How to Upcycle an Old Dresser to a Mudroom Hutch

In this Instructable, I show you how to upcycle dresser into a mudroom hutch. Even if you don't need a mudroom hutch, the upcycling and DIY tips can be applied to other projects.

Below are the tools I used in this project. Keep in mind, you don't need all these tools to complete this project. I'll do my best to list alternate in this tutorial - feel free to send me a message if you have any questions about how to complete this project with the tools you have available.

Kreg Pocket Hole Jig

Motion Activated Lights

Circular Saw

Jig Saw

Speed Square

Wood Putty

Wood Glue

Miter Saw

Brad Nailer

Drill

Graco Paint Sprayer

Zinnser Primer

Chip Brush

Drawer Knobs

Wood Stain

Chalk Paint

Like most of my other repurposed furniture projects, I didn’t have any set plans, drawings, or measurements. The lack of plans and uniformity is the main reason I enjoy repurposed projects.

So, I decided to disassemble the dresser and let my imagination take over.

This dresser had 8 drawers – 6 medium & 2 large. I removed each drawer along with the hardware (drawer slides and knobs).

Next, I carefully removed the top of the dresser, the drawer sliding hardware, the moulding/trim, and the front frame that segmented the drawers. 

Then, I placed the small pieces of wood in a bucket to keep them in one place.

I built a 2×4 support square at the bottom of the dresser to secure the right/left wings & to add much needed stability. I didn't include any measurements for the wood frame. To get the measurements, simply measure the inside of the dresser from side to side and front to back. Then, make as square accordingly.

Since I did not have any extra 2x4s in my shop for the middle support frame, I grabbed a few 1x4s I had laying around. I cut them to size to form the base of the bench seat and the bottom cubby. I used pocket holes, wood glue, and screws to secure the 1x4s into a rectangle.

Next, I secured the 1×4 rectangle to each wing of the bench with pocket holes as well.

Additionally, the pallet in the picture below will be used later in this project. :)

I used 1/2″ plywood as the base for the bottom cubby.

I ripped the plywood to a rough size with my circular saw and used my jig saw to cut around the front left/right indentations.

Next, I placed the plywood on top of the 2x4 base.

I cut the top of the dresser to size in order to form the bench seat.

Similar to the previous step, I used my circular saw to rip the 2 sides to size and my jig saw to cut around the front left/right indentations.

The bench had a very snug fit, but I still elected to secure the bench with glue, from the outside of each side with screws, and on top with brad nails.

I cut a 1×4 to size to go across the back of the bench and used 1x4s to form a square on each side of the bench to square the back.

Then, I secured a 1×4 on the top, bottom, and back of each side with pocket holes.

Next, I cut a square piece of wainscoting and secured it with brad nails and wood glue on the inside of each square on the right & left side of the bench. The wainscoting covered the bare wood on the right/left sides of the bench. 

I trimmed out the wainscoting with quarter rounds.

I decided to add a 1×4 to the top back of the bench to serve as an even transition to the hutch and provide more stability.

I created the hutch frame out of 1x4s and secured them together pocket holes, screws, and wood glue.

Next, I secured this frame with pocket holes on the back of each arm rest. 

I cut the wainscoting into squares 1" longer in width and height than the squares. Then, I painted each white.

I attached the squares to the back with wood glue and 1/2" brad nails.

I added 1/2″ plywood on the sides, top and upper middle to sort of enclose the hutch.

I didn’t like the ‘open’ look of the hutch without these extra pieces. Plus, it was the only way to build an upper compartment.

I secured the plywood to the 2x4s on the back of the hutch. The plywood actually wraps around the 1×4 frame on the sides and on top. 

It’s hard to notice from the pictures, but I used a lot of the original trim from the original dresser.

I added wood filler to patch the holes in various spots.

Next, I let it dry for a few hours and then used my orbital sander to sand it down. Also, I did the same on other parts of the bench.

I trimmed out the inside of the enclosed plywood frame with wainscoting, 1x4s, & 1x2s.

Finally, I added a piece of trim moulding along the edge of the plywood frame and the front of the upper shelf in order to hide the edge of the plywood.

I forgot to take pictures of the painting process. I used my Graco Truecoat paint sprayer to apply primer then paint. So, I used plastic plastic and drop cloths around my shop to prevent overspray.

This primer worked really well to cover and seal the surface. Next, I applied 2 coats of Sherwin Williams Essential Gray paint (Satin finish).

I used old pallet wood on the underside of the 2 shelves.

First, I put a dark stain (Dark Walnut – Minwax) on the wood and wiped each piece with a soft rag.

Then, I applied white chalk paint very lightly with a chip brush.

I didn’t paint the surface; rather, I used a dusting motion and wiped (smeared) the paint across the surface to distress it a bit.

Next, I cut the pallet wood into various sizes with my miter saw and nailed them to both ceilings in the hutch. 

Finally, I patched a few spots on the front of the bench that were uneven and touched it up with a paint brush after it dried.

These motion lights work great. The lights proved useful for the kids when searching for a book in their schoolbag.

Next, I secured the coat racks with my drill and screws to the hutch frame.

I hope this instructable provided you with value. Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions - I'm happy to help.

Be sure to checkout my YouTube channel and my website for more DIY tutorials.