How to Hang A Baby Changing Table

A wall-mounted changing table for your baby is much more flexible to use than a cart-style changing table. However, with most walls made of drywall, it's hard to trust that you're hanging the table the right way. By following a few simple steps, you can make sure you are mounting the changing table correctly. This will provide a safe, secure and convenient way to change your baby's diapers.

Instructions

1

Use the stud finder to locate the studs in the wall in the area you want to hang the table. Mark them lightly with a pencil. See if the screw holes on the baby changing table are situated to line up with two studs. If not, you'll have to use toggle bolts. When you purchase these, take the screws from the changing table in with you and ask the hardware clerks to help you get the right size.

2

Measure the height you want the changing table to be set at. For most people, the most comfortable position is waist level for the person who does most of the changing. When you have the height right, mark it with a pencil; don't worry at this point about hitting the studs.

3

If the studs are aligned right, use a right angle tool to find the spot where your height marking and the stud marking come together perfectly. Align the inside of one leg of the tool with the height mark, the inside of the other leg with the stud mark. The angle corner is where you want your first screw to go in.

4

Drill a hole smaller than your screw or toggle bolt on your first anchor point. If you are using the studs, have your assistant hold the table up. Align the first table screw hole with the hole you just drilled and screw in your first screw. Do not tighten the screw yet.

5

If you can't use studs, you'll need to use the toggle bolt. Thread the bolt through the screw hole in the baby changing table. Next, slide the washer onto the bolt, then screw the wings on oriented so that, if screwed completely down, they'd close over the head of the bolt. You only need to screw them on about a quarter-inch, just far enough that they are in no danger of falling off the screw. Fold them back toward the bolt head and slide the bolt and wings into the hole you drilled in the wall until the wings are on the other side. You'll feel them snap open. Pull the bolt back until you feel the wings dig into the other side of the wall, and then screw the bolt in, keeping pulling pressure on the bolt until you have it screwed most of the way in and the wings are gripping by themselves.

6

Use the level to position the next bolt. Have your assistant hold the changing table up against the wall so its weight rests on the bolt you already screwed in. Rest your level on the table, and angle the table until both ends are even. While your assistant holds the table steady, mark the spot for your next hole--the one horizontal to the first screw--through the table's screw hole. Lower the table and drill the new hole. Repeat for all other required holes.

7

If you're using toggle bolts, insert all the other bolts in the table--bolt, table, washer, wings--and slide them into your new drill holes.

8

Screw all remaining screws in. Before tightening, step back and make sure you like the alignment. Tighten all screws so they grip the wall firmly, but don't dig in.

9

Test the table's strength. Open it as if you were going to change the baby and lay books out on it. If you can put 50 pounds of books on it without obvious strain on the wall or bolts, you're done.