• Home
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, & Disclosures
  • Terms
  • Our Books
  • Shop
    • Shop
    • Cart
    • Help

A Cultivated Nest

Helping You Manage Your Home and Life on a Budget

  • Frugal Living
    • All Frugal Living
    • Frugal Kids Activities
    • Budgeting Printables
  • Cleaning + Organizing
    • All Cleaning + Organization
    • Organizing Tips
    • Cleaning Tips
    • DIY Cleaning Products
  • Freebies
    • Resource Library
    • All Free Printables
    • Budget Printables
    • Home Decor Printables
    • Home Management Printables
  • Budget Decorating
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Snack Recipes
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
  • DIY + Crafts
    • All DIYs
    • Kids Crafts
    • DIY Beauty Products
  • Gardening

Clever Ways to Repurpose Old Drawers

By Manuela Williams

I do a upcycle/repurpose post about once a week or so because my thought is why throw something away if you can make it into something else that is useful and/or beautiful.  Not that I want you to start hording stuff…. 🙂  But instead,  I’d like to encourage you all to look at things differently. If you need something,  first look to see what you already have that can be repurposed before running out and buying something.  Today I’m doing a round up of ways that an old drawer can be repurposed.

How to Repurpose Old Drawers- Don't throw out the drawers from an old dressers! Check out these Clever Ways to Repurpose Old Drawers! | upcycle, repurpose, reuse, DIY decor ideas

Check out these amazingly creative ideas for using old dresser drawers in a new way!

How to Repurpose Old Drawers

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon and/or Etsy, which means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in this post. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.

repurpose an old drawer and make it into under bed storage

Use an old drawer as under the bed storage like this one from The Painted Home

sewing machine drawer used to display dishes by Cozy Little House

You can spruce up an old drawer and use it for display like this cute one from Brenda @ Cozy Little House

upcycled drawers used as planters

You could upcycle old drawers into gorgeous planters like these from Queen B and Me (I’d line them first)

upcycled drawer into a message center

This fabulous jewelry display/DIY message center from PlumDoodles uses both a drawer and piece of gutter guard!

ottoman made from a drawer by Beyond the Picket Fence

Add some feet to a drawer and make a pretty ottoman like this one from Beyond The Picket Fence

upcycled drawer made into a sandwich station

Isn’t this a wonderful idea! This drawer was upcycled into a sandwich station by Miki’s Design @ Curbly.

repurposed drawers shadowbox

These drawers were turned into very cool shadowboxes are from Salvaged Whimsy

a drawer upcycled into craft storage

 What a great practical idea! A drawer upcycled into craft storage by Happiness is Homemade.

dollhouse made from two drawers

This super cute dollhouse is made from two drawers-see the tutorial at By Your Hands

drawer repurposed into a clock

Isn’t this clock made by Creative Ambitions clever! She used the back of the drawer for the clock face. I never think about using the back!

bookcase made from upcycled drawers from Country Living

If you are  lucky and collect lots of different size drawers you could make this awesome  bookcase from drawers via Country Living

Which one is your favorite?How to Repurpose Old Drawers- Don't throw out the drawers from an old dressers! Check out these Clever Ways to Repurpose Old Drawers! | upcycle, repurpose, reuse, DIY decor ideas

For more repurposing ideas, check out these posts:

Ideas for Repurposing Belts

Ideas for Repurposing Old Shutters

Ideas for Repurposing Placemats

Cute things you can make with placemats

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Inspiration, Link Love, Upcycling Tagged With: Inspiration, Repurposing Drawers, upcycling

« A Sweater Covered Pot – Fun Winter Project!
Red Toile & Checkered Dining Room Chairs »

Comments

  1. Brenda Kula says

    January 16, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    I always look at garage sales for old drawers. I’ve used them for a variety of things. But I rarely seem to find them. Thanks for featuring my sewing machine drawer.
    Brenda

  2. Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces says

    January 16, 2014 at 4:32 pm

    Lots of great ideas! I’ve never thought about using one in the garden!

    • Manuela says

      January 16, 2014 at 4:47 pm

      I know cute right! I imagine it wouldn’t last too long if you’re in a climate with lots of rain. I once used a real bed in my garden and it lasted a year before falling apart 🙂

  3. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    January 16, 2014 at 5:58 pm

    Very clever and inspiring ideas here, Manuela! I use a sewing machine drawer {like Brenda’s} in my sewing room to hold my ruffled trim cards.

  4. Glenda says

    January 16, 2014 at 6:01 pm

    Lots of great ideas – thanks for sharing. There used to be a lot of the old sewing machine drawers around, as many of the old machines tops were removed and the base used to make table (I have one of those). Have not been to the flea in some time now, so don’t know what is out there.
    Enjoy your evening.

    • Manuela says

      January 16, 2014 at 8:28 pm

      I’d love to have an old sewing machine drawer since they’re so nice and narrow! I’m going flea/thrifting on my anniversary this month so I’ll be looking for one.

  5. Melanie says

    January 16, 2014 at 7:26 pm

    Very clever upcycling! My favorites are the ones used as planters.

  6. Vee says

    January 16, 2014 at 7:33 pm

    I really like the ottoman idea! (Recently saw an old drawer used as the stable for a manger scene.)

    • Vee says

      January 16, 2014 at 7:39 pm

      http://barbdelldesigns.blogspot.com/2013/12/merry-christmas.html

      Grandma Barb’s This n’ That…

      I like it so well, I’m looking for a great drawer.

      • Manuela says

        January 16, 2014 at 8:26 pm

        Oh yes, that’s just beautiful! You have to find the right kind of drawer for something like that. The wood bottom of hers is just perfect.

  7. Theresa H. Roach says

    January 16, 2014 at 7:53 pm

    Love these ideas! Thank you so much! The one with the plates in it is AWESOME:) Have a blessed evening dear friend, HUGS!

  8. Leann says

    January 17, 2014 at 11:29 am

    Brenda’s always coming up with great ideas. I have about 10 of these old sewing drawers that I use!

    Enjoy your weekend!

    Leann

    • Manuela says

      January 17, 2014 at 2:40 pm

      Lucky you! I’ve been looking but haven’t found one so far.

  9. Carol says

    January 18, 2014 at 1:24 am

    What fun ideas!

    I am going to paint the dresser in my creative space and was thinking of removing a couple of the drawers and replace them with baskets. If I do that, then I will have to do something fun with the drawers.

  10. Debbie says

    January 18, 2014 at 6:32 am

    I have some drawers in the attic. Currently, I am so non creative that I’m only using them for under the bed storage. Now, I have some new ideas. I really love that sandwich station. We don’t make a lot of sandwiches anymore, but I sill like it as a baggie/saran wrap station. Very, very clever!

    • Manuela says

      January 18, 2014 at 1:52 pm

      I know, we don’t really have lots of sandwiches either. Good idea if you have kids and have to make their lunches every day. I’m always amazed at the creativity of others that’s why I love doing these repurposing round ups. I would never think of some of these things on my own!

  11. Mimi Sue says

    January 18, 2014 at 11:34 pm

    Very clever ideas. I like the one that Cozy Little House made. Mimi

  12. Michele Bergh says

    January 28, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    I love these ideas! I’m definitely going to be looking at drawers differently 🙂

  13. Judy Marks says

    January 29, 2014 at 9:32 pm

    I really like your site, especially recycling items for another use. L0ve the drawer ideas and really all your tips.

  14. Estelle S. says

    February 2, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    Beautiful! Such inspirational ideas! Thank you!

Visit the A Cultivated Nest Shop

Check Out Our Books!

Welcome to A Cultivated Nest

Visit the Free Resource Library

Stay Up to Date!

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on all our new posts, plus our shop announcements. As a subscriber benefit you'll get access to our resource library!

Subscribe

Connect With Me On

Pinterest Twitter Mail

Looking For Something?

Disclaimer + Disclosure

A Cultivated Nest makes no claims of “expert status” and the owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of the information found on this website. Posts may contain affiliate links. A Cultivated Nest is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. A Cultivated Nest is also a participant in the Etsy affiliate program via Awin. This means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in my posts. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.

Search the Archives

Looking for Something?

Popular Posts

  • 20 Dollar Store Easter DIY Decor Ideas
  • 15 Mind Blowing Command Hook Hacks You Need To Know
  • 15 Genius Recipes that Use Egg Roll Wrappers

Copyright © 2023 Nest Media GA LLC | All Rights Reserved