16 fabulous ways to repurpose old dresser drawers

Don’t throw away old dresser drawers! Here are 16 brilliant ways to repurpose old dresser drawers into other furniture & home decor.

If you don’t have an old dresser down in the basement or in the garage already, start scouring neighborhood garage sales, thrift stores, and flea markets. It’s amazing how versatile dressers really are.

Enjoy these great ideas!

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A darling lamp.

This is such a clever idea. Drill through the drawers and stack them over a lamp base. Use wood glue to secure the drawers to each other and add a piece of wood to finish off the top. Simple and elegant.

Repurpose old dresser drawers into nightstands.

These little nightstands are so easy to make. Simply attach legs to the base and add some fresh paint. Use a stencil or decorative peel & stick wallpaper inside to give them a fresh new look.

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Or repurpose an old dresser drawer into lovely little storage ottoman.

This is such a simple project. Add legs (like these elegant decorative ones) to the bottom. To create the top, attach a piece of upholstery foam to a piece of plywood that has been cut to fit the drawer top. Cover the foam with polyfill batting and wrap with fabric (like this fun pattern). Use hinges to attach the cover to the drawer.

I love the fact that this can be used for the storage of extra pillows and blankets. Here are some more beautiful ways to add storage in your home using re-purposed items.

Create easy and functional under the bed storage with old dresser drawers. Just add casters.

What a great way to store unused items. Instead of storing cloth items, I would use these to store extra shoes, seasonal items like Christmas decorations, and other items not easily damaged by dust or pests. Of course, cloth items (like seasonal clothing) could be placed in pest-proof bags first and then stored in the drawers for easy access.

If you have a lot of seasonal items, they can also be stored in the garage or the attic.

See attic storage ideas here.

Get more organizing and storage ideas below. 👇

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Make this clever jewelry holder from an old dresser drawer.

This is such an easy DIY project.

Line the drawer with decorative wallpaper and add cup hooks and decorative knobs (like these beautiful vintage ceramic ones) to create one-of-a-kind storage for jewelry.

Next, create a family command center.

As a pro organizer, I know how important it is to have a family command center. It’s a great place to keep the family calendar, important school papers, mail, keys, and phones, and of course, a chalkboard to jot down notes and lists.

Paint the inside of the drawer with chalkboard paint. Add a small corkboard to pin appointment cards, and attach cup hooks at the bottom to hold keys.

This is such a great multi-function piece and will help you keep your schedule organized!

Here are more ways to create storage and get your entryway organized so you can get out of the house faster in the morning.

Several great ideas for creating bookcases out of old dresser drawers.

Tall and upright.

This one is simple. The handles are removed and the drawers are stacked on top of each other (and secured with screws) to create a sturdy wooden bookcase.

Funky design.

This one uses large dresser drawers to create an abstract shelving unit. I think it is fun that they re-attached some of the handles to add a bit of fun quirkiness!

Repurpose single drawers into sweet little bookshelves.

Perfect for a child’s room. Attach the drawers to the wall studs securely (or use strong toggle bolts). If the back of the drawer is somewhat flimsy, glue a sturdy piece of plywood to the inside of the back of the drawer before attaching it to the wall.

Looking for other bookcase ideas? Here are some more:

Repurpose old dresser drawers into a stunning headboard.

This is one of my favorite drawer repurpose ideas of all! They added a credenza behind the bed and then stacked (and secured) the various sizes of dresser drawers on top to make a unique headboard, full of storage and design! So clever!

Or into a DIY ladder shelf for storage.

This design is a simple frame made from 1×2″ pieces. This would add lots of great storage in a bathroom!

Here are more ways to add storage in the bathroom – by using the walls!

Look at this clever doll house made from repurposed old dresser drawers!

This is such a clever design. Add a board in the middle of each drawer to create 2 floors. Fasten the drawers back to back using a piece of plywood. Then decorate with paint and wallpaper. (Don’t forget to paint the outside, too!) Did you know you can also get a dollhouse decorator’s kit? See it here!

Don’t forget your furry friends:

Repurpose old dresser drawers to make a kitty condo.

Easy to make. Just add legs to secure the pieces together! Then add some comfy cat beds for the best kitty spot around!

Here are some other ways to organize your cat’s supplies, including DIY cat toys, how to hide the litter box, and DIY cat furniture.

Don’t forget items for your dogs, too!

Repurpose an old dresser drawer to make a simple dog bed.

Give the drawer a fresh coat of paint, some bun feet, and a comfy dog bed to make the perfect spot for Fido!

Or create a very fancy schmancy pet bed, made from drawer, cabinet door & spindles.

I love this design! And using “leftovers” to recycle is the best!

If you have a dog, you probably have a lot of supplies, toys, bedding, and other items for them, too.  So here are ways to organize your dog stuff.

I just love finding ways to repurpose old items, don’t you?

Looking for some more ways to repurpose items? How about 10 ways to repurpose a baby crib? 

Or 10 free organization ideas for the whole house.

I hope these have given you some inspiration! Let me know, I love hearing from you!

~ Pam

P. S. Want some more ideas? Check out my Pinterest boards on DIY and repurposing!