Did you just score a great deal on a garage sale dresser? Do you have an old chest of drawers no one uses anymore? Don't toss it in the scrap pile. Reuse the drawers by turning them into functional parts of your home. Repaint the drawers to suit specific decor, or if you want a natural look, sand them down, stain and apply a finish.
Of course, hardware can be just as important as paint and stain color in determining the final look of a project. Experiment with old and new drawer pulls until you find ones that work with the overall look of the craft as well as the room's decor.
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Indoor fairy garden
Before getting industrious and making functional items, get a little fanciful with this adorable indoor fairy garden. A small drawer glued to wood blocks creates a decorative hideaway for your favorite fairies and gnomes. Use any hardware you want to customize the front. Get the tutorial here.
Before getting industrious and making functional items, get a little fanciful with this adorable indoor fairy garden. A small drawer glued to wood blocks creates a decorative hideaway for your favorite fairies and gnomes. Use any hardware you want to customize the front. Get the tutorial here.
Cubby shelves
This craft is versatile, as you can use either square or small rectangular drawers. Much like with an open shadow box, this project allows you to display small treasures on the wall. A drawer with a pull on it adds a distinctive feature. Get the tutorial here.
This craft is versatile, as you can use either square or small rectangular drawers. Much like with an open shadow box, this project allows you to display small treasures on the wall. A drawer with a pull on it adds a distinctive feature. Get the tutorial here.
Photo frame
Create a photo frame with depth out of a shallow drawer. This project is super easy, and the only waiting time is for drying paint. Glue applied to the corners allows you to customize the frame with decorative wood embellishments to match your decor. Get the tutorial here.
Create a photo frame with depth out of a shallow drawer. This project is super easy, and the only waiting time is for drying paint. Glue applied to the corners allows you to customize the frame with decorative wood embellishments to match your decor. Get the tutorial here.
Bar cart
It doesn't take much in the way of materials to build your own bar cart. Large dresser drawers make up the top and bottom, with stained lumber linking the two. Paint the drawers any color you want, and add hardware to dress them up. Get the tutorial here.
It doesn't take much in the way of materials to build your own bar cart. Large dresser drawers make up the top and bottom, with stained lumber linking the two. Paint the drawers any color you want, and add hardware to dress them up. Get the tutorial here.
Wall cabinet
This project is ideal for mounting and displaying favorite knickknacks. It does require a little woodworking skill to make the swinging cabinet face. Chicken wire creates a see-through front with a folk-art vibe, but if you prefer a clear face, glue cut plexiglas to the inside of the face. Get the tutorial here.
This project is ideal for mounting and displaying favorite knickknacks. It does require a little woodworking skill to make the swinging cabinet face. Chicken wire creates a see-through front with a folk-art vibe, but if you prefer a clear face, glue cut plexiglas to the inside of the face. Get the tutorial here.
Jewelry box
Do you remember card catalogs or apothecary drawers? Those square drawers make splendid jewelry boxes when hinged together, but if you can't find these relics of the past, any small, square, lidless box works. A satin, sateen or velvet liner adds a touch of elegance. Get the tutorial here.
Do you remember card catalogs or apothecary drawers? Those square drawers make splendid jewelry boxes when hinged together, but if you can't find these relics of the past, any small, square, lidless box works. A satin, sateen or velvet liner adds a touch of elegance. Get the tutorial here.
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