Sometimes you need to do something more than just paint an old piece of furniture. Sometimes you need something that is unique and crazy awesome. While walking down the isles of my local home improvement warehouse the idea dawned on me. PVC Pipe Yo! You can TOTALLY update furniture with plumbing supplies!
This dresser was found at a garage sale for $50.00. It was SO solid and had recessed drawer fronts which are THE BEST kind to get. (you can see another way to update a dresser here). There was no way that Hailee and I were going to pass it up.
We had to take it apart to move it (cause it was flippin heavy and we were the brains AND the muscle of the operation.) and I never got it all back together for a good before shot.(Shame on me, I know) But from these pics you can see how the drawers looked originally.
We purchased an 8’ piece of PVC pipe that was 2” around. I believe it cost around $6.00
Hailee’s husband Mark got to it before I could (he is every DIYers dream, a guy that does projects BEFORE he is asked? Sheesh.)
Anyways, he marked every 1/2″ all the way down the pipe. And used a compound miter saw to cut each mark. It didn’t take as long as you might think.
To make sure that they were all even he cut on the inside of each line. With the width of the saw blade they were about 3/8” thick.
Before After
And then by some sort of Saturday morning miracle they fit perfectly in the drawer fronts. The last pieces had to be cut in 1/2 but that was it.
When you are cutting PVC with a saw there are A LOT of shavings. Like it might look like December in your garage. To make sure that the drawers are clear of them before you paint use a blow dryer to blow them all off.
The PVC fit so perfectly and tight in the fronts that we did not glue every single circle. We just put glue in a few spots to make sure that it stayed in place.
Once everything is place and cleaned and dry its time to paint!!!
First prime with Kilz Spray Primer. This piece has laminate on the top and sides so you need something that has great adhesion since there is no sanding involved.
One the primer is dry you are ready to spray paint!
I used Krylon’s Classic White in Gloss. When you use a primer like Kilz it tones down the gloss finish of spray paints. Normally its fine, but I wanted this piece to be high gloss white so I did a few extra coats to build up the gloss finish. I think we used 6 cans of spray paint on this entire piece.
And there you go! A SUPER cheap way to get an incredible piece of one of a kind furniture.
You can see more Before and After pictures of the entire room makeover here. And make sure to visit the rest of the tutorials from the makeover!
Hailee’s’ Living Room Before and After
Custom Built-ins For Less Than $30.00
Houndstooth Stenciled Sisal Rug
That looks AMAZING! I love it!
Amazing. Seriously. Who would have thought a little pvc pipe would turn a dresser into a work of art?
https://champagnelifestyles.blogspot.com
I super love this!
So so so so so so pretty! I’ve thought about doing something similar with paper towel rolls but was afraid it would just be too cheap and wouldn’t stand up well with all our moves. This is a great alternative!! Smart move!
Aloha,
Charlie
You are woman and I have heard you roar!
OMG girl!!! I am giving you a standing ovation!!!! That room is incredible and that buffet is spectacular!
i like this… a lot 🙂
AMAZING Mandi! I drooled when I saw it in the reveal post! You are pure genius! 🙂
wow, this looks fab i love it, your rugs gorgeous to xx
That is seriously fabulous!
It looks amazing! I would have never guessed it was simple PVC piping making it look all cool.
Love, love, love this!!
Totally GOOD stuff!
Rashon aka Mr. Goodwill Hunting
Brilliant! Another great idea from the “queen of epic”. I really love the transformation.
You must seriously have some good furniture karma…I can’t believe all those circles fit that perfectly! This is a super-fabulous idea. Love it.
This is so great! Curious? How many cans of spray paint and primer did you use? I need to get an idea how much I’ll need.
I absolutely LOVE all your fabulous ideas! Great room, if only it were in my house! I finally found a brass lamp that I want to paint, what is the best way to do that?
Where can I get that fabric that you used for your throw pillows in the living room makeover?
Thanks for your help!
Truly creative!
That is amazing! My husband is an electrical contractor, so we have plenty of PVC pipe laying
around 🙂
You’re a creative genius!
This is so unique and creative–which is why I enjoy peeking in on your projects! I never would’ve thought to use PVC pipe this way. Great deal on the dresser, too! 🙂
such a great idea, love it!!
This is probably my favorite project you did at Hailee’s house. And to be so easy and very inexpensive, you can’t beat it!
Oh my word, Mandi! Brilliant!!!!
What?! PVC? This is AMAZING! You are too brilliant for words!
I am so impressed! WOW!
This is such a great/cheap alternative to the popular overlays! It looks awesome…. you’ve got my creative mind wandering now lol
SO COOL! Can you please share the name of the paint color you used soon? I need to paint ASAP and LOVE it!
THANKS!
It really looks wonderful. I love how it just stands alone. It doesn’t need anything else. It’s a great piece all by itself.
brilliant article lovely peace of work it is looks very wonderful i share with my friend business logo design
You are absolute geniuses! I’m blown away!
Stacy
I’m new to your blog, but so glad I’ve found it. What fabulous inspiration! Thanks!
Holy Crap!! This is genius. Wondering how this would look on kitchen cabinets. . .hmmm.
[email protected]
Mandi! This is so amazing! I love the creativity and how unthinkable objects can be used in crazy unexpected ways!
I love love love this idea. I’m all about diy’ing anything…
Thanks!
Jasmine
randijasminedavis.com
UNBELIEVABLE!! I love the way you think!!! Keep up it – love your style and of course your GUTS!
Fabulous girl! I love your creativity. It’s truly inspiring. Keep it up!
That is a great idea! What color of paint is that on your walls? If you wouldn’t mind e-mailing it to me [email protected] that would be great.
Mandi, this is amazeballs gorgeous! Really!
~Cindy
I’ve seen this PVC trend alot in the past few months but I LOVE your version!! Beautifully executed 🙂 The 1st time I saw a PVC decorated piece of furniture I thought it screamed 60’s. Makes you want to throw a sunburst mirror in there! SO much fun!!!
wow, i am speechless. wonderful, goodness!
that is so fun! Great look, who would have thought of it! Janell
Love this! I totally want to use pvc rings for something. You have a ton of great projects, I am following you now and pinning away 🙂
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I’m pretty sure we just bought that EXACT dresser at a thrift store and have been trying to figure out how to paint it. Thanks for making our decision harder with another great idea. 🙂
WOW…what an amazing transformation! Who would have thought that ugly ol’ PVC pipe could look so cool! Great job…love it!
What a unique and fantastic idea! It turned out beautifully. So glad I found your site via Centsational Girl.
Kelly
Love this project! It looks fantastic!!
I really, really, really need to get my husband to agree to making a piece like this… I am in love with it!!!
I just found your blog and I am so hooked already! Thanks so much! 🙂
Oh My God! Very nice-insane idea girl! I really love the it. Thanks for sharing <3
Michelle
http://www.yourstylishside.com
WOW!! Love it…I want your husband too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thats the most creative idea i’ve seen yet for a dresser make over. Love it! Can you tell me if people can guess that thats what it is on closer inspection or does it look as fabulous up close as it does in the pictures?
Awesome Idea. For next time, it might look better if you cut half a PVC pipe for each side so it’s symmetrical
It would also be really cool if the PVC disks were staggered
OMG that is FANTASTIC!!!! I would have never thought of that! Thank you for sharing!!!
Shelly – Minettesmaze.blogspot.com
What a great use of PVC pipe. Thank you for this exposition! I would offer a suggestion for those working with odd spaces: work from the center out so that each side of the drawer has the same size partial-dimension pipe. Such method will ensure a balanced design (similar to upholstering chairs seats, making pillows, laying floor.