How to Transform Old Chest of Drawers Into Map Cabinet

Hi Instructables! Today, I am sharing with you a very interesting makeover transforming an IKEA dresser to look like an antique map cabinet. I've been a huge fan of this style that I have one sitting in my living area.

Map cabinets are known for their vast amount of drawers and the dresser we have only had a few of them. So, to recreate the look of a map cabinet, I will show you how to create faux drawers

Here is the dresser I started with. A soft pine dresser that I bought from our local thrift store for $30.

Products Used

• $30 Ikea Dresser
• TSP
• Scrubby Soap
• All-Purpose Putty
• Shop Towels
• Paint Brush
• Warm Brown Gel Stain (Water-Based)
• Dark Brown Chalk Mineral Paint
• Clear Topcoat
• Black Castor Wheels (similar)
• Catalog Hardware

TOOLS

• Orbital Sander
• Woodworking Square
• Router
• Furniture Clamps
• Drill 
• Paint Gun

First, I removed all the hardware and cleaned the entire piece with a TSP substitute. Once it is all clean and dry, I filled the holes with all-purpose putty.

Next, using my orbital sander with 120-grit sandpaper, I sanded the piece and removed the old finish down to bare wood and leaving some areas with a little bit of finish. This will add a unique depth once the dresser is painted.

To create faux drawers, I used an edge router and created a line in the middle of the drawers.

The dresser had its share of dings and scratches and to create more character, I added more fake holes to blend it in. This made the piece look more antique.

Then I used a Water-Based Gel Stain in a warm brown color. I gave two coats of it to bring out the holes and create a gorgeous finish.

I combined a paint wash with a half mix of Black Chalk Mineral Paint and water. I applied the first wash by brushing it on and then wiping off the excess with the grain. After it dried, I started working in areas and applied another coat of the wash, and dabbed it off with a cloth to give the piece an antiqued look.

To get an oil-based stain finish out of using water-based products, I used my left-over paint wash and added it to my water-based satin top coat. I sprayed three coats of the mixture.

I removed the short legs of the dresser and replaced them with heavy-duty caster wheels. Wheels added more character to the piece as map cabinets look heavy and wheels help them to be movable.

Lastly, I added Antique Catalog Handles for the faux drawers.

Love how each detail creates the perfect character for a map cabinet. The color and depth created by the paint are so rich looking while the faux drawers, wormholes, and wheels add so much interest.

Here's another look at the IKEA piece before and after. I hope it inspired you to try this design and if not I hope it sparked ideas for your future furniture refinishing project.

Source List

https://salvagedinspirations.com/how-to-dresser-into-map-cabinet/