DIY Card Catalogs and Industrial Storage Makeovers
Antique card catalogs and industrial storage cabinets may look amazing, but they can be difficult to find for a reasonable price.
So why not create your own for a fraction of the cost?
Here are ideas for both real and faux DIY card catalogs and industrial storage pieces that you can create yourself.
From neutral and antique-looking to bright and modern, from easy thrifted makeovers to complete woodworking plans, you can have fun designing and customizing the perfect statement piece for your home.
Visit any of the projects below to see the full step-by-step DIY tutorial.
DIY Card Catalog Dresser
This Facebook Marketplace dresser was outdated and plain - but after its DIY card catalog makeover, it was the star of our vintage market booth. It sold quickly!
Bookcase Makeover to Faux Card Catalog with Door
This thrifted bookcase was transformed into a faux card catalog by adding a stained door and chic pulls.
Upcycled Record Cabinet to Faux Card Catalog
There is plenty of open storage space inside this former record cabinet turned faux card catalog side table.
Painted Metal Cabinet Makeover
This brown metal cabinet looks cheerful and modern with a Chalk Paint makeover.
Updated Storage Tower + An Easy Way to Paint Furniture to Look Like Stain
This storage tower was painted to look like stain and then card catalog pulls were added for super cute vertical storage.
Anthropologie-Inspired Industrial Dresser Makeover
This free laminate dresser went from plain to *POW* with a DIY industrial makeover and cup pulls.
DIY Printer's Cabinet Dresser Makeover with Faux Stain Paint Treatment
This upcycled dresser project is from my book Amazing Furniture Makeovers: Easy DIY Projects to Transform Thrifted Finds into Beautiful Custom Pieces.
DIY Card Catalog Side Table
A vintage card catalog was updated with paint, a sturdy base, casters, and new stained top.
Beige Dresser to Faux Card Catalog Bookcase
Would you believe this bright card catalog bookcase was once an ugly thrifted dresser?
DIY Card Catalog IKEA Dresser Hack
This DIYer transformed an IKEA Tarva chest of drawers into a bold statement piece for her daughter's room.
How to Update a Goodwill Table Into a Card Catalog
A $15 Goodwill table was updated to a sleek black faux card catalog side table.
How To Build A Card Catalog - Stacy Risenmay
Ready to tackle a woodworking project? Here are plans to build your own DIY card catalog with pine boards.
DIY Industrial Apothecary Cart
This china cabinet base looks completely different as an industrial apothecary cart with painted metallic finish.
Card Catalog Dresser Makeover
A pair of Ethan Allen dressers become gorgeous card catalogs by using a router and adding antique copper hardware.
Easy DIY Faux Multi-Drawer Cabinet Hack…using peel and stick flooring!
A plain laminate office sideboard with three doors is transformed into an industrial storage piece with peel and stick flooring.
DIY Card Catalog Cabinet Tutorial
This tutorial includes building plans for a large storage cabinet with clever card catalog door.
DIY Faux Planked Card Catalog Coffee Table
Lauren repurposed a Craigslist coffee table into a soft blue card catalog with planked top - with plenty of storage for DVDs and toys.
Faux Card Catalog Cabinet - Bower Power
Who would guess this $14 cabinet could become an amazing industrial storage piece? (Bower Power did!)
Faux Card Catalog Makeover | brepurposed
Bre updated a vintage nightstand with this industrial two-tone look. So rustic and charming!
Faux Apothecary Cabinet - Pottery Barn Inspired Furniture Makeover
Another plain cabinet (are you seeing a trend?) gets a fabulous new life, this time as a faux apothecary cabinet.
Flat Pack Hack: Chalkboard Faux Specimen Drawers
Another incredible transformation by The Painted Hive - chalkboard faux specimen drawers.
I’m always on the lookout for real vintage card catalogs and also plain pieces of furniture that I can repurpose to look like the real thing. They’re some of my favorite types of DIY furniture makeovers.
Friend, let me know what you think of these ideas in a comment below. I appreciate you! – Jen
gwen says
i really do like them all! but the ones i’m more partial to are those that have file cabinet pulls (with the place to put in a label). they are all so imaginative! Thanks for the refresh video on how to make a raised stencil too!
Shirley says
So creative, Jen. I like them all, but it’s all about the pulls and, it goes without saying, the paint color. Some of the paint choices were hum drum but others were attention grabbers. Every office might need one. Love ❤️ our blog! You keep it interesting.
Marcela Pena says
Very interesting post! And very inspiring! Thank you!
Hopejw says
I love them all so I’m unable to choose just 1.
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Glad you like it, Marcela! 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Haha… so true, they are all pretty fantastic!