Think Twice Before Trying This Popular Joanna Gaines Upcycled Dresser Project

Upcycling old furniture is often an excellent idea. The whole process from finding a bargain to applying the final finish can be a lot of fun. It can save you a heap of money, and it's hugely satisfying. You might try anything from repurposing old chairs for rustic home and garden decor to turning an old dresser into a bathroom vanity. The latter is an idea that was popularized by Joanna Gaines, and you'll find numerous variations on YouTube. However, while the results can be spectacular, it's a project you might want to think twice about before taking it on.

There's nothing wrong with the concept of upcycling old dressers. You'll often see tired examples at flea markets and yard sales that you can pick up for a few bucks. Whether you're going for an antique look or '70s retro, it shouldn't be difficult to find something that could look great in your home. With a little sandpaper, elbow grease, and a new coat of stain, varnish, or paint, you can bring about a complete transformation.

The problems begin when you want to move the dresser into the bathroom and add a vanity sink (or maybe two). The necessity of adding plumbing means that rather than just sanding and refinishing the dresser, it will need to be altered — perhaps substantially. That in itself can make life difficult, and that's without the test of your plumbing skills it might present.

The first thing you have to realize is the extent of the equipment and supplies you'll need for this DIY. If you thought you would get away with the basic tools every homeowner should have, think again. Projects can have material lists of 30 items or more. Some of them are not cheap. So suddenly it may not be the money-saving project you thought it was.

To be fair, if you're a keen DIY enthusiast and you have the tools and skills, it can be a terrific project to take on. However, if you are less experienced, bear in mind you'll need to cut chunks out of at least one drawer, and possibly the dresser frame, to allow space for the necessary pipework. Doing so could create weaknesses so you'll need to add pieces of wood to reinforce it. If you can't install the plumbing in the dresser yourself, you'll need to talk to a professional. Their rates start at about $80 per hour (although they could be much higher).

There are lots of creative ways to repurpose old furniture, and doing so can be tremendously rewarding. However, just because someone has created a five-minute video that seems to make the job easy doesn't make it so. If you're a beginner DIYer, you'll want to think twice about this Joanna Gaines upcycled dresser project.