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Repurpose, Reinvent

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DIY Furniture

Recycled Map Drawer Makeover

How to Mod Podge a Drawer with a Recycled Map

Recycled Map Drawer Makeover (8)
This is a project I did in 2013 for my craft room at the time.  It wasn’t complete when I recently published the craft room makeover reveal.  It needed a chandelier of some sort, which I never found. I decided to cover my craft drawers with a recycled map to go with the lovely calming blue hues I have going in the room.

I bought these maps at a local gift shop.  It is actually gift wrap, however old maps work well too.

Other Decoupage Materials:

  • Thick gift wrapping paper
  • Wallpaper
  • Photos
  • Newspapers and Magazines
  • Scrapbook Paper
  • Other Decorative Paper

Before we start you can also choose the finish you would like by using different types of Mod Podge. This list has some recommended supplies from Amazon that are my affiliate links.

  • Matte Finish
  • Gloss Finish
  • Satin Finish
  • Glittery Finish

How to Decoupage with Maps

Time: 30-60 Minutes

Materials:

  • Piece of furniture you are covering
  • Maps, gift wrap, or decorative paper
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Craft knife
  • Mod Podge  (affiliate link)
  • Paint Brush
  • Knobs (optional)
  • Cutting mat

Instructions:

Here is how the drawers looked BEFORE I decoupaged them.

Recycled Map Drawer Makeover Tutorial (2)
First, I removed the drawers from the shelving unit and took off the knobs.

Using a ruler and a craft, measure your area and cut out the desired size on a cutting mat.
Recycled Map Drawer Makeover Tutorial (1)
Lay the cut map and align it on top of the drawer.  Using your craft knife, mark the area where your knob will be inserted.

Remove the map and apply Mod Podge to the drawer using a paint brush.  After doing four drawers, the best technique is to apply the Mod Podge to the entire drawer and then place the map on top smoothing it from left to right.  If you do this application enough, you may find your fingers or wrists hurting.

Bonus: If you want to paint the knobs, here is the easiest and quickest way to do it!

Quick tangent alert!  As I am writing this post, I’m thinking about how much we do with our hands nowadays.  I am now looking at the endless amount of hand and wrist conditions .  You may not want to look if you get easily squeamish.  Anyway, after securing the map, use the screw from the knob to poke out the hole for the knob.

Recycled Map Drawer Makeover (4)
Apply a layer of Mod Podge on top of the map.  I applied three coats, allowing it to dry in between coats (approximately 15 minutes).

Recycled Map Drawer Makeover (5)
Lastly, when the Mod Podge on the drawers is dry, insert the hardware.

Here are some AFTER photos.

Recycled Map Drawer Makeover (7)
Recycled Map Drawer Makeover (9)
For more repurposing ideas and trash to treasure ideas, check out this fun round-up of garage sale and thrift store transformations! There are over two dozen original projects I have done including housewares and furniture transformations.

Here is my most recent craft room in our new house.

More Fun DIY Ideas for your Craft Room!

Repurposed Bed Spring Craft Storage
Trash to Treasure Storage and Organization Ideas
Repurposed Ribbon Storage with Chicken Wire
Upcycled Frame to Craft Storage
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41 Comments

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Comments

  1. Tara says

    January 23, 2013 at 11:46 am

    LOVE so much, Dinah! Wow, it really made a huge difference!

    Reply
    • dwulf says

      January 23, 2013 at 1:54 pm

      Thanks Tara!! It was easier than I thought too!

      Reply
  2. Elysse says

    January 24, 2013 at 1:09 am

    I love it! What a big difference that would make! I assume I can use other wrappers or scrapbooking papers I still have with me. It’s also very easy to do. You don’t seize to amaze me. I’m so happy to have found your site. It’s a very practical way to spice up a boring room. Thanks again.

    Reply
  3. Barbara says

    January 29, 2013 at 11:31 pm

    Love it girl! The knobs look great against the map too! Pinned and tweeted!

    Reply
  4. Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says

    January 30, 2013 at 7:01 am

    Love the maps! It’s amazing what some paper and a little Mod Podge can do to makeover a piece!

    Reply
  5. dwulf says

    January 30, 2013 at 5:56 pm

    Thank you so much, ladies!!!!

    Reply
  6. Bernice says

    February 23, 2013 at 12:41 am

    Very cool drawers. Thanks a lot!

    Reply
  7. SheilaG @ Plum Doodles says

    February 26, 2013 at 7:36 am

    Very cool! We must have been on the same wavelength this week- I decoupaged the inside of my end table drawers! 🙂

    Reply
  8. Genevieve says

    February 27, 2013 at 8:15 am

    I am so impressed! I absolutely love this idea and I can’t wait to try it out! Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  9. Connie says

    November 7, 2013 at 6:20 pm

    Great idea! I saw map coasters once and to this day I regret not buying them at the garage sale I saw them in- now I’m inspired to map something out myself!!! Maybe even something for my son’s room since I have been trying to think of a way to add a travel element there. Thanks!! I am definitely looking forward to following you. Check out my blog at http://www.thefamilylearningfactor.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      November 7, 2013 at 7:36 pm

      Thanks, Connie! I love the idea of putting it in your son’s room. On my way to visit!

      Reply
  10. Rose says

    May 17, 2014 at 1:15 am

    Great tutorial to make recycled map drawer makeover and its very nice looking drawer.

    Reply
  11. Deborah @ mommycrusader says

    August 29, 2014 at 9:56 pm

    This is a fantastic idea! Would it work on the clear plastic drawers, with a different adhesive? Just wondering. Thanks for the idea and the post!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      August 31, 2014 at 9:26 am

      Thank you, Deborah! Yes it would work on plastic. What time of adhesive were you thinking? I believe you can make your own Mod Podge solution with white glue and water 50/50, but I haven’t tried it.

      Reply
  12. Audra @ Renewed Projects says

    June 14, 2015 at 8:31 pm

    Those glass knobs are perfect for these drawers since they don’t block any of the map goodness. 🙂 Love the new look!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      June 15, 2015 at 8:35 am

      Thank you, Audra!

      Reply
  13. Nicki says

    June 15, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    I love that! It makes such a huge difference in that whole furniture piece!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      June 15, 2015 at 2:35 pm

      Thank you so much, Nicki!

      Reply
  14. Cathy says

    June 16, 2015 at 6:38 pm

    Love the maps such a pretty way to do your drawers and the knobs are perfect. Thank you for sharing at Share It One More Time Cathy

    Reply
  15. Jane says

    June 16, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    What a nice upcycle. I like the crystal knob against the maps- makes it look quite elegant.

    Reply
  16. Claire says

    June 17, 2015 at 5:42 am

    Wow the maps really improve the drawers. I love working with maps.

    Reply
  17. Jenny @ Refresh Living says

    June 17, 2015 at 8:24 pm

    Those maps add so much vintage charm to the room! I love how they turned out. I just found you on the Moonlight & Mason Jars Link Party. I just starting co-hosting a new link party and we’d love for you to join us. It starts every Tuesday at 7pm and runs throughout the week. Thanks! Dream. Create. Link. Party

    Reply
  18. Shannon [Our Home Notebook] says

    June 18, 2015 at 9:03 am

    What a fun project! It looks wonderful!

    Reply
  19. Amy | Canary Street Crafts says

    June 20, 2015 at 5:42 am

    Love how this turned out! My 5 year old has a vintage airplane themed bedroom and I think adding some maps like this would be perfect.

    Reply
  20. Deborah @Salvagesisterandmister says

    June 20, 2015 at 7:41 am

    Oh you know I am all about a good upcycle! LOVE THIS!

    Reply

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