Old Drawer to Rustic Shelf 

Tips and Variations

We chose to paint this drawer—its finish was plain and not that appealing. You also can paint and then sand it slightly for a more distressed look. If your drawer is nicely stained, by all means skip the paint and let it stay as is. Ditto for interesting hardware: keeping an intriguing glass knob or unusual handle can be a clever reminder of your shelf’s origins.

Instead of fall branches and leaves, consider other themes: for example, decorate your drawer with a collection of seashells or add braid or other decorative trim to the edges. For a child’s room, consider drawer hardware/pulls in fun shapes such as flowers, trains and animals.