Best changing table: 6 baby changing stations for nurseries

The best changing table will make wrestling that nappy into position a little safer for baby... and a little easier on your back

Best changing tables: Jungle Ginger 3 matt emulsion (left), Pink Nevada 5 matt emulsion, £27.56 for 2.5 litres, both Dulux
(Image credit: Dulux)

The best changing table can make a new parent's life a lot easier. A dedicated changing table in your nursery isn’t essential, but the advantages over a mat on the floor are plentiful. Cleaning wriggly bottoms at the right height will take the pressure off your back and core, and makes it much easier to get a grip on the situation in hand. Obviously you should never leave your baby unattended, so one with shelves or storage built-in is perfect for keeping everything within reach. 

And of course (because we could be accused of being style centric at Real Homes) they need to look fab. From minimalist Scandi designs to cute curved options, all will make a great addition to your space and some can be converted to a standard chest of drawers once potty training is over. Read on for our top picks. 

Then head to our dedicate nursery section for more advice, design tips and best buys. 

What is the best changing table?

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The best changing table is the elegant and practical Linea changing table from Cuckooland, which fill fit into any size nursery and has a slimline, versatile design. Adjustable height makes it especially easy to use. 

best changing table: Linea changing table from Cuckooland

(Image credit: Cuckooland)

1. Linea Changing Table with Foam Mat in Beech

The best changing table you can buy – compact, practical and stylish

Specifications

Size: W60cm x D70cm x H87cm or 92cm
Weight/age suitability: 11kg/12 months
Storage: Two shelves
Self-assembly : Yes
Mat included?: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Stylish design 
+
Great for smaller rooms

Reasons to avoid

-
No closed storage

Danish design meets practical parenting with this fashion-forward Linea changing table from Cuckooland. Made from beech, it comes with a comfy foam mat (you can buy a spare if anything unsalvageable occurs) in a choice of five colours. Rather cleverly, it can be easily adjusted from 87cm to 92cm high, which is particularly handy if you’ve had a C-section (and that core isn’t ready to be stretched) or your partner is much taller/shorter, than you. It measures H87cm or H92cm x W60cm x D70cm.

best white changing table: Chantilly 2-drawer changing unit from The Cotswold Company

(Image credit: The Cotswold Company)

2. Chantilly White Nursery 2 Drawer Changing Unit

The best changing for a lovely traditional look (plus it have plenty of storage)

Specifications

Size: H97.50cm x W91cm x D52.50cm
Weight/age suitability : 11kg/12 months
Storage: Two drawers and shelf
Self assembly?: No
Mat included?: No

Reasons to buy

+
Lots of storage
+
Matching nursey furniture available

Reasons to avoid

-
Quite bulky so not ideal for smaller rooms
-
Changing mat not included

For more classical decors, this Chantilly two-drawer changing unit from The Cotswold Company ticks all the boxes. The two generous drawers are soft-close, which is perfect for staying nice and quiet during night-time changes (apparently some babies can even be changed in their sleep, but this is possibly an urban myth, or witchcraft). It comes with two handle options, brushed silver or wooden painted, and measures H97.5cm x W91cm x D52.5cm.

best large changing table: Sundvik changing table from Ikea

(Image credit: Ikea)

3. Ikea Sundvik changing table

The best Ikea changing table if you are looking for a great affordable option

Specifications

Size: W79cm x D51cm-87cm x H99cm -108cm
Weight/age suitability: 15kg
Storage: two drawers and one shelf
Self assembly?: Yes
Mat included?: No

Reasons to buy

+
Empty List

Reasons to avoid

-
Empty List

We’re not suggesting you try and load a toddler onto this clever Sundvik changing table from Ikea, but the extending changing area is definitely going to come in handy once your baby’s limbs start to elongate. It’s also much easier to get to the business end of proceedings from this forward-facing position than the more usual sideways facing tables. Add the Onsklig Stor baskets for keeping changing essentials close to hand. It measures H108cm x W79cm x D79cm. Ensure you use the safety lock fittings provided at all times.

best grey changing unit: Mamas and Papas’ Lucca changing table

(Image credit: Mamas and Papas)

4. Lucca 3 Drawer Nursery Dresser & Changer

A classic changing table that would suit any style

Specifications

Size: W95cm x H98.5cm x D53cm
Age/weight suitability: 11kg/ approx 12 months
Storage: Three drawers
Self assembly?: No
Mat included?: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Timeless design that isn't going to date
+
Plenty of storage 
+
Matching furniture available

Reasons to avoid

-
Not our cheapest option

As timeless colour combos go, it’s hard to beat this Stone Grey and Oak mix from Mamas and Papas’ Lucca range. The changing tray comes off, leaving you with a beautiful set of three soft-close drawers once the first year of nappy changing transitions into pull-ups (major milestone moment right there). Don't worry though, the top beneath is oak, too, so it will still perfectly coordinate with the oak handles. It measures H98.5cm x W95cm x D53cm.

best portable changing table: Dunelm cot top changer

(Image credit: Dunelm)

5. Dunelm Cot Top Natural Changer

The best cot top changer for the ultimate space saver

Specifications

Size: H 86cm x W 51cm
Age/weight suitability: 11kg/ approx 12 months
Storage: None
Self assembly?: Yes
Mat included?: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Great for travel or to keep at relatives houses
+
Great price

Reasons to avoid

-
No storage

If your baby’s nursery was formerly the box room/dumping room, space will be at a premium. Happily those good folk at Dunelm have got your back with this simple but highly effective Cot Top changer. Designed to straddle the top of any standard size cot, it’s solidly made from wood, and suitable for use from birth up to 12 months. Just prop it against the wall when not in use. It measures L86cm x W51cm.

Best Scandi changing unit: Stokke home dresser

(Image credit: Stokke)

6. Stokke Home Dresser

This Stokke changing table is perfect if you like Scandi-style

Specifications

Size: L73cm x H88cm x W50cm
Age/weight suitability: 11kg/ approx 12 months
Storage: Three drawers
Self assembly?: Yes
Mat included?: No

Reasons to buy

+
Stylish Scandi design that will suit any nursery style
+
Plenty of storage

Reasons to avoid

-
The mat is not including and a mat is an essential to turn this into a changer

Known for its innovative furniture, Stokke has pulled another rabbit out of the hat with this Home Dresser. Clean-lined Scandinavian design is a given, but we’re particularly taken by the flexible changing top that allows both sideways and parent facing changing positions, depending on your nappy changing style and baby’s height. The unit’s legs are also purposefully tall to allow your feet to tuck under for closer cuddling action. It measures H88cm x W73cm x D50cm.

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Linda Clayton

Linda is a freelance journalist who has specialised in homes and interiors for the past 19 years, beginning on a trade rag for the Daily Mail Group and now writing full-time for the likes of Homes & Gardens, Livingetc, Country Homes & Interiors, and of course Real Homes. Linda is our resident mattress reviewer. She spends at least a week on every mattress she tests for us, as does her ever-patient husband. In reviewing mattresses for us for more than a year, she has become something of a very opinionated expert. She lives in Devon with her cabinetmaker husband, two daughters and many pets, and is locked in an on-going battle to drag their red brick Victorian home out of 1970s swirly-carpet hell...