Change An Old Cloth Into A Nice DIY Kitchen Drawer Fix

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Tablecloths are chosen for a reason, or even passed down lovingly from family members, so tossing them out can feel wrong, even after stains or size issues. But you can give those old tablecloths new life by turning them into stylish drawer liners! This easy DIY project is a great way to repurpose those patterned fabrics and protect your drawers.

Lining drawers (or even open shelves) with a tablecloth is a simple way to add some personality to your space while also shielding the inside from scuffs or spills. If you don’t have old tablecloths on hand, you can find one at a thrift store or ask someone who’s decluttering.

There are a few options for this DIY. You can make the liners removable or have them adhere permanently. Just grab a ruler, scissors or a rotary cutter, and some fabric stiffener or adhesive. Remember to treat the fabric with a stain protectant too. It’s also smart to use primer on light-colored tablecloths to prevent any wood tones or stains from peeking through.

Once you’ve picked out the perfect tablecloth, start by measuring and cutting it to size. Add a quarter-inch to the measurements to ensure a snug fit. Use your ruler and scissors or a rotary cutter to get the dimensions right, and be sure to cut around any stains or flaws. Spray the fabric with Scotchgard to make cleanup a breeze. If your drawer has an odd shape, you can make a few small cuts in the cloth to help it settle in nicely.

Next, the process depends on whether you want the liner to be removable or permanently adhered. For a permanent fix, brush Mod Podge or a wood glue inside the drawer, then press the tablecloth in place, smoothing out any air bubbles. For a removable option, attach the fabric to a piece of medium-density fiberboard or stiffen it with a fabric stiffener. This way, you can easily lift the liner out whenever you need to.

Upcycling beautiful tablecloths into removable drawer liners is a fun way to personalize your space. One option is to attach the fabric to a piece of medium-density fiberboard cut to fit inside the drawer. Lay the fabric on the sanded board, fold it in half, and spread wood glue on the exposed half before pressing it down. Repeat on the other side and glue any excess fabric to the back. You can also add a ribbon to one edge to make the liner easy to lift out.

Another removable approach is to soak the tablecloth in a fabric stiffening solution, like the kind from Amazon. After the fabric stiffens up, lay it in the drawer, make any final cuts for a snug fit, and secure it with double-sided tape. The stiff, paper-like material will be simple to remove when needed.