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

Supplies

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

Step 1: Prep | Clean & FIll

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.

Step 2: Sand

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.

Step 3: Creating Faux Drawers

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

Step 4: Adding Wormholes

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.

Step 5: Stain

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.

Step 6: Wash

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.

Step 7: Adding Tinted Topcoat

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.

Step 8: Adding Details

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.

Step 9: Finished Look!

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.

Step 10: Before and After

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/