I am having so much fun making things for my craft room. (So excited to finally have one!!) I have been hunting up cabinets and storage and all those useful things – but I’ve also been wanting to make some cute things too! I have a few drawers that were leftover from a dresser I turned into our entertainment cabinet – and I thought that one of them would be a fun little DIY shelf for the craft room!
Isn’t it fun? I added a fabric covered cork sheet on the back of the DIY shelf so I could pin up cute things, or project inspiration ideas. I love how colorful it looks!
It’s a great spot for holding a few little sewing items also!
Supplies needed to make your own upcycled DIY shelf:
- Dresser Drawer – you can find these at thrift stores or on Craigslist
- Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint (I used Everlasting White)
- Cork Roll
- Hot Glue Gun & Sticks
- Paint Brush
- Spray Paint
- Fabric – I used this awesome floral from Jennifer Paganelli that I am in love with and am using everywhere. It is just. that. awesome.
Start by taking the hardware off your drawer. Wipe down the drawer and sand off any rough spots. You don’t need to strip the wood.
Paint the sides of the drawer with the Chalky Finish paint. I used about three coats. Sand off a little around the edges if you want a distressed look.
While you’re painting your drawer, spray paint the hardware. Let it completely dry and then distress the hardware a bit if you want.
Create a pattern of the inside of your DIY shelf with paper. Lay out your cork sheet and using the pattern, cut out the shape from the sheet. I would recommend laying out your sheet a few hours ahead of time and weighing it down with some books or something similar. It will make cutting and gluing so much easier if it’s not curling up on you.
Cut a piece of fabric larger than your cork sheet – about an inch all the way around. Lay the fabric face down, then lay your cork on top. Hot glue the fabric edges to the back of the cork, so the fabric is covering the cork sheet tightly.
Add hot glue to the corners and center of your drawer back. Work quickly here so your glue doesn’t cool off. Place the cork sheet in the drawer, pressing into all the corners and making sure it lays flat.
Add your cute new hardware back onto the top of the drawer.
And your DIY shelf is done!
Fill up your shelf with all kinds of cute things – and pin things to the cork sheet too!
And maybe add a cute garland!
Have you ever made anything from a drawer?
Oh so cute! What a neat idea!
How did you hang it on the wall?
Hi Syl,
The drawer still had the guides in the bottom and the top edge of that worked out perfect for hanging on the wall. You could definitely add hanging hardware on the bottom though if the drawer needs it.
Bev
I absolutely love this idea! You got a great drawer to use. It adds so much character to the shelf. I definitely have to try this.
Simply love it!
This is such a great, cute idea! Love that floral fabric as well.
This is so fantastic!!! Love it.
This COULD NOT be any cuter! Bev! All of the details are amazing! I love that you covered the cork with fabric. And the bunting… SO cute!
What a wonderful use for an old drawer! I love *everything* about your redo, Bev… the fabric, the adorable heart bunting, the sweet embroidery hoop–they provide such a lovely backdrop for your new shelf. And your idea is so versatile; can’t you just see a similar drawer-turned-shelf in a baby’s nursery, showcasing a sweet lacy bib or bonnet pinned to the back and little socks or booties strung on the top–with, perhaps, an heirloom baby cup and rattle resting on the shelf?!
Thank you for the inspiration! xoxo
I was just watching this on PBS today. They discussed the
same things you wrote about.