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    Home » Repurposed Furniture » Repurposed Drawers Bookcase

    Repurposed Drawers Bookcase

    Published by Gail | Published May 5, 2015 | Updated April 9, 2019
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    I'm going to show you how to make this repurposed drawers bookcase using the ugliest drawers ever!

    turquoise and white bookshelf made from repurposed drawers

    turquoise and white bookshelf made from repurposed drawers


      ugly-dresserLast summer my friend Cathy dropped off this chest of drawers, it was in really bad shape. I removed the drawers and made the chest into a bookshelf. (see the picture at the end of this post)

    I’ve been hanging on to the drawers ever since. While tidying up the garage, they were in the way, and I moved them one too many times. I was so tired of shuffling them, and decided it was either time to do a project, or toss them to the curb.

    Stack Drawers

    stacked-dresser-drawersI stacked the repurposed drawers on top of one another to see if they would make a small bookcase. I cut a 2x6 to fit on the top. I even tried using that 2x6 for the bottom, and changing out all the drawers. note:  I just realized that I only used 3 of the drawers--one must be hiding in the garage somewhere. 🙂

     

    repurposed-drawer-partsI thought the drawers would look better if I split one of them by adding an additional shelf. I used one of the leftover IKEA drawer parts to make that shelf. I ripped it on the table saw to match the depth of the existing drawers.

     

    secure-dresser-drawersThis photo shows how I attached each drawer to another. I secured the back of one drawer into the front of another, from the bottom up.

    Secure Drawers with Screws

    stacked-dresser-drawers-bookcaseI secured the additional shelf with my Ryobi Stapler .

     

    Add Feet to Bookcase

    homeright-finish-max-bookcaseI added some discs I picked up at the Peddler’s Mall for small feet using Gorilla Wood Glue and one screw. Then I got ready to paint it using my DIY chalky paint primer and my Finish Max.

     

    white-diy-repurposed-drawer-bookcaseAfter a coat of the DIY chalky paint primer I sprayed a coat of the paint without any plaster of paris in it.

     

    pop-of-color-turquoise-white-bookcaseA year ago I made a large white door bookcase—painted it white with a gray back. I thought it was time to do it again, but this time I used a pretty turquoise.

    Use a Pop of Color on the Inside

    turquoise-white-diy-repurposed-drawer-bookcaseI did two coats of the turquoise using a small cheap chip brush and an artist’s brush to get into the corners.

     

    my-repurposed-life-diy-bookcase-repurposed-dresser-drawersI love easy projects like this repurposed drawer bookcase—that uses up old parts, and gives me a great project to share with you.

    my-repurposed-life-repurposed-dresser-drawers-diy-bookcase

    This simple repurposed drawer bookcase project would be great in a bathroom, guest room, or even the kids room. (please secure bookcases to the wall when children are in the house)

     

    Repurposed Drawers into a Unique Bookcase

    my-repurposed-life-old-drawers-into-bookshelf

    How would you use a bookcase like this?

    repurposed dresserYou can see the actual repurposed dresser in my post Chest of Drawers Bookshelf.

     

    gail

    check out some of the easy, repurposed projects here

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Doreen @ Altered Artworks

      May 31, 2016 at 11:42 pm

      Once again, you've wowed me! Love the pop of turquoise. Pinned for inspiration.

      Reply
    2. Bliss

      March 30, 2016 at 9:14 pm

      Now that's what I call thinking out of the drawer!

      Reply
    3. Alice

      December 02, 2015 at 4:29 am

      You do wonderful repurposing!

      I would like to see you redo kitchen cabinet doors with chicken wire and cloth, please. Mimi have the idea, but not the knowledge on how I would do it.

      Reply
    4. Pam

      May 06, 2015 at 1:08 pm

      Love, love, love it...and I really like the color. Great job lady.

      Reply
    5. Mindi

      May 06, 2015 at 9:55 am

      This is so awesome Gail! I had no idea your cute bookcase was made out of drawers! Of course I love the pop of color, my fave! Very cool repurpose!

      Reply
    6. Deb N

      May 05, 2015 at 3:02 pm

      Thanks for the idea! Now I have to find a pile of scrap drawers. I just painted my 2 yr old grandson's toddler bed a pretty teal , and I want to make a book shelf and toy box to match. This is perfect!

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.com

        May 06, 2015 at 4:58 pm

        Happy you found My Repurposed Life! Did you see my toyboxes? one made from a crib and another made from cabinet doors.

        https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2012/06/repurposed-crib-into-toy-box-bench.html

        https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2013/08/toy-box-made-from-repurposed-cabinet-doors.html

        gail

    7. Patricia

      May 05, 2015 at 2:24 pm

      Test reply

      Reply
    8. girlfromwva

      May 05, 2015 at 11:14 am

      awesome! love the colors!

      Reply
    9. Michele

      May 05, 2015 at 10:03 am

      That is truly cute, Gail.

      Reply
    10. Julie @ follow your heart woodworking

      May 05, 2015 at 9:46 am

      Wow, Gail you really have vision. I would have thrown that chest and the drawers away, not realizing I could use them for anything, and you make a cute bookcase!

      Reply
    11. Patricia

      May 05, 2015 at 8:50 am

      That turned out really cute!
      I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the configuration until I read again... The drawers are FACE (of the drawer) DOWN.
      It's cute - and I like the color.
      I don't have room in my bathroom for one- but it wood be cute in a guest room. Maybe have extra towels, soaps etc for guests? I think little shelves are so useful- it's probaby why i have shelves in almost every room!
      Patricia

      Reply
    12. Meari

      May 05, 2015 at 7:18 am

      What a great idea! The pop of color really makes it shine. I'd use it in my craft room since it matches my cabinets I repainted a few years ago.

      Reply
    13. Katie

      May 05, 2015 at 6:54 am

      Love love love this bookcase! And that pop of color.... Just puts it over the top!

      Reply
    14. Tracy@www.bluridgevintage.com

      May 05, 2015 at 6:29 am

      I am shocked at the transformation these drawers took. This is an absolute great way to use each piece of a project. Love this and the color is so bright and airy. Love the makeover.

      Reply
    15. jeanette ann

      May 05, 2015 at 4:22 am

      How nice is this? What a great way to recycle.

      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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