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    Home » DIY » Build It » Repurposed Drawer Shadow Box

    Repurposed Drawer Shadow Box

    Published by Gail | Published February 18, 2020 | Updated February 27, 2023
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    How to use an old drawer and a picture frame to make a shadow box. Step by step directions so you can make this project yourself. The black shadow box looks great with the white decor #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #drawer #shadowbox #diy #project via @repurposedlifeHow to use an old drawer and a picture frame to make a shadow box. Step by step directions so you can make this project yourself. The black shadow box looks great with the white decor #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #drawer #shadowbox #diy #project via @repurposedlife

    Build a Frame Around a Drawer to Make a Shadow Box

    I  love a good drawer upcycle! While looking around the basement shop, I had a brilliant idea. Why not make a repurposed drawer shadow box? I’ve made shadow boxes out of picture frames by building a box. How about if I used a drawer for the box, and a frame to finish it off? Seriously, it was one of those forehead thump moments!

    I hope you save & share this on Pinterest!

    drawer and picture frame make shadow box

    Here are the items I started with. This drawer is from a project I made for my daughter Jamie when I very first started blogging. Drawers made into modular shelves. Years later she gave me the drawers back and I brought them home. I’m not sure when they ended up in the basement shop. The large picture frame was also in storage under the workbench in the basement. Lucky me?

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    Dismantle Picture Frame

    pry picture frame apart

    Using a small pry bar I separated each corner of the picture frame. I was careful and took my time so I wouldn’t cause too much damage.

    remove picture frame support

    Inside each corner were these metal supports. I used the hammer to tap, tap, tap them out of place.

    pull staples with pliers

    After removing the supports, I used small pliers to remove the staples that originally held the print in place.

    Trim Picture Frame on Miter Saw

    trim picture frame on miter saw

    The original frame was on a slight angle and leaned inward. I knew that I didn’t have much room with the short sides, so I only made sure they were on a 45° angle with a straight cut.

    Measure Picture Frame Pieces for Shadow Box

    mark frames for cutting

    Doing the short sides first, I marked them to fit the drawer shadow box. The little ledge fit perfectly on the drawer, exposing some of the edge.

    Measure | Cut Repurposed Drawer Shadow Box

    cut shadow box shelf on miter saw

    A 1x4 was perfect as a middle shelf for the drawer shadow box project. I measured and cut it on the miter saw. Generally I cut my boards like this just a little long because I want to make sure they fit tight. I can always take a little off if needed.

    Dry Fit to Test Shelf

    dry fit shelf

    I did have to trim off just a little to make it fit in the drawer.

    Sand 1x4 Shelf

    sand shelf with sanding sponge

    It’s best to keep a sanding sponge near your saw so that you can immediately brush off any shavings and smooth any rough edges.

    Install Shelf in Drawer Shadow Box

    attach shelf with nail gun

    Did you know that you can use two clamps when one isn’t long enough? Gorilla Wood Glue is great for extra strength. After gluing, I secured it with the clamps, then finally shooting small brad nails with my nail gun.

    Glue Picture Frame onto Drawer

    glue and clamp frame around shadow box

    Initially, I only glued (and clamped) the picture frame to the drawer shadow box. I used glue along the original routed edge of the picture frame as well as along each corner. I clamped each corner and let it set up overnight.

    The next morning I used small brad nails and the nail gun to shoot at a slight angle to secure the picture frame to the drawer.

    Drywall Mud vs Wood Filler

    use drywall mud instead of wood filler

    I prefer to use drywall mud for patching my woodworking projects. The only time it really doesn’t work is when I’m using spray paint. The coverage of the paint is just weird over the drywall mud. Here’s a tip for you—when you’re starting a DIY project, this large bucket (found in the contractor area) is so much cheaper than buying those small tubs in the paint department. I’ll explain more about the baby wipe below.

    Getting Ready to Paint the Repurposed Drawer Shadow Box

    shadow box made from a drawer

    To prep the drawer shadow box for painting, I had to clean it up and dust it off.

     

    Make Your Own Primer

    mix chalky paint primer

    Because the drawer was such a glossy black, I mixed some diy chalky paint primer using plaster of paris, and water.

    strain paint

    After mixing the Plaster with some water, I poured in the black paint and stirred well. Next I poured the mixture through my mesh strainer.

    squeeze paint from mesh strainer resized

    Using latex gloves is the best way to make sure most of the paint actually makes it into the paint cup. These mesh strainers are reusable for years!

    Easy Project Painting with the Finish Max

    paint with finish max paint sprayer

    The Super Finish Max paint sprayer is the best way to get any job done quickly. I prefer to always paint the back first so when I turn it over if anything gets scuffed it won’t be so noticeable.

    The drawer shadow box got three light coats of the chalky paint primer. It dries really quickly because it’s flat. The downside is, with black paint it tends to leave handprints until it’s sealed.

    Time to Patch Nail Holes

    patch with mud and wipe with baby wipe

    The brad nails left small dents that were very obvious after the black primer. To be perfectly honest, I had intended to use black as an undercoat and white as a topcoat with medium distressing. Therefore I didn’t think the nail dents would be an issue.

    Again, I reached for the drywall mud and baby wipes. I used my finger to fill the small nail holes and you can see that it was quite messy. But if you look closely at the top left corner of the picture you will see that I have wiped away the excess drywall mud and the hole is perfectly filled. After filling the holes, I let the drywall mud set up for about 10 minutes before I used the baby wipe to clean up the mess. No sanding required!

    black shadow box made from a drawer MyRepurposedLife

    The black drawer repurposed shadow box isn’t perfect, but I love it!

    side view of black shadow box MyRepurposedLife
    black drawer shadow box with white decor myRepurposedLife

    See? Isn’t it so cute? I also love the new transfers in The Junky Chalker Shop, seen here on a couple of DIY wooden houses I made.

    save & share on Pinterest!

    Green Picture Frame Shadow Box

    This picture frame shadow box is one of my very favorite shadow boxes. It was recently seen in Country Sampler Farmhouse Magazine!

    CountrySampler Farmhouse Magazine

    See that snippet on the bottom? Designer Challenge: Old Frames, New Uses! I was so thrilled!

    Do you love shadow boxes as much as I do? Have you ever seen a repurposed drawer shadow box before?

    gail

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    1. Ruth

      February 18, 2020 at 11:12 pm

      Looks great! I have a few drawers I need to do this too. Thanks

      Reply
    2. Leona

      February 18, 2020 at 10:43 am

      Hi, I think a light coat of silver on the shadow box would make it sparkle with style. Great idea for a drawer and frame.
      Thanks for sharing.
      PS
      Would you do some more bookcases for us.
      Leona

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 18, 2020 at 12:08 pm

        Leona,

        Great idea about the silver. I think my silver rub-n-buff has dried up. It's time to restock. 🙂

        Bookcases? I do have a few ideas about using more doors I have in storage!

        Have you seen all of the ones I've already made?

        Here are a few . . . https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/?s=bookshelf
        https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/?s=bookcase

        gail

    3. Jennie

      February 18, 2020 at 8:29 am

      I love it! I like that the frame is simpler than the one in the magazine, but I like that there are holes for things and not a shelf in the magazine. This comes at a perfect time for me. After almost 3 years in this house, I’m finally opening the last few boxes. All of my small antique things. The plan was to put the coffee table that was a display box back in the living room. But it’s 4’ x 4’ size and sharp corners just weren’t going to work. So I’ve been looking. I see it with glass in the frame and a couple of small hinges. Seriously with 2 grandsons I don’t have time think, let alone dust. I hope you and your family are good.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 18, 2020 at 12:10 pm

        Jennie,

        Happy to get your creative juices flowing! 🙂 I was so honored to have my green shadow box featured. There are so many ways to display small items when you make your own shadow box. I know when you get time to make yours it will be perfect! 🙂

        gail

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