It's the little things in life that add up to big things. This is true for the happy moments, like a perfect cup of coffee on your porch, as well as the not-so-happy ones. Like when you encounter a small annoyance over and over again, which saps your energy and raises your blood pressure a little at a time, until you want to throw something.
Such was the case with our filing drawer. Filing's not a big deal, right? I mean, you pay bills once a month, stuff them in the drawer and go on with life. Problem was, too much stuffing into the drawer, and not enough cleaning out after the required 7 year holding period, or whatever it is for paper stuff like that.
I thought it was just me getting frustrated because I had to make a little extra effort to get one piece of paper into a file. You know, when the folders get so tight you have to stick your whole hand in there, jiggle it around to make room, and then quickly stuff the paper in without turning it into something that looks like it was spit out of a dysfunctional copy machine? Well, I realized it wasn't just me when I heard someone rummaging around in the drawer the other day and after a few minutes, my normally calm husband emerged looking like he'd just spent a lunch hour at the MVD. "Why can't we just have stuff that works?!" He fumed.
See, part of the problem was that our filing drawer was just that - a drawer. It was one of those little plastic file drawers that we just stuck inside a cabinet in our computer nook. That worked fine for a while, but as our family grew it became pretty ridiculous to try to keep records of everything we need in one little drawer.
This sounds like a problem that can be solved with a trip to the thrift store! (But then, can't they all?)
I found this nondescript, wood veneer 2-drawer filing cabinet at our local Goodwill. This piece didn't look like something I'd want to have on display in my house, so I spruced it up with a little paint and new drawer pulls from Hobby Lobby.
With the visual problem solved, I turned to a functional problem that I noticed when I got home. One drawer was missing one of the little rods that the hanging folders slide on, but I figured I could fix that easily. 
I found some flat steel bar at Home Depot, which the guy assured me could be cut easily with a hacksaw. Several curse words later, and some elbow grease from my husband, and it was done. Don't believe everything the guys at the hardware store tell you. But in the end I (we) triumphed, and made the filing cabinet functional and pretty for less than $20!
Here's how it breaks down, in case you're curious:
- Cabinet: $9.99
- Drawer Pulls: $3.98
- New bar for hanging folders: $3.48
- Paint and supplies on hand: $0
- Total Makeover: $17.45
Now here's my question to you, dear readers. Do you think it needs a little more...I don't know...something special? Here are your options:
- Leave it as is. Simple is best.
- Stencil it with a geometrics, such as a trellis pattern.
- Do a painted ikat treatment.
Leave me a comment below with your vote, and don't forget to check back and see how I use this pretty little cabinet in my upcoming home office makeover!
suzannebagheri2014 says
Looks great! Love the thrift store scores!
Mary Kalpos says
This is very pretty! The color really makes all the difference! I love rescuing stuff and transforming it. In fact my blog is alabout repurposing "junk"!
Meredith says
I love junk! It's amazing what a nice coat of white paint can do for a piece, isn't it?
Sandey says
You had me at "filing". Adorable work, as always, Meredith!
Meredith says
Ha! You're a girl after my own heart. 🙂
Sandey says
Oops, forgot to vote. Of course my first choice would be number one - simple and clean. But then I had to google "ikat" and WOW that would be super cute! So I guess I'm registering one vote for number one and one vote for number three. We can vote twice, right? 😉
Meredith says
You can vote as often as you want! I'm hoping for american idol turnout numbers here. 😉
jacquiegum says
Love it! If it were me I'd leave it. But you are so creative, I'd love to see you do it up with something...like only you can. Ikat ? There's a thought!
Meredith says
Thank you Jacquie, both for the vote and for the kind words!
Pamela@haartfelt says
Wow, that is amazing! The paint is flawless It looks brand new, I love the white, it's so clean and fresh. I've seen bold flowers and baskets set on top of the white cabinets I really like that touch.I agree with Jacquie I wouldn't touch it.
Meredith says
Thanks Pamela! I never get tired of clean, bright white paint!
Beth Niebuhr says
It is so satisfying to rehab an old piece that nobody is using. I think it depends on where it will live as to whether to leave it as is or give it a few decorative touches. You make these things seem so simple!
Meredith says
Thanks Beth, that's very good advice about taking its location into account before deciding whether to embellish it. I do love a good furniture rehab!
Sarena @ Teal Inspiration says
This is an amazing makeover! I love it. Inspires me to update some of my own things this way. Thanks for sharing on the #HomeMattersParty
Meredith says
Thank you Sarena!
William Rusho says
That is a nice little file cabinet. Thank you for sharing this. I might embark on doing something similar and this will certainly help.
Meredith says
Thanks William! It was a pretty easy, not too overwhelming, project. Good luck on your own!
Rattlebridge Farm says
I love your cabinet makeover!
Meredith says
Thank you so much!
That Black Chic says
Bravo! I'm visiting you by way to Two Uses Tuesday! I love it in fact I've had this on my to-do list forevvveeeerrrr! I have two filing cabinets in my garage right now, I primed them but that's about it thus far. Maybe this will but a fire under me to get off my butt and just do it! Thanks for sharing.
Michelle @ http://www.thatblackchic.com
Meredith says
Hi Michelle, thanks so much for stopping by! I have a few half-primed projects in my own garage, so I feel your pain! 😉
morewithlessmom says
Oooh I love those pulls. I've seen some patterned contact paper that is so tempting for something like this. Thanks for posting. Hello from Merry Monday.
Meredith says
Thank you! I know, there are some really fab patterns out there, it's just so hard to choose one!
Jeri Walker (@JeriWB) says
Paint is amazing! I say get wild with some stencils 😉
Meredith says
I knew I could count on you for a little adventure Jeri!
Christine | Where The Smiles Have Been says
Ahhhh, such another lovely makeover by you! It's on my project list (that seems to keep on growing) to find an old filing cabinet and bring it back to life, and your transformation here is giving me LOTS of inspiration! I'll be featuring you at this week's Merry Monday which starts tomorrow night....thank you so much for sharing this with us and we hope you'll join us again! 🙂
Meredith says
Thank you Christine, that's so sweet of you! I have to admit, this was a really fun and easy project. I hope you get to give it a try. Thanks so much for featuring me on Merry Monday, heading over now to the party...
Carol Paulus-Kalis says
I think the first option would be the best. The cabinet looks great.
Plain, simple and clean...what more could one ask for?
Carol Paulus-Kalis
Meredith says
Thanks Carol, that's what I think too!
Terry says
Oh my! It really was in need of some love! You took this little filing cabinet to a whole other level! So pretty now! Thank you for sharing at Making Broken Beautiful this week! You do lovely work!
Smiles!
Terry
Meredith says
Thank you Terry! I love the title of your party because that's exactly the fun of a challenge like this, to make something that was broken useful and beautiful again.