I received an old changing table from my sister-in-law because she knew I’d do something with it and lemme tell you, it’s flattering when someone knows you’ll do something with whatever they give you. I’d seen old changing tables turned into potting benches so I thought, why not.

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Turn An Old Changing Table Into A Potting Bench

The shelves were as slick as glass. I hand sanded for what felt like days; or maybe because it did take days…many of them. I went back and forth between my old belt sander, my old palm sander, and hand sanding mainly on the frames.

I then used numerous coats of primer using my cheap paint sprayer I got on sale at Harbor Freight for $10! I actually prefer another primer now which I used on my secretary makeover. I’m definitely one of those who does not trust the “no prep” claims no matter what the paint can or jar says.

It was a bit muggy on the days I began priming and it took quite a while for the paint to just dry. A few days into the process, I nicked a small spot and the paint peeled looking like what a price tag looks like when you try remove it and it becomes a little blob of a mess.

I touched up the spot I’d ruined and pretty much left it alone for about a week. Also, it seemed the spot where the paint peeled was an area I may not have sanded down enough because of being in a cramped spot. That’s my excuse anyway and this is why I will never paint over slick, shiny surfaces without prepping.

Eventually, I did flip the table over to paint the underside and the only parts I didn’t worry about painting were each shelf’s bottom which you can see covered in newspaper.

We had some leftover paint we used in our basement which was an indoor/outdoor latex paint in a bluish gray color and I finished it off by sealing with 4 coats of Pro Spar Urethane by Minwax since it too, is for outdoor use.The original handles on either side were originally a bright gold color so to tone it down, I gave them a few coats of Hammered Bronze.

I went ahead and scuffed up a few spots and sealed those areas again but, I know we will legitimately abuse this thing in no time so I’m not worried.

Now it can house our “soon to be planted” plants, tools, towels, etc.

UPDATE 8 months later:

Fixing my Changing Table to Potting Bench Makeover