39 Ways to Upcycle an Old Dresser

Repurposing an old dresser is a creative and sustainable way to breathe new life into a piece of furniture that might otherwise be discarded. With a bit of imagination, you can transform an old dresser into a variety of functional and stylish items for your home.

From storage benches and cozy pet beds to a home-office desk, the possibilities are endless. You can even convert it into open storage by removing the drawers and putting on shelves, or use the drawers as unique wall shelves. Another interesting idea is to turn your old dresser into a rolling tool chest.

The beauty of repurposing a dresser lies not only in its utility but also in its ability to add a touch of charm and character to your living space. So, before you decide to throw it away, consider these 37 innovative ways to upcycle an old dresser.

1. Upcycle It as a Home Bar

This DIY project repurposes an old dresser into a portable bar with a sink, storage for glasses and bottles, and wheels for easy mobility. It is perfect for hosting parties or outdoor gatherings.

2. Repurpose It Into a Lego Table

Turn an old dresser into a convenient and helpful DIY Lego table with storage and rolling seats. This project is perfect for organizing and playing with Legos, providing ample storage and a comfortable seating area.

3. Make It a Ship Silhouette Chest of Drawers

Convert a thrift store chest into a nautical-themed piece with a ship silhouette. It is perfect for a "big boy" room makeover and adds a unique touch to the decor.

4. Create a DIY Copper Pipe Drawer Pulls

Convert an ordinary dresser into a unique and stylish piece by replacing the drawer pulls with DIY copper pipe pulls. This allows you to personalize your furniture to match your style and color scheme.

5. Storage Bench Made From a Dresser

You can repurpose an old dresser into a storage bench, adding extra seating and storage to your home. This DIY project offers a practical solution for maximizing space and adding functionality to any room.

6. Elevate Its Style by Adding Overlays

This DIY project provides step-by-step instructions on how to transform an Ikea Malm dresser into a mid-century modern piece. It's perfect for updating furniture and giving it a stylish and unique look.

7. Turn It Into an Awesome Bench

Turn an old dresser into an awesome bench with this step-by-step DIY project. This creative transformation not only repurposes furniture but also provides a stylish seating solution for any space.

8. Upcycled Dresser to Shelves

You can upcycle a worn-out dresser into functional shelves to neatly organize your craft supplies. This project is practical as it maximizes storage space and helps declutter your closet, keeping everything easily accessible.

9. Dresser Turned TV Stand Makeover

Convert an old dresser into a TV stand to create a stylish and functional piece of furniture. It offers a space-saving solution for displaying your TV and provides storage for media devices and accessories.

10. Upcycle a Hand-Me-Down Dresser to a Beautiful Buffet

This DIY project transforms an old dresser into a dining buffet, adding storage and character to your dining room. It's a creative and functional solution for repurposing furniture and customizing your space.

11. Thrifted Dresser Turned Buffet Makeover

Here's another detailed DIY project if you're interested in turning an old dresser into a buffet table. You can either use an old dresser from your house or head to the thrift store for a cheap yet promising find!

12. Dresser Turned Kitchen Island

Turn an old dresser into a functional kitchen island with this DIY project. It's a clever way to repurpose furniture and add extra storage and workspace to your kitchen.

13. DIY Pet Bed

You can create a stylish and comfortable outdoor bed for your furry friend with this DIY project. It's perfect for pet owners who want to give their dogs a cozy spot to relax outside.

14. Oak-Fronted Upcycled Pet Bed

This is another version of an upcycled pet bed using an old drawer, in which the drawer is oak-fronted. The oak look creates a particularly funky look that your furry friend will adore!

15. Repurposed Chalkboard Drawer

Convert an old drawer into a charming and functional chalkboard, perfect for organizing and leaving messages in any space. It adds convenience and a touch of personality to your home.

16. Dresser to Office Desk

This DIY project transforms a dresser into a functional desk, perfect for creating a stylish and organized workspace in your home. It can be used for studying, working, or pursuing your creative endeavors.

17. Dresser to Mudroom Bench

Turn an old dresser into a mudroom bench with storage and hooks, creating a functional entryway space. This DIY project adds charm while organizing shoes, jackets, and accessories in a stylish way.

18. Old Dresser Turned Into a Lovely and Fresh Garden

You can recycle an old dresser into a lovely mini-garden for your covered terrace or deck. The drawers provide ideal spaces for small plants, resulting in a clever and stunning outdoor display.

19. Turn a Curbside Dresser Into a Bar

Convert an old dresser into a stylish centerpiece for your home with this DIY makeover idea. Enhance your decor and repurpose unused furniture with a touch of creativity and craftsmanship.

20. Dresser Repurposed Into Antique Ice

This DIY project repurposes a dresser into an antique ice box, creating a unique and stylish storage solution. It can be used to add character and functionality to any room in the house.

21. Hidden Laptop Workspace

Turn an old chest of drawers into a unique and modern piece. This repurposed item can be used to add character and storage to any room, showcasing your creativity and style.

22. Dog Food Station

We've already discussed the creative idea of turning an old dresser into a pet bed, but if you already have a bed for your furry friend, why not create an innovative food station instead? You can use the top shelves for food storage and the bottom shelf as the feeding/bowl station.

23. Outdated Tall Dresser Repurposed Into Farmhouse Pantry

You can repurpose an outdated tall dresser into a farmhouse pantry, saving space and adding a rustic touch to your kitchen. It's a helpful DIY project that combines functionality and aesthetics.

24. Repurposed Dresser Converted to Bathroom Vanity

Convert an old dresser into a stylish bathroom vanity, providing ample storage space for toiletries and adding a unique touch to your bathroom decor. It's a simple DIY project that combines functionality and creativity.

25. Repurpose Drawer Shelf Into Kitchen Hanger

This DIY project repurposes a drawer into a stylish shelf, perfect for displaying decorative items or organizing small belongings. It adds a unique touch to any space and can be customized to match your decor.

26. Convert Chunky Dressers to Classy Media Centers

This DIY project repurposes a drawer into a versatile shelf, perfect for organizing and displaying items in your home. It provides a creative solution for upcycling old drawers while adding functionality to your space.

27. Christmas Crates Stenciled Box & Drawer

Turn an old box and drawer into stenciled Christmas crates. This DIY project is perfect for holiday decorating and adds a festive touch to your home storage solutions.

28. Diy 3 Tiered Chíc Rolling Cart

You can reuse dresser drawers to create a 3-tiered rolling cart/side table. This DIY project offers a stylish and practical storage solution for your home, adding both functionality and aesthetic appeal to any space.

29. Repurpose Drawer Fronts Into a Beautiful Display Riser

Convert old drawer fronts into elegant display risers to elevate and highlight your favorite home decor pieces. These repurposed risers are perfect for creating visually appealing table vignettes and adding height to your displays.

30. Portable Potting Bench From a Dresser Drawer

This DIY project turns a tray table and dresser drawer into a portable potting bench. It offers gardeners a practical workspace for plant potting, easily stored when not in use.

31. Turn Old Dresser Drawers Into an Adorable DIY Dollhouse

Turn old dresser drawers into an adorable DIY dollhouse. This repurposed furniture project provides a creative and cost-effective way to give children a fun and imaginative play space.

32. Antique Bathroom Vanity

You can transform an antique dresser or cabinet into a unique bathroom vanity with step-by-step instructions for conversion and sink installation. It creates a functional and stylish addition to your bathroom.

33. Vintage Dresser Into Media Center

Convert a vintage dresser into a functional media center by repurposing it with shelves for DVD storage. This DIY project is ideal for organizing and displaying your TV components and media essentials.

34. Craft Table

This DIY project is a tutorial for creating a vintage dresser island. It can be used as a functional workspace or kitchen island, providing extra storage and a unique, repurposed piece of furniture.

35. DIY Painted Serving Bar

Turn a chest of drawers into a stylish DIY painted serving bar with wine storage. This project is perfect for entertaining guests and adding a unique touch to home decor.

36. Kitchen Cupboard

You can redesign your kitchen cupboard into a stylish and functional piece, adding storage and a personal touch to your space. This DIY project maximizes efficiency and updates your kitchen.

37. Entryway Table

Convert a dresser into a charming, rustic entryway table using chalky finish paint. This DIY project provides storage for keys and mail while adding a stylish surface for displaying decor.

38. Upcycle Drawers to Side Tables

This DIY project transforms old drawers into stylish side tables, offering a creative and sustainable way to repurpose furniture. It provides functional storage and adds a unique touch to any room in your home.

39. Make Window Boxes With Each Drawer

Finally, using the drawers of an old dresser for window boxes is both unique and ultra-stylish! You can fill the drawers with colorful flowers, useful herbs, and more.