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Home » Repurpose

15 Brilliant Repurposing Projects for Old Drawers

Modified: Jan 27, 2023 by Vanessa Beaty · This post may contain affiliate links · 5 Comments

If you’ve been looking for a way to repurpose old dressers or cabinets, I have a treat for you! I’ve found 15 amazing and unique ways that you can use old drawers and make them new again.

drawer projects

Now, if you don’t have old drawers from a dresser that’s just collecting dust in your attic, I’m sure you can find some at yard sales or flea markets.

Warmer weather always makes me so happy because there are so many yard sales going on, and you know what they say, one woman’s junk really is another woman’s treasure.

Make a planter for those spring seeds or a basket for holding old books.

Jump to:
  • Sandwich Station
  • Under Bed Storage
  • Bathroom Cabinet
  • Drawer Ottoman
  • Porch Planter
  • Entry Hangers
  • Picture Frames
  • Jewelry Organizer
  • Dog Bed
  • Drawer Bookcase
  • Drawer Dollhouse
  • Self-Watering Planter
  • Vintage Signage
  • Wall Storage
  • Drawer Basket
  • Conclusion

Sandwich Station

Sandwich Station

Take that old drawer and turn it into this amazing sandwich station. You’ll have all your wraps and tin foil right there where you need them, and this would be a great way to get a little rustic country into your kitchen.

I love how easy this is to make, and imagine the organization you can pull off with this old drawer-turned-wrap station! You’ll be turning out wrapped lunches in no time!

DIY Instructions: curbly

Under Bed Storage

Under Bed Storage

This under-the-bed storage idea is great and very easy to do. You can make as many of these as you have drawers available, and you can just imagine how much organizing you can get done.

You attach casters to the bottom of the old drawer so that it pulls in and out easily. This is by far one of my favorites from this collection!

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DIY Instructions: thepaintedhome tealandlime
lizoncall

Bathroom Cabinet

Bathroom Cabinet

Organizing is my favorite thing to do, and this bathroom cabinet made from an old dresser drawer is the perfect way to get the bathroom organized and create more space.

This is great for smaller rooms that have little storage space available. Just refinish the drawer however you want and hang it up. You’ll be able to keep the clutter down to a minimum with this great shelving idea!

DIY Instructions: theboldabode

Drawer Ottoman

Drawer Ottoman

Use that old dresser drawer to create this stunning and very functional ottoman. You just add legs and a nice fluffy cushion. The best part? There’s storage underneath!

You can use the space under the cushion to store books, games, magazines, or whatever you need to get up and out of the way. Plus, it gives you extra seating when you need it.

DIY Instructions: bec4-beyondthepicketfence

Porch Planter

Porch Planter

Okay, this may be my favorite from this collection. This gorgeous planter is made from an old drawer and some old spindles. This is too gorgeous and perfect for spring!

Paint it or stain it in whatever colors you want to make it really stand out. This is a great way to bring some of that beautiful summer scenery onto your porch and use those old drawers, too.

DIY Instructions: mylove2create

Entry Hangers

Entry Hangers

You could use these hangers anywhere in the house, but aren’t they great for the entryway? You just use the fronts of those old drawers, complete with the pull knobs, and you have wonderful hangers that will keep jackets, backpacks, and other stuff off the floor or counter.

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Since you’re only using the front of the drawer, you’re free to use the rest of it on one of the other projects in the collection. Or, just pick up some extra knobs and use the entire drawer to create a whole collection of hangers.

DIY Instructions: designsponge

Picture Frames

Picture Frames

I think maybe smaller drawers would be a better fit for these picture frames, but they are definitely something that you could do. Finish them however you want with paint or stain, and then add old photographs to create a beautiful and very unique display for your pictures.

You could turn them into shadowbox-type creations, too, and add a few trinkets that really bring out those pictures.

DIY Instructions: hgtv

Jewelry Organizer

Jewelry Organizer

There’s that word, organize, again. I love anything to do with organizing, so this jewelry organizer made from an old drawer just had to be included in the collection.

What a great idea for a teen’s bedroom! This is perfect for holding bracelets and earrings, or you could turn a longer drawer vertically and use it to hold necklaces and keep them from tangling.

DIY Instructions: mikaeladanvers

Dog Bed

Dog Bed

This is a gorgeous and really comfortable place for your pets to sleep. If you have smaller dogs, you can use smaller drawers, and I’m sure you can find a drawer large enough for even the biggest of dogs in your house.

Paint or stain it to match your current room décor, and then add cushions. Your dog will love it as much as you do, and you’re sure to get a lot of attention from visitors.

DIY Instructions: diyshowoff

Drawer Bookcase

Drawer Bookcase

I love books almost as much as I love organizing, so this bookshelf made from old drawers fits in perfectly with this collection. You could use this as a side table as well as a book holder, which is even better because it doubles as room décor while providing you with a functional place to store all those books.

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This is a great idea for teens or college students, too, and will help them to stay organized while giving them just a bit of decoration for their rooms.

Drawer Dollhouse

Drawer Dollhouse

Oh my goodness, how adorable is this dollhouse? It’s made from nightstand drawers, although I’m sure you could use any drawers that you have available. You’ll need two drawers to create a dollhouse this size.

Imagine the look on your little one’s face when you show her this new dollhouse, and you can completely customize it however you want. It’s great for indoor or outdoor play.

DIY Instructions: semiproper

Self-Watering Planter

Self-Watering Planter

Let’s just forget for a moment that this planter is gorgeous. It’s also a self-watering planter! You can create this with just a couple of old drawers, and it’s really much easier to make than you may imagine.

This is great for the front porch or even inside the house if you need to keep those indoor plants watered regularly and really don’t have a green thumb. The drawers can be stained all one color or mix it up and make them really colorful. However you do it, this is sure to be your favorite planter ever.
DIY Instructions: instructables

Vintage Signage

Vintage Signage

Turn those old drawers into unique vintage signage with just a little work. This exit sign is wonderful and would make great décor for any room.

You can make whatever signage you want from the drawers, and when you use the entire drawer, you’ll have loads of boards to create a number of signs. Plus, making them is easy, and you’ll be the only one who knows that they’re not really vintage.

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DIY Instructions: infarrantlycreative

Wall Storage

Wall Storage

Here’s another great idea for the entryway. You can use those old drawers to create storage boxes that hang on the wall. Use those storage boxes for holding boots and shoes, keys, or whatever else you may want to hang up when you enter your home.

I love the thought of having a place for boots and shoes that may be wet or muddy. And imagine always knowing right where you left your keys!

DIY Instructions: douangphila

Drawer Basket

Drawer Basket

Instead of spending a fortune on baskets, turn an old drawer into one. You can use the basket to hold anything from toys or knitting supplies to books or whatever you need it to hold. Just add a handle, and you’re good to go.

This is such a neat idea and one that is so easy to make. And it really looks like an old basket, so you can add to your vintage, rustic décor as well.

DIY Instructions: salvagedwhimsy

Conclusion

Whether you have to pay a couple of bucks for them or you have a few old drawers just sitting around the house somewhere, These 15 wonderful ways that you can turn those drawers into functional and beautiful décor for your home.

I mean, there’s everything in here, from storage to wonderful decorating projects and even pet beds. Whatever you’re in the mood to create, you can do it with an old drawer. Grab those DIY supplies, and let’s get started!

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  1. Beth Dishong

    April 05, 2016 at 3:35 am

    I really enjoyed your post about the drawers. I have been collecting a few drawers so that I could use them for decorating like I have seen on Pinterest. This is the first post that has shown me more than one use for the drawers. You did a very good job describing how to use them and the pictures are really good too.

    I am in the process of starting my own website and blog. I have named my website "Second Time Around" . I so believe in recycling, reusing, and using and using until there is nothing left. I love going to the thrift store and buying clothes, blankets, rugs, plates, cups and other things that I can change around, put together or cut apart to make something totally different. I would then use it for myself, a gift or sell it. I love doing this so much that I even have my husband helping me go around the neighborhoods on trash day or Sunday evenings after weekend yard sales looking for things on the curb that we can use to make other pieces. It is fun and starting to give us a little extra money which is very much needed for 2 Senior Citizens on a very fixed income. I have wanted to start a Blog for quite a while now so I am just about ready to go live.

    I wanted to start commenting on the blogs that I like reading.

    Reply
    • Dana

      April 06, 2016 at 1:30 pm

      As seniors, you know that our parents and grandparents were "green" long before the phony movement.

      Use it up.
      wear it out,
      make it do,
      or do without.

      This was taught to me by my father who was raised during the Great Depression. Necessity caused creativeness.

      Reply
  2. medina grillo

    April 07, 2016 at 11:06 pm

    Great idea! I did this with my old drawer http://grillo-designs.com/ikea-pax-drawer-to-under-bed-toy-storage-on-wheels/

    Reply
  3. maria belen gomez

    November 29, 2016 at 2:55 pm

    I love all the rustic Christmas decorations...very simple to make and the pictures are great....thanks...

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      June 01, 2019 at 7:43 pm

      11th axe

      Reply

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