Yes, you read that correctly! Here’s how to make chest of drawers from discarded furniture – the ultimate upcycle.
Much good can come from the odd and the eclectic, particularly with regards to old furniture. Here, many ‘odd drawers’ have been salvaged from old bedroom tall boys, desks and bedside tables – some decaying from borer or battered with decades of loving use.
This project effectively takes mismatched drawers and creates a bespoke chest to fit. It’s a fun project however relatively complex due to its delightful eclectic nature, particularly creating the chest. As every drawer will differ in size and width, this project guides DIYers through the main principles, but precise measuring and cutting of your project will be essential for a tidy finish.
This project uses 3 x benchtop panels of 2200mm x 600mm x 26mm (upcycled, reconstituted wood) and 2 x packets of 50mm screws. Quantities of both will depend on the size and numbers of your drawer project.
It is important to measure the depth (front to back) of the deepest drawer. This will determine the depth of the whole furniture piece and all horizontal cut lengths of wood will be this deep. Shorter drawers will appear the same depth, snuggly aligning at the face and any ‘slack in the back’ can be addressed with stoppers, which will be explained later.
How to create a Chest of Drawers from Odd Drawers
This project requires
- Eclectic range of drawers
- Bench top wooden panels, or other suitable wooden panels
- Furniture feet or door stops
- Skill or drop saw
- Sander & sand paper
- Screw driver & screws
- Clamps
- No More Nails
- Paint & brushes
- Recycled drawer knobs
Preparing Drawers
Step #1: Remove knobs and handles from drawers where possible. Set aside for reuse or discard if chipped or broken.
Step #2: Sand front of each drawer with a finishing sander or by hand if tools are not available.
Paint face of each drawer with primer paint, then two top coats of your choice. This project has used Resene ‘heritage’ colours of Green Mist, Bali Hai, Envy, Twine, Terracotta Pink plus Tea and a Chocolate Walnut stain on one drawer for contrast. When dry, screw in knobs.
Step #3: Lay out drawers and determine their layering order, bottom to top. The largest width drawer is best for the bottom. Arrange as desired. If using small drawers but wanting a wide design, these work effectively side by side and will require an upright ‘separator’ between them.
Step #4: Place deepest drawer (measured front to back) on a piece of bench top. Regardless of whether this is a long or short drawer in width, its depth will determine the overall depth of chest. Take note of this depth measure as it will be used in all instances when cutting horizontal bases or vertical supports (whether sides or upright separators between two smaller drawers).
Step #5: Place base drawer (the largest in width) on bench top panel. Cut and place vertical supports on either side of the drawer. Mark cut line. Allow at least 2-3mm gap all around the drawer so it isn’t a tight fit. Cut both the base and vertical supports to size. Sand edges.
Step #6: Create a jig from a piece of wood with three holes in a straight line (one in the centre and the remaining holes 50mm from each end). This will be the jig to use to drill all holes to attach horizontal base to vertical supports.
Drill pilot holes through horizontal base to align with vertical supports. Countersink holes where screw head sits.
Step #7: Apply No More Nails to each touching face, then use clamp to hold horizontal to vertical supports. Screw together, three screws in each side. Wipe any excess glue away with a damp cloth.
Step #8: Place base drawer in bespoke cavity created. It should be a perfect fit and slide in and out easily.
On underside of base panel only, screw in 4 x furniture legs approx 50mm in from each corner. This project has opted for simple but sturdy door stops, enough to raise it off the ground.
Step #9: Cut a piece of wood panel the same size as the base. This piece becomes the top of the base drawer, and base of the next drawer layer above it. Do not screw it on just yet however.
TAKE NOTE: The diagram in Step #3 illustrates making each section in such a way that there is easy access to screw from below before final assembly.
When each layer is complete, it can be secured from the top to the base below it.
Step #10: Repeat as required for all remaining drawer formats and vertical supports (including centre uprights if using small drawers side-by-side). Stain exposed ends to match wood.
Step #11: Assemble all drawers. Any ‘slack in the back’ due to variance in drawer depth can be managed by tacking in stoppers, created by small wooden offcuts nailed in place.
At seen in NZ Lifestyle Block Magazine, written by me!
