6 Spots to Showcase a Refurbished Dresser
If you have a handy chest of drawers that’s gathering dust, give it superstar status in a new setting
When you’re on a clean-out streak, it’s hard to know what’s worth saving. Hanging on to something that has been collecting dust in the attic, instead of donating it, requires thoughtful repurposing: You need to find another use for the piece and envision its revival.
Consider the dresser. Many of us have updated our clothing storage with bedroom closet built-ins, or perhaps when we moved in with a partner, we wound up with more dressers than we needed for clothes. But there are plenty of other places to use a dresser around the house. Check out how to upgrade it from castoff to superstar by giving it a new role in a new room.
Consider the dresser. Many of us have updated our clothing storage with bedroom closet built-ins, or perhaps when we moved in with a partner, we wound up with more dressers than we needed for clothes. But there are plenty of other places to use a dresser around the house. Check out how to upgrade it from castoff to superstar by giving it a new role in a new room.
1. Entry. Everyone needs a landing zone when they enter a home, and a dresser will give you plenty of space for organizing keys, mail, gloves, scarves and mittens. Even if you don’t have a formal entry, a dresser can serve as a landing zone near your front door in any room.
Along with a repurposing may come a repainting job, new hardware or both. This wavy creation is a playful and welcoming touch in this entry on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. If you aren’t into waves, consider stenciling or creating an ombré effect.
2. Living room. This proud peacock-blue dresser brings a great surface to the living room — it’s higher than the other tables in the room and a good spot for flowers.
And all those drawers make it easy to stash magazines, toys, coasters, ashtrays and any other potential clutter you like to keep handy. If you’re entertaining, a dresser like this is perfect for setting up a bar.
Smoke and Mirrors: Designing for Life’s Little Messes
And all those drawers make it easy to stash magazines, toys, coasters, ashtrays and any other potential clutter you like to keep handy. If you’re entertaining, a dresser like this is perfect for setting up a bar.
Smoke and Mirrors: Designing for Life’s Little Messes
3. Dining room. A chest of drawers with the right proportions can serve as a wonderful buffet in the dining room. Use the drawers for silverware, serving pieces, linens, decorations and platters.
4. Kitchen. Yes, built-in cabinetry usually rules in the kitchen. But adding a free-standing vintage piece will give your room character, can introduce a fresh color and will give you a great designated spot to store napkins, tablecloths and place mats. If your kids like to do their homework at the kitchen table or island, give each child a drawer to keep it organized.
5. Bathroom. Your plumber may love or loathe the challenge of turning a piece of furniture into a vanity. Here is what’s involved:
- Make sure the height is right to comfortably wash your hands and brush your teeth (most people prefer between 32 and 36 inches). You can gain inches by using a vessel sink and by adding or extending the feet. Learn more about bathroom height measurements.
- Treat the original wooden top with a sealant such as polyurethane or marine varnish to prevent it from rotting. Or replace it with something more durable like natural stone or engineered quartz.
- Have a carpenter shorten the length of any drawers to accommodate the sink’s P-trap so that you can still use them for storage.
6. Nursery. Yes, of course a nursery is a typical spot for a chest of drawers. But a long, low model can double as a changing table. And a special paint job can transform it into the star of the room.
Share: Have you used a dresser in an unexpected place or way? Please share it with us in the Comments section and include a photo if you have one.
More: The author shares a diary of her own dresser makeover
Share: Have you used a dresser in an unexpected place or way? Please share it with us in the Comments section and include a photo if you have one.
More: The author shares a diary of her own dresser makeover