On Tuesday we shared how we refinished a Craigslist dresser for the nursery, taking it from worn and dated to fresh and sweet. After refinishing the exterior, we turned our attention to the interiors by lining the drawers to give them a clean, protected, and cheerful finish.
This drawer-lining project cost us roughly $1.30 because we already owned most of the supplies. We only bought two foam craft brushes for about sixty-five cents each. The rest came from things we had on hand: Mod Podge and six sheets of wrapping paper kindly gifted by friends who run a local paper shop. To make the dresser extra playful, we chose three different paper patterns and used each twice across the six drawers so every open drawer reveals a little surprise.
The drawers were in decent shape to begin with — a quick wipe with a damp cloth removed dust and grime. If you encounter musty or stubborn odors in older drawers, try wiping them with mineral spirits and letting them air out in sunlight or a well-ventilated garage. Murphy’s Oil Soap is another reliable cleaner for tired wood and can help eliminate sticky spots and lingering smells. For lingering odors, placing a bowl of fresh-ground coffee or a bowl of untreated charcoal briquettes inside each drawer for a day or two can absorb smells naturally.
We laid out four potential patterns across the crib lip to evaluate how they would look together. Ultimately we chose three bold patterns and used each pattern twice: two drawers with the orange bubble print, two with a green bird design, and two with a bright blue floral paper. Since the drawers won’t all be open at once, the repeated patterns feel balanced and give Baby P a fun reveal whenever a drawer is opened.
With our six sheets selected, we trimmed each sheet to match the drawer bottoms. Fortunately the drawers were all the same size, so we used one cut piece as a template and traced it for the rest. We considered double-sided tape but wanted a longer-lasting solution that could withstand years of use, so we chose Mod Podge for adhesion and protection.
We like the matte finish of Mod Podge because it dries solid and never feels tacky. To apply, we brushed a thin, even coat onto the bottom of each drawer, then positioned the pre-cut sheet of paper and smoothed from the center outward to remove any air pockets or wrinkles. Important note: we only applied Mod Podge to the drawer bottom, not to the back of the paper at this stage.
After adhering all six sheets, we let the drawers dry for about four hours so the paper would settle and avoid bubbling when sealed. Once dry, we applied a thin, even top coat of Mod Podge across each paper surface. We kept the coats light and smooth to prevent wrinkling. The top coat adds protection against wear and moisture and leaves a durable finish that should withstand daily use.
We let the top coats cure overnight. The result was cheerful, durable drawer interiors that will hold up and bring a little happiness every time they’re opened. We appreciate that Mod Podge is water-based and non-toxic, making it a safer choice for a nursery where it won’t leave strong chemical odors on baby clothes.
This inexpensive project is a great way to personalize thrifted or old furniture. Use leftover gift wrap, scrapbooking paper, wallpaper samples, flash cards, playing cards, or even fabric swatches to line drawers. For fabric, use fabric glue or hot glue dots on the back to secure the material. Mod Podge adheres well to most flat materials and makes them more durable and easier to clean.
Have you lined drawers with anything you already had around the house, or picked up inexpensive paper from a store just for the purpose? We’d love to hear about unexpected or creative liners you’ve used to add personality to a dresser or cabinet.
PS: If you want another idea for refreshing a thrift-store find, try creating a bold paint pattern on a secondhand desk.