How To Repurpose Dresser Drawers Into A Chic Ottoman With Storage

Old vintage or antique dressers can often boast a lot of beauty and character not possessed by many more utilitarian and inexpensively-made prefab bureaus today. Most of these cheaply made products lack handmade wood construction and gorgeous finishes. While you may think you have little use for old dresser drawers, especially after refinishing, repurposing, or discarding units with damage in other places, YouTube DIYer @TheInexperiencedAdventures shows off how he turned an old dresser drawer left over from another repurposing project into a stylish ottoman with tons of extra storage inside. 

For this clever way to repurpose old dresser drawers, you will need some plywood, cotton batting, fabric, and hairpin legs. This easy DIY project not only keeps gorgeous antique drawers out of a landfill, but allows you to fully customize the look and finish of the ottoman. The ottoman provides a charming vintage-inspired accent anywhere you use it. It's particularly lovely for eclectic, shabby chic decor, and boho-style rooms. Since drawers are often quite deep, it makes this DIY ottoman a great spot to stash extra blankets, cushions, toys, or any other bulky objects inside.

To turn any drawer into an ottoman, begin by removing the hardware and any extra wood pieces from the bottom tracking. You will need to create a level bottom for attaching the legs. Cut down a piece of plywood to size to place along or firmly inside the cavity at the bottom. Use wood glue and screws to attach.

Taking another sheet of plywood, cut the lid large enough to fit over the top and rest on the lip of the drawer, adjusting from any height differentials from the front to the back of the drawer. To create the top, add several layers of cotton batting then upholster the fabric of your choice over the top with a staple gun. If you are not comfortable with a staple gun, you can use a strong fabric adhesive. Attach the legs to the base of the drawers and then refinish or paint the drawer as desired, adding back the final touch of any drawer pulls or hardware. 

The customization options for this project are numerous, including the top, which can be upholstered in material that fits your aesthetic. Add unique hardware or molding for additional character. Use hairpin legs for a cleaner, more modern look, or swap them for other wooden and peg-style legs. You could even add casters to make an easily movable ottoman you can roll from place to place.