DIY Vintage Jewelry Cabinet Armoire Makeover Upcycle!

Transforming something old, dinged up and dated into something fresh and modern is my favorite kind of upcycled makeover.

I was on the hunt for the perfect tall standing jewelry box and I hit the jackpot!

How much do you think I paid for this Vintage Standing Jewelry Cabinet?

I'll give you a hint...less than $10.

(This post is updated since I wrote it in 2012 with fresh pictures and text in 2024)

How I Found the Perfect Vintage Jewelry Armoire:

I love to go to yard sales.

Back in 2011 my husband joined the military and left us for a year for training. 

I had 3 small kids under the age of 10 and not a lot of money.

Each weekend the ladies in the neighborhood would carpool and hit all the local yard sales.

I typically had $10 or less each week to spend on buying stuff, but usually found everything I needed. 

From clothes and shoes, to my kids favorite book series and furniture, I loved thrifting and yard sales.

I was on the hunt for a jewelry box that could house all my fun things...necklaces, bracelets, rings and keepsakes...like my kids teeth, locks of cut hair and merit badges or other things that would get lost.

I hunted every yard sale I went to...then late in the afternoon one Saturday...I saw it.

It was exactly what I dreamed of...and it was in horrible shape.

The sweet older couple had it priced at $25 but there was no way I could afford that.

I asked if they would take all the money I had left...which was only $9.

They accepted my low-ball offer and I was (and still am) eternally grateful!

I was giddy!

I carried it to the minivan and got it inside.

I brought it home and there it sat in the garage for a while...until I had the courage and time to upcycle it.

Turns out, it took a move to North Carolina to get me to finish it up--but it's survived every move since then and I still use it as my nightstand--it pairs perfectly with my boosted bed.

Have you ever scored like this at a yard sale???

Here it is with all it's defects:

The original hardware knobs were busted or broken off.

It's gently dinged and dented.

It's very red/yellow...that lacquered wood from the olden days was shiny and glaring.

And yet, so beautiful and only nine bucks!

Why Would You Paint Something Vintage?!!!

Taller than a 3 year old, it's the perfect standing jewelry stand.

Now, could I have spent loads of time with paint strippers and sanding and maybe bring the wood back to life?

No, because GUESS WHAT!? It's not solid hardwood, it's laminate!

Plus--then it wouldn't be aqua!

I opted for spray painting because I was a mom of 3 small kids...it just makes sense. 

Plus, it's mine and it fills me with absolute joy! (so does that little boy, who is now the tallest in the family)

Supplies Needed for Upcycled Vintage Jewelry Armoire:

• One Vintage Jewelry Armoire (or something similar)
• New Knob Hardware
• 2 Cans of Spray Paint Primer
• 2 Cans of Spray Paint Color
• Cardboard or dropcloth
• Screwdriver

And a sunny (but not too humid) afternoon!

Step 1: Remove Drawer Facades

I told my husband that I needed help figuring out how to get the knobs off, since the hardware didn't go through the whole drawer front. 

Immediately, he popped off the facades and took the knob hardware off!

He labeled all the drawers and faces for me so it would be easy to match up after painting. (I love how he solves all my problems!)

I did not do anything to the velvet lined box drawers.

They were in really good shape, surprisingly, so I just used a damp cloth and washed them all out and set them in the sunshine to dry while I painted.

Step 2: Primer and Prep

If you are worried about dings and dents, use some wood filler to fill all the holes before priming. Then gently smooth them out with a little light grit sandpaper.

Spray primer is awesome. 

It's easy to spray on laminate surfaces and create the perfect layer for paint to stick without "scratching off" so easily.

I placed all the drawer fronts on cardboard on the lawn and sprayed them all with the white primer.

There are gray shades of primer if you are going to paint with a dark color too.

I set the jewelry stand right on the cardboard and spray primed all of it as well.

Use a piece of cardboard as a guard while spraying around things that you don't want to take the time to tape off, like the necklace hanging side doors.

Step 3: Aqua

Then the next step is to paint everything the perfect shade of blue--it's also the fun part--and it doesn't take much time at all!

I really like this shade of paint, but at the time, aqua actually wasn't trending, so it was harder to find the perfect shade.

Now there are so many more spray paint options, so you don't have to just pick one of the three choices at the craft store.

I love this satin finish too--not flat and chalky looking...but not overly glossy like the laminate was.
It's the perfect finish for easy cleaning too.

After spraying one coat of paint, let it dry for 4 hours and then spray another coat of paint.

Always do at least 2 coats of paint...whether it's chalk paint, spray paint or acrylic paint.

**I didn't paint the back of the cabinet because the back is just hardboard and it's in great shape.

Step 4: Assembly

I used Elmer's glue to adhere the drawer facades back onto the drawer boxes.

Just stand them up and match them up with their prospective door front.

Then let the wood glue dry overnight before doing hardware or putting them back in the stand.

Then finally, redrill holes for drawer hardware...and find the perfect knobs. The top drawers are smaller than the bottom ones that need 2 knobs per drawer.

I knew I wanted a few of the knobs to stand out, so I used 5 crystal resin knobs, paired with these stainless steel simple pulls from Home Depot for $2.47 each.

The pink velvet lined drawers look fabulous, I'm really happy with it!

I filled the top drawer ring holder with all my rings and it's just so fun to look a them and there is so much room in this furniture piece too!

The top of the jewelry box is a hinged lid that lifts up to reveal a larger space for storage and a mirror.

So I reattached the hinges and it was good to go.

No new hinges or hardware needed.

I love the curvy shape of the legs.

I absolutely love how much character this old piece of furniture has...and how I could bring it back to life after being abused and neglected in someone's attic or basement.

The joy of upcycling--right!?

If you have redone a piece of furniture, you know how it feels to breath new life into something and make it your own.

Thrift stores are a great resource for finding great furniture for upcycling.

It's a great idea to start with a small piece for the first time and then go for something bigger after you feel more confident.

The best advice I have is, get to work on it immediately so it doesn't waste space and make you feel guilty for not getting to it quicker.

Just finish it off in a day or a week and sell it if you aren't completely in love with it.
Then find another piece to refinish.

You'll improve every time you do another furniture piece.

I love the way the crystal knobs catch the light and make little refracted rainbows!

Aren't vintage jewelry boxes the best!?

I had a lot of fun with redoing this standing jewelry box.

I don't think I'll make it a regular rotation of repurposed jewelry armoires however.

It is my favorite way to make a house a home, but repurposing old things.

Where to Find the BEST Vintage Items:

Estate Sales:

Estate Sales are good, but typically more expensive than a yard sale or thrift store--although thrift stores are getting up there. Still, I have had tons of good luck finding high quality things for a steal of a deal at Estate Sales.

Yard or Garage Sales:

Yard/Garage Sales are awesome. The benefit is that someone hauled things outside their house...and chances are, they DO NOT want to haul them back inside or to donate. They will succumb to haggling. They love the game as much as you. Get a few things and offer them half of what you would like to pay so you can barter up a bit. It's beautiful and feels like modern day pirate treasure hunting.

Thrift Stores are awesome!

They are open year round, they get new products daily and their prices are pretty good.

Plus they often have sales, coupons or other discounts. Good Luck!

Top ten thrift store tips:

1. Look Often (New stuff comes out all the time, multiple times a day, so check your thrift stores often)
2. Check uncommon places (don't just look for things where they should be, people move things around or they get out on the floor in weird places...check the whole store)
3. Look at things with an eye for refinishing (chances are high that you won't find exactly what you are dreaming of...but can you make it work?)
4. Talk to Employees (I like to ask employees if there is something specific I am looking for...sometimes they will even get things out of the back because they saw it come in.)
5. Ask for a discount. (I've asked for discounts on things that are already broken...I get at least 10-25% off. Plus most places have coupons or military discounts)
6. Spend Time (Thrifting is a sport, and it takes time. Walk down every aisle, touch things...move things around, etc. Take time to really see what's there)
7. Look for pairs (Sometimes pairs of things don't get set out in the same place, check other places for matching items)
8. Don't think, just buy! (Not exactly...but if you hesitate someone else will buy it...it will not likely be there if you come back tomorrow. If you are excited about it, put it in your cart until you decide for sure)
9. Take things home immediately! (This can't always happen, but one time I found an amazing chair and couldn't fit it in my car. I paid for it, went home, came back with the van and guess what!? They wouldn't give it to me. They gave me back my money and I was upset. Call someone and have them come help you but don't let the store second guess what they sold you.)
10. Keep Hand Sanitizer in your Car. (After searching the thrift, you'll be glad to kill germs and freshen up a bit before heading home.)

Marketplace or Classifieds:

Local people selling things locally. These are great, but typically people ask for more money because they aren't in a hurry to move them out of their space. Haggling is possible and it's a great way to find specifically what you are looking for. So far, I don't think marketplace takes a small commission, so it's a cost effective way to advertise.

Family or Friends:

Typically families have a bunch of stuff they don't need...so reach out to a family member or in a facebook family page--or neighborhood group and ask if  anyone has something similar to what you are looking for that they are hoping to be rid of. It's fun to keep things in the family for nostalgia sake too!

Here's the before and after side by side photo:

What do you think!?

Don't you love the cheery improvement!?

I'm super in love with taking old jewelry boxes and transforming them into a gorgeous statement piece!

What will your next project be?

Put a standing jewelry armoire on your thrift store makeover list too!

Save a picture, save to pinterest for future reference!

Get Creative with Upcycling:

You can add fabric inside drawers with mod podge.

Create filigree with resin and hot glue it right on the jewelry box for added interest.

Paint each drawer a different color with a completely different knob.

So many creative options!

Spray paint is a great way to give new life to anything.

I've used it in the dining room on tables and chairs, as well as a TV cabinet and thrift store mirror.

There's lots of small items and knick-knacks that I've freshened up with spray paint. 

It's wonderful, versatile and huge color variety.

That's it!

I hope you love this jewelry cabinet armoire makeover as much as me!

It's a lot of fun giving old things new lift...especially laminate things with lots of character.

Hope this post inspires you for your next project or a new project you've been excited to try!

Like, Pin and Save!

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