Wondering what to do with an old armoire? Instead of throwing it away or donating it, there might be another use in the home that you haven’t yet considered. From creating more kitchen storage to setting up a dedicated craft station, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways to make use of an armoire – beyond storing clothes.
Breathe new life into your old furniture with this DIY armoire makeover.
Entertainment Center
An alternative to traditional entertainment centers, large armoires can fit a TV, media devices, and gaming consoles. With a fresh coat of paint or a new finish, your antique armoire can provide a discreet storage space for all your family room entertaiment essentials. It’s also the perfect spot to store books, remotes, and extra blankets.
Craft Supply Closet
If you have kids or enjoy crafting, you know how messy all the supplies can be. You can never find them when you need to and when you don’t, they are scattered all over your home office or living room floor. Using a repurposed armoire as a craft closet, you can store all of your supplies in one place. Not only will this keep your paint stash more organized, but it will make crafting more fun as you can quickly and easily find what you need and clean up easily afterward.
To create a DIY craft room closet, clear out the inside of the armoire and add cubbies and drawers for your art supplies, fabrics, and tools. You might also want to line your drawers with drawer organizers to provide specific slots for pens, markers, crayons, and more.
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Mini Bar
If you frequently host friends and family, why not add a mini bar to your dining or living room? A twist on a bar cart, a bar cabinet provides a stylish and surprising pantry space for your favorite spirits and treats. You can even create a coffee bar if that is more your speed. Start by filling the top shelf of the armoire with sparkling bottles and glassware, and don’t forget bar snacks, which can be stored below in the drawers. If you want to create a more upscale bar, consider installing a mirror at the back of the cabinet as well as glass shelving. You might also consider adding granite to the main surface to help manage spills and act as a cutting board.
Sewing Station
For those with a passion for sewing, now is your chance to set up your own dedicated sewing station. Add rods for fabric and thread storage into the armoire, and a pull-out drawer to set your sewing machine on. The drawer can serve as a table top that pulls out whenever you need it. As a finishing touch, hang a bulletin board on the back wall of the armoire to provide a space to hang your patterns and designs.
Makeup, Jewelry, and Accessory Wardrobe
Wouldn’t it be great to have a wardrobe specifically for your makeup, jewelry and accessories? Consider upcycling an armoire into a vanity, creating a glamorous storage space with plenty of room for all of your cherished possessions. Customize the inside with a mirror, compartments, and trays to keep your beauty essentials organized. You can even add hooks inside of the door to hang scarves or necklaces.
Coat, Shoe, and Hat Rack
Finally, give your entryway an upgrade by repurposing an armoire into a coat and shoe rack. Remove the front doors and drawers to provide open shelving for your rack. Add hangers for your coats and use the lower section of the armoire to store shoes. Install hooks or cubbies for bags. Don’t forget to use the space on top of the armoire — you can add a few hat stands or boxes to store your favorite hats.
Giving Your Armoire New Life
Breathing new life into an antique armoire not only lets you repurpose a beautiful piece of furniture but also adds a personalized touch to your living spaces. These DIY ideas are a great way to make the most of your vintage armoire, plus they are fun projects you’ll feel good about. The final result will not only impress your family and friends but also provide more use out of your armoire.
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