Chloe Zhang
Plastic drawers are a convenient way to add more storage space to your home, but they can sometimes be an eyesore. Luckily, there are many ways to dress them up and make them look stunning. From using paint, fabric, and decoupage to covering them with decorative paper, you can transform these basic plastic drawers into something that suits your personal style and aesthetic. This guide will take you through various creative and budget-friendly DIY projects to upgrade your plastic drawers and enhance your space.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painting | Use spray paint designed for plastic or use a primer spray |
| Paper | Wallpaper, scrapbooking paper, wrapping paper, scrap fabric, or contact paper |
| Handles | Drill two small holes into each drawer to attach cabinet handles |
| Legs | Screw four metal furniture legs into the bottom corners of the dresser frame |
| Decoupage | Use decoupage to prepare the fabric before applying it to the drawers |
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Use paint
Painting plastic drawers is a great way to upgrade their look and make them fit your aesthetic. It is a simple and cheap DIY transformation that can make plastic drawers look amazing.
To start, you will need to sand both the frames and the drawers with high-grit sandpaper. This will help to create a surface that the paint can better adhere to. It is also important to ensure that the drawers are clean before painting. If they are not clean, wash and dry them thoroughly before beginning the sanding process.
Once the surfaces are prepared, use blue tape to tape off any areas you don't want to get paint on, such as the inside front edge of the drawer. Place a piece of cardboard inside the drawer to protect it from paint, and prop it up with shims or scrap wood so that it does not stick to the plastic. You can also use poster board or cardboard to cover the sides of the drawers if you don't want to paint them.
When you are ready to paint, shake the can of spray paint for a full minute. Then, with wide sweeping strokes, spray in a back-and-forth motion, maintaining a distance of about 12-18 inches from the drawer. Be careful not to get too close to the surface, as this can cause drips. After painting all the drawers and frames, wait a few minutes before applying a second coat. Allow the paint to dry for about 24 hours before re-assembling the drawers.
For an even better finish, consider using a plastic primer spray paint before applying your colour of choice. This will help create a smoother, less "plastic-y" look. Choose a colour that makes you happy and fits your aesthetic!
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Use adhesive decals
Adhesive decals are a great way to dress up plastic drawers and transform them into stunning, affordable dressers. This method is simple, budget-friendly, and requires minimal effort to achieve a stylish upgrade.
To begin, select adhesive wall decals that align with your desired aesthetic. Line wall stickers, for instance, can be purchased online and are an excellent choice for creating a sleek and modern look.
Before applying the decals, ensure that the surface of your plastic drawers is clean and dry. This step is crucial for ensuring proper adhesion and preventing the decals from peeling prematurely.
Once the surface is prepared, carefully peel the backing off your adhesive decals, following the instructions provided with your chosen product. Position the decals smoothly and carefully onto the desired areas of your plastic drawers. Apply light pressure to ensure the decals adhere firmly to the surface.
Feel free to get creative with your decal arrangement. You can place them symmetrically or asymmetrically, covering as much or as little of the surface as you like. This process allows you to personalize your plastic drawers and make them unique to your taste.
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Attach legs
Attaching legs to a plastic dresser is a simple way to elevate its look. You can purchase new legs from a hardware store like Lowes or Home Depot, or even on Amazon. If you're looking for a more affordable option, you can repurpose legs from another piece of furniture, such as an ottoman, or get creative and use fence post tops as legs.
Before attaching the legs, you'll need to ensure your dresser has a structure to support them. If your dresser doesn't have existing supports, you can create them by cutting and adding blocks of wood to the bottom of the dresser. Measure and cut the blocks to fit flush with the bottom of your dresser, then secure them in place by screwing them into the outside of the dresser.
Once you have a secure structure in place, you can attach the mounting brackets that will hold the legs. You can choose between regular or angled brackets, depending on the style you're going for. Mark the placement of the brackets and pre-drill holes for the screws. Make sure to use screws of the correct length so they don't poke through the dresser. Screw the brackets into place, then attach the legs to the brackets.
If you're using wooden legs, you can paint or refinish them to match the colour of your dresser. Once the legs and dresser are dry, apply wood filler to any seams or exposed screw holes for a smooth finish. Sand the wood filler once it's dry, then your dresser is ready for any final decorations.
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Cover with paper
Covering plastic drawers with paper is a great way to give them a design upgrade and hide their contents. It's an easy, inexpensive way to make something practical look pretty.
To start, you'll need to measure the sides and fronts of your drawers and cut your paper to size. You can use wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, or even fabric with decoupage to prepare it like paper. If you're using a thinner paper, you may want to glue the paper to some poster board or cardboard first to give it more structure.
Once your paper is cut and your glue is ready, it's time to start adhering the paper to your drawers. Work slowly and carefully to avoid bubbles or creases in the paper. Smooth out any that appear with your hand or a flat tool. You can use a glue stick, a spray adhesive, or a decoupage glue for this step, depending on your preference and the materials you're using.
For a more polished look, you can add a thin strip of wood or a dowel rod, painted to match your handles, along the edges of the drawers to cover any rough edges of the paper.
Finally, you can create labels for your drawers. Print out labels on regular photocopy paper, then cover them with clear packing tape to protect the ink and ensure the labels are durable.
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Use fabric and decoupage
If you want to give your plastic drawers a makeover using fabric and decoupage, you can follow the below steps:
Firstly, lay out your chosen fabric in a pattern you like. Place it on the inside of the drawers, tracing around the area with a pencil, and cut out the pattern. You can also use the bottom of the drawer as a guide for cutting the fabric to size. Place the fabric on the wrong side of the drawer and cut with scissors, testing the fabric inside and trimming until you have the exact size you need.
Next, prep the fabric with decoupage on waxed paper. Leave it for around 20 minutes, then move it to another piece of waxed paper to dry. While the fabric dries, create a template for the front of the drawers by creasing a piece of paper along the edges.
Once the fabric is ready, trace the template pattern onto the fabric and cut it out, cutting inside the lines. Line up the fabric on the drawer front and trim as needed. Apply a thin coat of decoupage to the drawer and the back of the fabric, place the fabric onto the drawer, and smooth it out.
Finally, apply another layer of decoupage over the fabric. Leave the drawers to dry for several hours or 24 hours before using. You can also add a clear acrylic sealer if desired.
This method can be used to decorate a variety of plastic storage items, from drawers to bins and trays. It is a great way to use up fabric leftovers and give new life to plain plastic items.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to decorate plastic drawers, including:
- Painting them with spray paint designed for plastic
- Covering them with decorative paper, such as wrapping paper or scrapbooking paper
- Using contact paper
- Gluing fabric to the drawers using decoupage
You can use spray paint designed for plastic, or you can use a primer spray before painting.
Yes, you can attach metal furniture legs to the bottom corners of your plastic drawers to give them a more finished look.
