I’m trying to find a better-looking storage solution for the changing table.
Solving world problems around here.
As a reminder, the changing table is not wide enough for storage. So, we mounted a curtain rod to the wall to hang storage containers. The idea was brilliant (if I do say so myself). But that execution โฆ
Here’s a reminder of my first try. Fabric-covered containers.
The biggest issue is that the curtain rings made the baskets hang too far away from the wall.
And they were a little flimsy, in my opinion.
So, here’s my second try. Red wire baskets from Target. I like the size better and I like the handles, because they allow the baskets to hang closer to the wall.
But, I’m not sure. The baskets also came in black. Maybe that’d be better? Henry is also taken to grabbing the basket and banging it against the wall. Which could be a problem.
What do you think?
Red baskets
Black baskets
Striped canvas baskets
OR something else entirely
Weigh in, buddies. We’re solving big issues today at NewlyWoodwards.
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Karla says
My kids would have never stood for something that close within reach without smashing it into the wall or worse breaking it or trying to throw it on the floor. I love the look of both, I think I prefer the navy bins. But I feel like there has to be a better option that he won’t destroy once he’s old enough to. Sorry I’m not hugely helpful!
Jane Doe says
I’m late to this, but thought I’d throw my opinion in too! As everybody else has already said, you’re definitely going to have to move those baskets. What do you have in the drawers? I’d put all my diapers and wipes in the top drawer. Or maybe move the chair and have a big basket full of diapers and wipes on the floor next to the changing table. You could even take the pillows off the chair and have a basket full of supplies sitting on the chair. Let us know what you decide! I’ve “lurked” on your blog for a long time without commenting, but for some reason diaper and wipe placement has prompted me to comment!
Jenny @ Anything Pretty says
I love the red….but like everyone else I agree that it will need to be moved unless you want him swinging on them and/or dumping everything out of them each and every time you change him. They also could provide leverage when he is wrenching his whole body away from you while you are folding his feet and trying to change him so that literally he is standing on his head. With a dirty butt. Can’t picture that move? Come on over…
I like the idea of the command hooks on the side or a rolling cart. Or maybe store some of the lesser used items in the top drawer of the dresser??
Megan says
I agree that whatever you do for now, know that the staying-still-on-the-changing-pad phase only lasts so long. Soon I bet you’ll be laying him on the twin bed for changings…leaving your dresser ready for a cute red basket to hold lotions, wipes, etc. ๐
Jennifer says
I’m going to guess that Henry will probably be super-interested in whatever you put there. We have frames hanging over our’s but as soon as she could reach the bottom one, she started pulling it down on top of herself (yikes!). So it’s down and there’s a big gaping hole there ๐ Now when I see nursery pics with cute things hanging over the changing pad I wonder how long they’ll last! At least with the baskets you could easily take it down while you change him?
Ashley Eiban says
I love those red baskets- but as he gets older he will be yanking and climbing and pulling and stepping and all sorts of destructive events on them! You may want to hang them a little higher as he grows!
Colton Antiques says
What about 2 small shelves on the left side on the wall, high enough so he doesn’t hit his head, but easy enough to reach for you! Or you can attach the red baskets to the wall going up the wall on the left side!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
Hmmm… Definitely thinking something that’s not going to scratch/dent the walls as Henry gets bigger and starts grabbing at them more!
Kelly @ Corner of Main says
I like the red, but I can see where the banging could be a problem. I haven’t even thought about how to organize the diapers and whatnot…add it to the list!
aimee {sixteen fourteen} says
I love the red! Honestly, the changing table phase is SO short, and you’ve designed such a gorgeous nursery…what about changing him on a towel on the floor so he can’t grab the baskets? ๐
Amy@BuffaloRoam says
I dig the red. I vote keep!
Emily says
I vote you keep it as is for now – I think that in a few months you’ll be abandoning ship on having stuff above the changing table (though maybe Henry’s more cooperative than T was), and you can rethink the solution then!
*claire* says
i like the red. i totally understand your predicament – things need to be accessible and practical when it comes to diapers!
would there be a way to mount baskets on the right hand side of the dresser? you probably don’t want to drill into it though, and i’m not sure how practical that would be either… so i don’t know.
but i’m sure you will come up with something that works and is cute.
i just love seeing your nursery – so much fun color and pattern!
Mindy@FSL says
I’m trying to figure out this exact issue for our nursery. Changing table organization. I have wire cubbies that I want to hang over the table. Restoration Hardware had almost the exact one I have (and found it at TJMaxx for less than 1/2 of RH’s insane $$ price).
I love the idea of the fabric ones. Maybe if the wire ones can fit inside them for their hanging style or maybe make your own fabric loop so that it hangs more flush. As for Henry thinking the baskets are new toys to pass the time while getting his tush cleaned, I’d 3m stick those baskets to the wall.
Mindy@FSL says
I’m trying to figure out this exact issue for our nursery. Changing table organization. I have wire cubbies that I want to hang over the table. Restoration Hardware had almost the exact one I have (and found it at TJMaxx for less than 1/2 of RH’s insane $$ price).
I love the idea of the fabric ones. Maybe if the wire ones can fit inside them for their hanging style or maybe make your own fabric loop so that it hangs more flush. As for Henry thinking the baskets are new toys to pass the time while getting his tush cleaned, I’d 3m stick those baskets to the wall.
Kim says
I also think the baskets hanging above Henry will be a problem. Once he gets a little older I can see kicking, pulling, emptying etc…
I think many of the suggestions here could work, moving them higher, putting them on a shelf, somewhere out of reach. I’m not sure about hanging them on the side of the dresser if Henry would be able to reach them once he starts to stand. Babies love to empty containers, it is just fun for them.
the cape on the corner says
i like the red, but i can totally see any child grabbing that when laid there. if you keep them, maybe put an extra support in the middle? that might keep ’em more in place and not sag, either.
DecorandtheDog says
I suggest red wire baskets and baby handcuffs. Problem solved. Thank me later.
Leigh Powell Hines (Hines-Sight Blog) says
I love the red wire baskets, and I like the idea of hanging them on the side of the dresser because he’s going to keep on grabbing those things and everything in it. ๐
Lyndsay @ that 70s house says
i also love the red wire baskets! i think they compliment the wall really nicely. Obv i know nothing about babies, but I would say that babies like to grab and pull things and he may be strong enough soon to pull that whole thing down! Maybe move the rod up a bit higher?
LizzieBeth says
I didn’t read the other comments, so I am sure this has already been said, but those are going to have to be moved. As cute as they look now, in a month or so, he is going to be ripping them off the wall. And oh dear god, when the kicking-because-changing-my-diaper-is-akin-to-being-set-on-fire stage sets in, those are going to be dangerous.
I say attached them to the dresser with command hooks, or perhaps on the wall that meets in the corner.
LB
Heart and Haven says
I love the red wire baskets, but am not a fan of the curtain rod to hang them off of (seems as Henry gets stronger, he will just hold onto of the baskets and rip it off the wall). Perhaps a white shelf, moved a bit higher out of reach and place the red wire baskets on top.
Is there another wall space you can hang the curtain rod – to perhaps display one of his homemade blankies?
Vel Criste says
why not paint a smaller wicker baskets blue too and tie them up on the rod?
Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says
Love the red baskets, but speaking from the experience of changing my nephew, he was one wiggly worm and would grab anyting in his sight while on his changing table. It might make for a disasterous time as he gets bigger. Maybe a floating shelf?
Stephanie @ A StephMade Life says
I personally love the red baskets! Black might look nice too, but with all the blue that you have, I’m not so sure. To fix the issue of Henry pulling at them, I like the idea of putting them on the side of the dresser if possible.
Tammy says
IMO…
Things like this look really cool but when you put it together, is it really practical? To me, it looks like it cuts into your “changing area”. Like you would have to shimmy baby in to get him on the pad.
I love, love, love fabric baskets but what if you just put your diapies and stuff in one side of the first drawer and just stored them out of sight? OR maybe put a shelf a little higher than your head and store the baskets w/ baby goodies up there.
Anywho, that’s just my thoughts.
lisabrueck says
I nanny for a 9 month old with my own on the way. I can tell you the grabbing will only get worse, pulling wipes out, containers and anything they can get their little hands on. I would recommend using the top drawer to store stuff in or setting up a small side table.
Heather says
I would probably move them to the side of the dresser because as he gets older it will get worse. You can use command hooks
Other option is to move the fabric prints up and maybe add a shelf and put the fabric baskets on there. I see that there is a wall on the left of the dresser, what about adding shelfs to that or using command hooks and putting baskets there.
Is the dresser full? Could you put stuff in the top drawer?
Could you spray paint the baskets black?
Grandma Laineee says
I LOVE it when he grabs the baskets!!!! I don’t think there is ANYTHING I don’t love about Henry!
Liz @ It's Great To Be Home says
I agree, you’re going to have to move those suckers. ๐ But they sure are cute!!
Cindy @The Flipping Couple says
I’m digging the red baskets. Of course, I’m not there to hear the wall-banging at 3am, so maybe my opinion doesn’t count, but I love how they look!
Kristi says
Maybe you could keep the red baskets and line them with a navy or navy and white pattern.
Lauren says
http://simplydiy2.blogspot.com/2012/02/tisket-tasket-wall-full-of-baskets.html
Thought of you when this came across my pinterest. Weave ribbon/fabric through the tops of wicker baskets and tie onto the curtain rod. Maybe consider switching it to a towel bar? I think red wicker baskets would be cute!
I found this on pinterest under small bathroom storage
Emily says
I love the red baskets- but I agree with the other people who’ve commented- you might want to move them somewhere else. Higher might work for a little while but I think you’d be constantly shifting them. Can you move them to the side of the dresser, maybe using some command hooks or something that won’t damage the dresser? Or what about something completely different all together- I think I saw you’d pinned that rolling cart from Ikea that’s gotten so popular (and would be so fun spray painted red)- could you put that or something similar next to the dresser? I know it’d require some furniture shuffling but it might be a better long-term solution ๐
Deb says
Love the red – yep, think you’re going to have to move the baskets higher!!!
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Love the red baskets! If you don’t care about messing the dresser up, maybe they’d look cool attached to the right side of the dresser?? As Henry gets older, he’s going to get “grabbier” and those hanging baskets will be toast. You’ll have marks on the wall and/or stuff flying everywhere. ๐
Leigh @ Kesler Expressler says
I agree with Laurel – if you have anything grab-able there, Henry is going to get it. And once he starts trying to sit up (baby crunches) he’ll grab those to help him up.
Maybe something on the side of the dresser like Debbie suggested? Or can you just use the top drawer for the various necessities? Can you move the desk next to the dresser and use the desk top for wipes and put diapers in the top drawer?
denise says
What about a fabric envelope of sorts? Or a shelf slightly higher with the buckets on top?
Leah says
i like the red. but what about something like this?:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60202076/
or this:
http://www.pbteen.com/products/7215361/?catalogId=84&bnrid=3718503&cm_ven=Google_PLA&cm_cat=Accessories&cm_pla=Bins_+_Baskets&cm_ite=Wood_And_Wire_Wall_Multi_Basket&adtype=pla
i am thinking office supply baskets that can be painted, or something that will screw to the wall may be more functional.
~Leah
Debbie @ My Little Mess says
I like the red baskets but maybe with some sort of fabric liner? Or you could hang baskets from the side of the dresser with some sort of hook, too. That way Henry couldn’t bang them and they would stilll be in reach
Elizabeth says
Could you move your fabric panels up higher and put a shelf where the curtain rod/baskets are then set the baskets on the shelf? I feel like the stripey baskets could look really cute on a little white shelf right under your fabric squares.
Laurel @ Ducks in a Row says
Honestly, I think he’s going to grab those as soon as he can and as he gets older, he is going to get stronger. I’m not sure there is much of a future in those baskets – sorry to be a downer.
Melinda says
I like the red baskets. Maybe raise the whole wall collage higher so the baskets can be moved out of Henry’s reach.