Repurposed/Upcycled Chest of Drawers small bench
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Here is a reminder of what the chest of drawers looked like.
I used my circular saw to cut it apart.
This is the top and middle sections. The only parts of this chest that was not reused are the sides of that middle section.
Perhaps I should explain how all of this started. I was going to make a small bench with this foot board, but I wanted to give it a drawer for storage. I had a couple of drawers that I could use, but I didn’t really know how to “frame” them out. Then it hit me, why not used the drawers in their existing “frame” AKA the chest of drawers.
To use the foot board as a back for the bench I had to do some “trimming”.
This is how it looked if I sat it on top of the bottom. The back of the chest was thin luan plywood, not substantial enough to hold the new back securely.
I added a 1×4 with some Gorilla Glue and some screws.
I cut a top from a scrap piece of plywood.
While the top was on I noticed there was a gap above the drawer.
The piece I had cut off the plywood was a perfect fit to fill that gap.
I used Gorilla Glue and my nail gun again.
I did some patching and sanding.
I attached the top in the back with some pocket hole screws, and the front with some screws (through the plywood plank)
I used my HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer to spray paint the two pieces.
I used a pretty yellow oops paint.
Although I liked the yellow, I thought it would better with a glaze on it.
I used some black paint to do a wash over the yellow. But it was to much, so I added some yellow on top of the black.
Meanwhile, I couldn’t find the knobs. LOL—yeah, I’m good at misplacing things.
I found the knobs but had already put the black paint away, so here they are dressed out in yellow.
Although this piece is a little low, it really would work well at the end of a bed for someone old like me to put their shoes on. 
The drawer will easily hold lots of accessories. At the end of a bed, it could also give a boost up for a small dog—as they make mattresses so BIG these days. And last but not least, it could be extra storage in a child’s room, with a cushion on the top, it would be a nice reading nook.
Apparently I am in a kid’s furniture kind of mood. I’ve been working on a couple of more projects for wee ones.
gail
updated to add the latest version of this little guy:
Love it!
I like the bench, Gail. Would be great at the end of a hallway or in a nook by a door, for putting shoes on and off, like you said.
Wow, Gail! So originally creative and beautifully done! Your link-up caught my eye over at DIY on the Cheap. So delighted (but not at all surprised) to find that it was you, my friend!
Hope you’re having a fab weekend!
Jenn
love this bench Gail.. great job as always.
Great job! I always like to see your new ideas and your latest projects.
I just turned a broken rocking chair into a bench. It took me a while to figure it out /or what to do with it (I almost threw it away). And the it finally clicked!
Thanks for sharing your work progress and great inspiration. Upcycling love to you 🙂
Franziska San Pedro
Flavor Designs
Really cool idea Gail!
It gives me yet another idea/spinoff from yours! Thanks–there aren’t enough hours in the day!
Catherine
Hi Gail,
WOW! You had some vision. I’m amazed at both your pieces.
Dee
Way to pull it all together and make it so awesome! Only you would of thought of taking a dresser and making two projects out of. You are so cre8tive and inspiring 🙂
Oh yes, it would be so cute with a cushion on it! I have knees that don’t always like to work, so I see this as a dog step or in a child’s room as you suggested. Perhaps at the end of a bed if I could use the bed to assist in getting myself up on those not so good days.
I like the knobs as yellow too!
Looks great Gail! It would really look cute with a cushion on it. Love the glaze on it.
Holly
What a darling bench! I think it would be perfect in a child’s room with a cushion made out of an old chenille bedspread. I like the shoe bench idea, too. 🙂
I love the color so much! It always amazes me the things that you can create. Just beautiful! ~ Jamie
Gail, you are so good! These are awesome (as usual)!
When I see some of your projects, I often think of the old saying…’waste not-want not’.
I love how both of these pieces turned out. The newer one would be a great piece at the foot of a twin bed. Awesome!
Talk about transformation! And to have the vision. I love how this piece turned out Gail!~
You are my hero. You never cease to amaze me. I think I’ve said that before, but it’s so true. This is absolutely brilliant.
I just can’t believe this project. Unbelievable to be able to take that dresser and turn it into these two completely different and amazing projects!
how cute! throw it in a corner with a cushion and a kid has themselves a reading nook! and i like the knobs yellow- as they are- the contrast is nice and brings it some warmth.
Yea Gail! I love your projects! It makes me want to be just like you! I look at everything differently now, in terms of how could I make that into something useful, instead of throwing it away… I love it!
They both look awesome, Gail! Did you route the top of the dresser?
Cute! You are amazing at using ALL the parts!
You must not sleep.
You just lie there… and think of projects and turn them over and over in your head (instead of counting sheep) …and JUMP OUT OF BED ENERGIZED and ready to start your project.
oh and gail– the knobs were probably IN THE DRAWER! HA HA HA ….
loved this little bench and the TV stand… do wonders never cease?!
~Pat
Too cute! I love how this turned out. This is a bench that I just might be able to handle…still haven’t had the nerve to give it a try yet!
What a great way to use a chest and footboard. I love the benches made of old beds, but this one with a drawer is so clever! I usually end up just painting old furniture, mainly because i dont have a nail gun OR a cordless screwdriver. Would you call my husband and tell him that I need those?
This is incredulous,I wish I could do that. you are so good. 🙂