Spending a great deal of cash staging their home is not something many homeowners really want to do, it’s more of a need than a must. And while spending it on smaller details that will potentially create a more visually appealing home to showcase to buyers makes sense in many ways it’s still not something people really want to spend a lot of money on if they can help it. That’s where a few clever, well executed DIY projects can help though.
Do you have an old dresser taking up space in your basement? Or are you looking to replace your vintage dresser with something more chic and modern when you eventually move? Before you toss the old dresser to the curb, save the drawers and consider revamping them into functional pieces of decor for your home. Here are just a few ideas.
1. Shoe Shelves
Your old dresser drawers can become perfectly sized decorative – and practical – wall shelves when turned on their sides and hung from the wall. Paint the entire drawer the color of your choosing, or you could stain the wood or even wallpaper it, whatever best suits your décor! Fill it with picture frames, plants, or accessories for a pop of color on your wall. They’re great for kid’s room or for bathroom toiletries! Arrange two drawers side-by-side or one on top of the other for unique wall art that’s sure to be a conversation starter.
2. Kitchen Organizer
If practicality is something that your kitchen lacks, add rods to the inside of your old drawer to hold aluminum foil and plastic wrap. Turn the drawer on its side and hang it in your kitchen or pantry and have easy access to those essential kitchen supplies while also adding some of the extra functionality home buyers are looking for.
3. Book Nooks
If you’re handy with a saw, cut the back half off your drawers so you have a shelf that resembles a window flower box when hung on the wall, and layer them up and down a wall for perfect nooks to hold your books. This is especially effective for those drawers with beautiful fronts or hardware—you can salvage the front of the drawers and still show them off.
4. Kitchen Hooks
Or take just the front plank off the drawers and hang them on the wall for decorative hooks. Hang your towels or scarves off the dresser knobs. You can decorate the edges of the wood for a pop of color, or switch out the hardware with fun, modern knobs.
5. Bookshelf
If your dresser is large and the fronts of the drawers are completely flat, you can stack the drawers end-to-end to create a unique book shelf. Just make sure you affix the drawers together well so the shelf doesn’t tumble over. This is also a great way to create an eye catching curio shelf when staging your home for sale.
The next time you see an abandoned dresser on the curb that your neighbor no longer wants, snatch it up quickly! With a paintbrush and a little bit of labor, you can create a fun DIY creation that may not only improve the look and function of your home while you are living in it but help wow potential home buyers when it comes time to sell.