On Tuesday we shared how we refinished a Craigslist dresser for the nursery, taking it from worn and dated to fresh and charming.
Now we’re back with the full rundown on lining those drawers. This little project cost us about $1.30 because we already had most of the supplies on hand. The only purchases were two foam craft brushes from Michael’s, about sixty-five cents each. Everything else—Mod Podge and six sheets of wrapping paper—was already in our stash. The paper came from friends who run a local shop, and we chose three bold patterns to refresh the six original 50+ year-old drawers.
The drawers were in decent shape—just a quick wipe with a damp cloth and they were ready. If you encounter older drawers with strong odors or heavy grime, a few easy remedies can help: wiping with mineral spirits, airing the drawers in the sun or a garage, or cleaning with Murphy’s Oil Soap. To absorb lingering smells, bowls of fresh ground coffee or untreated charcoal briquettes left inside the drawers can work wonders. These are cheap, natural fixes that often do the trick.
We laid out four pattern options over the lip of the crib to compare. Since we had six drawers to line, we decided to use the three boldest patterns twice—two drawers with the orange bubble print, two with a green bird design, and two with a bright blue floral paper. We liked the idea that Baby P will find a fun surprise when she opens a drawer, and because not all drawers will be open at once, the variety won’t feel overwhelming.
After selecting the six sheets, we cut each to match the drawer bottoms. All drawers were the same size, so we cut one template and traced it on the remaining sheets to save time. At first we considered double-stick tape to secure the paper, which would have worked for a lightweight solution. Instead, we chose a more durable option so the liners would withstand years of use.
We used Mod Podge because it provides a protective, moisture-resistant coating that extends the life of paper applications. We’ve used it before for a DIY “vintage” sign and know it holds up well. The method was simple: apply a thin, even coat of Mod Podge to the bottom of the drawer, press the pre-cut paper down, and smooth from the center toward the edges to remove bubbles and wrinkles. Important note: we applied Mod Podge to the drawer base only, not to the back of the paper when adhering.
We prefer the matte finish of Mod Podge because it dries solidly and never feels tacky. After sticking each paper rectangle in place, we allowed the drawers to dry for about four hours before applying a protective top coat over the paper. This drying step helped prevent bubbling or wrinkling when the surface coat was added.
When applying the top coat, we used a thin, even layer—avoiding gloppy brushstrokes that can cause texture issues. After letting the sealed drawers dry overnight, we ended up with cheerful, durable liners that should hold up well and add a small daily dose of delight when opened. Mod Podge is water-based and non-toxic, which made it a safe choice for a nursery environment.
This under-two-dollar drawer lining project is an easy, high-impact way to personalize furniture. Look around your house for decorative scrapbooking paper, gift wrap, tissue paper, wallpaper samples, flash cards, or playing cards to create custom liners. If you prefer fabric liners, use fabric glue dots or a hot glue gun to secure the material instead of Mod Podge.
Have you ever lined drawers with materials from around the house or picked up paper from a dollar store or big box retailer for the job? We’d love to hear how you added personality to the inside of a dresser or cabinet—share your tips and favorite materials for lining drawers.
PS: Want another easy thrift-store transformation? Check out the paint pattern we applied to a secondhand desk.
Psst—Want to follow our full nursery progress from the start? Here are our posts on painting, a big shopping spree, crib hunting, a curtain-making tutorial, our chair search, a mirror-painting project, a DIY faux sheepskin, and the dresser makeover.