How to organize a changing table

Changing tables come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing remains constant: it is a major component to your nursery and should contain all of the essentials. Here’s how to organize a changing table.

My little man’s changing table consists of three drawers, a two shelf cabinet with door, an open shelf area and of course the open surface where the actual changing of diapers occurs.

I got mine from Babies R Us and added it to my registry (See why in my blog post Baby Registry Essentials).

Yours may be a six-drawer dresser upcycled into a changing table, a simple three-drawer changing table, or one with no drawers and open shelving.

So how do you make the most out of your space and organize a changing table?

Dedicate an entire drawer / shelf to diapers 

Your changing table is for changing diapers, duh. So there should be an abundance of diapers readily available at all times.

Keep the basics close to the top in a caddy

Diaper rash cream, baby powder, wipes, your son or daughter’s favorite toy, and about 5-6 diapers are all loose necessities that can easily look cluttered if not kept organized; and let’s be real, who has time to care about that when it comes to raising an infant?

Use a small canvas bin (Like these: Set of 6 Foldable Fabric Bins- Blue) or a diaper caddy to keep your space visually clean.

I really love this Munchkin Sarabear Portable Diaper Caddy, White Waffle because it’s stylish and portable making diaper changes on the living room couch just as simple.

The great thing is, you can just throw these items in the bin and your space remains organized!

Now it’s important to keep this collection of items as close to the top of your unit as possible. Once you’ve got the baby on the table, you don’t want to be bending over rummaging through drawers or cabinets to get to the items you know you’ll need.

*Note: The toy is a great way to keep your babe occupied while you change his diaper. It will also help establish a routine.

Blankets, receiving blankets, swaddles 

Keep these items together in a drawer. Roll them to maximize your space. If your changing table doesn’t have drawers, you can use another bin to keep them together.

Crib sheets, changing table covers, waterproof mattress / changing table pads

Do the same as above with your linens. I used the bottom drawer of my changing table, but if you roll your items and put in a bin, they will easily fit on an open-shelf changing table as well.

In case you haven’t noticed yet, I LOVE canvas bins. I think they are the best way to stay organized while simultaneously enhancing your decor.

EXTRA diapers, wipes, diaper genie refills, etc. 

If you’ve got the space on your changing table, you can keep all of the extras here as well.

Stocking up on diapers is smart for your bank account and for your sanity. You can always keep your extras in the closet or your bathroom if you don’t have the room on your table, but keeping them somewhere you can see them on a regular basis will help you know what you have, are running low of, or are out of.

I used the cabinet space on my changing table for these items. Because they are hidden behind a door, organization doesn’t matter. I just tossed those suckers in there and shut the clutter behind a pretty door.

Miscellaneous loose items

If you have some open space, like I do on mine, use it for pacifiers, binky clips, socks, headbands / accessories (for those with little girls), and any other loose items. I was gifted the wooden bins you see in the photo above and they fit perfectly in the space. You can also use little bowls or colorful tupperware containers to match your nursery color scheme.

Recommended Products to organize a changing table

Changing tables similar to mine pictured above