DIY Console Table

Nobody wants to throw away old furniture it seems like such a waste! Why not try "upcycling" it and repurposing it for another function? In the video below, interior designer Tiffany Brooks walks us through making an old dresser into a console table for only $70.

You'll need some supplies before starting in on this project. These include a dresser made of real wood, a sanding block, a jigsaw, paint, new drawer pulls, and a screwdriver. It may involve some planning to get hold of these supplies. If the dresser you want to get rid of isn't wood, then consider shopping at your local thrift store to get a wood one. Also, not everyone has jigsaws at home, but perhaps one of your neighbors or someone else in your community has one you could borrow.

Also, consider where your new console table will be located and what its function will be. Maybe you want it in the foyer to impress your guests with your craftsmanship. Or perhaps you think it'd be better suited for the master bedroom. Depending on where you locate this console table, you'll need to adapt what you put on and in it. If you're using it as an entrance piece, photos of the family, bright friendly lamps, and artistic wall hangings may be the way you want to go. If it's in the bedroom, it could sport your treasured heirlooms or souvenirs from your world travels. It's up to you to decide.

Once you've selected its place and function, consider what color it should be to match the room. You'll want to make it complement the warm or cool tones of the room, but not match it exactly. If your room is a light blue, for example, alabaster paint may be right for the console table. If the room is more on the warmer side, white could also work, but perhaps a cream might match better.

Also consider the drawer pulls you select. The style of the drawer pulls can make a big difference in the look of your console table. Consider if you want it to look modern, classic, or another look, and plan accordingly with your drawer pulls. Additionally, make sure the color of these handles matches the color of the table.

If you've got all of this in order, dive right in to this DIY project. Tiffany Brooks' video has extra information and visual aids to help you in this project, but below are the basic steps to converting the old dresser into a console table:

1. Remove the bottom drawers
2. Cut out the drawer supports
3. Remove the cut pieces
4. Sand the wood then roll on the primer
5. Roll on your paint
6. Put on the new hardware
7. Move it into place
8. Decorate it