This simple Family Game Night Cabinet DIY project is perfect to make with the kids. You can work together to build a great family game night cabinet that will keep your board games and other clutter out of the way during the week!
To Make a Family Game Night Cabinet Out of a Dresser You Will Need:
1 Wood Dresser (the vertical kind if possible)
Jig Saw
2X4’s
Tape measure
Primer
Paint
Scissor
Spray adhesive
Paint rollers and Brushes
Sander or Sand Paper
Piano Hinge
Magnetic door clip
Sheet if Birch or Pine Plywood (cut to size)
Deoucpage
Photo copoes of your game boards
A tall dresser will work best for this Family Game Night Cabinet project. Tall and narrow, instead of short and wide. Look for a dresser that is at least four feet tall.
Now, the first step is to remove the drawers.
Now, use your jig saw to cut the entire front piece of wood inside the main frame of the dresser. These are the wood slats that the drawers slide into.
Now, use your sand paper to sand down any rough edges.
Now, you can sand the entire body Family Game Night Cabinet dresser and prime it out. Now, paint it in milk paint, house paint, or any finish you choose. It is important to paint the entire piece to make it look cohesive.
Now, you need to remove you drawer fronts form the main box of the drawers. You can again use your jug saw to do this. This will be unique to each dresser, but some dresser may be assembling so that you can simple pull the front panel of the drawer.
Sand down the back of the front drawer panel until it is flat and smooth.
Now, measure the main opening on the body of the dresser.
Cut you birch or pine plywood to about one inch longer and wider than this opening.
Use photos copies of your favorite board games for this next step. Cut out your favorite game boards and decoupage them onto this sheet of plywood.
Once this dries you can move on to the next step of this Family Game Night Cabinet.
Now, attach each of the drawer fronts from the vintage dresser to the front of this birch plywood. You can simply predrill a hole through the plywood and into the back of the drawer front. Screw them in place. You will be able to see your decoupage game boards around the drawer fronts. Of course you could always leave these off if you want.
Now, you need to attach the new front of the dresser with the piano hanger. I Like to lay the dresser on its back, flat on the ground.
Attach the hinges to the front left of the wood on the dresser. Now, have the kids help you hold the new “door” in place. Hold the hinge up to the new front where it will attach. Use a marker to mark through the hole where you need to pre drill holed. Predrill small holes partially thought aback of the front panel. Now, use small screws to attach the hinge to he back of the panel.
Go ahead and close the front panel of your vintage dresser. Decide where you want to install your magnetic clip that will hold the front door of your Family Game Night Cabinet shut. Install this simply buy install one Side of the magnet to the dresser and the other piece to the matching space on the back of the door. You can find these magnetic door hardware clips at any hardware or home improvement store in the door cabinet door hardware aisle.
Now, to install shelves in the Family Game Night Cabinet to hold all of your cards and games I like to measure the inside of the dresser. Cut three pieces of birch plywood out that fits exactly. Install this piece into the dresser at different heights.
Install the shelving inside of the Family Game Night Cabinet using pre made shelf brackets form your local hardware store.
Once all of the paint has dried you and the kids can load up your new Family Game Night Cabinet with all of your favorite board games.
