Dressers have been packing a useful punch in kitchens for centuries. Before integrated cabinetry became the norm in modern kitchens, countertops were created only from base cabinets with planks or stone slabs attached to their own tops. They featured storage space under, and in the instance of an American hutch or Welsh dresser, previously. Repurposing a dresser to be used in the kitchen is a creative endeavor, one that is going to give you pride, as well as giving your room a more personal fashion.
Find the appropriate Space
Move your dresser around within the kitchen to determine its exact permanent location. Since most counters are 36 inches high, if you would like the dresser in counter height you might have to fix it by building a fictitious base or inserting casters or wood blocks. Pull out the drawers and also locate interior spaces where small, rough-cut planks can be added for extra support. Remove the hardware as you prepare yourself to reinvent your dresser.
A Dresser Face-lift
To help the dresser eventually become a focal point in your kitchen design, consider repainting it on the room’s accent shade. Enamel paint withstands the rigors and stays of cooking and is easy to clean. If leaving it in a wood tone, use a marine varnish for extra protection after newly wiping and sanding down the wood. Don’t forget to paint, stain or varnish the rear of the dresser in the event you are turning it into an island. To make the dresser pop, paint accent colours on its own trim or attempt different-colored drawers. Double-varnish the very best in case you are not adding a countertop.
Repurpose the Drawers
Reline the drawers to accommodate your own kitchen utensils, cutlery or wax and also put necessities near. A padded, quilted shelf lining protects delicate china and drawer spacers are ideal for cutlery and kitchen knives. An open shelf can be used to display cookbooks. Make a shelf by eliminating a vertical door and finishing the spaces inside for storage. Find a spot to display a treasured kitchen decor item on your accent shade; this helps blend the dresser into your space.
Countertop Choices
Consider using your dresser as a bakery station by placing a slab of marble above the top. A small dresser may benefit from a finish piece located in a slab yard. Marble and granite are different possibilities; be sure the dresser’s interior is reinforced to carry the weight. A solid wood top using an array of butcher blocks can also be practical, and extending the very best to accommodate counter seating can be carried out by planking past the frame of the dresser.
Fun With Hardware
Replace old drawer pulls using a style that fits with your kitchen. Decorative tooth pieces are colorful and needn’t match. Conventional nickel-finish hardware maintains the tone of the piece quiet, whilst chrome or metallic stands out. Be sure the hardware isn’t hard to deal with in your dresser, and also that the drawers slide evenly. Rub the interior runners using candle wax or soap if necessary. In case the upper, central drawer has two pulls, you can add a towel rack spanning the space; a stationary decorative panel might be the ideal place for a pot-holder rack. Hooks for utensils could be connected to the side of a freestanding dresser.