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Old Drawer Cabinet

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Hello! I am happy to be back here at MRL! For those of you that may be new, my name is Mindi, and I blog at MyLove2Create. I love being one of Gail’s contributors. 🙂
Can you believe it is March?! Time is speeding up, and spring is just around the corner, which always makes me glad. With the onset of spring I have been doing a little de-junking, which leads to my project today…An Old Drawer Cabinet.

Old drawer and trim into a nice cabinet MyLove2Create for MyRepurposedLife.com

I guess I have been doing MORE than just de-junking…I have been taking it and making it into a treasure!

old drawer repurposed into a cabinet MyLove2Create for MyRepurposedlife.com

It is amazing what a little imagination and paint can do!

old drawer to be turned into cabinet

It all started with this drawer. I have had it for about 4 years, and I got it for free off of Craig’s list. It has been patiently waiting for a makeover and a new purpose in life.

Removing drawer face from old drawer

The drawer front was split and cracked on the sides and because I wanted to make this into a cabinet, I decided it needed to be removed. I used a crow bar and slowly pried it off.

gluing in drawer bottom

The sides were loose from the drawer bottom so I added some Gorilla Wood Glue and clamped it. You can also see I removed the drawer slides as well.

old moulding to make cabinet door frame

While the glue was drying on the drawer I picked up some left over trim that I had removed when I did my teen boy’s room makeover. This would be the frame for my cabinet door. I cut one end at 45 degrees on my miter saw and then measured it to the drawer to make the second cut.

making drawer cabinet face frame

I did this all the way around until I had all four sides cut. Then I used wood glue and my nail gun to attach them at the corners. Note: I recommend using nail in fasteners on the corners if your trim moulding is too thin for pocket holes which is the best method, I was out of fasteners which is why I used nails, but I find it a weaker joining method on mitered corners…just saying.

adding trim shelves into drawer

For the shelves inside the old drawer cabinet I used some more trim from the same pile, it was a little wider than what I used for the frame. I cut it to size and glued and nailed it on the sides and the back.
I just made two shelves, but you could add as many as you want!

trying out trim door on old drawer

This is what I had at this point.

Cutting chicken wire for cabinet door

Part of the reason I wanted to do this project is so that I could us some of this chicken wire I had picked up from the side of the road. I have been wanting to use it on something for a LONG time, so I was super excited when I was cutting it to fit my frame. 🙂  I used wire cutters, making sure I had enough to overlap for attaching later.

filling holes in drawer with spackling

Next up was filling the holes with spackle, if I was staining I probably would have skipped this step. I wanted to paint so I knew I need cover up the holes so they wouldn’t show. I also sanded the drawer and cleaned it with TSP.

painting old drawer cabinet

Now for paint! I used a homemade chalk paint with white for my first coat, and then added another coat of white (non chalk paint) on top. Tip: For a smoother finish make sure to sand with fine grit paper between coats.

old hardware for cabinet,

I rounded up some hinges and a pull that I got off of some shutters…at least I think that is where they came from… I started by attaching the hinges to the old drawer cabinet first.

stapling chicken wire onto door frame

Then I attached my chicken wire to the back of the frame with staples, and screwed the door to the hinges on the cabinet. Last I added my pull. Oh, and I do want to note that I sprayed the chicken wire with oil rubbed bronze spray paint to darken it up a little.

adding DIY door magnet catches

When I got to installing the door I realized I needed a magnetic door catch. I didn’t have any…so I made my own. I used some button magnets and a small scrap piece of wood. I hot glued them in the top and bottom corners so the magnet was flush with the top of the drawer. Then I hot glued on these metal plates into each corner. I think they were part of a magnetic catch system at one time…

top close up of cabinet repurposed from a drawer

They keep the door closed perfectly, and that is it. Done. Of course then you have to decide where it is going…I put felt pads on the bottom for now so it can stand on it’s own, but I may add d-rings to the back and hang it in my bedroom. Decisions, decisions.

old drawer cabinet with chicken wire door MyLove2Create for MyRepurposedLife.com

I love how it turned out, simple and just cute!

close up of cupboard door

How fun is that chicken wire?! Ahhhh. 🙂

old drawer cabinet with figurines

Because this was such a narrow drawer it can only hold small things, and I think figurines would be perfect inside.

Front of old drawer cabinet,

Really it could go in any room. The bathroom, the kitchen for holding spices, or even in the kids room to hold lego miniatures. I also have been debating adding cup hooks and turning it into a jewelry cabinet for my bedroom, wouldn’t that be fun!

Turn an old drawer into a cabinet MyLove2Create for MyRepurposedLife.com

This was a super fun project, and so easy! I guess I am happy I started de-junking and got side tracked…can you see why it is hard for me to throw anything away!?
Have you made any treasures from your trash lately?
Thanks for reading and feel free to stop by to see more great repurposed projects!
Mindi

Related Content: Desk Organizer using Chicken Wire

24 Comments

  1. Kristen,

    This project is from my friend Mindi. But when you place hinges where they are visible, there’s no notching necessary. Your hubby must be a trained wood worker. I have NEVER notched for any hinges.
    Here’s an example of where I used a piano hinge https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/mirror-jewelry-armoire/
    A window cabinet with small hinges https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/window-box-cabinet/

    There will generally be a small gap, but in my opinion, it only adds to the charm!

    let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

    gail

    1. Kristen,

      This project is from my friend Mindi. But when you place hinges where they are visible, there’s no notching necessary. Your hubby must be a trained wood worker. I have NEVER notched for any hinges.
      Here’s an example of where I used a piano hinge https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/mirror-jewelry-armoire/
      A window cabinet with small hinges https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/window-box-cabinet/

      There will generally be a small gap, but in my opinion, it only adds to the charm!

      let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

      gail

  2. Kristen,

    This project is from my friend Mindi. But when you place hinges where they are visible, there’s no notching necessary. Your hubby must be a trained wood worker. I have NEVER notched for any hinges.
    Here’s an example of where I used a piano hinge https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/mirror-jewelry-armoire/
    A window cabinet with small hinges https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/window-box-cabinet/

    There will generally be a small gap, but in my opinion, it only adds to the charm!

    let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

    gail

    1. Kristen,

      This project is from my friend Mindi. But when you place hinges where they are visible, there’s no notching necessary. Your hubby must be a trained wood worker. I have NEVER notched for any hinges.
      Here’s an example of where I used a piano hinge https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/mirror-jewelry-armoire/
      A window cabinet with small hinges https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/window-box-cabinet/

      There will generally be a small gap, but in my opinion, it only adds to the charm!

      let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

      gail

  3. Kristen,

    This project is from my friend Mindi. But when you place hinges where they are visible, there’s no notching necessary. Your hubby must be a trained wood worker. I have NEVER notched for any hinges.
    Here’s an example of where I used a piano hinge https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/mirror-jewelry-armoire/
    A window cabinet with small hinges https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/window-box-cabinet/

    There will generally be a small gap, but in my opinion, it only adds to the charm!

    let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

    gail

    1. Kristen,

      This project is from my friend Mindi. But when you place hinges where they are visible, there’s no notching necessary. Your hubby must be a trained wood worker. I have NEVER notched for any hinges.
      Here’s an example of where I used a piano hinge https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/mirror-jewelry-armoire/
      A window cabinet with small hinges https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/window-box-cabinet/

      There will generally be a small gap, but in my opinion, it only adds to the charm!

      let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

      gail

  4. Kristen,

    This project is from my friend Mindi. But when you place hinges where they are visible, there’s no notching necessary. Your hubby must be a trained wood worker. I have NEVER notched for any hinges.
    Here’s an example of where I used a piano hinge https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/mirror-jewelry-armoire/
    A window cabinet with small hinges https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/window-box-cabinet/

    There will generally be a small gap, but in my opinion, it only adds to the charm!

    let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

    gail

  5. Kristen,

    This project is from my friend Mindi. But when you place hinges where they are visible, there’s no notching necessary. Your hubby must be a trained wood worker. I have NEVER notched for any hinges.
    Here’s an example of where I used a piano hinge https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/mirror-jewelry-armoire/
    A window cabinet with small hinges https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/window-box-cabinet/

    There will generally be a small gap, but in my opinion, it only adds to the charm!

    let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

    gail

  6. Kristen,

    This project is from my friend Mindi. But when you place hinges where they are visible, there’s no notching necessary. Your hubby must be a trained wood worker. I have NEVER notched for any hinges.
    Here’s an example of where I used a piano hinge https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/mirror-jewelry-armoire/
    A window cabinet with small hinges https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/window-box-cabinet/

    There will generally be a small gap, but in my opinion, it only adds to the charm!

    let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

    gail

  7. Kristen,

    This project is from my friend Mindi. But when you place hinges where they are visible, there’s no notching necessary. Your hubby must be a trained wood worker. I have NEVER notched for any hinges.
    Here’s an example of where I used a piano hinge https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/mirror-jewelry-armoire/
    A window cabinet with small hinges https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/window-box-cabinet/

    There will generally be a small gap, but in my opinion, it only adds to the charm!

    let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

    gail

  8. Kristen,

    This project is from my friend Mindi. But when you place hinges where they are visible, there’s no notching necessary. Your hubby must be a trained wood worker. I have NEVER notched for any hinges.
    Here’s an example of where I used a piano hinge https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/mirror-jewelry-armoire/
    A window cabinet with small hinges https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/window-box-cabinet/

    There will generally be a small gap, but in my opinion, it only adds to the charm!

    let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

    gail

  9. Kristen,

    This project is from my friend Mindi. But when you place hinges where they are visible, there’s no notching necessary. Your hubby must be a trained wood worker. I have NEVER notched for any hinges.
    Here’s an example of where I used a piano hinge https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/mirror-jewelry-armoire/
    A window cabinet with small hinges https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/window-box-cabinet/

    There will generally be a small gap, but in my opinion, it only adds to the charm!

    let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

    gail

  10. Kristen,

    This project is from my friend Mindi. But when you place hinges where they are visible, there’s no notching necessary. Your hubby must be a trained wood worker. I have NEVER notched for any hinges.
    Here’s an example of where I used a piano hinge https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/mirror-jewelry-armoire/
    A window cabinet with small hinges https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/window-box-cabinet/

    There will generally be a small gap, but in my opinion, it only adds to the charm!

    let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

    gail

  11. Kristen,

    This project is from my friend Mindi. But when you place hinges where they are visible, there’s no notching necessary. Your hubby must be a trained wood worker. I have NEVER notched for any hinges.
    Here’s an example of where I used a piano hinge https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/mirror-jewelry-armoire/
    A window cabinet with small hinges https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/window-box-cabinet/

    There will generally be a small gap, but in my opinion, it only adds to the charm!

    let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

    gail

  12. Kristen,

    This project is from my friend Mindi. But when you place hinges where they are visible, there’s no notching necessary. Your hubby must be a trained wood worker. I have NEVER notched for any hinges.
    Here’s an example of where I used a piano hinge https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/mirror-jewelry-armoire/
    A window cabinet with small hinges https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/window-box-cabinet/

    There will generally be a small gap, but in my opinion, it only adds to the charm!

    let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

    gail

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