Old free-standing wardrobes are often forgotten about in the modern era of built-ins, but with their fine detailing and old-world appeal, they present a great opportunity to add some charm to your bedroom. Juliet transforms just such a wardrobe, not only giving it a new colour scheme, but adding some extra storage to the bottom.
With more functionality and a boost in height, this old wardrobe has a new lease on life.
How to makeover an old wardrobe
Before:
After:
Gather your supplies:
- Timber wardrobe
- Primer
- Paint
- One-drawer 600mm base cabinets x 2
- 16mm MDF panel
- 92 x 18mm primed pine
- 110 x 18mm primed moulding
- Wallpaper
- Flat edge mirror
- Hanging rod and brackets
- 9mm acoustic pin board in grey
You’ll also need:
- Medium-grit sanding sponge
- Face mask
- Cloth
- Drill
- Screwdriver
- Dropsheet
- Painting supplies
- Mitre saw
- Router
- PVA adhesive
- 8g countersinking bit
- 8g x 30mm screws
- Clamps
- Scissors
- Spray contact adhesive
- Mirror mounting tape
- Mirror adhesive
- Brass polish
- Timber filler
- Utility knife
- Drawer handles
For you to note:
- For this wardrobe, 2 single-drawer cabinets are positioned on a base frame, then clad in MDF to create a plinth.
- For the cladding, cut an MDF top and base same size as robe base. Cut 2 sides same height as cabinets. The gap in the middle is variable to suit your dimensions.
- A base frame creates a kickboard to elevate the cabinets so drawers open easily. Use the MDF base piece to cut 92mm pine for front, back, sides and centre rails (see Step 8).
- Choose moulding wide enough to cover gaps and legs at the base of the robe when it sits on the plinth.
- Use paintable storebought 600mm drawer fronts or make from MDF, as here.
- Have your supplier pre-cut MDF to size beforehand. Prime and paint all MDF parts and drawer fronts before assembly.
Step 1
Take out drawers and shelves from the wardrobe. Sand visible surfaces of exterior using sanding sponge. Sand both sides of doors. Wipe with a damp cloth to remove dust.
Step 2
Remove doors and hardware, keeping hinges, handles and fasteners if usable, discarding if not.
Tip: Use a screwdriver or drill on low torque setting to avoid stripping screws.
Step 3
Working on a drop sheet, apply primer to wardrobe exterior, using a paintbrush on trim and cut in around panels.
Step 4
Use a roller to apply primer to panels and around front frame, then leave to dry.
Step 5
Apply primer to back and edges of doors; leave to dry. Flip doors and apply primer to front.
Step 6
Apply 2 coats of paint to robe and doors, cutting in with brush, finishing with roller, leaving to dry after each coat.
Step 7
Follow instructions to assemble flatpack base cabinets and drawers with drill and supplied screws.
Step 8
Position base frame rails with side rails butted against front and back rails, centre rail to fit inside. Use a counter- sinking bit to predrill 2 holes each joint.
Step 9
Apply PVA glue to the ends of the centre, front and back rails.
Step 10
Reposition rails to secure 30mm timber screws through the holes.
Step 11
Place cabinets upside down on base frame. Centre MDF base flush with front and sides of cabinets, predrill 8mm in from edges to secure with screws. Flip cabinet assembly to centre on base frame, flush with front, predrill and secure.
Step 12
Predrill and secure MDF sides onto cabinets, flush with base. Centre MDF top, flush with front, predrill and secure to cabinets. Install drawer runners in cabinets and guides on drawers.
Step 13
Position plinth in the room, then centre robe on top, flush with front.
Step 14
Use a mitre saw to cut moulding with 45° ends to fit front and sides of plinth, cutting long side first. Position moulding to cover MDF top of plinth and predrill.
Step 15
Apply 2 coats of paint to moulding, leave to dry after each coat.
Step 16
Reposition moulding, front first, apply glue to mitred ends and secure through holes.
Step 17
Smooth over all visible screw heads with filler, leave to dry, then sand and touch up with paint.
Step 18
Create a profile around edges of drawer fronts with a router, then touch up with paint. Install drawers, position and clamp drawer faces, predrill and secure from inside. Follow instructions to install handles.
Step 19
Install rod brackets using supplied screws, add hanging rod.
Step 20
Cut wallpaper to fit shelves with scissors, secure with spray contact adhesive. Install shelves.
Step 21
Clean hardware with brass polish or use new same-size hinges to hang doors. Install door handles.
Step 22
Apply mirror adhesive and tape to back of mirror, install inside wardrobe door. Cut pin board with utility knife; attach inside the second door as a jewellery hanger.
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