Wednesday, April 18, 2012

How to get old wooden drawers to glide easily {DIY}

 I have been on the hunt for the last year for a set of dressers that could serve as nightstands by our bedside. We have been using normal nightstands and have found that there ends up being an avalanche of books, monitors, glasses of water, cell phone chargers and many other random objects that are too large to fit on such a small space. Please tell me we aren't alone? I don't know where else all the random stuff would go so we decided we could stuff it in yet another drawer if we had a dresser. Right? Okay so here is what I found for the Hubby's side of the bed. I'm kinda jealous of his but it works best on his side. I'll show you mine once I finish.

Before


After


Don't you love what a fresh coat of paint can do for a worn down piece of furniture? I see no reason to buy things new when I can make them new to me. $10 and a fresh coat of paint and it's just as pretty as can be.

One thing that comes with the territory of old wooden furniture is rough wood that doesn't glide easily when your trying to pull the drawers in and out. A little trick to get them moving like new is to take a bar of soap and rub the bottom or the drawers and the inside of the tracks generously with the bar of soap. Put the drawer back in place and you will be good to go!





This will also work on kitchen cabinet drawers, old doors that stick and well...pretty much anything old that sticks and needs a little coat of wax to help it slide.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope y'all have a blessed day!
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18 comments:

  1. Unknown April 18, 2012 at 8:54 PM

    Thanks for the tip! I am getting ready to paint an old dresser I found in a dumpster. This will be my first major project I was wondering if I need to sand it down or anything before I paint it? Do you have any suggestions for me? Looking forward to hear from you (:

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    1. The Farmers Nest April 18, 2012 at 9:16 PM

      I had to sand this one down because the old paint was peeling. It all depends on what it has on it. If it's natural wood with a varnish give it a light sanding to make sure the paint sticks but make sure to primer first so the wood won't bleed through.

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  2. Eilis April 18, 2012 at 9:29 PM

    I LOVE it! I have been looking for a pair of small chests for our bedroom as well. The main thing that bugs me is seeing electric cords from the lamps, alarm clocks, etc hanging down from our bedside tables. (I think I could hide them behind a small chest of drawers). I hope I find some like you did SOON.
    Eilis
    my-heart-lives-here.blogspot.com

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  3. Christi April 18, 2012 at 9:32 PM

    I am totally jealous! I've been looking for a small chest like that for months and months. It looks great! I also recently discovered that furniture wax works well for getting stubborn drawers to slide.

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  4. Carly Cross April 19, 2012 at 4:59 AM

    Genius. I love it. I wish our tiny home allowed us space for two dressers! Thanks for the soap tip. My husband has lots of beautiful, rustic and NOISY furniture :)


    mattandcarlycross.blogspot.com

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  5. Anonymous April 19, 2012 at 5:02 AM

    My mom always had this bar of wax that she used, but I don't know where to get something like that. I'll have to remember soap- I have a few dressers that could use it now. Love the new nightstand!

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  6. Katy April 19, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    Love it! I will never forget you grabbing that chest out of the dumpster at the Grove :) Turned out pretty cute in our little kitchen!

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  7. The Farmers Nest April 19, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    For those of you looking for this size dresse I just saw one today at Freedom Hill.
    @katy- college student move out day is prime dumpster diving opportunities.

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  8. Chara April 19, 2012 at 2:45 PM

    Old candles for wax also work fairly well. :) I have both soap and candle ready- I've used this tip many times!! :) Thanks for the reminder! Just don't forget you've fixed them and pull too hard! :)

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  9. andrea@townandprairie April 20, 2012 at 3:11 PM

    Love your re-do! You really classed up that old girl! I use a candle or a tin of wax paste ed on with paper towels. Always very generously, too! Those old drawers really stick!

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  10. Tricia April 22, 2012 at 12:30 PM

    Just found your blog - you are full of creative, amazing ideas. Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Alli April 24, 2012 at 11:38 AM

    looks great!!

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  12. LindaG April 25, 2012 at 4:27 PM

    Thanks so much for the tips! We have some old furniture that will need refinishing once we get to our retirement property.
    Your hubby's new night stand looks great!
    Have a wonderful evening. ♥

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  13. Jen Gribble April 28, 2013 at 5:28 PM

    Hi! I love this dresser! I actually have the nearly exact same one! It just has one less drawer. But its the same in every other way...even the color. I am wondering if you used a sealant or wax after you painted? I just finished painting and distressing mine and am wondering if & if so, what I should finish it with. Thanks!!

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  14. Anonymous July 23, 2013 at 12:23 PM

    I use furniture polish for my library cabinet drawers. I just spray a little in the grooves,close the drawers and they are good to go.

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  15. Blue Goose August 25, 2013 at 4:22 AM

    Thanks for the tip. Looking for a bar of soap....now!

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  16. Unknown February 2, 2014 at 6:35 PM

    do i need to wet the soap?

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  17. Unknown February 11, 2014 at 8:02 AM

    I am having a set of nightstands personal made for me. I asked the guy to leave them natural so i could paint them myself. I want the distressed look. So how do I go about this from scratch

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