• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Start Here
  • Shop Favorites
  • About
    • Welcome To My Repurposed Life Home of Repurposed Furniture
    • More About Gail
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Information
  • Gallery
    • Repurposed Furniture
  • Repurposed Items
    • Building Supplies
    • Miscellaneous Household Items
    • Picture Frame/Chalk Board
  • DIY
    • Home Reno
    • outdoor living
    • Painting
    • Shop Talk
    • Tips for Around the House
    • Build It
      • Furniture
      • Home Decor
      • Storage
    • Crafts
      • Dollar Store
      • Easy
      • Holidays Seasonal
  • Furniture
    • Chair
    • Desk
    • Dresser/Chest
    • Headboard | Bed Parts | Cribs
    • Kids Furniture
    • Table
    • Kids Furniture
My Repurposed Life® Rescue Re-imagine Repeat
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Project Index
  • Furniture
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Repurposed Furniture » Old Drawer Cubby Organizer

    Old Drawer Cubby Organizer

    Published by Gail | Published February 5, 2016 | Updated April 9, 2019
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Hey MRL Readers!! It is good to be here with you, my name is Mindi and I blog at MyLove2Create. I am one of Gail's contributors, for those who might be new here. 🙂
    I am excited to share my old drawer cubby organizer with you today!

    diy cubby organizer made from old drawers

    You guys, I love this project! Let me tell you why...
    Every time I go to Hobby Lobby, I see these cute cubby organizers, in fun colors or rustic wood, with cute labels...and I drool over them, literally.

    How to make a cubby from an old drawer

    diy cubby organizer made from old drawers

    Hubba hubba! (ok now you think I am weird, I confess, it is true.)

    faux labels on cubby organizer

    Complete with cute labels folks!! LOVE. Oh...and I MADE those labels, muahahaha!!

    I am jumping ahead...lets start at the beginning.

    Begin with discarded drawersdrawers made into cubbies

    The drawers were in decent shape I just needed to add some glue and a few nails to make them sturdy.

    stacking drawers

    I placed them on top of each other to see if my cubby organizer idea would work...and I was happy to see that it totally would! Sa-weet!

    Make dividers for drawer cubby

    measure and cut shelves and dividers

    Rummaging through my scrap pile, I found a fence board and some mdf, both were ½'' thick and 5 ½'' wide, which was perfect, love it when that happens. 🙂  I measured my drawers and figured out that I wanted 6 cubbies in each drawer, which would equal 12 total.

    Two shelf boards were cut, one for each drawer (from the fence board) and 8 cubby dividers (from the mdf), see the photo on the right.

    Secure small boards with nails

    nailing in dividers

    I started adding the cubbies in the first drawer. After measuring and marking on the drawer where to place everything I glued and nailed on the bottom dividers and the shelf board.

     

     

    adding top dividers and nailing in place

    I nailed one nail in from the top into each bottom divider (top left) and then pounded in my top dividers (top right). The dividers were nailed from the top (bottom left) and used a ruler as a guide. Then I measured and marked on the back of the drawer where all the dividers were, and nailed them from there. I did this with both drawers.

    toenailing boards in cubby organizer

    When I added the dividers to my second drawer, I clamped it to the first drawer to use as a reference to make sure the dividers would be lined up perfectly (left) then I glued and nailed them in. You can see on the two right photos that I am toenailing the dividers into the shelf boards, this is basically driving the nail in at an angle, because the nail gun can not fit into the cubbies.

    glue and clamp drawers together

    With both drawers built it was time to attach them together. I added glue the the bottom drawer and attached the backs of each drawer together. Then I clamped it up while the glue dried.

    cutting and attaching front trim,

    In order to make a little ledge for my cubbies (an more importantly a place for my labels) I used some more scrap mdf and cut 4-1'' strips with my Kreg rip cut and circular saw. Then I glued and nailed them onto the bottom of each cubby section.

    You might also like this small wall cupboard

    Paint drawer cubby

    priming cubbies

    It is looking so cute!! I primed it with some left over primer I had, and it went on perfectly...

    spray painted cubbies needing touch up

    But my second spray paint had a little more trouble. After several attempts at second coats I gave up. I guess that is what happens when you spray paint in below freezing conditions. It was worth it though, because I did NOT want to paint all the cubbies individually, and this was enough of a head start.

    Add background paper

    adding paper to back of cubbies

    I really wasn't pleased with the back, however, and so I found some craft paper that I liked and used it as a back drop in each cubby. I had to do some patch jobs with the paper, but you can't even tell! It was easy to cut to size and spray adhesive it so it could stick to the back of each cubby. You can see in this photo I have already doctored up the poor spray paint job.

    Cubby gets labels

    spray painting faux labels

    I made a special trip to two different craft stores to buy my fun metal labels, and guess what? They didn't have enough, I needed 12, AND plus they were way TOO expensive.

    I decided to make my own labels using my Cricut. They were spray painted  with a coat of metallic silver (probably not necessary) and finished off with Oil rubbed bronze.

    attaching faux labels

    Having  small screws that were the wrong color,  I sprayed a squirt of oil rubbed bronze on my scrap board and then used a cheap water color brush to paint the screws to match. This was done after pre drilling holes and attaching my labels

    labels for faux metal labels

    I used the middle section of the original label and had my circuit draw and cut for me, then I just popped them into each label. You could spray adhesive them, but they fit so perfectly I don't think you need it. I am pretty excited about them...I think they look real! eeeek!

    diy cubby organizer made from old drawers

    I think the reclaimed wood paper was the perfect pattern for the backs of the cubbies.

    store craft supplies in cubby organizer

    Now that I have my fun cubby organizer I just have to decide where to put it. It would be perfect in the craft room...

    diy cubby organizer made from old drawers

    Or the powder room. 🙂  In fact it could go anywhere. 🙂

    cubby organizer made from old drawers

    I think the bathroom is good spot for now. The cool thing is, this shelf could just stand alone or it could hang on the wall. I even thought about adding feet, but until I decide it's final home, I will hold off.

    diy cubby organizer made from old drawers

    Who knew two ugly old drawers could be so cute!?

    diy cubby organizer made from old drawers

    Now I guess I don't have to drool all over Hobby Lobby any more...at least in one section anyway...

    Ok folks, what do you think? Got any old drawers you could transform?
    For more great projects come and visit!
    Hugs,
    Mindi
    Hop over to Elizabeth & Co. for Be Inspired (you'll be happy you did)

    see more of Mindi's posts on MRL here

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    Related Content:

    • Shutter Mail Organizer
      Shutter Mail Organizer
    • Repurposed Crib Dog Crate
      Repurposed Crib Dog Crate
    • Navy Blue Writing Desk Hutch
      Navy Blue Writing Desk Hutch
    • Cubby Shelf Makeover
      Cubby Shelf Makeover
    • Pallet Wood Shelf
      Pallet Wood Shelf
    • Desk Organizer Tutorial
      Desk Organizer Tutorial

    About Mindi

    Mindi is a wife, mother, runner, dancer, and a lover of all things fun and DIY.

    A few years ago she discovered blogs and fell in love with the idea that she could do things she had always dreamed of doing. Like build furniture from pallets, and make cool projects for her home.... Mindi was inspired by other bloggers that empowered her to create.

    Mindi decided to give back and possibly reach someone out there that has a desire to create like herself. She believes we all have that desire in some form or another, and we all DO create in our own way, every day. Whether it be crafty or not, even creating happiness in others is a gift that many share.

    Mindi loves to learn and use that knowledge to make beautiful and useful things for her home.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      See comments Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Julia

      November 18, 2020 at 10:00 am

      This is adorable! You did a great job and your instructions were easy to follow. I've seen quite a few old drawer ideas, but this is by far my favorite! Will definitely be trying this one soon and thank you so much for sharing! 😄

      Reply
    2. Terri

      January 31, 2017 at 9:20 am

      I had seen this on MRL's links & thought it was really cute! I'll pass it along to a friend who needs something like this in her new lake house.

      Reply
    3. Jenni

      June 29, 2016 at 10:25 am

      Well done what a great idea, i have a heap of draws & need some shelves, so I'll be using this idea that's for sure! Thank you, thank you, thank you ????

      Reply
    4. Michele

      April 29, 2016 at 2:40 pm

      Such a cute cubby!

      On another note, I saw this gadget and wondered if you knew of it. It seems like it would be handy for you. See the video link below:

      https://m.youtube.com/?#/watch?v=pt3V4KkLG_M

      Reply
    5. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.

      February 16, 2016 at 7:47 am

      What a cute project Mindi! Featured at Be Inspired this morning. So nice to have you join us! ... Hi Gail!

      Reply
    6. Dyan

      February 12, 2016 at 10:25 am

      Amazing project! I was asked to build cubbies but knew I would never get the project square. Starting with drawers is the perfect answer. Thanks for the really detailed tutorial and pictures!

      Reply
    7. trudi gauld

      February 07, 2016 at 11:49 pm

      Wish I had taken carpentry instead of French at high school!!!

      Reply
    8. Yvonne

      February 06, 2016 at 2:56 am

      Love this Gail, it turned out very good......great idea.......Thanks

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.com

        February 07, 2016 at 9:02 pm

        Thanks! This wonderful project is from Mindi!

    9. Julie @ follow your heart woodworking

      February 05, 2016 at 4:54 pm

      Wow Mindi, you outdid yourself again! You really have vision and creativity PLUS! That cubby organizer is so nice, everything about it, who wouldn't want one, or two?

      Reply
    10. Lisa Waggle

      February 05, 2016 at 4:50 pm

      LOVE IT!!!!!!

      Reply
    11. Lis

      February 05, 2016 at 12:26 pm

      I just LOVE this idea and think yours turned out perfectly. I have been holding on to two old drawers I found while dumpster diving years ago, wondering what to do with them and this solves it. The color is perfect and as you said, this could be used so many places it will be so practical.
      Thank you so very much for sharing this with us.

      Reply
    12. Revital Mitchell

      February 05, 2016 at 12:06 pm

      Love it! Very creative!

      Reply
    13. Joan

      February 05, 2016 at 10:09 am

      That is an amazing repurpose. I would never have thought your shelves were originally drawers in a million years. I love the backing, the color, the labels....everything. Nicely done.

      Reply
    14. Cheryl in Wisconsin

      February 05, 2016 at 10:05 am

      Brilliant.

      Reply
    15. Maricella

      February 05, 2016 at 9:29 am

      It is super cute! Love it!

      Reply
    16. Tasha

      February 05, 2016 at 9:21 am

      Of all your posts this is my favorite. The Cricut labels are genius. Love the whole project!!!!

      Reply
    17. gail@myrepurposedlife.com

      February 05, 2016 at 9:09 am

      Earlier this week I took the hardware off of the left over drawers from that blue table. I was stacking them on top of each other trying to figure out how I'm going to use them. I had them on top, beside, and any which way I could place them. BUT your additional boards to separate them into cubbies is genius! I have so many drawers I could probably do a whole WALL of them.

      great use of old drawers Mindi!
      gail

      Reply
    18. Susan Homeroad

      February 05, 2016 at 6:16 am

      I love this... very creative making it out of drawers! One of the best upcycles I've seen! 🙂

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    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!

    More about me →

    Join Our Mailing List

    ​

      Click the topics you're interested in below:

      Subscribing above means you agree to our Privacy Policy​

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      SEEN ON

      Might I Suggest

      • Start Here
      • Furniture Makeovers

      Newsletter

      • Sign Up! for emails and updates

      About

      • Gail's Favorites on Amazon
      • About

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

      Copyright © 2023 My Repurposed Life · Privacy Policy · Disclosure