 challenge cap, I kept the changing table as is. Thank you so much for stopping by!

      Reply
      • Pfennig says

        June 15, 2020 at 1:25 pm

        Love the table. I also live in So Cal with mild weather. Any suggestions for weatherproofing it? Would a couple of sealant coats work? Would I need to sand or anything? Thanks.

        Reply
        • Dinah Wulf says

          June 16, 2020 at 4:20 pm

          It depends on the type of changing table it was before, but I think if you protect it with outdoor polyurethane it would work!

          Reply
  5. Michele McDonald says

    April 6, 2016 at 8:21 am

    This is brilliant, Dinah!!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      April 6, 2016 at 8:26 am

      Thank you, Michele! That means a lot to me coming from you! 😉

      Reply
  6. Linda says

    April 10, 2016 at 7:21 am

    This is absolutely beautiful and so creative. I’m going yard sale shopping for a changing table. Thank you so much for this great idea!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      April 10, 2016 at 7:37 am

      Thank you, Linda! Wishing you good luck on your treasure hunt!

      Reply
  7. Donna (Just One Donna) says

    April 12, 2016 at 1:26 am

    Wow! I never would have guessed this started out as a changing table. Very creative way to repurpose the table.

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      April 12, 2016 at 6:37 am

      Thank you so much, Donna!!

      Reply
  8. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    April 18, 2016 at 9:20 pm

    Oh I luv this wonderful DIY project…the potting bench is sooooo cute! We would love to have you come party with us at our Show and Share Party.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      April 19, 2016 at 7:21 am

      Thank you so much, Linda! I’ll check it out!

      Reply
  9. Debbie says

    April 19, 2016 at 7:25 am

    Oh, My, this is the cutest thing I have ever seen. I love it. Great job!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      April 19, 2016 at 8:25 am

      Thank you so much, Debbie!

      Reply
  10. The Little Tourist says

    April 21, 2016 at 5:29 am

    This is adorable! Such a great way to display your gardening tools in an artistic way. Thanks for sharing. It was great finding you at #IdeaBox Link Up 🙂

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      April 21, 2016 at 9:23 am

      Thank you so much for having me!!

      Reply
  11. Brenda Young says

    April 21, 2016 at 5:57 am

    Great project Dinah, you got those cabinet doors for a song… Love restore, have to make a trip over there this week and see what goodies I can grab!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      April 21, 2016 at 9:23 am

      Thanks, Brenda and good luck on your treasure hunt! Sending good vibes… 😉

      Reply
  12. laura quaglia says

    April 21, 2016 at 3:35 pm

    What a fun thing to do
    I really like the glass doors
    Good job
    Laura

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      April 22, 2016 at 9:49 am

      Thank you so much, Laura!

      Reply
  13. Megan says

    April 24, 2016 at 6:31 am

    This is such a great upcycle! I should totally make something like this for my mom. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      April 25, 2016 at 9:31 am

      Thank you, Megan and thank you so much for having me!

      Reply

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