Why I Couldn't Remove the Changing Pad From My Coastal Living Room
For years, a changing pad sat on the console table in our coastal living room.
At one point, it was one of the most-used items in our home. It was where countless diaper changes happened, where tiny feet kicked, and where I spent years caring for two little boys who seemed to grow up overnight.
But the truth is, we hadn't needed it for months.
My youngest had long outgrown diapers. The changing pad had stopped serving its purpose well before I was ready to let it go.
Every time I walked past it, I told myself I'd remove it soon. Next weekend. Next month. After I reorganized the room.
But deep down, I knew the reason it was still there had nothing to do with decorating or decluttering.
It was because removing it felt like acknowledging something I wasn't quite ready to admit:
That the baby years were over.
As parents, we expect the big milestones. First words. First steps. The first day of school.
What catches us off guard are the quieter moments. The ones that happen inside our homes when an ordinary object suddenly becomes a marker of time passing.
For me, that moment was finally removing the changing pad from our console table.
Shop My Coastal Living Room Console
Bumbo Gray Changing Pad (Amazon)
If you're looking for a changing pad that doesn't completely disrupt your home's aesthetic, this is it. The soft gray color blends beautifully into a coastal-inspired space, and the wipe-clean surface makes diaper changes so much easier than traditional fabric-covered options. We used this changing pad daily for years, and if I were building a baby registry today, it would still be one of my top recommendations.
Coastal White Console Table (Serena & Lily)
This hand-painted linen Serena & Lily console table in Chalk was the perfect solution for our family room during the baby years. It was large enough to hold the changing pad on top while keeping diapers, wipes, creams, and all the other essentials tucked neatly away in the drawers. Even now that the changing pad is gone, it's still one of my favorite pieces in the room and transitions beautifully back into a traditional console table.
Natural-wrap White Ceramic Table Lamp (eBay)
Once I finally removed the changing pad, I wanted to reclaim the space without spending a fortune. This Target lamp (can find it on eBay now) was the perfect solution. The woven texture adds warmth and coastal character, while the white ceramic base keeps it feeling fresh and timeless. It instantly helped the console feel styled and intentional again—and at a price point that was hard to beat.
Cube Ottomans (The Inside)
These ottomans from The Inside have become one of the hardest-working pieces in our home. We chose the Cornflower Classic Ticking Stripe fabric because it perfectly complements our coastal aesthetic, but there are dozens of patterns available to fit any style. They provide extra seating when we entertain, can easily be moved throughout the room, and add another layer of texture and personality to the space.