Create Super Cute Wall Storage From An Old Drawer

5 Materials
$10
1 Hour
Easy

I needed just a little extra wall storage in my bathroom. I just couldn't find any cabinets that I liked. They were all rather boring also I'd rather spend my money on something else. I'd already made some cute plant shelves with wood slices (see here).


I then had a little Eureka moment, when I realized I could transform an old drawer I had kicking around in my shed.

I'd picked the drawer up from a skip (dumpster) a few months ago, just because I liked the blue handle.

I also liked the chippy cream paint on the front of the drawer. Therefore I just cleaned the front and the handle up with soap and water and left them as they were.


I then sanded the rest of the drawer.

To give the drawer an antique look I then coated the bare wood with a dark antique furniture wax.


To protect the chippy front of the drawer I used a clear furniture wax.

Do add interest to my drawer I decoupaged the base with some gorgeous graphic whale paper I had found on Amazon.


Cavallini makes other nautical themed papers with fish, shells, and lobsters if you want to try something different.

I cut the paper to size and used mod podge to stick it down. I then sealed the paper with another layer of mod podge to protect it.

I then made a shelf for the cupboard. I just used a scrap piece of wood which I cut to size and painted blue.

To fix the shelf to the inside of the drawer I just used picture eyelets.

If you need a few more detailed instructions you will find them on my blog link at the end.

I love how my little wall shelf/cupboard turned out. To fix it to my bathroom drawer I just used for wall screws in each corner.

I love how my upcycled draw cupboard looks in my bathroom. It certainly adds a bit of interest and gives it more character as well as being handy.


I love using vintage graphic gift wrap in my upcycles. You should check out the Ikea Lamp I hacked with some map gift wrap it is one my most popular projects ever.

Suggested materials:
  • Cavallini gift wrap
  • Old drawer
  • Mod Podge
See all materials
Claire at Pillarboxblue
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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3 of 11 questions
  • Kat12065209 Kat12065209 on Jun 05, 2017

    Great idea! What kind of wax did you use to protect the painted front?

  • Jody Ritchie Jody Ritchie on Jun 10, 2017

    brilliant!!! absolutely love what you've done!!

  • Tami Stone Tami Stone on Jun 16, 2017

    Question, but not on the shelf... What color is your bathroom wall. I need to re-paint my bathroom (which is almost the exact color of yours). My leftover paint has disappeared, so now I don't know what color it was. 🙃 -- I love your drawer/shelf. Looks great

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  • Sharon Harrison Sharon Harrison on Sep 20, 2021

    I got an old drawer at a salvage yard to use in my bathroom (which is done in a nautical theme). I put four legs on the drawer and made a table to hold toiletries. I put shell handles on the front of the drawer.

  • Dl.5660408 Dl.5660408 on Sep 21, 2021

    Love it! The blue handle and cream paint immediately caught my eye, then the beautiful blue and whales! Now who doesn’t love whales?!

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