When I recently revealed my roadside-restyle, many of you commented on the inside drawer detail as well as the painted finish. What I’ve learned from restyling furniture over the past few years, is that many times it’s the extra attention to detail that can really make a piece stand out!
An easy way to add pattern and color to painted furniture is to use decorative paper as drawer liners. It creates a wonderful element of surprise. And if chosen properly, the color and pattern can really compliment a piece and add a special fun-factor every time you open a drawer.
I like to use gift wrap for my drawer liners. It’s inexpensive, easy to find, and comes in amazing colors and patterns. It’s also super easy to install and equally easy to replace and/or cover-up if you ever get bored.
Other options for lining drawers that work equally well –
Wallpaper :: Fabric :: Maps :: Sheet Music :: Scrap Book Paper :: Placemats
Some unconventional drawer liners that you can use are patterned shower curtains, fabric from vintage drapes or table clothes or old prints from frames you can buy at the thrift store… the choices are endless if you use your imagination!
Lining a drawer with any of the above materials is not hard, but here’s the easiest way I’ve found to line my drawers. I get the perfect cut and fit every time – and no measuring is required!
Step #1 – You will need your drawer, decorative paper, scissors, straight edge and craft blade or sharp blade utility knife.
Step #2 – Cut your paper a few inches larger than your drawer.
Step #3 – Place the liner in the drawer and butt the papers straight along the front or back of the inside of the drawer. Then use both hands to flatten the paper while using your fingers to fit the paper to the other 3 sides. Once it’s in place, create a crease right along the edges using the tips of your fingers or finger nails. This method works the very best for light to medium weight papers that can be creased.
Step #4 – Take a straight edge and place it tight against the edge of the drawer while cutting the liner. Cut around the inside of the drawer until all sides are cut to perfection. If your blade is sharp and you hold your straight edge right along the crease, your blade will cut right under where the 2 pieces of wood meet! Perfect!
Step #5 – Adhere the paper with spray adhesive or double sided tape. This step is optional. If the paper is cut to fit the drawer exactly, it will stay in place and lay perfectly flat.
Whether you line your drawers or not is a personal choice. It’s certainly not necessary but I find it can really add some unexpected personality to a piece. Some added benefits for lining (or painting a drawer) is it covers up ugly splotches and unsightly stains… and when selling furniture or restyling for your own use… cleaner and prettier is always better! 🙂
You can check out my Classic French Lined Dresser here and stay tuned for the complete before and after of this charming vintage sunshine dresser!
Who else loves lining drawers? Do you have a favorite place to buy pretty paper or liners? Have you ever used an unconventional material to line your drawers? I love all your comments, questions and suggestions so keep ’em coming!
Catch last week’s Q-T-T here – and if YOU have any ideas or tips you would like to share on the SI Quick-Tip-Tuesday-Series, send me an email!
Enjoy your day and have fun with your next project!
Denise x
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You have some great ideas. I was looking up drawer lining ideas & am so glad I found you.
I’m so happy it’s sparked some ideas! Thanks and WELCOME Vanessa!
I love the great possibility of design, however I use inexpensive sheet vinyl flooring to line all my kitchen cabinets, drawers and closet shelves. So easy to clean up any spills of crumbs
I LOVE this idea Vanessa!
What a great idea! Where is the wrapping paper from? The paper that is in the drawers picture. It looks just like Serena and Lily’s feather wallpaper and I LOVE it!
I use inexpensive stick on floor tile to line kitchen cupboards. Very washable and softer to put items on it. Lasts forever!
Brilliant…great tip Terri!
I have also been using the stick on tile for years. I especially like it under the sinks in the kitchen and bathrooms and other areas that get a lot of wear and tear.
When I was pregnant with my daughter, I lined the drawers of the dresser in the nursery with the gift wrap from the gifts at my baby shower. She is 18 now and whenever she cleans out her drawers, she always comments on the paper and how glad she is that I did that.
Omgoshh…. I LOVE this idea Faye! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I used posters to line my drawers when I was younger. 😀 It was a trick I saw my mom use with a couple Titanic posters and I loved it on sight. Music, video games, movies or TV–anything goes! Especially with smaller stuff (CD inserts, video game inserts) it’s fun and easy to collage them, especially if you’re like me and like playing around with things to find the “best layout”.
Very creative… love it Ashwyn! x
You can also use off-cuts of vinyl flooring – to line shelves too. This is especially useful in the kitchen where saucepans might tear paper or there is the danger of water damage. It also makes putting pans away a much quieter operation.
Love this tip… thanks Amanda!
Loved your ideas for different types of paper that can be used for drawer liners. Exactly what I was looking for. The kitchen where we live is a pretty good size with a lot of cabinets and drawers. It would have cost us a pretty good penny to spend on traditional liners. Thank you for this post. Many blessings.
Do you have any tips to line both the bottom and sides of cabinet drawers? I would like to cover up some stains that are on the bottom and go up the sides.
Paint or decoupage work well when trying to freshen up the inside of drawers!
What kind of spray adhesive do you recommend?
Hi Melissa. I’ve been using Elmer’s Spray Adhesive. On the bottle it states Acid Free and Resist’s Bleed through. Krylon also has a good Acid Free Spray Adhesive.
Hi Denise! I just found this on Pinterest. I’m finishing a kitchen remodel and just thought about lining my drawers. I’ve never done it before. With your tutorial I’m much less stressed about it. I was thinking “ugh. measuring? cutting straight edges with scissors?” The utility knife is genius. Thank you!
My mother always lined shelves & cabinets with paper you could buy at the 5&10 cent store(I’m dating myself-Mom is 100 years old). I’ve carried on the habit, but with many fancy gift calendars through the years, I use the lovely illustrations at year’s end for smaller liners. Decorative art papers are another option. I bought some gorgeous Florentine prints while traveling and I’ve also used posters acquired on foreign trips for larger drawers. I love the memories they inspire.
I love this Sue! I also enjoy picking up things along my travels. What a great idea to line drawers with a gorgeous print that’s sure to bring back beautiful memories. 🙂
Thanks for the tips!!! I have not done this yet, but plan to do so. I think it does add an extra something to the piece and make it special for the person who ends up with it! I know I would like it that way for me.
I love to line drawers, and your right it adds that final bit of pizazz and personality. It never occurred to me to try wrapping paper!! How silly of me!! THanks!
I use a modified version of this method bu turning the drawer upside down. I find I have less tears and creases because the depression is not as deep.
Brilliant! Do you then add on the extra 1/4″ or so to allow for the extra width of the drawer sides?