How to Make a Bookcase Out of an Old Dresser

I always seem to find dressers missing their drawers being thrown out for garbage. It seems like such a waste to throw away perfectly good wood. Turning a dresser into a bookcase is a relatively simple DIY project; most of the hard work is completed for you since the dresser makes the frame of the bookcase. Making a bookcase out of dresser should fit into any home décor ranging from contemporary to vintage. Assuming that you find a free dresser you should be able to complete this great DIY project for less than $50.

To Make A Bookcase out of a Dresser You Will Need:

Dresser (Minus the drawers)
Jug Saw
Power Drill
MDF or Pine boards cut to size
Wood putty or filler
Screws
Sand Paper
Primer, Paint, Stain (Your choice)

To start this great weekend DIY project remove the existing drawers form your dresser. You need to break your dresser down to prepare it for the shelves. Use your jigsaw to cut out the front pieces that previously supported the drawers. Use a screwdriver to remove any internal drawer hardware still inside.

Once you have broken your dresser down to a basic shell you need to sand any rough edges left from cutting off the front slats. You should also use the wood putty to fill any holes left form removing the drawer sliding hardware. This is important for the finished look of your new dresser bookcase.

Now, measure the inside of your dresser. This will tell you how wide and deep your shelves need to be. You can take these measurements to Home Depot or Lowes and they will cut your shelves for you. You will find that in general you are charged 25 cents per cut. This is well worth it and alot less expensive than buy a saw.

Now for the DIY part of this project. Start installing the shelving in your dresser mark of inside where each shelf will be place. I like to put one every twelve inches. Pre drill holes through the outside of the dresser in. You should make one hole ear the front of the shelf and one near the rear of the shelf.

Repeat this process up and down each side of the dresser.

Take your precut shelving and drill 2 holes in each inside of the wood that coincide with the holes you drilled into the side of the dresser.

Place your shelf inside the dresser and use a 3" wood screw drilled through the holes to attach your shelf. Repeat this process for each shelf.

Now, to finish you newly completed shelves sand the entire piece of furniture. Wipe away any excess dust with a slightly damp cloth. Now you can stain, prime, or paint your converted dresser.

Here are some tips for incorporating your DIY dresser bookcase project into different décor styles:

Contemporary: Choose a dresser with straight minimal lines. After installing your shelves prime out your bookcase. Paint the entire piece in high gloss paint. Contemporary style is known for incorporating shiny furniture like lacquer piece.

Traditional Décor: I recommend staining your bookcase in a gel wood stain that matches your existing décor. You could also use colored wood stain as an accent color.

Vintage. Shabby Chic Décor: Prime you bookcase out in white primer. At a coat of white semi gloss paint. Rub ht entire piece in gel wood stain or tinted wood wax to give it an antique look.

French Country Décor: Primer your converted dresser. Next, paint it in a beautiful bright blue color. Warm greens would also work. Add detail with stencils. You can also use the gel wood stain to add some age to the piece here as well.