At first glance, it looks like a cabinet from a curious old workshop. Look closer and you’ll see each drawer was once a humble sardine tin, now reborn as a keeper of tiny treasures.
The pull tabs, once meant for quick meals, are now handles that invite you to open and explore.
Framed with wooden rulers, the piece feels like a little time machine.
It’s the kind of dresser that makes people smile, reminding us that beauty often hides in the simplest places.
Materials Needed
- 20-25 cleaned sardine tins (remove labels and sharp edges)
- Wooden board or plywood
- Vintage rulers or wooden strips
- Screws or small nails
- Sandpaper
- Drill and screwdriver
- Optional: clear varnish
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Clean and dry your sardine tins thoroughly. Then sand down any sharp edges so they’re safe to handle.
Step 2: Build a simple wooden frame with evenly spaced slots for the tins. Think of it like a pigeonhole cabinet but scaled down.
Step 3: Line the front edges of the frame with vintage rulers for a decorative touch. You can secure them with nails or screws.
Step 4: Slide your tins into the slots. The pull tabs act as ready-made drawer handles.
Step 5: Fill the tins with your choice of small items such as jewelry, craft supplies, or workshop odds and ends.
Step 6: Place your mini dresser on a desk, shelf, or workbench. It’s practical, but it also works as a conversation piece.
Tips:
This project shines when you let the tins and rulers keep their worn, lived-in look. Don’t worry about perfection as part of the magic is in its patchwork character.