Give Basic Wooden Storage Drawers a Modern Makeover
Give unfinished desktop drawers a glow up with this easy two-part painting technique. Finish the look by creating your own faux leather handles, making everything easy to grab and go.
![Add Drawers Green and Beige Drawers with Brown Leather Handles](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_Beauty_1.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559416539.jpeg)
Crafty Lumberjacks
Now is a great time to start fresh and get organized. We're starting by corralling our craft and office supplies with a set of mini wooden storage drawers you can find at furniture or craft stores, if you don't already have one at home. Create a triangle pattern using painter's tape and a two-part painting technique to turn this handy piece of furniture into modern and stylish desktop drawers. We'll also add easy faux leather handles to finish the look, making your odds-and-ends easily accessible.
Materials + Tools
- miniature wood chest of drawers
- pencil
- ruler
- painter's tape
- chalk paint (or other paint finish of your choosing) and paintbrush
- faux leather
- rotary cutter
- cutting mat
- punch pliers
- rivets
- hammer
- drill
Remove + Tape Off Drawers
Remove all the drawers and flip them over to the back side. Measure and lightly mark the vertical center point with a pencil. If the drawers are very wide, split your measurements into thirds or fourths. Use a piece of painter's tape longer than the drawer and lay it down diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom marked point to create a right angle triangle (Image 1). Repeat this process for each drawer (Image 2). Tip: Before painting, sand down the drawers until they are smooth, if needed.
![Remove all the drawers and turn them over to the blank backside. Measure and lightly mark the vertical center point. If the drawers are long, split it into thirds or fourths. Use a piece of painters tape longer than the drawer and lay it down diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom marked point to create a right angle triangle. Repeat this process for each drawer. Tip: Before painting, sand down the drawers until they are smooth if needed.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_3.JPG.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559417963.jpeg)
Crafty Lumberjacks
![Remove all the drawers and turn them over to the blank backside. Measure and lightly mark the vertical center point. If the drawers are long, split it into thirds or fourths. Use a piece of painters tape longer than the drawer and lay it down diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom marked point to create a right angle triangle. Repeat this process for each drawer. Tip: Before painting, sand down the drawers until they are smooth if needed.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_2.JPG.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559420081.jpeg)
Paint
Apply a small amount of paint on a brush and begin painting along taped line, moving the brush away from the tape (Image 1). This will help prevent the paint from bleeding under the tape and help you get a crisp line. Continue painting inside the marked off triangle and repeat on each drawer. Let dry completely before gently removing the tape (Image 2). Tip: For the smoothest look, it’s best to use a small amount of paint for multiple layers rather than one thick layer.
![Apply a small amount of paint on a brush and begin to paint starting on the taped line and moving the brush away from the tape. This will allow minimum paint to go under the tape and help get a crisp line. Continue to paint inside the marked off triangle and repeat on each drawer. Let completely dry before moving on to the next step. Tip: For the smoothest look, it’s best to use a small amount of paint and paint in layers, rather than painting one thick layer.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_4.JPG.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559417994.jpeg)
Crafty Lumberjacks
![Apply a small amount of paint on a brush and begin to paint starting on the taped line and moving the brush away from the tape. This will allow minimum paint to go under the tape and help get a crisp line. Continue to paint inside the marked off triangle and repeat on each drawer. Let completely dry before moving on to the next step. Tip: For the smoothest look, it’s best to use a small amount of paint and paint in layers, rather than painting one thick layer.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_5.JPG.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559417720.jpeg)
Crafty Lumberjacks
Invert Design
Now, line up and lay a piece of painter's tape vertically on the left side of the marked point. Lay a second piece of painter's tape diagonally from the top right corner to the bottom of the vertical painter's tape (Image 1). Repeat this process with each drawer. Paint each triangle and let dry (Image 2). Once dry, peel off the tape to reveal the final design.
![Slowly pull off the painters tape of each drawer. Line up and lay a piece of painters tape vertically on the left side of the marked point. Lay a second piece of painters tape diagonally from the top right corner to the bottom of the vertical painters tape. Repeat this process with each drawer. Paint each triangle and let dry. Once dry, peel off the tape to reveal the design.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_6.JPG.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559417650.jpeg)
Crafty Lumberjacks
![Slowly pull off the painters tape of each drawer. Line up and lay a piece of painters tape vertically on the left side of the marked point. Lay a second piece of painters tape diagonally from the top right corner to the bottom of the vertical painters tape. Repeat this process with each drawer. Paint each triangle and let dry. Once dry, peel off the tape to reveal the design.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_7.JPG.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559417190.jpeg)
Crafty Lumberjacks
Create the Handles
Use a ruler and cutting mat to measure out eight equal pieces of faux leather, and then use a rotary blade or scissors to cut them out (Image 1). We made our handles just over 3 inches, but measurements will vary depending on the size of your drawers. Fold each piece in half so that the ends meet. Using punch pliers, punch through both pieces about 1/2 inch from the edge (Image 2).
![Use a ruler and cutting mat to measure out 8 equal size pieces of faux leather. Cut each handle out using a rotary blade or pair of scissors. Fold each piece in half so that the ends meet. Using punch pilers, punch through both pieces about a ½ inch from the edge.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_7.1.JPG.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559417481.jpeg)
Crafty Lumberjacks
![se a ruler and cutting mat to measure out 8 equal size pieces of faux leather. Cut each handle out using a rotary blade or pair of scissors. Fold each piece in half so that the ends meet. Using punch pilers, punch through both pieces about a ½ inch from the edge.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_8.JPG.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559417314.jpeg)
Crafty Lumberjacks
Measure + Drill Holes for Handles
Measure the length between the punched holes on the handles and subtract 1/2 inch. This will allow the handle to pucker, making it easier to use. Cover the area with painter's tape to reduce splintering. Find the center point of each drawer and use your measurements to mark the holes to drill. Carefully drill through each mark, then remove the painter's tape.
![Measure the length between the punched holes on the handle and subtract ½ an inch before marking. This will allow the handle to pucker, making it easier to use. Cover the area with painter's tape to help with splintering. Find the center point of each drawer and mark holes to drill. Carefully drill through each marking then remove painter's tape.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_9.JPG.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559416927.jpeg)
Crafty Lumberjacks
Attach Handles With Rivets
Lay the handle in place and insert the post of the rivet through the hole (Image 1). The rivet should be large enough to pass through the wood. Carefully turn the drawer towards you and position the cap on the rivet post (Image 2). Position the rivet onto the anvil, then tap with a hammer until secure (Image 3). Repeat to attach the rest of the handles (Image 4).
![Lay the handle in place and insert the post of the rivet through the hole. The rivet should be large enough to pass through the wood. Carefully turn the drawer and position the cap on the rivet post. Position the rivet onto the anvil then tap with a hammer until secure. Repeat for all handles until each is attached.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_10.JPG.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559416734.jpeg)
Crafty Lumberjacks
![Lay the handle in place and insert the post of the rivet through the hole. The rivet should be large enough to pass through the wood. Carefully turn the drawer and position the cap on the rivet post. Position the rivet onto the anvil then tap with a hammer until secure. Repeat for all handles until each is attached](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_11.JPG.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559420081.jpeg)
![Lay the handle in place and insert the post of the rivet through the hole. The rivet should be large enough to pass through the wood. Carefully turn the drawer and position the cap on the rivet post. Position the rivet onto the anvil then tap with a hammer until secure. Repeat for all handles until each is attached.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_12.JPG.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559420074.jpeg)
Crafty Lumberjacks
![Lay the handle in place and insert the post of the rivet through the hole. The rivet should be large enough to pass through the wood. Carefully turn the drawer and position the cap on the rivet post. Position the rivet onto the anvil then tap with a hammer until secure. Repeat for all handles until each is attached.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_13.JPG.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559418034.jpeg)
Crafty Lumberjacks
Replace Drawers
Return the drawers to the chest, fill them with the clutter you need to organize and admire your handiwork.
![Add the drawers back, fill them with the clutter you need to organize and admire your work!](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_Beauty_1.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559416539.jpeg)
Crafty Lumberjacks
![Add the drawers back, fill them with the clutter you need to organize and admire your work!](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_Beauty_2.JPG.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559416480.jpeg)
Crafty Lumberjacks
![Add the drawers back, fill them with the clutter you need to organize and admire your work!](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_Beauty_3.JPG.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559420083.jpeg)
Crafty Lumberjacks
![Add the drawers back, fill them with the clutter you need to organize and admire your work!](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/16/1/Original_Crafty-Lumberjacks_Mini-Storage-Drawers-Makeover_Mini_Storage_Drawers_Beauty_4.JPG.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1605559416334.jpeg)
Crafty Lumberjacks
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