ReDo It: Upcycle Dressers, Headboards and Beds

Find unique ideas for reinventing old dressers and turning salvaged items into stylish headboards.

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March 23, 2015

By: Jacquelyn McGilvray and Keri Sanders

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Photo By: Susan Teare ©Joanne Palmisano

Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo By: Susan Teare ©Joanne Palmisano

Photo By: Funky Junk Interiors

Photo By: Susan Teare ©Joanne Palmisano

Photo By: Susan Teare ©Joanne Palmisano

Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Susan Teare ©Joanne Palmisano

Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo By: unknown

Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo By: Susan Teare ©Joanne Palmisano

Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo By: unknown

Photo By: Funky Junk Interiors

Photo By: Susan Teare ©Joanne Palmisano

Photo By: Susan Teare ©Joanne Palmisano

Make a Statement

With a lot of creativity and a little elbow grease, this old church pew was turned into a one-of-a-kind headboard. See the full tutorial here.

Chevrons

A thrift-store dresser was given new life with freshly painted arrow-pattern drawers and a cheery color palette.

Dog Days and Nights

Shipping pallets were given new life as an adorable doggie bed with a soft cushion for easy resting. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn

Wrapping Paper Redo

This consignment-store dresser was striped with blue and white paint. The flowers were cut from heavy-stock gift paper then decoupaged onto the drawer fronts. Design by Joanne Palmisano

A Good Sign

A reclaimed convenience-store sign makes an eye-catching backdrop for a daybed. Not only does the vintage sign provide a theme and color palette for the room, but its historic significance also makes it an exciting conversation piece. Design by Funky Junk Interiors

Bathroom Vanity

An old dining room sideboard and a secondhand sink were converted into a lengthy bathroom vanity. Design by Joanne Palmisano

Geometric Blues

This secondhand dresser was given a fresh coat of white paint then a Moroccan-inspired design was painted on the drawer faces. Design by Joanne Palmisano

Drawer Pull Drama

Do you love the dino drawer pulls but pine for a more mature look? Give these decorative house numbers a try. Read the full instructions here.

Shabby Elegance

An old barn door with all its hardware intact is used to make a focal point with tons of personality.

Flower Power

After a fresh coat of terra-cotta paint, white paint pens and wood ice cream sticks were used to create the fun floral pattern. Design by Joanne Palmisano

Whimsical Addition

This fun dresser was given a kid-friendly makeover with a light green paint job and dinosaur drawer pulls.

Bamboo Trim Meets Greek Pattern

This console cabinet was painted bold orange, then the panel door insets were stenciled with a fun intertwining pattern. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn

Shutter Headboard

Old window shutters were sandwiched in between some reclaimed wood to make a headboard with a shabby chic meets art deco style. Design by Chris Hill

Barn-Wood Headboard

Planks of reclaimed wood make a wonderful focal point in this Scandinavian-style bedroom, and it is the perfect spot to hang Christmas stockings. Design by Marianne from SongBirdBlog.com

Landscape Dresser

Using a landscape painting for inspiration, this dresser was treated like a canvas and a simple ethereal panorama was created on its surface. Design by Shannon Kaye

Game Room Storage

This project is perfect for an old dresser that is missing drawers or cabinet doors. Just add a fun paint color and use the exposed space for game storage or a book shelf. Learn to make your own here.

Thinking Outside the Box

Another option for a dresser missing drawers? Fabulous open storage!

His-n-Hers Cabinet

Add a graphic punch to a console or end table with a couple of silhouette cut-outs. To do this project, paint the cabinet or vanity a solid color, add trim around the edges of the door fronts, then attach the plywood his-and-hers silhouettes with liquid bonding adhesive. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn

Mudroom Dresser

This old dresser was turned into entryway storage with a designated drawer for each member of the family. Design by Joanne Palmisano

Quick Update

This dresser was in good condition but needed some pizzazz. Fun, patterned drawer liners and glam pulls give this lovely piece of furniture a brand new look. See the full instructions here.

Louvered Headboard

With just a little paint, shuttered closet doors were transformed into a cottage-style headboard. Design by Layla Palmer

Ever-Changing Furniture

This stunning aqua dresser with funky mismatched knobs makes a great changing table and can be used in a child's room long after the infant stage.

Make a Statement Piece

The high-gloss, bright-pink finish makes this piece a showstopper. Before its makeover, this TV stand previously featured a natural yellow pine finish. It took some sanding, a spray coat of tinted primer and two coats of sprayed hot-pink lacquer to give it its one-of-a-kind finish. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn

Door Meets Gate

An old door found in a junk pile was paired with a metal gate then brightened up with a mist of white spray paint. The end result is a whimsical, one-of-a-kind headboard with enough substance to balance the king-sized bed. Design by Funky Junk Interiors

DIY Bulletin Board

This bulletin board headboard is the perfect choice for making the most of space and looking totally stylish in the process. Learn to make your own here.

T-Shirt Headboard

The possibilities are endless with this easy and inexpensive headboard project. We used old T-shirts for a boy's bedroom, but you can use floral-pattern fabrics, old concert shirts, souvenir shirts or beach towels. Design by Joanne Palmisano

Better Bunk Beds

Cabinets and basic lumber were used to create these storage-packed bunk beds. Copy the look with these instructions.

Industrial Chic

Who knew metal roofing could be so stylish? Designer Kara Paslay created a rustic yet glamorous headboard by cutting an ornate shape out of corrugated tin, bringing out its subtle sheen and wavy texture. The silhouette may be traditional, but this headboard is anything but ordinary. Best of all, this DIY project only cost about $30!

Upcycled Pallet

A headboard made from wooden shipping pallets is a standout feature in this nautical-themed boy's bedroom. To create a coordinated look, designer Lakeitha Duncan paired the pallets with two wooden nightstands in a natural finish.

Kitchen Cabinets Turned Bench

Two kitchen cabinets that normally go above a refrigerator were turned into a handy entryway bench and shoe storage. Design by Joanne Palmisano

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