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    Home » Repurposed Furniture » Chest of Drawers Repurposed into an Entertainment Center

    Chest of Drawers Repurposed into an Entertainment Center

    Published by Gail | Published April 25, 2012 | Updated April 9, 2019
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    MyRepurposedLife-repurposed-chest-of-drawers

     

    Get ready to find out how I cut a chest of drawers and made one of two projects. If you follow me on facebook, you’ve already been teased with the a photo of this chest of drawers.

    Beware—it is a long post.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center

    Chest of Drawers into Ent. CenterCathy and I curbed this chest of drawers a long, long time ago. I can’t even remember exactly where it came from. It only had two drawers with it.

    Chest of Drawers into Ent. Center (2)I wanted to make a bench or something from it, so I  . . .

    Chest of Drawers into Ent. Center (3). . . . cut it apart with my circular saw—freehand! I just followed the line and was very please with how well it looked.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (16)Suddenly it is so petite!

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (18)Looking at the bottom, you can see that some support needs to be added.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (19)This is a section of the chest of drawers that I was not using. I used all of the parts of this unwanted piece except the two side sections. Note that it has three long “cleats” with tenons that fit into the mortises (grooves). There are four short cleats  (two on each side) that were also used.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (20)I added one long cleat across the back and a short one on each side. I added the extra pieces for strength, because of the thin luan plywood.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (21)This is the inside view looking at the original top of the chest. It is held on with pocket hole (screws). I removed the screws and the top of the chest.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (22)The pocket holes toward the back were not accessible, so I drilled some new ones so that I would be able to re-attach the top when the time came.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (23)Now the top is off, it’s time to give it a facelift.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (24)Tools of the trade. Sander, protective eyewear, mask and the much needed gatorade. It’s been really warm off and on here, and I must drink it. Long time friends will remember that I landed in the hospital twice from lack of electrolytes.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (27)I sanded the finish off and chose Jacobean by Minwax for my stain.

    While the stain dries, I work on some trim for the bottom of my new piece…

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (4)I measured the width of the front, then I cut my first piece.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (6)If you already know how to trim out, skip over this because I’m going to give my explanation of how I keep track of the right miter cut. I needed an outside corner on each side of the front trim pieces. As I lay it on my saw, I say to myself  “don’t see wood”. What that means is that I need the long cut in the front. See the piece in the foreground? That would be for an inside corner and I would say to myself “see wood”. (as in see the wood that was just cut).

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (9)I generally cut my trim pieces a little long. You can always trim some off, but you can’t put it back on. (That’s why my hairdresser always tells me when I ask her to take some extra length off my hair)  Look closely and you can see that I drew a line right up against the edge of the side.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (10)As I start to put the trim on the front, I realize that I need a little more support to help steady the trim piece.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (12)This is where I used one of those long cleats with the tenons.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (13)Now the trim piece has something for me to nail/glue it to.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (14)Of course I used my Gorilla Wood Glue.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (15)I also used some finishing nails from my nail gun. You can see that there is a small “overbite” on this left side.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (30)Nothing that a little sandpaper can’t take care of.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (31)On this side there is a small gap, nothing a little caulk won’t hide. I’m not perfect with trim, nor is this chest of drawers in perfect shape. I worked through it.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (32)That piece up there earlier in the post-#19-I used another long cleat to support the new shelf I made out of the back of said piece in #19.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (34)New cleat in the back . . . .

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (37). . . for the shelf to rest on.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (39)It’s shaping up, eh?

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (41)I tested the top to see how it looked. (after staining the top, I applied two coats of wipe-on poly)

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (44)Off it went to the paint booth to get a coat of paint with my HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer
    .

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (46)Time for some glazing.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (47)Then it was time for the bottom to get glazed. Notice there aren’t any pictures of the glazing process? It is impossible to stop and take pictures when your hands/gloves are covered with stain. I used the Jacobean stain to glaze the white.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (51)I re-attached the top with the original pocket holes and the 3 new ones I made toward the back.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (52)Because the top was on, I was unable to get a nail gun inside to attach the shelf. I used Gorilla Wood Glue on all of the cleats. Additionally I used my nail gun to shoot a few nails in the front rail.

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (58)

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (68)I love the stained top and glazed bottom look.

     

    Chest of Drawers into Entertainment Center (67)I’m calling it an entertainment center. It’s a great height for a flat screen tv, with space for a cable box or dvd player. What purpose do you think it could serve?

     

     

     

    I used the bottom of the chest of drawers for another project, Chest of Drawers Repurposed into a Bench.

     

    gail

    see more ideas below:

    [categorythumbnaillist 176]

    [categorythumbnaillist 116]

     

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    1. Pam

      November 25, 2014 at 4:32 pm

      Awesome....two for one! Great job.

      Reply
    2. Donna

      August 29, 2012 at 10:00 pm

      This is amazing!! I have a sewing table I just bought for $40 that I want to refinish. I want it to be an "eyecatcher", if I send you a photo, could you make some suggestions? donnaunderscorelynnunderscorewoodsathotmaildotcom

      Reply
    3. Heather @ The Junktion

      April 29, 2012 at 5:00 pm

      This is just adorable and so is your blog...so glad I found it. I'm your newest follower!

      Reply
    4. ✿ⒹⒺⒺ✿@ A Lapin Life

      April 27, 2012 at 9:48 am

      Hi Gail,

      Very cool transformation!

      Dee

      Reply
    5. Suzanne@Meridian Road

      April 26, 2012 at 3:15 pm

      That's a great TV stand! I love the stained top. I could really use something like that.
      I think it would be good for shoe storage too. The ones you wear the most in the space on top, the others in the drawer. It looks like just the right height to sit on while putting on shoes, too.

      Reply
    6. Full Circle Creations

      April 26, 2012 at 2:11 am

      I love it! You did an excellent job explaining your process! It's just great!

      Holly

      Reply
    7. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.

      April 26, 2012 at 1:54 am

      Wow Gail, you really know how to rework a piece! Another great transformation!

      Reply
    8. Toqua's Crafts

      April 26, 2012 at 12:03 am

      There you go again... being all creative and all! 🙂 I would not have seen this out of that chest of drawers! WONDERFUL!!

      Reply
    9. Korrie Bastian

      April 25, 2012 at 7:28 pm

      Great repurpose, Gail! Can't wait to see the other half!

      Reply
    10. Cassandra @ The Life of CK and Nate

      April 25, 2012 at 7:03 pm

      This is great! I thought for a second that you had watermelon shaped sand paper 🙂

      Reply
    11. Katie

      April 25, 2012 at 5:48 pm

      This turned out awesome Gail! I love LOVE that stained top! It looks perfect with the glazed gray! Great job!

      Reply
    12. Jody and Stan

      April 25, 2012 at 4:37 pm

      What a lot of work, but worth it. You have an antique one of a kind piece. Fantastic!

      Jody

      Reply
    13. Elyse

      April 25, 2012 at 4:20 pm

      Circular saw? Free hand? YOU ROCK! This turned out so awesome!! I really like the color stain you chose. We just used a 50% Jacobean blend on the hardwoods in our "soon to be finished" home. Such a rich color.

      Reply
    14. Debra Howard

      April 25, 2012 at 3:42 pm

      Great job! I did something similar with a larger dresser for my large flat screen. Turned out perfect.
      Debbie

      Reply
    15. Scarlett Ibis

      April 25, 2012 at 3:08 pm

      I love it! We are in the midst of re-organizing our kitchen cabinets so the kids could reach things and do more on their own. I kept thinking what a great microwave stand that would be. I know it low, but the kids could reach it and it has room for cups, bowls, spoons and placemats!

      Reply
    16. Jackie

      April 25, 2012 at 2:47 pm

      You are so responsible for me Nolonger Throwing Away every unwanted item ... of course my Alley Guy has experienced a decrease in business, but I have saved soooo much money by just Repurposing a item here and there. Thanks for your Blog and Ideas.

      Reply
    17. Sandi @ The Primitive Skate

      April 25, 2012 at 2:12 pm

      You did an awesome job, Gail. It turned out Beautiful. looks like alot of work went into this. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day!!

      Reply
    18. Corn in my Coffee-Pot

      April 25, 2012 at 1:56 pm

      I'm applauding...because this tutorial was great!
      You did a wonderful job explaining the process and with pictures... I think we can figure the glaze part out...(and there are plenty of tutorials out there for that if we can't)
      I think the purpose you mentioned/specified is perfect!

      great job!

      Pat

      Reply
    19. I Play Outside The Box

      April 25, 2012 at 1:51 pm

      Fantastic piece. I learn so much from your blog...such as "cleats with the tenons"...would have just been a piece of wood to me. When I grow up..I'd love to be as good as you are on making beautiful new pieces out of discarded items.

      With all the support you placed inside I bet it would be strong enough to sit on in an entry way to remove your shoes and a place to tuck them out of the way. If the drawer is still functional...you could toss ballcaps or small umbrellas inside that.

      Reply
    20. Anne

      April 25, 2012 at 1:08 pm

      That looks so amazing - and OLD! Great work!!

      Reply
    21. Vickie @ Ranger 911

      April 25, 2012 at 12:46 pm

      Great repurpose! I have 2 old built-ins that needed the sides replaced. I finally got so frustrated I sent them off to my dad to fix. :@

      Reply
    22. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper

      April 25, 2012 at 12:16 pm

      that looks fabulous! and i LOVE the finish! great job, friend!

      Reply
    23. Cindy @ Le Chaise Parfait

      April 25, 2012 at 12:05 pm

      I love how this turned out Gail. You are quite the carpenter, I wouldn't even know what a cleat was. I need you to move down the street from me. I have lots of stuff to do, but I don't have your talent to put it all together.

      Reply
    24. Terri

      April 25, 2012 at 12:04 pm

      Wow, this seems like a lot of work...but it looks awesome! A great finished piece!!

      Reply
    25. Judy

      April 25, 2012 at 12:00 pm

      You're amazing. I'm super impressed. It looks great. Most people would not have seen the potential in that piece. So cool.

      Reply
    26. Rose @ Confessions of a Curbshopaholic

      April 25, 2012 at 9:47 am

      Great way to rework that piece. It came out fantastic! Oh, the possibilities....

      Reply
    27. Sue

      April 25, 2012 at 9:45 am

      You are so genius! One really has to have an eye for it to see the things in furniture the way you can!
      Still not really warm here, expecting a high of 54 F today, the "warmest" it's supposed to get this week, umpf.
      Have a happy week and drink plenty,
      Sue

      Reply
    28. Amanda

      April 25, 2012 at 8:10 am

      Awesome! You did a great job, you have such a great eye for seeing the potential of something!
      I agree, this would be fantastic as an entertainment centre.

      Reply
    29. Kat

      April 25, 2012 at 11:35 am

      Fabulous work! It would make a nice bedside table, overstuffed armchair end table, hallway lamp table, front porch iced tea table... Love little stands like this.

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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