Changing Tables

Storage and safety features available in change tables

Setting up a nursery and already dreading the 2am nappy scramble before the baby’s even arrived? Our change tables combine stable construction with a raised safety rail, and storage underneath keeps nappies, wipes and creams within arm’s reach.

If you’d rather have closed storage, a model with drawers keeps things organised and stays useful well beyond the nappy stage, as it often converts to a low dresser once your child no longer needs daily changes, making it more of a multi-year investment than a single-purpose piece. Standing between 85cm and 95cm tall, most change tables are designed so a standing adult of average height can change a baby without bending uncomfortably, and that holds up through months of daily use. If you’re expecting, start here.

A rattan bedside table close by gives you somewhere to rest a bottle or nightlight during a change, and a bedhead helps the rest of the nursery furniture feel like a considered set rather than mismatched pieces.

Change table height and floor space for the nursery

Standard change tables sit between 85cm and 95cm in height, designed to let a standing adult change a baby without bending over for months on end. Before you buy, measure your nursery floor plan and keep clear space on at least one side to move around freely during a change, as a change table wedged tightly into a corner makes an already awkward task genuinely harder.

Do that measuring exercise with the cot and any other furniture already placed, rather than assuming the change table will simply fit wherever there’s a gap. A little extra clearance now saves a lot of frustration once the room is actually in daily use.

If you’re furnishing the rest of the nursery, our beds range covers the next stage once your child moves on from a cot, and our bed sheets are worth having ready before that transition happens.

Waterproof mats and safety practices for change tables

A waterproof change mat should stay on the surface at all times, and it’s worth replacing it as soon as it develops cracks or tears where bacteria can start to collect, since a damaged mat is one of the more overlooked hygiene risks in a nursery. Keep one hand on your baby during a change regardless of the safety rail height. Infants can roll unexpectedly from around three months of age, well before most parents expect it. It’s worth building that habit early, even before rolling becomes a realistic risk, so it’s already automatic by the time it matters. Check the mat and rail for wear every few months. Combined with the daily habit of keeping a hand on your baby, that covers most of the practical safety ground here.

Add a chest of drawers alongside the change table to keep nappies, wipes and other essentials stocked up without extra trips across the room.

Frequently asked questions

What is a safe height for a change table?

Most change tables sit at 85cm to 95cm to allow a standing adult of average height to change a baby without straining their back. Taller parents should look for models with adjustable height settings.

Do change tables come with a change mat included?

Some models include a change mat and some don’t, so check the product listing. Standard change mat sizes are approximately 50cm wide by 80cm long.

At what age do children stop needing a change table?

Most children are toilet trained between the ages of 2 and 3 years, at which point a dedicated change table is no longer necessary. Many parents continue using the furniture as a low dresser after this transition.

Is a change table with drawers worth the extra cost?

A change table with drawers offers practical storage for nappies, wipes and clothing within reach during a change. After the nappy stage, the drawers remain useful for storing kids’ clothing.

How do I anchor a change table to the wall?

Most change tables include pre-drilled wall anchor points on the back panel. Anchor into a stud or use appropriate wall anchors for plasterboard, following the manufacturer’s weight load recommendations.