Hi friends, it’s Courtney here! My husband and I recently bought the Ikea Antilop high chair for our baby. It’s a budget-friendly option (only $19.99) that many parents recommend. We decided to give it a simple makeover to create a more polished, higher-end look.
This is how it looked before—clean and functional, but very basic.
Ikea Antilop High Chair Makeover (Simple Hack!)
Items we used for the high chair makeover:
- Wood leg wraps in bamboo color — they come pre-cut to fit the Antilop legs. (If I did it again I might try a walnut tone for a warmer look.)
- Adjustable wood footrest in bamboo — adds comfort and helps maintain proper posture as baby grows.
- Support cushion — provides extra back and hip support for a safer, more comfortable seat.
- Wipeable vegan leather cushion cover (we chose sage) — easy to clean and available in several colors and patterns.
- Silicone placemat in coconut cream — fits perfectly inside the tray and keeps mealtime tidy.
I’m not a seasoned DIYer—my mom would tell you I avoid projects—but I thought this would be a quick and easy update. The wood leg wraps are basically adhesive sleeves you wrap around each leg. In theory, that sounded simple. In practice, wrapping a long, cylindrical leg with very sticky material took a bit of patience.
On my first attempt I rushed and the wrap started to stick in the wrong places. I had to stop, trim, and reposition to save it. It wasn’t perfect, so I placed that leg in the back where the small imperfections are less noticeable. After that initial learning curve my technique improved and the remaining legs went on smoothly—by the last leg I had it down and it looked great.
My tip: follow the included instructions, go slowly, and smooth the wrap as you go. Take your time and you’ll be rewarded with a much nicer-looking chair.
The footrest was one of my favorite additions. A proper footrest helps babies sit with better posture, feels more secure, and keeps them focused during meals instead of swinging their legs.
The support cushion improves back and hip positioning and helps baby sit slightly forward so food is less likely to end up on their lap. The cushion is practical and easy to wipe clean, which is a must for mealtime gear.
Overall I’m really happy with the makeover. The finished chair resembles a more expensive, designer-style high chair but at a fraction of the cost. The original Antilop was perfectly functional, but now it blends with our decor as a cute, intentional piece of furniture. I’m glad we invested a little time and a few accessories to elevate the look.
More of My Recent Posts:
Baby Registry Essentials (Our List, Recommendations and Tips as First Time Parents)
Courtney’s Baby Boy Nursery (Rental & Budget Friendly Nursery Ideas)
You can find more of my posts on The Inspired Room, including home tours and other projects I’ve shared.
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