When you’re updating furniture, it’s easy to focus more on the design of the outside – what you’ll see every day when you walk past. But while you’re deciding on important style choices like paint colors, rub-on transfers, decoupage, or stencils, don’t forget an important area that often gets overlooked: the inside of the drawers.
If your drawers are in need of repair or have ink stains inside, you’ve probably already started thinking about what to do. But there’s no harm in being creative even if the drawers are in good condition. There are lots of ideas to use DIY drawer liners for a fun surprise whenever you open your furniture.
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Enjoy the creative ideas for lining drawers below!
DIY Drawer Liners for Furniture
Adding some kind of paper or plastic inside drawers is ideal – choose one that’s thick or tear-resistant. Below, I measured the drawer with a yardstick on all four sides and then used patterned poster board to line it. (Often, old drawers aren’t perfectly rectangle, so it’s best to measure every side separately before cutting the liner.)
You can either set the liner inside to easily change it later, or apply Mod Podge on the bottom to keep it securely in place. (I recommend Matte Mod Podge and cheap foam brushes.) See the entire makeover for this replica French Provincial dresser here: How to Paint Laminate Furniture with Chalk Paint.
For this next project, I lined the drawers with a large map I bought online. I love that every drawer has a different design inside, and the colors of the map coordinate well with the blue drawer fronts and the copper pulls.
See this entire makeover and more photos here: Refinished Dresser in the Minwax Color of the Year.
For the Ethan Allen painted nightstand makeover below, I used patterned poster board. It’s definitely a fun surprise inside an otherwise simple piece. Learn more about this makeover here: How to Paint Furniture with Black Chalk Paint.
If you’re lining small drawers, thick scrapbook paper is a great option. There are so many colors and patterns to choose from! The drawers of the white foyer table below were stained with ink, so I lined them with colorful floral paper from Hobby Lobby. See the tutorial and more photos here: Thrifted Console Table Makeover.
The pale gray table below was painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and also has a drawer lined with floral scrapbook paper. See more here: End Table Makeover with Broken Foot.
The antique highboy below needed so much work! One of the issues was that one of the drawers had a large hole in it, and the wood had to be replaced – so paint or paper was necessary. After the outside was painted and stenciled, the drawers were lined with scrap book paper that resembles sheet music. Find more details and photos here: Rustic Stenciled Antique Dresser Makeover. (I realize the paper in this drawer was upside down when I took the photo, oops!)
A long roll of patterned crafting paper was cut to use as a liner for the antique vanity below. Learn more: Antique Vanity Makeover.
This fun project took some work but an old desk and random chair were made into a set with coordinating makeovers. The desk drawer was lined with wrapping paper from Rifle Paper Co. Find the tutorial and more photos here: Mismatched Chair and Desk Makeover.
The gorgeous antique highboy below got a whimsical touch inside with polka dot poster board covering the ink-stained drawers. See more of this makeover here: Distressed Stenciled Highboy Makeover.
This Duck Egg Blue dresser below has drawers lined in cursive handwriting scrapbook paper. Find this makeover here: Duck Egg Blue Dresser Makeover.
This French Provincial desk also had terrible ink-stained drawers. Primer and paint won’t usually cover it, so paper was the answer. I applied floral scrapbook paper and painted the drawer sides bright pink. When the drawers are closed, all you can see is a simple white desk. Find more details and photos here: French Provincial Desk Makeover with Secrets.
The cream painted buffet below also has sheet music scrapbook paper as a drawer liner – it’s a great choice for neutral pieces. Find the tutorial here: Dry Brushed Farmhouse Buffet Makeover.
The same paper is used in the drawers of the table below, painted in Graphite by Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Learn more about this makeover here: Graphite Table with Decoupage Drawers.
The drawer in the console table/desk below is actually lined with black and white contact paper, which has a sticky backing. See the full makeover and more photos here: French Striped Table Makeover.
Here are some budget-friendly drawer liner ideas:
- Peel and Stick Decorative Paper Roll (11 awesome designs: Wildflowers, Beach Wood, Black Dots, Eucalyptus, Rainbows, and more!)
- Vintage Flora 12×12 Scrapbook Cardstock Paper Assortment
- Boho Black and Ivory Patterned Scrapbook Paper Assortment
- Vintage Floral Wrapping Paper Bundle (4 different rolls in bundle)
While the drawers below may not be inside furniture anymore, they’ve been upcycled into new pieces with paper decoupaged inside.
How to Repurpose Drawers into Decorative Shelves
How to Repurpose a Drawer into Necklace Storage + Lots More Jewelry Display Ideas
Finally, if you’re looking for a way to remove very old contact paper from inside a drawer, I’ve got a few tricks for you! Read this or Pin to save for later: The Easy Way to Remove Sticky Contact Paper
p says
So many cute patterns ! It always adds such a special added touch – and fun to see whenever a drawer is opened. 🙂
Thanks for the process and tips too.
Beverly says
There has not been one idea that I will not be able to use
Thank you.