5 Amazing Hacks For Your IKEA Antilop Highchair

I’ve written before about the popularity of the IKEA Antilop highchair – it’s by far the most commonly used high chair amongst the customers I’ve spoken to in the last couple of years. This is why we created an EasyMat that fitted its high chair tray perfectly!

However, did you know about the numerous ‘hacks’ that you can use?! Here are the five most amazing hacks for the IKEA Antilop highchair that you need in your life.

1. Footrest

One of the things that was really important to me, when we were purchasing a high chair, was support for my child’s feet. I’d read that having support so that feet don’t dangle was really important and would aid their comfort at the table.

By simply purchasing an extra tray for your Antilop you can carefully drill four holes where the legs will go, put the chair legs through these and create your own footrest.

It also provides a shelf to keep key equipment you may want nearby: wipes, spare EasyMats, bibs etc. There are several other ideas on the internet for creating footrests without using the extra tray so if you like this idea but don’t fancy the DIY, try out some of the material or pool noodle and cable tie options!

2. Bib storage

If you don’t fancy the footrest and shelf idea, but you’re still looking for somewhere to store those spare bibs so that they’re always to hand for when spillages happen, this is the hack for you! Just pop a plastic hook on the back of your chair to hang the bibs on.

3. Clean in the dishwasher

This is one I never got to try because we didn’t have a dishwasher when we were using our highchair, but I’ve heard of several parents who have detached the legs and run the chair and tray through the dishwasher to give it a good clean.

4. Brighten up the look to match your décor

Let’s be honest, the IKEA Antilop highchair, although simple to clean and incredibly cheap, isn’t the most attractive highchair on the market. However, you can change this very easily by spray-painting the legs a metallic or gorgeous pastel colour to match your home décor and adding stickers to the chair. There are also some small businesses online who are creating covers for the inflatable chair insert so that you can personalise this part too. In very little time you can have your own bespoke chair!

5. Entertainment station

This is not so much a hack as an ‘alternative use’, but an incredibly useful one!

Instead of just thinking about the IKEA Antilop highchair, you could use it as an activity area for painting, playdough, baking etc.

We have a wooden dining table, which is much harder to clean the gloopy mess or paint from than the easy-wipe surface the IKEA Antilop provides. If you wanted to go a bit further and you’re into DIY, I’ve seen a couple of examples of people buying extra trays and ‘hacking’ these into little game stations which look fun too!

If any of these give you some inspiration or you’re already using them, please do send me pictures to share how they’re helping you and your family! I love seeing how people are adapting household items for their own uses!

If you already have the IKEA Antilop highchair, and you’re looking for a way to help decrease cleaning time further and provide your little one with a sectioned area for their meals, check out our bespoke fit EasyMat Perfect Fit. It’s made to measure and IKEA compatible with super-strong suction and full tray coverage

Buy Now – EasyMat Perfect Fit for Ikea

It is available in a range of different colours and can be also be used on the table once your baby has moved out of their highchair! We helpmake weaning easyier with less mess!