Can anyone help me with this dated dresser?

Lisa
by Lisa

Hi All my DIY friends,

I have a dated dresser that I would like to somehow fill in the handle holes on the drawers and add knobs to them. Does anyone have any ideas other than re-facing???

All ideas welcome :)

Lisa

Thanks

Lisa

  12 answers
  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Feb 13, 2021

    Hi Lisa,

    Do the drawer fronts come off, the ones with the holes in them?

    If not you have a couple of options.

    The first suggestion would be to put a pseudo front- a new layer where your handles will be installed. That piece would cover each drawer front. Maybe 1/4" plywood.

    Another more labor intensive solution would be to fill in the holes with a filler, sand and paint.

    Nice project.

  • If you add a strip of wood over all the handles you could put a knob over it and it will look intentional

  • Janice Janice on Feb 13, 2021

    A thin layer of wood could be added to each drawer to create some architectural interst and then whatever style of handles cold be selected and added.

  • Michelle Michelle on Feb 13, 2021

    What about adding a decorative piece of wood with beveled edges across. glue on then add whatever drawer pull or knob that you like. Paint or stain the same as the dresser or stain a different color for contrast

  • Lisa Lisa on Feb 13, 2021

    OMG I like that idea

  • Em Em on Feb 13, 2021

    Cut strips of wood 1" wider all around than the holes. Round the edges off with a sander. Counter sink two screws to hold the strips on and fill with wood putty and sand. Glue will not hold if you are putting on knobs unless you use an extra long threaded knob that goes all the way into the indented part of the wood. Stain them to stand out or paint them the same as the dresser. Add your knobs. Hint: Hobby Lobby has and extensive line of unique knobs online for great prices.

  • Mogie Mogie on Feb 13, 2021

    Fill in with wood putty and sand or put in a piece of wood sized to the gaping area, you can use glue to do that. Drill a hole through the filled in area for the knob. From there you can sand the drawer front so all is smooth, then use a gel stain for the drawer or paint.


  • Dee Dee on Feb 13, 2021

    Fill in with Bondo. It will get rock hard. then sand even with the draw. Or the easiest way is to get knobs with wooden or metal plates and attach


  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Feb 15, 2021

    You could glue a thin veneer over the face of each drawer. Another option is to go with bold drawer pulls that have a plate larger than the hole.

  • The Redesign Habit The Redesign Habit on Feb 17, 2021

    You could get decorative pieces of molding bigger than the holes and run one across both holes on each drawer. Then you can get a great handle to mount in the middle, thus eliminating needing two handles per drawer. Then you could chalk paint the whole dresser and do a little sanding to expose some wood around the edges, giving your piece some extra character.

  • Karol Karol on Feb 17, 2021

    I mod podged lace fabric over a set of drawers and bought a length of twisted "rope" trim as the handles. A knot on each piece of the trim handles and hot glue to keep ends from fraying from the 5"pieces worked well for me.

  • Jeremy Hoffpauir Jeremy Hoffpauir on Feb 28, 2021

    Maybe use chalk paint and seal with wax