J.M.
I second the idea of just using a dresser, if you already have one. I just have a changing pad on top of my son's dresser and keep his diaper stuff in the top drawer. He's 2.5 and 40 lbs, and it's holding up just fine.
Ok so I dont have a changing table. I just use a mat on the floor. I have several different bum creams, wipes, and just things that I use when changing him, or checking his temp. He's your typical red head and baby. Non stop getting into everything!! Right now I have just red storage bins that I got from Wal Mart. I'm also doing cloth diapers so there are a few more items around. I'm thinking of getting a changing table, but my man is already the size of a 2 year old and is 7 months old. Would it be worth it?? Or what else could I use that he couldn't get into, but keep it all on the floor for convenience? or just suck it up and keep it all up high and then bring it down when needed?
I second the idea of just using a dresser, if you already have one. I just have a changing pad on top of my son's dresser and keep his diaper stuff in the top drawer. He's 2.5 and 40 lbs, and it's holding up just fine.
Get one of those plastic totes. Some of them have lids that lock in pretty tight with a flip up handle thing. Just look around, I'm sure you'll find one he can't open!!!
I'd say that if you're used to storage bins for that type of stuff, maybe just looiking for some that have a latching lid, or some kind of latch or closure that your son can't open. (Kind of obvious, I know, sorry.) You might be able to find some kind of wicker type storage box that has a latch that might be too hard for little fingers to undo.
But I wouldn't bother with a changing table if you haven't been using one to this point. And if he's as big as you say, he'd outgrow it too soon.
What about a round wicker hamper with a lid with a button latch? You could keep diapers and a bag with all of his toiletries in there.
I just always kept everything in my diaper bag and kept it zipped up. It's portable and they don't generally get the hang of zippers until they're somewhere around 2.
I did the basket thing too and always changed on the floor. I always planned on getting a changer to go on his dresser, but never got around to it and before I knew it, he was big and it wasn't worth it. I had the large quantities of things all stored in his bedroom, and then one small basket that I kept in the living room high on the bookshelf that I kept half a dozen diapers, one thing of wipes, and the ointments I used most. It had a changing pad when he was smaller that I had to put down for poop diapers. Just a washable multi-use pad I folded up. At diaper time I just grabbed the basket. Now I still use the basket but just have to grab the diapers and wipes out of it. I just restocked the little basket every couple days (daily when he was littler) from the main supplies in his room. My mom has a really cool diaper tote thing that she got from a baby store that had places for diapers, a spot for wipes, a drawer for ointments, and a folding changing pad. I just kept it stocked at her house as stuff got used up.
I really like the idea of a wicker hamper type thing. That would look really nice too. If you don't want to go that route, I would just get a storage bin with a lid. At that age they love to take things in and out. A laundry basket full of cloth diapers will keep my 10.5 month old busy for about an hour. :)
We have this Munchkin unit that hangs on the wall. It's kind of like a diaper stacker but it has different compartments.
We honestly never had a changing table, but we purchased a changing table top that attached to the dresser in the nursery. We may have used it 10 times with 2 kids.
In our family room, we keep diaper supplies (diapers, wipes, cremes) in a basket on a wooden shelf. We have 4 baskets, 2 for diaper stuff, 2 for toys. The diaper stuff is on a higher shelf, but we've honestly NEVER had an issue in 4 years of them getting into things.
We keep a diaper bin for dirty diapers in our garage as our laundry room is upstairs, and it just makes more sense.
When we are upstairs, we keep items on a wire shelf in our bedroom. They bathe in our bath tub, and it's just been easier to get them ready after a bath in there and use the bed as the changing table as needed. Wipes on the bottom, diapers in the middle, creams in a basket on the top.
Our kids are 2 and 4 (in a few days), and we've had NO problems upstairs or downstairs. Maybe we taught them from an early age not to get into things.
But, my recommendation, if you have the space is to get a shelf, some baskets/bins and use it for keeping toys/diaper supplies, etc. At least that's what's worked really well for us so far.
My mom kept all diaper supplies in the cabinet under the sink in the main floor bathroom when my sister's kids were in diapers and spent a lot of time at her house.