On Tuesday we shared how we refinished a Craigslist dresser for the nursery, taking it from a dated, worn piece to a refreshed, charming focal point.
Now we’re back with the drawer-lining details as promised. This small project cost us only about $1.30 because we already owned most of the supplies. We bought two foam craft brushes for about sixty-five cents each and used Mod Podge plus six sheets of wrapping paper that friends had given us from a local paper shop. To brighten the insides of six vintage drawers, we chose three different patterns so each drawer has a fresh, textured look instead of the raw wood they originally had.
The drawers were in fairly good condition and cleaned up with a simple wipe down. If you encounter older drawers with musty smells or sticky residue, try wiping them with mineral spirits and letting them air out in the sun or garage. Murphy’s Oil Soap is another effective option for deep cleaning wood drawers and removing odors. For lingering smells, place a bowl of fresh ground coffee or untreated charcoal briquettes inside each drawer to absorb odors—an inexpensive, natural fix.
We laid out four pattern options over the crib rail to evaluate them together. Ultimately we used the three boldest patterns twice, since there were six drawers. That meant two with an orange bubble pattern, two with a green bird design, and two with a bright blue floral paper. We liked the idea that the drawers won’t all be open at once and that Baby P will find a fun, graphic surprise inside when she’s older.
After picking our six sheets, we cut each one to fit the drawers. The drawers were identical sizes, so we cut one template and traced it for the others to speed things up. At first we considered double-stick tape to secure the paper, which would have worked, but we wanted a more durable solution that would resist wear over many years.
Mod Podge was the obvious choice. We’d used it before for a “vintage” sign project and knew it provides a protective coating that helps paper withstand moisture and daily use. Rather than applying Mod Podge to the paper, we brushed a thin, even coat onto the bottom of each drawer and pressed the pre-cut paper into place, smoothing from the center outward to eliminate bubbles and creases. Note: we did not apply Mod Podge to the back of the paper—only to the drawer bottom.
We used the matte Mod Podge formula because it dries to a non-tacky, solid finish. That helps the drawers avoid feeling sticky, even in warmer months. After adhering each paper piece, we waited about four hours to let the glue fully cure before applying a protective top coat over the paper. This drying time reduced the risk of moisture causing wrinkles or bubbles when sealing the surface.
The top coat was applied evenly and thinly to avoid any gloppy spots. After letting everything dry overnight, we had durable, cheerful drawer liners that should hold up for years and add a little happiness every time a drawer is opened. Mod Podge is water-based and non-toxic, so it won’t leave a chemical smell on baby clothes or in the nursery.
This under-two-dollar drawer-lining adventure demonstrates how easy it is to repurpose materials you already have. Decorative scrapbooking paper, gift wrap, tissue paper, wallpaper swatches, flash cards, or playing cards can all become custom drawer liners. For fabric liners, use fabric glue or hot glue dabs on the back of each piece instead of Mod Podge to secure them.
Have you lined drawers using supplies from around the house or found festive paper at a store for the task? We’d love to hear about any unexpected personalities you’ve added to the insides of dressers or cabinets.
PS: We also tried a fun paint pattern on a thrift-store desk as another way to refresh secondhand finds.
Psst—If you want to follow our nursery progress from the start, we’ve documented painting the walls and ceiling, a big shopping spree, crib hunting, curtain-making, chair searching, a mirror-painting project, a faux sheepskin DIY, and the dresser makeover.