Old dresser = DIY rolling tool chest

I outgrew my toolbox end tables, but I refused to pay hundreds of dollars for one of those ugly, manly Craftsman tool chests. And the gorgeous white ones are even more expensive. This chest of drawers cost me $10 on Craigslist. The total cost including the dresser, hardware, paint, and drawer dividers came to $110. I call that a deal. (This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a small commission. You can read my full disclosure here.)

Handles on both sides of the bureau make it easy to pull around. I used Ikea’s mini drawers to form dividers and lift-out trays in each drawer. What about the mini chests left over? I have a plan for those (coming soon). Please come back Friday to see my complete tool/craft corner.

Open drawer with tools organized inside, photo

An old dresser before the makeover, photo

How to turn an old dresser into a rolling tool chest

SUPPLIES

old dresser
wood filler
primer
paint (I used Benjamin Moore Aura in Dream I Can Fly [769] satin finish)
painter’s tape
drawer handles (I used Ikea Lansa handles, which are no longer available. These handles are very similar.)
casters (I used 3-inch Ikea Rill locking casters, which are no longer available, so try these casters instead) and wood screws
3 Ikea Fira mini chests with five drawers (also no longer available). Try these kitchen drawer organizers or these bamboo drawer organizers. Or try adjustable drawer dividers.
latex gloves (optional)

TOOLS

screwdriver
hammer & nails
drill and 1/16, 3/32, and 3/8 drill bits
sanding block and sandpaper
wide foam paint brush
ruler and pencil
tack cloth

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Flip the dresser over. Prepare to install the casters. For me, that meant removing those pieces of wood.

Casters attached to bottom of dresser, photo

2. Drill pilot holes, then screw on the caster plates. Mine are about ¼ inch from the edge. I only used the locks on the two back wheels.

3. One of my drawer bottoms needed to be replaced. Instead of trying to find sturdy 5/16-inch thick wood, I disassembled a wooden wine box that I obtained on Freecycle.

4. After my friend and local woodworker cut the pieces to size, I drilled tiny pilot holes before hammering in the nails (so the thin wood wouldn’t split).

5. The top drawer didn’t have any guide rails to keep the drawer from tipping forward, so I attached scrap wood pieces underneath the top surface of the dresser.

6. Remove the wooden handles. Fill holes and imperfections with wood filler. When dry, lightly sand smooth.

Wioe dresser down with a tack cloth, photo

7. Wipe the dresser down with a tack cloth to remove dust. Use latex gloves if you want to keep the stickiness off your hands.

8. Paint two coats of primer on the frame and drawer fronts.

Painters tape and primer on drawers, photo

9. Use painter’s tape along the edges of the drawer fronts as guides.

10. Apply two coats of paint to the frame and drawer fronts with a sponge brush—it gives a smoother surface than a roller or bristle brush. Let dry a couple hours after each coat. Be sure to paint the back as well. Measure, mark, and drill ⅜-inch holes for the handles. Attach the handles with a screwdriver. I installed the side handles the same height as the top drawer handle (6 inches from the top).