Although we often advocate using an existing piece of furniture as a changing table (and many of you think they're unnecessary altogether), we've long been curious about Ikea's Antilop changer which is potentially the best of both worlds as it has a dedicated purpose, but little impact in a small room. Knowing it was Small Space month here, Jen offers us her review of the Antilop which she uses in her twin's bedroom. Read more to see what she thinks of it.
Take it away Jen!
Living in Iowa, I do a lot of ordering online of stuff I’m not able to check out first In Real Life, so I’m heavily reliant on user reviews, blog photos, etc. Since I wasn’t able to find much info on Ikea’s wall-mounted Antilop before purchasing, I thought I’d send a review for your readers who might also be considering this item to help save space.
My twins’ nusery was pretty small to begin with when they shared a crib, so once they got a little older and I moved the second crib in, and they started walking, and winter arrived so we suffered cabin fever, the nursery seemed to grow smaller all the time. So I started Project Floor Space to try to create a little bit more room to move around; a big part of this was swapping out their thrifted dresser/changing table for something wall-mounted. Since $750 for this item was a bit out of my price range, that left Ikea’s Antilop – not sold on their website, but readily available from the Ikea dealers on eBay. My impressions:
• It’s hard to get this from the product image, but in real life it’s HUGE, much more so than I expected, so you’ll definitely want to keep it stored folded into the wall, which means…
• You have to get used to opening the latch one-handed while holding a wriggling baby needing changing in the other. It takes some practice, but it isn’t too hard to manage, at least not with a toddler – that might be a different case with a newborn or infant requiring both arms for support.
• Washing the cover isn’t quite as easy as slipping off a fabric changing pad and throwing it in the laundry – the cover here is still machine washable, but it’s kind of big and unwieldy, encasing the large foam pad and closing with Velcro. Also it’s white, i.e. any stains are extremely visible, so it requires frequent washings.
But these are minor complaints – overall I’m very pleased with the purchase and happy to have the extra floor space to work with. Getting rid of the dresser also forced me to finally organize the closet to make more efficient use of it – see my blog for more info.
The Antilop changing table costs $70 at Ikea and, like Jen says, may also be available on eBay or through Craigslist.
Thanks Jen! (You can find Jen at baby x 2.)
(Photo: Jen @ baby x 2)
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Another idea would be to place an additional cover over the white fabric on the changing pad. There are plenty of materials that don't even need a washing machine - just spray with an antibacterial cleaner of some sort and wipe clean. Thanks for the review! My family lives in NE Iowa.. I know what "shopping" is like there!
My changing table has an edge on it to help keep baby from rolling off (and I do keep a hand on her always). Looking at that makes me a bit nervous, but maybe it is just the pic.
Wow it's attractive and looks practical until 5 months or so. I just use a waterproof pad and put it on the bed.
I have a hard time changing my daughter when we're out because she's terrified of the wall-mounted fold out changers that are common in rest rooms. Ones that are much sturdier than the IKEA version. I don't even try anymore, I bring a blanket and change her on the floor or somewhere else discreet because I'm afraid she might thrash her way right over the side and get hurt. Maybe if I had gotten the IKEA one in the beginning she'd be used to it by now. That said, I've seen the IKEA one and it struck me as being flimsy for something that's supposed to support my precious child.
I had considered getting the Antilop changing table for a very small shared girls (ages 1 and 3) bedroom, but in the store it seemed gigantic, and frankly, a little bit unattractive.
Instead, I am considering using the IKEA "Norbo" drop-leaf, wall-mounted dining table (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30062572) with a changing cushion attached with velcro. When I am done using it for diaper changes, I will lower it and so the girls can use it for an activity table in their room.
As for safety, anything that is wall-mounted is only as safe as the wall it is screwed into. As long as it is securely mounted to wooden studs and not used improperly, it should be fine, in my opinion.
I bought an industrial wall mounted baby changing station from an online store to put in our bathroom because we had NO SPACE. It's really great and I added velcro to it and attached terry padded cloths I picked up at Target for added softness -- they were cheap and very washable. It was around $150 to buy the baby changer but it's one handed (no latch) and is a real workhorse. Everyone who comes to our house thinks it's a great idea -- we hung it over the toilet. And no, it does not impede going to the toilet because it takes about 1 second to close when you're in a rush! Just bump it up and go.
@ Julie Stanford--An industrial wall mounted station is a great idea, especially if you like to host playdates or other social affairs with small children involved. Where would you find something like this? Did you buy it online or in a brick & mortar store?
I visited Bebe 9 (baby supply store) while I was in France and all of their changing pads were shaped like this. She's right. They are HUGE.
I know this post is pretty old but does anybody has an idea of how to mount this thing? I bought it and was so excited and ready to put it up and then we realized that the mounting spacing on the table do not align with the wall studs spacing which are 16" oc.