How to upcycle an old dresser into a kitchen island bench

Gather your supplies

• 600 x 1200mm old varnished chest of drawers, or size to suit
• 600 x 26 x 2200mm beech timber panel (for island benchtop and base), or lengths to suit
• Lockable castors (4)
• Dulux 1 Step Primer, Sealer & Undercoat;
• Dulux Wash&Wear Low Sheen in Classic Calm n Cabot’s Danish Oil
• 30 x 30 x 20mm zinc angle brackets (8) plus screws
• Old silver spoons (2)
• Chrome towel rail, length to suit

You’ll also need

Screwdriver; wood putty; electric sander; fine- grit sandpaper; hammer; chisel; lint-free cloth; paintbrushes; drill; drill bits and screws to suit

Unscrew knobs from top 2 drawers of chest. Discard 2 bottom drawers or reserve for another project. Fill holes in drawers with putty. Let set. Lightly sand chest frame and drawers to create a keyed surface for paint to adhere to.

Step 2

Gently hammer out chest’s middle rail.

Step 3

Remove centre side rails of chest by prising them off. To do this, insert tip of chisel between each of the rails and sides of chest and, using it as leverage, gently tap handle of chisel.

Step 4

Gently tapping with hammer from below, completely remove timber top. Using a barely moistened lint-free cloth, wipe down chest frame and drawers so it’s free of dust.

Step 5

Using a paintbrush, prime exterior of chest and top drawers and allow to dry. Apply 2 coats of topcoat, allowing to dry after each coat.

Step 6

Flip chest upside down and, using screws, attach castors at each corner.

Step 7

Attach angle brackets to middle of each rail (top and bottom) then screw benchtop and base panels in place.

Step 9

Drill 2 holes in each spoon – 1 hole through centre of spoon ‘bowl’ and 1 through handle at other end. Bend stem of each spoon slightly so you can grip handles easily once in place. Determine position of spoons on drawers, then screw into place.

Step 10