Furniture makeover showing how to transform a piece of furniture found in curbside trash into a beautiful piece of functional furniture for your home.
I am one of those people who is not afraid to stop my car on the side of the road to pick up other people’s cast-offs. I enjoy the process of a good trash to treasure furniture makeover. I find the hunt very adventurous and love transforming my finds into functional pieces. Best of all – it doesn’t cost me a thing.
I found this hollowed out dresser in a field on the way to the supermarket. Lovely, isn’t she? She has nice lines. I saw potential.
Furniture Makeover Using Dollar Store Baskets
The transformation begins with a trip to the dollar store for 17 white plastic baskets. I would have loved wicker baskets, but 17 of them would be a bit pricey for my budget.
Also needed: my computer, printer, and card-stock to make some labels. I chose a font size that would fit in the label holders I found years ago. I cut out a piece of acetate from a transparency sheet to use as my see-thru cutting template.
I made vintage looking label holders and labels. If you don’t have any label holders you can see my post on how-to make wipe-off labels.
I used a pair of pliers to attach a label holder to the front of each basket.
Variation: To see a way to attach a label without one of these label holders, click here: How To Attach Labels to Baskets and Boxes for Organizing
I cut plywood to fit into the hollow dresser to create shelves. There were 8 sections and a small lip where the drawers used to be that I screwed each piece of plywood into. I then gave it a coat of white paint. This is a rough piece. Even after sanding and buffing the front edges still looked raw with the plywood and screws showing.
I cleaned it up as best I could and figured it is going to go in my mudroom so it doesn’t have to look perfect, just functional. Lots of sanding needed.
Trash to Treasure Furniture Makeover: After
I also bought white thumb tacks at the Dollar Store and used two different colors of ribbon from my stash to hide the ugly front edge of the dresser. I measured the ribbon and placed the purple on top of a wider white grosgrain. I attached the ribbon to the dresser with the thumb tacks. I think I am going to add more tacks, so it looks like nail-head trim, but I ran out. I will need to take another trip to the Dollar Store to get more.
This dresser sees a lot of action as it is right in the door from our garage where we enter the house. It is where we place keys, mail, library books, handbags, backpacks, etc.
I have the baskets labeled – Sunglasses, Goggles, Sunscreen, Mittens, Hats…the things we use on a daily basis that I want easily accessible, but I don’t want to see laying around.
I love how it came out. Not too bad for something I found on the side of the road. I love a good trash to treasure furniture makeover don’t you?
Debby says
09/05/2014 at 10:15 amI love this dresser. I’ve seen some dressers on the side of the road and was always wondering what to do with the gap from the old drawers. Thank you.
Louise says
04/01/2014 at 3:16 pmI totally need label holders! Lots of label holders! Where did you find those?
What a useful way to repurpose an old dresser. And I love the shutters on the wall above it.
Diane Henkler says
04/01/2014 at 5:53 pmHi Louise –
I bought them at IKEA a long time ago. I do not think they sell them anymore. I would check out places like Staples and Office Max. I know Martha Stewart has a few different types of labels sold at Staples. You may find something you like.
Khara says
12/16/2013 at 5:16 pmYou are SO smart!!! I’m SO inspired by your work!;) “Re-purpose” is my middle name…and you make it look GREAT! Thanks for sharing!!! I can’t wait till the holidays are over and I can get started…and the paper on top of the dresser with glass beads over the letters! Ugh!!! TOO fun:)
Stephanie says
10/12/2013 at 11:33 pmThis is a wonderful idea. I love repurposing all the things we can.
Stephanie
Kristyn says
06/13/2013 at 3:54 amI absolutely love this idea. I am newly into repurposing furniture, clothes etc. and was looking for some unique ways to redecorate my home. You have given me some much needed direction. Guess I wont be throwing out the kids old dressers. THANKS :))
Amanda Lucas says
01/29/2013 at 5:35 amFantastic project. Now that you have given instructions on how to re paint and get qualilty results, I ‘m on a mission to transform old furniture at home.
Thanks again.
Devon says
11/14/2012 at 3:30 pmYou could easily cover the baskets with fabric. Check out the below link… so easy!
http://www.talesfromacottage.blogspot.cz/2012/08/diy-fabric-covered-bins.html
Diane Henkler says
11/14/2012 at 6:11 pmDevon – what a great idea – they look terrific. My baskets are getting beaten up by a certain kitty that thinks they are for him to hide, chew and play in. If I can’t find new ones -covering them in fabric may be just what they need. Thanks for sharing your idea and post.
Terri says
09/27/2012 at 10:25 pmWay Cool
Ninnie says
06/19/2012 at 8:31 pmI love this…..Got my mind whirling with ideas!!!!
marie says
05/15/2012 at 3:20 pmWhat an awesome makeover and a great how-to as well! Thanks for sharing. Love your blog…I just found it on Pinterest.
Kristin says
05/15/2012 at 12:31 pmHi, I really LOVE the backdrop shutter on the wall. How did you do that & where did you buy them at?
Diane says
05/15/2012 at 6:59 pmThanks Kristin – The shutters are from my childhood home. When my parents were cleaning out the garage they were going to toss them and I took them instead. They are wood and were white. I mixed glaze and paint and brushed it over a shutter to get the translucent effect. I painted each shutter in a different color. When the paint was dry I added a picture hanging sawtooth hanger to the back and simply hung them using picture hanging nails.
Check out yard sales and thrift shops to find wood shutters. They seem to always have a few. Lowes and Home Depot may even still sell new wood ones, but I think they mostly sell the lightweight plastic ones.
Andrea says
03/05/2012 at 3:58 pmI love this! I push people to follow their passions and use their creativity in their every day work and you are such an example of that! I just blogged about you! lol
Teri Terrific says
03/05/2012 at 3:33 amI was brought up where there was ‘unlimited refuse’ day in Toledo, Ohio; people could put anything they didn’t want on the curb and anyone could pick it up. We also hit all the garage/estate sales, but my favorite was ‘dumpster diving’ and ‘dump digging’. I remember in particular getting a vintage crushed velvet gown with lace and a portable victrola record player in a dump. I really appreciate what you share on your blog!
I realize this is an old post but do you remember the font used to make these labels? I really like it!
Jamie B. says
01/25/2012 at 3:59 pmThis is such a clever storage idea. I’m grateful that you have shared how you made it as well. I’m going to be on the look out now for an old dresser :) Hope it’s okay, I just couldn’t help but feature your clever storage piece on my new Frugal Home Decor blog here:
http://frugal-home-design.blogspot.com/2012/01/repurposed-dressers.html
Thank you so much for sharing this!
Diane says
01/26/2012 at 8:32 pmHi Jamie-
Thank you so much for the feature. XO I used to be shy about pulling over to the side of the road when I saw good stuff. When I realized how silly that was and how much good free stuff I was missing out on – I now stop when anything catches my eye. My husband and daughters will come home and tell me they saw something on such and such street and I may want to go look at it. I trained them well :)
Jamie B. says
01/26/2012 at 8:46 pmHehe.. yeah, you do have them trained well! I am like you, I don’t mind pulling over one bit…. it’s just most times I don’t have enough room in the car :0/ I’m thinking a truck may be a good investment :0)
Brooke says
11/30/2011 at 9:15 amOMG! What a brilliant idea. Although I’ll admit I’m a chicken and couldn’t think of stopping and picking up someones trash. Knowing my luck they would come after me with a loaded shot gun LOL. But who’s to say you can’t find something just as great to use from a yard sale :)
Janet says
10/25/2011 at 8:46 pmThis is brilliant! I so wish I had a mudroom, too.
Dana says
10/10/2011 at 10:22 amLove it! What a clever idea! Oh how I wish I had a mudroom….
Dana @ craftedniche.wordpress.com
Lorrie says
09/21/2011 at 3:00 amJust what I need!
Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating says
08/13/2011 at 6:15 pmI love this dresser makeover! I’ve included it in my roundup of 12 ways to repurpose a dresser.
http://www.addicted2decorating.com/twelve-ways-to-repurpose-a-dresser-dresser-transformations.html
Thanks for the inspiration!!
MARY GRAY says
07/19/2011 at 3:11 pmGreat job and an inspiration piece for me. I think that I saw a piece similar to this one this morning on the side of the road. It’s on a busy road though. I would love to fix it up for my daughter.
Suzanne McClendon says
06/18/2011 at 8:59 pmI think this turned out great. What a clever idea! I also really like the louvres that are on the wall above the dresser.
I am a new follower to your site and look forward to all of your great ideas!
Nancy says
04/08/2011 at 6:23 amLove it!! How bout using something like this for a Buffet?? You could even make simple doors if that is what you wanted. Thanks for the idea!!
Sarah says
03/05/2011 at 10:48 pmThis is an awesome transformation! I would love this for our garage to put kids shoes and things in! Thank you for the idea! I see a lot of this type of thing in the spring and summer, so now to keep my eyes open!!! : )
Thank you for posting!
Jamie says
02/15/2011 at 2:36 pmThat turned out wonderful. I featured it on my blog. Please be sure to check it out and grab a button. I love your work. You are so talented.
Naja says
01/19/2011 at 2:13 pmThanks for posting! I have been scouring the internet on how to use my old dresser and some shutters to make a hamper to hide our dirty laundry! This one gives me some idea of how to convert it. Thanks for posting!
Beth says
01/11/2011 at 11:14 pmThis idea is so fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing! I blogged about it here: http://makealong.blogspot.com/2010/08/dresser-to-storage.html
Shelley says
12/20/2010 at 12:36 amThis is for sure one of my top favorite ideas for repurposing! Congratulations on a EXCELLENT job! Now I know exactly what to look for to go in my doorway! Thank you!
Katharine says
10/25/2010 at 1:21 amI have a trash to treasure post on my blog. I also got my item off the “street” lol. Katharine
http://katspurrfectboutique.blogspot.com/2010/10/trash-to-treasure-wicker-patio-set.html
Tammy says
10/24/2010 at 12:22 pmI came across this as i was struggling for some sort of storage idea for all the kids mittens and hats ect in our new home. I cannot tell you how often i have driven past peoples junk waiting for the garbage truck! As soon as I see one im grabbing it and doing this! IT LOOKS AWSOME! only thing i would do different is use the canvas storage bins for a cleaner look but i want this sooo bad! Thanks for sharing!
Diane says
10/24/2010 at 5:56 pmHi Tammy-
I hope you find a dresser soon. It will probably show up when you least expect it. Canvas bins will look great. I wanted wicker ones Home Goods but they did not fit. Thanks goodness for the dollar store. When you do this, please let me know and I will post it.
My best – Diane
Living So Abundantly says
10/23/2010 at 7:15 pmThat is incredibly impressive! You definitely have a talent. :0)
Cricket @ A Thrifty Penny says
10/20/2010 at 5:17 pmOh! And I wanted to tell you that I’m linking up to your post so my readers could see what an amazing and creative transformation you have.
Cricket @ A Thrifty Penny says
10/20/2010 at 4:12 pmI love this repurposing. I want a dresser for a TV stand. Your post may be just the thing to convince Hubby that I’m not crazy after all :-)
Callipygian says
10/20/2010 at 1:19 pmThis makes me sigh a little sigh of satisfaction. Lovely.
Jennifer says
10/20/2010 at 12:11 pmWhat an amazing re-do. I know I would see that in a field and not realize the extremely useful & indeed beautiful organizational piece that it became. Splendid & inspiring.
Alexia says
10/20/2010 at 10:35 amLOVE! I really don’t have much else to say :)
VickiS says
10/20/2010 at 9:42 amLove the transformation…too bad I don’t have a place for something like that. I also love the colored shutters you have above your transformed dresser.
Anonymous says
10/20/2010 at 9:41 amLove the transformation…too bad I don’t have a place for something like that. I also love the colored shutters you have above your transformed dresser.
Katharine says
09/12/2010 at 8:37 amWhere did you get the label holders? They are so cool!!
Diane says
09/12/2010 at 10:00 amI got them at Ikea, although a few years ago. I am not sure they still carry them. You could probably do an google search for them. They came in packs of 6 and were only a few dollars. There is a catalog that might have something similar – VanDykes Restorers. They have a website. Tt might be worth checking there also.
My best- Diane
Abbie says
08/30/2010 at 10:47 pmAre you a wizard!?!?! Beacuse I would totally beleive it if you were! I just LOVE your blog! Can you come over to my house and re-do it?? LOL
Diane says
08/31/2010 at 11:00 amHi Abbie-
What a nice compliment – you have made my day. I wish I could just wave a magic wand – that would be fun. Perhaps I should start doing on-line consults?
My best- Diane
Suzanne says
08/06/2010 at 8:38 amI love this idea. I have a dresser in my garage that needs to get organized. I was really frustrated with having to open drawers for every little thing but now this is perfect. Thanks and you are soooo creative!
Lynda says
08/02/2010 at 11:35 amI absolutely adore what you have done to this old dresser. I have wanted to do something like this with one of my own, but didn’t know what to do about how deep it is. The idea of using the baskets is perfect for keeping things from getting lost in the abyss. Thank you for sharing all the pictures. Love it!
Christy says
08/02/2010 at 9:28 amI love this post and put a link to it on the organizational page on my blog.
creative triplet mom says
08/01/2010 at 7:02 pmWow this is amazing. You did an awesome job. Love it.
Melanie Ward says
07/29/2010 at 3:15 pmOh my goodness!! I absolutely love it! I constantly feel the need to be more organized but in a fun and creative way. You have inspired me to create something a bit similar for my currently empty formal dining room. Wow!! One woman’s trash is truly another woman’s treasure.
Anonymous says
07/28/2010 at 3:39 pmIt just goes to show that ANYTHING can be redone into a beautiful creation. Well done. I am rethinking everything now.
Lori says
07/28/2010 at 11:28 amThis has got to be THE most innovative projects I have ever seen. It looks awesome. You did a terrific job!
Denise @ I Am Creating says
07/27/2010 at 8:20 pmThis is awesome and inspirational too. I want to do this because it would be a great way to organize toys.
Casey says
07/25/2010 at 8:47 pmI have a dresser missing all the drawers that I want to do this too, I’m so happy to see it can look really great! I’m not so afraid to start working on it now! I never thought of all the baskets though, that it a great idea and I’m going to use it too
cassie says
07/07/2010 at 6:55 pmthat looks great! what a fabulous idea and use of storage!
Julie @ Practically Spent says
07/06/2010 at 2:32 pmI think it’s GREAT!! Love the colored shutters, too, in the one photo.
Tumaini says
07/01/2010 at 12:48 amAbsolutely Fabulous!
I know what my next project is going to be.
Have you ever thought of turning this into a business???
My blog, Flippin’ Factory, features nothing but recycled furniture makers!!
Stay creative!
http://www.flippinfactory.wordpress.com
Ginger says
06/29/2010 at 2:29 pmI LOVE it! What a great idea! I am kicking myself for all the times I have driven past hollowed out dressers! I think I’ll be hitting the brakes now!
donna joy says
06/24/2010 at 10:34 pmgreat piece! i too have no problem picking up someone else’s cast-offs!
Susan says
06/23/2010 at 6:19 amLove it! What a wonderful transformation! I’m amazed at how people can see the potential in items that others would pass by. Love the organization. :)
suzyq - atthefarmhouse says
06/22/2010 at 10:20 pmWhat a fabulous makeover!! I also love your timber doors above your new ‘treasure’! This is the first time I have visited – please pop over and see me in Australia.
Suzyq
Candee says
06/22/2010 at 7:15 pmLUV THIS!!!! I have an old dresser in my basement with some damage to the drawers and I had NO idea what to do with it……until now!!! Thank you for the awesome idea.
Mindi says
06/22/2010 at 3:11 pmI love this! I’m not handy or creative really but I’m so going to do it!
sara says
06/21/2010 at 11:03 pmthat looks FABULOUS!
Sydney @memorableminutes says
06/19/2010 at 11:42 pmI love this. I long to have the space where I can pick up treasures like this and actually have a spot where I know I can use them, especially something like this that helps organize, because i try so hard to be a minimalist and conceal things, but when you are a creative type it is SO difficult. I’m saving this idea!
[email protected] says
06/19/2010 at 9:50 pmGreat idea! I absolutely love it – especially the vintagey label holders!!!
Queen says
06/19/2010 at 9:41 pmWOW! Love what you have done with your space! I especially love the way you transformed the cabinets from oak to white and the armoire is to die for!
Queen Bee Studio
Julia says
06/19/2010 at 9:12 pmSuch a great idea! I was just planning on doing something similar. Thanks for the great tips:).
Joy says
06/19/2010 at 6:37 pmWhat a great find ! You’re so creative, I love what you did with it and adding the basket is so cute.
Julie says
06/19/2010 at 5:40 pmThis is GENIUS! Great job.
Thank you for linking up to Fab Friday this week.
[email protected] says
06/19/2010 at 4:14 pmWhat a great idea! I have an old dresser I might try to do something similar with! Visiting from funky junk interiors :)
Katie says
06/19/2010 at 1:24 pmIt looks great! Love the addition of the purple ribbon!
Diane says
06/20/2010 at 4:54 pmI do love the color purple – all shades of it as an accent color. I even thought about using a different color on each shelf to match the shutters behind the dresser, but didn’t have the right colors on hand.
Diane
randee says
06/19/2010 at 10:38 amthat is such a great idea. it’s a lot easier to pull out a basket than a heavy drawer, too.
love your blog. it’s my first time here.
Stephanie Cameron says
06/19/2010 at 1:51 amWow! great job seeing potential in that! I’m glad you found some baskets that fit!!
Haley Davis says
06/19/2010 at 1:05 amServes it’s purpose and looks fabulous too!! I think we ALL stop on the side of the road and get other people’s trash! LOL You did a great job!
[email protected] Charm says
06/18/2010 at 10:56 pmWell…this is one “COOL” curbside treasure! Luv the idea you had for her…also luv those shutters! Hop over and show her off at my NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAYS PARTY…hope to see her there:) Hope you have a FUN weekend!
Blessings,
Linda
ashley says
06/18/2010 at 8:09 pmWhat an amazing transformation! This is so practical and useful in so many ways.
come link up with my link party at Fabulous Finds Friday. This is def a fabulous find in my books!
-ashley
Rachelle S. says
06/18/2010 at 6:56 pmThis is great! I have so many projects like this that I need to do! You did a great job with this!
Kimm at REINVENTED says
06/18/2010 at 6:35 pmLooks great, I wish I had the space for something like that in my mudroom! Love the labels on the baskets. This would be a great project for my weekly linky party “Trash to Treasure Tuesday”!
Ann says
06/18/2010 at 2:14 pmMost excellent project and totally do-able! I’ll be looking at those horrible thrift store dressers in a new light thanks to you.
Cara says
06/18/2010 at 1:34 pmI love it — what a great way to transform someone else’s castoffs into a functional organizational tool. Great job!
Kim Johnson Gross says
06/18/2010 at 11:23 amI LOVE what you did with the dresser. You are incredibly creative. What an inspiration!
xinme says
06/18/2010 at 8:32 amYou did an amazing job! My husband and I both love re-purposing other people’s cast-offs:) After all, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure!”
Just a mini-suggestion based on our experiences with a similar set-up — you might want to consider putting felt pads on the bottom of your baskets so all the sliding back and forth doesn’t wreck the paint on the shelf :)
Just a thought that you may have already had yourself — I just didn’t notice that detail in your description above.
Diane says
06/19/2010 at 10:23 amThanks for the great tip! I have felt pads on my furniture – so it makes total sense to do this on the baskets.
Marilyn B. Hughes says
06/18/2010 at 8:05 amWONDERFUL! You did an awesome job. Congrats.
Smiles~
Marilyn
Tricia Anne says
06/18/2010 at 6:55 amThat is so clever and cute!
Kathy says
06/18/2010 at 4:29 amI’m super impressed, turn out great and frugal!
Connie says
06/18/2010 at 1:41 amBrilliant and very frugal. Nobody would ever guess that you bought those baskets at the Dollar Store.
Sue says
06/18/2010 at 12:57 amWOW! What an amazing transformation!!! Beautiful!!
Donna Hollingsworth, RN says
06/18/2010 at 12:34 amLove it!!!!! So creative and inspiring!!
Katie says
06/18/2010 at 12:29 amWow – what a great transformation and SO frugal – I LOVE it and it’s right down my alley. Thanks for sharing such a great idea!
erin k says
06/17/2010 at 10:27 pmyou are my freakn’ hero! i have been threating to throw my son’s (found on the side of the road) dresser out the window for months. i HATE the thing. the drawers all stick and the bottoms are busted out of 2 of them ….. i am seriously doing this. TOMORROW!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
Heather says
06/17/2010 at 5:30 pmWow! You had to have some vision for this one and you certainly made it a show-stopper! I love all of the organization! Well done and it looks fabulous!
Teena says
06/17/2010 at 4:57 pmI really like this idea, it would go great in my craft room! Happy Transformation Thursday <3
[email protected] says
06/17/2010 at 4:39 pmWow! Love this! Good thinking with the dresser and those labels are so cute! I am looking for good storage ispiration…thanks:)
Lisa says
06/17/2010 at 3:47 pmIt looks great! What a cute idea to reuse something someone threw away! Can I ask where you got the label holders? I’ve been looking for some like that.
Diane says
06/17/2010 at 10:16 pmHi Lisa-
I got them some time ago, but I think it was at Ikea. They came in packs and were very inexpensive. There is a catalog/ website – Van Dykes Restorers. The carrry items needed to restore furniture and they carry similar ones- you may want to check it out.
Diane
Amanda says
06/17/2010 at 3:34 pmThis turned out really great! What a good idea!
[email protected] Fickle Hobbyist says
06/17/2010 at 3:13 pmOh my word, I LOVE this!! I kind of want one in my craft room now. What a fabulous transformation.
[email protected] Hand Me Down House says
06/17/2010 at 1:22 pmThis is SUCH a wonderful idea! Great thinking! I absolutely adore the purple ribbon on the front — it almost makes the whole thing! Ingenious!
Diane says
06/17/2010 at 10:21 pmHi Amanda-
My original plan was just to paint the dresser, but the edges would not get smooth. I came up with the ribbon as a “fix” to hide the rough front and it turned out to be a great finishing detail. Sometimes the best ideas happen when you least expect them.
Diane
Yanet says
06/17/2010 at 12:45 pmGreat job! It’s just amazing what can be done with Dollar Store stuff (and A LOT of imagination). Love the vintage lables.
Elle Sees says
06/17/2010 at 11:58 amWOW! So creative.
Going Jane says
06/17/2010 at 11:43 amI love all the storage! What a great find! :) Stopping by from HOH
PeaceLoveTerri says
06/17/2010 at 11:33 amFabulous, fabulous job! I love it!
Becky - Clean Mama says
06/17/2010 at 10:42 amGreat redo! I love the ribbon :)
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
06/17/2010 at 10:21 amWhat a great piece! I like it with the tacks you have on there now. It looks like you even have room to add a few more baskets. Great vision!
Rondell says
06/17/2010 at 10:05 amThis is just wonderful, what a great idea, you could even do this in any room of the house! I’m now a follower, now I have to go check out some of your other projects that you have done!
Rondell
mindy says
06/17/2010 at 9:32 amYou are awesome! That looks wonderful. What a wonderful thing to have in a craft room. PLUS, you reused trash and made the world a bit prettier.
Diane says
06/17/2010 at 10:28 pmHi Mindy-
M favorite projects are the ones that I re-use, re-purpose, or re-cycle. I love coming up with attractive, yet functional ideas with trash and cast-offs – and as you mentioned making the world a bit prettier at the same time.
Diane
MHills says
06/17/2010 at 8:09 amAbsolutely Amazing…. That is just fabulous. It looks to pretty.
Beth says
06/17/2010 at 3:20 amThat is an amazing transformation! Awesome storage potential!
Suzanne says
06/17/2010 at 2:00 amFabulous redo. What a great place to store your stash!
Melanie says
06/17/2010 at 1:58 amThis is AMAZING!!! You have a very creative eye to get that from an empty dresser in a field! Thoroughly impressed. I wish I had space where we enter the house to put something like that, it’s always a pile of stuff just inside the kitchen. Well, nice job:)
Linda @ A La Carte says
06/17/2010 at 12:25 amWhat a great way to use something someone threw away. I love how it turned out and I would love something like that with all the baskets for my napkins and linens I use for tablescaping. Great idea!