Repurposed Drawer Transformed Into A Table Riser

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

Photo of a finished repurposed drawer made into a long table riser painted an antique blue with vintage knobs and black feet. Shown here filled with terracotta pots of spring greenery.

A repurposed drawer project anyone can do!

I found this sturdy wall shelf at the thrift store, and my first thought was to use it in the basement or garage. It was $3, so I put it in the cart and brought it home.

Before photo of an old outdated wall shelf that has a shelf at the top and a drawer in the middle the wood is an orange shellac.

After some thought, I decided to use the shelf in the garage but transform the drawer as a pretty vintage-style table riser for my dining room table.

Photo of the wood drawer removed from an old wall shelf. The wood knobs have been removed and it's sitting on the work bench.
Before

To make this plain drawer a stunning centerpiece, I went on a hunt for vintage drawer pulls to replace those ugly wooden knobs and found these beauties at the antique store!

Photo of two swinging vintage drawer pulls. The pull is black painted wood teardrop and the top is brass wtih a clover imprint.

I also purchased 3″ tall wood feet and a 12″ decorative wood applique on Amazon!

Overhead photo of 3-inch wood feet and a pretty 12-inch wood applique with shell motif in the middle.
3-inch wood feet and applique

++++++++

Square feature photo showing four out of ten repurposed furniture ideas. These are photo snippets of DIY furniture in different stages before and after. There is a photo with a red metal lid and pipe legs, a finished patriotic table made from a large rusty red tin with white stars on it, a thrift store table being painted gray and white and a round wood hat box.

Inspiration for your next furniture flip!

Read More: 10 Clever Repurposed Furniture & Small Furniture Refresh Ideas

++++++++

How to Turn an Old Drawer into a Footed Riser – 6 Easy Steps

STEP 1:

I started by attaching the wood feet first with wood glue, and long wood screws.

Photo of drilling long wood screws into the bottom of a drawer to secure the feet. I also applied a little wood glue to the wood feet.

STEP 2:

Next, I sanded just the drawer front with 320-grit sandpaper.

Photo of lightly sanding the shellac front of the wood drawer with 320 grit sand paper to transform the repurposed drawer into a tall table riser.

STEP 3:

I coated the front of the drawer with Dixie Belle BOSS Paint Primer to prevent color bleed-through that could ruin the color finish later. This is a good step when covering dark or orange-stained surfaces. You can find it at most antique stores or here on Amazon.

Closeup of applying Dixie Belle BOSS primer to the front of the drawer to block stain from showing through the paint later.

STEP 4:

Once the primer was dry to the touch, I used wood glue, a heavy iron, and clamps to set my applique in place and let it dry overnight.

Photo of wood glue used to glue a decorative wood applique to the front of a shelf. The applique has been clamped down as well as a vintage iron on one side to help the wood piece adhere as it dries.

STEP 5:

The next day, I had a change of heart. I was going to paint the entire riser with Dixie Belle Mineral Paint in Stormy Seas, but at the last minute, I decided to paint the feet Caviar to match the drawer pulls.

Photo painting the feet of this DIY repurposed drawer riser with Dixie Belle Caviar.

STEP 6:

Last, I scuffed up the front with sandpaper for a worn, weathered look and then applied General Finishes Matte Topcoat in matte to protect the piece. Feel free to use any topcoat you have on hand, like wax or polyurethane.

Photo of a finished repurposed drawer made into a long table riser painted an antique blue with vintage knobs and black feet. Shown here in an overhead side view filled with holiday florals, pots of white flocked greenery, a white candle and a vintage ceramic white sled with horse and carolers inside.

I love how this little riser came out. Onto the next project! For more upcycling ideas, check out the links below.

Vertical image to Pin to your Pinterest boards to come back to this DIY later. The image is of a finished tall table riser made form an old wood drawer painted an antique gray-blue. The legs are wood knob style painted black. On the front of the drawer riser is a decorative wood onlay and antique brass pulls with black wood knobs on both sides. Inside the drawer riser is spring greenery in terracotta pots. The setting is a dark wood dining room table.

++++++++

Advertisement

Craftidly Designs Horizontal Ad for Flower Market Paris SVG.
Vertical image of a before and after to turn an old wood drawer from a wall shelf into a tall table riser. The finish riser is painted an antique blue gray with black wood legs. The pulls are vintage with wood knobs that hang from a round brass ornate center piece. The drawer displays Christmas greenery and a ceramic vintage horse drawn carriage in white with light blue accents. The setting is a dining room wood table.

++++++++

MORE UPCYCLE IDEAS:

Photo of a wood tall table riser with cupcakes on it.

Learn how to make an inexpensive tall table riser!

Read More: Make A Tall Table Riser Using Dollar Store Brackets

More diyS