repurposed furniture

Your little one wants to play around in the kitchen, but the idea of spending a fortune on a prefabricated version just doesn't suit your style. What to do? Create one yourself!

We've shown you what some crafty mamas have done when their tots moved out of their cribs. With Earth Day just around the corner, we're turning things around and showing you how you can use some unused (or previously loved) furniture to create play kitchens that are sure to become your tyke's favorite toy ever. Sure, the projects do involve some power tools, but as these mamas can attest, the final results are well worth the effort! Click through to see how entertainment centers, nightstands, and home office desks can be turned into custom toys for your kids!

You're ready to retire your crib for good, but what to do with that once-so-important piece of furniture? Don't just put stash it in the basement — repurpose it! Yes, you'll have to be a bit crafty to pull these awesome ideas off (I'd consider hiring someone to help with a few of them), but the result is totally worth it. Not only can you feel great about a new, totally customized piece of furniture, you can also pat yourself on the back for being eco-friendly!

Last week we showed you some genius ways to repurpose your crib, and this week we're moving on to the changing table. These days, not everyone invests in this piece of nursery furniture, which comes with a very short lifespan (if you're lucky). But for those who do, there's no reason to throw it out with the last of the diapers. Keep reading for some of the amazing ways — some provide serious kid-entertainment, while others are for adults only — you can give your changing table a second life.