Upcycled Drawer Shadowbox

Learn how to transform a plain drawer into the perfect shadowbox with some spray paint and decorative paper! {FTC Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links which means I may make a commission on any purchase – at no additional cost to you!}

supplies needed:

• Old Drawer – Again we scored at the Re-Store
• 220 Grit Sandpaper
• Summer Squash Spray Paint
• White Spray Paint
• Mod Podge – Satin Furniture
• Painter’s Tape
• A piece of your favorite paper (big enough to cover the drawer bottom)
• Mod Podge Decoupage Tools
• Foam Brush

how to make upcycle drawer shadowbox:

CLEAN AND PREP – Lightly sand the entire drawer and then clean off all of the dust. Use a lintless rag and a cleaner, like denatured alcohol, to wipe down the entire drawer and make sure there is no dust left behind.

PAINT – Spray the inside and outside sides of the drawer with the Summer Squash paint. Once it’s dry, mask off the yellow areas with paper and tape and spray the drawer face (what becomes the top) with the white paint. When the paint is dry, mask off the interior areas with tape to prevent getting glue on your fresh coat of paint.

Drawer with sides masked to protect the paint while we spray the white paint. (To borrow from the Wizard of Oz: Pay no attention to the mess behind the drawer!)

PAPER – Measure the area of the drawer you want to cover with the paper, transfer and then cut those dimensions from your favorite paper. Just like wallpapering, you Spread Mod Podge on the back of the paper, lay the paper in the drawer and use the tools to ensure it is smooth and no bubbles are underneath. Let the paper dry for an hour and then paint over the paper with Mod Podge. We used 2 top coats allowing for an hour of drying time in between coats.

HANG – Once it is all dry it is ready to use. Hang your new Shadow Box and enjoy.

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Upcycled Drawer Shadowbox

Learn how to transform a plain drawer into the perfect shadowbox with some spray paint and decorative paper! 

Author: Beth Kingston

Materials

• Old Drawer
• 220 Grit Sandpaper
• Summer Squash Spray Paint
• White Spray Paint
• Mod Podge – Satin Furniture
• Painter’s Tape
• A piece of your favorite paper (big enough to cover the drawer bottom)
• Mod Podge Decoupage Tools
• Foam Brush

Instructions

• CLEAN AND PREP – Lightly sand the entire drawer and then clean off all of the dust. Use a lintless rag and a cleaner, like denatured alcohol, to wipe down the entire drawer and make sure there is no dust left behind.
• PAINT – Spray the inside and outside sides of the drawer with the Summer Squash paint. Once it’s dry, mask off the yellow areas with paper and tape and spray the drawer face (what becomes the top) with the white paint. When the paint is dry, mask off the interior areas with tape to prevent getting glue on your fresh coat of paint.
• PAPER – Measure the area of the drawer you want to cover with the paper, transfer and then cut those dimensions from your favorite paper. Just like wallpapering, you Spread Mod Podge on the back of the paper, lay the paper in the drawer and use the tools to ensure it is smooth and no bubbles are underneath. Let the paper dry for an hour and then paint over the paper with Mod Podge. We used 2 top coats allowing for an hour of drying time in between coats.
• HANG – Once it is all dry it is ready to use. Hang your new Shadow Box and enjoy.

LOOKING FOR ANOTHER UPCYCLE PROJECT? THEN CHECK OUT OUR UPCYCLED kids’ desk!