DIY Baby Furniture Ideas and Plans You Can Make Yourself

In this guide, I’ll share DIY baby furniture ideas and plans that I’ve personally found rewarding, affordable, and beginner-friendly. You don’t need a fancy workshop — just a few basic tools, some inspiration, and the willingness to get your hands a little dusty. 

When I first started decorating nurseries, I quickly realized that some of the sweetest pieces of baby furniture weren’t store-bought at all — they were handmade. Whether it’s a repurposed dresser turned into a changing table or a crib refinished to match your theme, there’s something special about knowing you built it yourself.

DIY Baby Furniture Ideas & Inspiration

If you enjoy hands-on nursery projects, you might also like my DIY Baby Nursery Ideas page that has many more creative projects.

Why Make Your Own Baby Furniture?

I’ve found that making your own baby furniture offers three big rewards:

• It saves money. Nursery furniture can be surprisingly expensive, especially solid wood pieces. With a little creativity, you can refinish thrift-store finds or build from scratch for a fraction of the cost.
• It’s deeply personal. Each handmade item tells a story — the crib Grandpa helped build, the rocking chair I painted during my third trimester, the dresser that started as a garage sale rescue.
• It’s safer and more eco-friendly. By choosing your own paints, finishes, and materials, you control what goes into your baby’s environment. I always choose low-VOC, non-toxic finishes and allow them to cure completely before the baby arrives.

DIY Baby Cribs and Bassinet Projects

Baby-safe paint and clear coat — I’ve had great results using this low-VOC paint and non-toxic clear coat from Amazon.

I know building a crib might sound a teensy bit intimidating at first, but there are plenty of ways to keep things simple. My favorite project out of all my DIY baby furniture ideas started with a basic solid-wood crib from a secondhand shop. I sanded it down, repainted it a creamy ivory, and added gold hardware to match the nursery’s theme.

If you’re up for a bigger challenge, there are free crib plans available online that guide you step-by-step. Search for convertible crib blueprints or minimalist wooden crib plans — both are great for beginners.

Safety Tip: Always double-check measurements for mattress fit, slat spacing (no more than 2 3⁄8 inches apart), and use baby-safe sealants only. Also, please get advice from one of the excellent child safety experts that you trust since I'm no expert at woodworking and/or nursery safety. The Baby Safety Alliance might be a good starting point. If they can't answer your questions they will direct you to someone that can. might be a good starting point. If they can't answer your questions they will direct you to someone that can.

(Once you’re comfortable, check out my upcoming page on [DIY Baby Cribs and Beds Ideas] — I’ll link it here when it’s ready.)

DIY Changing Tables and Dressers

See our list of drawer pull picks for your projects on Amazon

This repurposed pink dresser with crown knobs adds a charming royal touch to a baby girl's nursery—proof that every DIY project can feel like magic. One of my first nursery projects was turning an old, solid-wood dresser into a charming changing table. I added a padded changing pad with a cover that I made myself using fabric leftover from the curtains, secured with safety straps, and painted the drawers in soft sage with brass knobs.

What I love about using a dresser instead of buying a dedicated changing table is that it grows with your child. When diaper days are done, remove the topper and it becomes a beautiful, functional piece of furniture.

My go-to refinishing steps:

Be sure to wear a mask for all of this!   

1. Sand off old varnish.  
2. Prime with a low-odor bonding primer.
3. Paint two light coats of your chosen color.
4. Seal with a baby-safe matte polyurethane.

(For more organization ideas, visit my Nursery Storage and Organization Ideas page.)(For more organization ideas, visit my Nursery Storage and Organization Ideas page — it’s coming soon!)

Handmade Rockers, Gliders, and Ottomans

See our favorite rocker cushions and upholstery on Amazon

This DIY rocker makeover turned a tired old glider into a cozy nursery chair that looks brand new—proof that a little creativity and paint can make magic. Every nursery needs a cozy spot for feedings and bedtime stories. Over the years, I’ve updated several wooden rockers and gliders — and it’s easier than you might think.

My favorite makeover started with an outdated glider chair that had good “bones” but the ugliest upholstery I'd ever seen. I sanded the frame, painted it soft cream, and reupholstered the cushions with durable, washable fabric in a neutral linen tone. A coordinating ottoman completed the look. What a transformation that was! I was so very proud of myself!

If you’re new to upholstery, start small — like recovering an ottoman cushion or sewing new pillow covers. You’ll be amazed at how fresh it makes the space feel.

(You can see some of my favorite transformations on Pinterest — search “DIY Baby Furniture Ideas” or visit my DIY Crafts & Projects for a Baby Nursery DIY Projects Board.)

Before and After: Furniture Makeovers

There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a worn-out piece of furniture transformed into a nursery showstopper. I once found a small dresser at a yard sale for under $20 and, with some elbow grease, turned it into a gorgeous woodland-themed changing table.

A fresh coat of sage paint, new pulls, and a touch of wallpaper on the drawer fronts completely changed its look. I love showing readers that you don’t need expensive furniture to make your nursery magazine-worthy — just creativity and patience.

If you’ve completed a furniture makeover of your own, I’d love to feature it! Visit the Get Featured page to share your photos and project story.

Tools and Safety Tips for DIY Baby Furniture

Over time, I’ve learned a few essentials that make DIY projects safer and more enjoyable.

My must-have tools:

(Affiliate Disclosure: I may earn a small commission from recommended tools and materials at no additional cost to you.)

I use a compact power sander like this one on Amazon for most of my refinishing projects. (worth every penny for smooth finishes)

Good paintbrushes or foam rollers

Non-toxic wood filler

Measuring tape and level

This cordless drill on Amazon is great!

Baby-safe paint and clear coat

When working on baby furniture, always:

Allow paint and finishes to cure for at least two weeks before use.

Keep hardware secure and double-check any moving parts.

Avoid vintage paint unless you’ve tested for lead.

These extra steps give me peace of mind knowing the furniture I create is safe for daily use — even those little teething nibbles babies love to take on crib rails!

Share Your Project!

One of the best parts of running this site is seeing what other parents create. If you’ve built or refinished your own nursery furniture, please submit your photos and story using the form on our Get Featured page. I feature the most creative projects in my newsletter and Pinterest boards.

Your DIY project might just inspire another parent who’s nervous about starting their own.

Closing Thoughts

Building or refinishing baby furniture takes time, but it’s time well spent. Each handmade piece carries memories — of anticipation, of creativity, and of love.

I hope the projects you see here on Unique Baby Gear Ideas will inspire you to grab your paintbrush, sandpaper, or power drill and get started. Whether you’re restoring an heirloom crib or designing a new changing table from scratch, remember: it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful — it just has to be made with love.