Cedar chest, beautiful wood, but broken legs
+50
I found this in the bedroom of the house we are moving into. It had been in the his family for a long time but the legs are in bad shape. Each one has cracks and/or extra screws or nails holding them on. But the one actually fell apart. The chest is laying up-side-down on the dining room floor and I need to take it out of there. What do I do about the legs? Do I buy new ones and put them on with screws from the inside? And what kind do I get? Thanks for you input.
Upside-down
one
two
third
fouth
3rd and 4th legs
46 answers
-
The curv;y legs don't look like they belong to the chest. Maybe they were added at some point. My choices would be: just add felt tabs on the corners and don't worry about legs at all - or buy new legs which are plainer and straighter from the hardware store - or possibly bun feet would look nice.
![Marion Nesbitt]()
Marion Nesbitt
on Jul 06, 2015
-
Buy new legs and paint them in a shiny silver finish or silver leaf. Clean and oil the wood. Use it as a bench at the end of the bed (shorter legs required), a drinks cabinet in the living room (have the top open from the front (top to bottom and make the legs taller), or put it in the entryway (very tall legs here) with art or a mirror above it and a lamp and other decorative goodies on top.
![Nikkea Masters]()
Nikkea Masters
on Jul 06, 2015
-
My father made our cedar chest back when he was in high school, it looks like yours but no legs I would just take them off!
![Linda Eskritt]()
Linda Eskritt
on Jul 06, 2015
-
You can buy furniture legs at big box store (expensive), or online (much cheaper). But agree with above, they look to be added and not original. These type chests didn't come with legs. Can also check second hand stores for a piece and just use the legs really reasonable too!
![Hope Williams]()
Hope Williams
on Jul 07, 2015
-
Whatever you decide to do the damaged cedar can be filled in with wood putty then sanded smooth :)
![Mimi]()
Mimi
on Jul 07, 2015
-
I agree that the legs look as if they were added. What do you plan to keep in this chest? I have one like it in storage and don't use it because the cedar odor permeates everything. We really don't have woolens, etc. to store, so I'm at a loss as to what to put in it.
![Gayle]()
Gayle
on Jul 07, 2015
- See 2 previous
-
Put on some casters and make it into an industrial coffee table.
![117135]()
117135
on Jul 07, 2015
-
Whatever you want. Legs or no legs. Casters or wood or metal legs. Casters with locks and bench pillow and now it's storage and a bench seat easily moved. Many possibilities. Nice
![Tris Smith]()
Tris Smith
on Jul 07, 2015
-
I have two cedar chests and neither have legs. Why don't you just remove the legs and add a long foam pillow for sitting?
![Barbara Hall]()
Barbara Hall
on Jul 07, 2015
-
First thing you want to do is make sure the lock is safe for children. Many old cedar chests can lock from inside and if a child crawls in, they may not be able to get out. I know Lane offers a new lock. https://www.lanefurniture.com/about/product-safety You can just disable the lock too. The other thing is you want to replace the hinges with safe ones. You want ones where you have to push on the top to close it. The hinges prevent little fingers from getting smashed. Look for toy box hinges or soft close hinges. I think the legs might be original. They look like they are cedar that match the chest. You could try gluing the cracks and using a clamp to close up the cracks. Then use wood filler to fill the rest of the cracks. Lightly sand legs and chest and use a paste wax on the chest to provide a nice glow. I sometimes fill in cracks with paste wax too, and it looks fine. You could add casters, or use no legs. You might be able to find a 4 x 4 cedar post and make some square type of leg too.
![512181]()
512181
on Jul 07, 2015
-
I have my mother's like this. Replaced the legs with ones from Home Depot or Lowe's. Have extra sweatshirts and tshirts stored in it.
![Karen]()
Karen
on Jul 07, 2015
-
If you want to add new feet they can be attached using top plates. They will be sold near the furniture legs. I just added furniture feet to my box spring to do away with my metal bed frame and that's how I attached the feet.
![Katie]()
Katie
on Jul 07, 2015
-
If you don't want to add new legs you could build a tray style base for it to rest on top of out of scrap lumber and stock molding stained to match.
![Lisa B.]()
Lisa B.
on Jul 07, 2015
-
I added bun feet to a dresser that had non. I bought bun feet from Menards. Just follow this tutorial on youtube.Installing a Bun Foot with Wood Screws https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLfZGAVKSAQ
![Therese Ryan-Haas]()
Therese Ryan-Haas
on Jul 07, 2015
-
Can always add casters to the bottom to make it easier to move. My Mom gave me hers years ago and I use it for storing memories like love letters from my husband when we were dating, certain clothes from the past, etc. Cedar chests are wonderful to have in your home.
![Sue Peet]()
Sue Peet
on Jul 07, 2015
-
I would add bunn feet also.
![Rose]()
Rose
on Jul 07, 2015
-
I also added bun feet to a chest that had the same problem with the legs. Once I took off the old ones I was able to see where I could put them. If its like mine was there was good wood in the middle of the screw holes that was solid. If there isn't a solid area to work with you could put wood the dimensions of bottom into the chest and work with that. I was lucky that the top had a panel that we were able to take out and put glass in. I turned it into a coffee table that holds my GMIL hand made quilts. Thru the years we added a few things like the baby blankets my sister made for the kids and another blanket that my other sister made her favorite niece. It has been a show piece for many years.
![Carol Whitehouse]()
Carol Whitehouse
on Jul 07, 2015
-
Can the legs be removed and it sit flat on the floor? Mine does.
![Diane]()
Diane
on Jul 07, 2015
-
Wood glue and clamp it. I have a old old side board where the legs were torn all apart. I wood glued each one of them and clamped them. Then reattached them back in.
![Sherrie]()
Sherrie
on Jul 07, 2015
-
I think bun feet would look good. I have the one my Dad gave my Mom before they married. It was "blonde" and had a box frame for the legs. I stripped it and stained it dark; took the frame (which was in bad shape) off, and added casters. It is easy to move to vacuum, etc.
![Carolyn Morris]()
Carolyn Morris
on Jul 07, 2015
-
What about taking legs of and adding wheels.
![Lynda Mitchell]()
Lynda Mitchell
on Jul 07, 2015
-
I found an old cedar chest in very poor condition also but was able to fabricate new legs and redo the outside
![Bob Link]()
Bob Link
on Jul 07, 2015
![]()
-
If I couldnt make new legs I would search and find som that look almost the same and remount them however you can GOOD LUCK
![Bob Link]()
Bob Link
on Jul 07, 2015
-
If it was me, I'd remove the legs & take them to a carpenter & have new legs made to match (shape & staining). Then, I'd put a brace (a thick piece of wood which matches the stain of the trunk) glued to the bottom of the trunk. I'd then attach the legs to the brace instead of the trunk itself. This will give the trunk more support plus have something more substantial for the legs to fasten to. Hope this helps. :)
![Pam Walker]()
Pam Walker
on Jul 07, 2015
-
I THINK IT WOULD BE MORE ATTRACTIVE IF YOU HAD BIG ROUND FEET DIRECTLY ON THE BOTTOM. VERY RUSTIC LOOKING AND UTILITARIAN TO ME. THAT GIVES IT SO MUCH CHARACTER.
![Tamara Wood]()
Tamara Wood
on Jul 07, 2015
-
I don't think the legs look right with the chest...might they have been added later? If it were me, I would remove the legs altogether, add those glider thingies to the bottom and use it without legs. You could enjoy the natural wood or paint it to match your decor.
![OhSally]()
OhSally
on Jul 07, 2015
-
Pre-fabricated furniture legs are readily available from Lowe's and Home Depot. Ebay is also another resource. These can be ordered finished or unfinished, in a variety of styles. Good luck! it's a beautiful piece.
![Sandi Jones]()
Sandi Jones
on Jul 07, 2015
-
The big box lumber stores also have wooden "bun" feet that would raise the chest off the floor and allow the dust bunnies free range. I think you apply "bun feet" from inside the chest. I have a fear of furniture on the floor and then having water damage.
![Lynn Hood Knowles]()
Lynn Hood Knowles
on Jul 07, 2015
-
I agree with the bun feet. You can get a variety of sizes so just go look & pick out the ones that appeal to you,
![Sherry Fram]()
Sherry Fram
on Jul 07, 2015
-
I have two cedar chests like this and they have very different style feet--I agree with the above poster--these are prob NOT the original ones! The ones I have use the same cedar wood and are like two small brackets; like small shelf brackets with the decorative edge; the straight "back"{ edge is butted up to make a corner piece. I suspect if you google up CEDAR CHEST IMAGES you will find some ideas that are nicer than these! You can buy cedar wood or you could go for a different look and buy pine feet and paint them---if you use feet obviously you will keep it off the floor and away from water etc but you also can move it MUCH easier--I also have a LARGE campaign chest that rests on the floor and Whoa Nellie is THAT hard to move! You have quite a few options for this--most lumber stores sell feet that could be used as-is or finished as you like; or ebay and ETSY have options. The legs that are on there now look like they might have come off of a chair---
![Comet]()
Comet
on Jul 07, 2015
-
I would put wheels on the bottom instead of legs. That way it's raised, but it is also easy to move for cleaning.
![Jean DeSavage]()
Jean DeSavage
on Jul 07, 2015
- See 1 previous
-
I had the same problem and trying to replace the legs proved difficult because the bottom of the chest isn't terribly thick or strong. My solution was to build a false bottom for strength and put industrial looking casters on it. Now it can easily be moved and since the base is now stronger I don't have to worry about it breaking.
![Patti Nicholas]()
Patti Nicholas
on Jul 07, 2015
-
Wheels or chunky wooden legs
![Loretta]()
Loretta
on Jul 07, 2015
-
I would just remove the legs, add 4 of the slider caps that you can purchase at Walmart, clean the chest real good and use as a coffee table.
![Darlene]()
Darlene
on Jul 08, 2015
-
Back again. If you're going to store fairly heavy things, then I really like the idea of coasters or castors.
![Marion Nesbitt]()
Marion Nesbitt
on Jul 09, 2015
-
Hi everibody! I think that might be better to you is replace them into wheels and revamp the boxcase whith a new color that marches your taste! It's a cheap solUtion. Many greetings from Barcelona!! Marta
![Marta]()
Marta
on Jul 09, 2015
-
Here is another online source for legs from another HomeTalk post http://www.diyupholsterysupply.com/furniture-leg.html
![Sandi Jones]()
Sandi Jones
on Jul 10, 2015
-
check out your local Habitat for Humanity store, they will have tons of options
![Joanne Buckley]()
Joanne Buckley
on Jul 11, 2015
-
I'm really ambivalent about using legs on it. We just put in new carpeting in the bedrooms and I was considering using the chest, without the legs after I used the wood filler on the underside where the legs are/were (and sanded really well) and put something on the chest so it wouldn't hurt the new carpet. Now I am thinking maybe the bunn legs would do, but with only one screw holding them on......I'm still not sure what to do.
![Shirley Kalinosky]()
Shirley Kalinosky
on Jul 14, 2015
![]()
-
I think not adding feet is a good idea. It just doesn't look like it's supposed to have legs to me, as I stated before. And, you won't have to worry about dust bunnies or pet hair, etc.getting under it if it's right on the floor.
![OhSally]()
OhSally
on Jul 15, 2015
-
If you go the gthe Home Depot website, you will see a variety of feet that you can use to replace the broken ones yu now havehttp://www.homedepot.com/s/furniture+legs?NCNI-5. If you are worriedabout leaving an indentation in your new carpet, you can use those roun disks that go under legs that helpdistribute the weight of the funiture (your trunk). Better yet, what I would do, is get furniture movers to help move the trunk if it gets too heavy and you wnat to move it to another spot http://www.homedepot.com/b/Search/N-5yc1vZc2cc/Ntk-Extended/Ntt-furniture%2Bmovers?Ntx=mode+matchpartialmax&NCNI-5. Good luck.
![Liliana Wells]()
Liliana Wells
on Jul 18, 2015
-
I agree with OhSally, I would not put legs back on. I have never seen a cedar chest with legs on it. If you wanted you could easily add square rubber protectors on each corner.
![Kathy Murray]()
Kathy Murray
on Sep 09, 2015
-
I do not like the original legs, I think they were added later. I don't think it originally had legs . I think a decorative skirt or big bun feet would look great, if you wanted it higher off the ground. My big blanket chest has a decorative skirt, maybe you can cut it yourself or have a woodworker cut it for you. The chest we are refinishing for one of our children will get big bun feet that I got at a yard sale. Try Pinterest or Goole for cedar chests with feet or waves skirt.
![Carol]()
Carol
on May 14, 2016
-
I have one with the same problem. I am building a base from 1x3? In the shape of a picture frame slightly smaller than the chest. I will attach it with "L" brackets then paint.
![Elainr]()
Elainr
on Jun 21, 2016
-
![Eleanor S. Young]()
Eleanor S. Young
on Mar 31, 2017
Put casters on the bottom. I have one just like it over 50 years old. -
![Sue Sanders]()
Sue Sanders
on Apr 01, 2017
I agree that the type of legs on chest do not belong. Go to Lowe's, Home Depot, or similiar "do-it-yourself" store and pick out some approperiate legs. Short wide square type would look good on chest. I like the leg idea to bring chest up off the floor. Might gets some legs for my chest. Think the wider legs would not leave a deep imprint on carpet...a caster would leave a deep depression.
Marion Nesbitt
on Jul 06, 2015
Nikkea Masters
on Jul 06, 2015
Linda Eskritt
on Jul 06, 2015
Hope Williams
on Jul 07, 2015
Mimi
on Jul 07, 2015
Gayle
on Jul 07, 2015
117135
on Jul 07, 2015
Tris Smith
on Jul 07, 2015
Barbara Hall
on Jul 07, 2015
512181
on Jul 07, 2015
Karen
on Jul 07, 2015
Katie
on Jul 07, 2015
Therese Ryan-Haas
on Jul 07, 2015
Sue Peet
on Jul 07, 2015
Rose
on Jul 07, 2015
Carol Whitehouse
on Jul 07, 2015
Diane
on Jul 07, 2015
Sherrie
on Jul 07, 2015
Carolyn Morris
on Jul 07, 2015
Lynda Mitchell
on Jul 07, 2015
Bob Link
on Jul 07, 2015
Pam Walker
on Jul 07, 2015
Tamara Wood
on Jul 07, 2015
OhSally
on Jul 07, 2015
Sandi Jones
on Jul 07, 2015
Jean DeSavage
on Jul 07, 2015
Patti Nicholas
on Jul 07, 2015
Darlene
on Jul 08, 2015
Marta
on Jul 09, 2015
Joanne Buckley
on Jul 11, 2015
Shirley Kalinosky
on Jul 14, 2015
Liliana Wells
on Jul 18, 2015
Kathy Murray
on Sep 09, 2015
Carol
on May 14, 2016
Elainr
on Jun 21, 2016
Eleanor S. Young
on Mar 31, 2017
Sue Sanders
on Apr 01, 2017
Sign Up to Answer
