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July 12, 2011

Make It : "Drawers" for Bookshelves

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The name of the game in my son's nursery is "storage solutions." Our biggest organization problem right now is his sweet little baby wardrobe. We have little room for a dresser, and the space under the changing table is taken up with diapers, burp cloths, and linens. What we DO have is a very large built-in bookshelf—with more space than we need for all his books and toys. Below, see how I transformed some plain wooden boxes from Ikea into makeshift, attractive "drawers" with handles. Each drawer cost me less than $12 (if you consider that I used leftover paint from the room), is very lightweight, and is much handier than a regular old bin.

before

Before: The disorganized bottom half of our built-in bookshelf

after

After: These "drawers" could also work under a bed or couch, yes?

Click through the gallery below for the how-to.

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A regular old assembly-required pine box from Ikea.

1 A regular old assembly-required pine box from Ikea.

All these parts for $6.99? I love Sweden!

2 All these parts for $6.99? I love Sweden!

I painted the outside of the box (check instructions for which side this is) with the leftover

3 I painted the outside of the box (check instructions for which side this is) with the leftover "baby blue" from the nursery walls.

The inside of the box (again, check instruction illustrations) was painted with the white used to paint the nursery room trim.

4 The inside of the box (again, check instruction illustrations) was painted with the white used to paint the nursery room trim.

Assembled, painted box. Painting first is much easier, but I found I had to sand the edges so the box still assembled properly.

5 Assembled, painted box. Painting first is much easier, but I found I had to sand the edges so the box still assembled properly.

I marked the center and placement of the handle over painters' tape, so I didn't have to erase pencil lines from my paint job.

6 I marked the center and placement of the handle over painters' tape, so I didn't have to erase pencil lines from my paint job.

I suppose I could have drilled these holes first, but I didn't think ahead! I also wanted to choose the

7 I suppose I could have drilled these holes first, but I didn't think ahead! I also wanted to choose the "prettiest" painted side for the front of my drawer.

Handle attached! I used a cabinet handle from Ikea; they also sell lovely ones at Home Depot. I placed it slightly above the vertical center for balance.

8 Handle attached! I used a cabinet handle from Ikea; they also sell lovely ones at Home Depot. I placed it slightly above the vertical center for balance.

The boxes come with corner supports and round surface protectors.

9 The boxes come with corner supports and round surface protectors.

At the last minute, I added a strip of surface protector (purchased from Home Depot) all around the bottom edge for extra glidey-ness.

10 At the last minute, I added a strip of surface protector (purchased from Home Depot) all around the bottom edge for extra glidey-ness.

The nonfunctional (and not pretty)

11 The nonfunctional (and not pretty) "before."

The glorious

12 The glorious "after." We'll need to move these up a few levels when Jack can stand up and grab them!

With the functional aspect of the project complete, I'm now considering stenciling a design onto them, and polyurethaning them to make them really last. I'm also thinking of lining the bottom of the inside with pretty scrapbook paper, even though you'd never see it! Any thoughts/suggestions?

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Posted by on July 12, 2011 in Make It, Photo Galleries

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