Upcycling furniture help

Question

I have a mint condition 1960's dresser and nightstand that are taking up much needed space in my sun room. I would like ideas/instructions on how to turn the dresser into a sitting bench with two drawers and, the nightstand into a place to put my kitty's litter box. Could anyone give me ideas/instructions on how I could do this without destroying these two sentimental pieces of furniture? If you need further dimensions, etc., please let me know. I am not opposed to sanding down and repainting. Thank you so much!

Z · Answer

Wanda, I'm not sure the night stand is large enough to hide your kitty litter box unless you have a small kitty, but here's an old TV that @Gail from My Repurposed Life turned into a kitty litter hide away I think there's enough info there to help you with your night stand, if it's big enough. You'd have to turn the drawer fronts into a door, but it's doable if you have the tools and know how. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/craft/pet-stuff/cat-litter-box-hideaway-3863649 And here's another project of Gails, where she turns a chest of drawers into two projects, though she doesn't show the second project, yet. Hopefully she'll stop in and share what she did with the rest. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/bedroom/dressers/one-dresser-two-projects-pt2-kid-s-storage-bench-3345871

The Garden Frog with C Renee · Answer

I agree with Becky and believe these pieces would not work for a kitty bathroom. Years ago I found a 36' base cabinet really cheap and cut out a hole on the side for the cat entrance and then for easy access to clean kitty litter you have the doors on front. Finding a base cabinet, vanity, or a cabinet with a door already would be the easiest way to do this. Just make sure the kitty litter fits or if you have a great big cat like I did then you may want to look into a clear plastic shallow bin. 
I have cats that are indoor/outdoor so they are housebroken and go outside now. 
Good luck.

Gail Salminen · Answer

@Wanda McFall if you do a search in the search bar at the top for subject dresser to bench you will get several ideas on how to do this and can ask the posters questions if you need to. Here is one example of a kitty litter stand http://www.hometalk.com/diy/craft/pet-stuff/hide-a-way-kitty-litter-box-868432

Sandi · Answer

I have the same dresser,it was my mothers~ I took out the first drawer, then place thin wood the same size on the bottom. I sanded down everything and painted it brown. A fter it dried I gave a it a coat of off white.Sanded down areas to make it look worn and found some beautiful clear teal pulls for the drawers. The top drawer now holds our dish network unit and all the contols. the bottom drawers holds all tv clutter~~~I was a fun way to repurpose!!

Liliana Wells · Answer

I don't know if the cat litter container would fit into the nightstand. But measure the width and depth of the container, remover the large drawer and slip the container there. Of course, you will be able to see the container. Make sure the bottom of the drawer can support the weight.

Kerri Yandell · Answer

I found a small\medium vintage table on the side of the road. The veneer was peeling off the sides and had already come off the top. I took the small (mosaic, I think) tile that was clear and painted beige on the bottom and put it on the top and sides (in between where the legs stuck out a little) and added some stain. Gave it a totally different look!

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Upcycling furniture help

Cat Litter Box Hideaway

One Dresser-two Projects Pt2 Kid's Storage Bench

One Dresser-two Projects (lego table)

Hide-A-Way Kitty Litter Box

Suggested Project Book