Repurposing an Old Dresser Into a Sideboard for Home Office Use

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Disclosure:  This post was compensated and written in collaboration with Blue Ridge Tools.  All opinions are my own.  

I found this old dresser for FREE as part of a package deal.  We were in the process of creating his and her office space in a small area of my shop.  I decided to repurpose this old, outdated dresser into a sideboard to use as a printing station for our new office space. 

Old Dresser Before Repurposing
Old Dresser Before

There were a couple of drawers missing and the top was not in the best shape.  But, I NEVER turn down a piece of free furniture. I knew the Hubs and I could come up with a plan to save the poor soul.  

After discussing it, we decided that adding wood would be a great option.  Not only would it make it look better, but it would make the dresser a bit more sturdier.   Wood would be added to the inside where the drawers were missing to give it a farmhouse, rustic feel.  

We found these shiplap pieces at our local salvage store.  I think we paid around $20.00 and we even had a few extra pieces left that could be used for another DIY project. 

Shiplap Wood
Shiplap Wood

I went through my paint stash to determine what color I wanted the outside of the dresser to be.  Our plan was to give our space a farmhouse feel. I also knew that I would be staining the shiplap. Therefore, I chose Dixie Belle’s Hurricane Gray

Dixie Belle's Hurricane Gray
Dixie Belle’s Hurricane Gray

Step 1- Measuring Shiplap Wood for the repurposed dresser

The Hubs got busy cutting the shiplap to the correct size.  He measured the inside of the cabinet to determine the length and width he would need before he made his cuts. He is using my pink tape measure that came in my Blue Ridge Pink Tool Kit!  This kit has everything you need as a DIYer!  

Blue Ridge Tool Kit
Blue Ridge Tool Kit
Blue Ridge Tool Pink Measuring Tape
Blue Ridge Tool Pink Measuring Tape

The shiplap was cut into six pieces.  Six longer pieces for the bottom and six smaller pieces for each side of the former drawer.

Wood Pieces

After all the pieces were cut to size, I grabbed my orbital sander and sanded them lightly with a piece of 220-grit sandpaper.

Sanding

Step 2 -Adding Shiplap Wood to the Repurposed Dresser

The Hubs added two thin strips of wood he cut from a 1×4 to add to each side to give the shiplap something to attach to.  The Blue Ridge Battery Operated Screwdriver worked like a charm for this part of the project. 

Then, each piece of shiplap was nailed into place starting with the bottom and finishing with the sides.  We used the pink hammer that was included in my Blue Ridge Tool Kit.

Blue Ridge Hammer

Here is the bottom of the dresser after the shiplap was added.  Two smaller pieces were cut from a scrap piece of shiplap to add as trim for the outside.

Trim

Step 3 – Staining

Once the shiplap was attached, it was time to stain.  I chose Minwax’s Special Walnut.  One coat was applied making sure to wipe off any excess stain with an old cloth.  I allowed the stain to dry overnight.  (Note:  It might be easier to stain the shiplap before adding it to the cabinet!)

Minwax Stain
Minwax Stain
Applying Stain
Applying Stain

Step 4 – Painting

The next day, it was time to paint.  The outside of the piece, the top and the drawers were cleaned with a Lysol cloth.  I then used painters tape and taped off the stained shiplap where I did not want paint.

taping off the stained shiplap
Painters Tape

I applied one coat of paint to the drawer fronts and the piece itself.

Repurposed Dresser after One Coat of Paint
One Coat of Paint

After about 2 hours of drying time, I applied the second and final coat of paint. I allowed the piece to dry overnight.  

Step 5 – Waxing

I then applied one coat of Dixie Belle’s Spray Wax to the outside of the piece.  It’s just a wipe on, wipe off process.  

Dixie Belle Wax
Dixie Belle Wax

Step 6 – Attaching Hardware to the New Sideboard

I found four farmhouse pulls in my stash that I knew would be perfect for this piece.  The hardware was attached using the rechargeable Blue Ridge Screwdriver.  It is smaller and fits into those smaller areas perfectly! 

Blue Ridge Rechargeable Screwdriver
Blue Ridge Rechargeable Screwdriver

This old dresser turned into a sideboard is the perfect addition to our office space.  It holds the printer, while neatly storing paper, ink cartridges and still has space for me to add a bit of decor!

Repurposed dresser into a printer station
Printer station from an old dresser
Printer station made from an old dresser
Repurposed dresser into a home office printing station

Christina

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11 thoughts on “Repurposing an Old Dresser Into a Sideboard for Home Office Use”

  1. This was so amazing! My husband and I are currently remodeling the lower level of our home and with the dumpster rental in our driveway, he has been so tempted to just throw out every old piece of furniture we have! This is a great example that we can still save what we have! I am going to try and repurpose some of our old furniture.

  2. This is adorable!! And I have the same pink toolkit! My husband gave it to me for Christmas one year. 🙂

  3. Gracie Redfield

    I love, love, love this! I knew that you and your husband would give that sad little dresser a whole new life! You are such an inspiration, Christina! <3

  4. Christina
    You and your husband are a great team. Absolutely fantastic job. Your repurposed addition looks highly inviting and printer sits occupying the charm so well. Good job!

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