Dresser Question

MAG716 · September 2013

So here's my dillema. I already own the following dresser from IKEA:

HEMNES 3 drawer chest IKEA Extra roomy drawers. Smooth running drawers with pull-out stop.

I am going to use the dresser as a changing table as well, and want to use the top drawer for diapers, wipes, lotions, powder, and whatever other first aid/toiletries that will be handy to have at my fingertips. The other drawers will be used for clothes.

My question is, do we think the above dresser I already own is enough (I was just going to buy those drawer separators to organize), or is it worth me spending $250 on the slightly larger version below? (Note: The changing pad will fit on both surfaces.)

HEMNES 8-drawer dresser IKEA Extra roomy drawers. Smooth running drawers with pull-out stop.

Sorry the pictures are so big!

bglovesbabyk · September 2013

Oh gosh, on my budget I wouldn't even think about anything besides what you have. I would save that 250.00 for emergencies or necessities. That's just my situation. I'm a tight wad. :-)

jacqgomar · September 2013

I work at IKEA, and know those products very well, the Hemnes 3 drw doesn't give you that much space. I would get a second 3 drw or go with the 8 drw. I went with with two 4 drws units and will be using on as a changing station. Just my opinion, good luck!

LC122 · September 2013

I would stick with what you've got but I also prefer to hang most of my LO's clothes. It is easier to see what you've got and you don't forget about clothes as easily. You may be surprised how easy it is for them to outgrow something before they've had a chance to wear it.
Also, as my LO got older, she likes to play with things in the lower drawers, so we purposely put things that are fine for her to play with in there. I didn't want a recurrring battle of clean clothes being dragged out. She has learned how not to smash her fingers and I didn't want to drill in a bunch of child proofing hardware.
We keep diapers and pajamas in the top drawer. We have a small trash can that sits on top of the dresser for diapers. I recommend this so that it gets taken out often and you aren't dealing with a giant diaper genie or whatever other device that will result in a huge collection of diapers. We keep any other supplies on a picture shelf above the changing table.
Since you're a fan of Ikea, I recommend their picture shelves. We use them for books and have some above the changing table both for lotions and Purell and for distraction toys/items that make changing time a little easier on us all.

christinacox2384 · September 2013

We didn't buy a dresser we were givin one but its like the bigger one that you are asking about... We put the changing pad on top bought a basket for diapers wipes ect and all 9 drawers were full with bibs, clothes, changing pad stuff, sheets for the crib, ect... We don't have much closet space for bibs and sheets so we used out daughters dresser... Good luck!

lamo1210 · September 2013

I'm looking into the larger one, only because I don't already have the small dresser. If I owned that already I would probably not switch. Or I would notice I don't have enough space later and maybe switch. But the larger one has more drawers and more table top space.

rbtrumpet · September 2013

I've got a lot of shelves in her closet to fold clothes, so my dresser/changing table is about the size of your first one.

If you don't have closet space, I would imagine the bigger one would be more handy. Babies have a lot of clothes, but they're so small, they don't take up much room.

Then again, FTM, so I have no clue what I'm talking about :-p

MsCrispy · September 2013

If you don't need the larger dresser to fit cloths, then I would make due with the smaller one.

I would get some organizers and attach them on the side of the dresser to hold lotions, wipes, etc. Or you could put a shelf on the wall above the dresser. Then you won't need extra room on top.

The dresser we use is in between your two options, it basically fits the changing pad and a small basket for the stuff. It works well for us.

babymama619 · September 2013

The family I work for right now has the bigger ones in both of their boys rooms. They changed the drawer pulls on the white one and it looks so nice, like expensive furniture. I like the bigger one because the changing necessities totally have space in top for a lamp. I wouldn't want to fight with a drawer at my abdomen for wipes with a squirmy poopy baby.

Its great to be anle to put clothes that fit and the next step up both in the dresser. It is also nice fore the two year old because it is the dresser he will use for a long long time. I will say the mom is meticulous about putting these together.

Personally if you have the money I say invest in something that will last a while and make your life easier. I vote for the bigger one hands down.

terriwatson · September 2013

We bought the larger Hemnes in blue and also plan to use it for a changing table. What I like about the larger top, like another post said, is that there's room to store some things out, have the changing pad, and have a lamp. We also need the additional storage.

I think what you have will definitely work. It's more a question of whether it meets all of your needs. If you think you want more space and have the budget to get the larger one or a companion for what you have, I say go for it.

bmqcmg · September 2013

I have gone three years now without a dresser for DD so spending the extra money on a bigger dresser would be a no from me.

I hang all of DDs stuff.

DebateThis · September 2013

We have a dresser very similar in size to the smaller Hemnes you PIP'ed. It also has our changing pad on top of it, and even with a LOT of cloth diapers taking up one full drawer (leaving essentially a single large drawer for clothes and a smaller drawer for bibs/socks/etc), I think it's plenty of space. While the pad doesn't leave much room for a lamp or organizer I think it'll work just fine. Keep in mind that chances are you probably won't use the pad on top of the dresser much more than a few months anyways.

We had planned on buying the bigger Hemnes but it was just too big and babies don't need that much stuff.

MannaPants · September 2013

If you have the money and space for the bigger one, do it! Our nursery is 10x10, so I am using as little space as possible. We are doing something like this, only with a shorter dresser, instead of the massive chest of drawers in the pic.

ETA: The little shelves on the side are from IKEA too

Zilly13 · September 2013

Keep what you have and invest in a storage cart to reside next to the table. If you end up hating that, then purchase the bigger dresser, or just buy a seperate changing table and use the dresser top of the existing dresser for all the diapering products. We scored our changing table on CL for $50.

Vcurrado · September 2013

You could likely make do with the 3 drawer if you have good closet space to hang things but I would strongly suggest finding an alternative for storing supplies if you use that one. 2 drawers isn't enough to hold clothing, you'll need the third drawer.
This is our third/fourth baby (twins) and we had a 3 drawer, we sold it for $100 and used the money towards buying the large dresser from Ikea. You could look at that as an option to soften the blow of buying a dresser if you want the bigger one.
The bigger dresser would come in handy the bigger the clothing get and it's nice to have the extra storage.

Mytaras · September 2013

My opinion is you'll be fine with te one you have and save the money for something else

inlove0509 · September 2013

I wouldn't buy a larger dresser as long as there was also a closet to hang some clothes.

Can your current dresser drawers be opened with one hand??? If not, then it's useless as a changing table dresser. I had to add middle knobs to my hand me down dresser. You'll want to keep one hand on baby when being changed while u open the drawer or you'll have baby in one arm while grabbing a onesie in the drawer with the other hand.

Also, shelves above the changing area are soo handy for a few much used items: diapers, creme, brush. I found that easier than opening/closing a drawer.

Kaymee · September 2013

Personally, I would get the larger dresser. Babies clothes only get bigger in sizes, and therefore, take up more room. For the record, DS1 has a double closet, and full sized dresser, and I feel like sometimes that's not even en

Kaymee · September 2013

Enough

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