4 Reasons Why Everyone Should Line Their Dresser Drawers—and How to Do It

Decorating all of the nooks and crannies in your home includes finding ways to spruce up hidden places like the interiors of dresser drawers. One of the ways that we add flair to these drawers is to line them. Not only can liners protect the bottom of the shelf or provide an additional function (like grip or fragrance), but they can also feel like an extension of your home décor. Here are more practical and aesthetic ways to line your drawers.

Why You Should Line Your Dresser Drawers

You can line the sides or edges of a drawer to create a custom piece of furniture that delights anyone who opens it. Here are more reasons to do so.

1. Protects Furniture From Water

Give drawers an upgrade by lining them with a soft and protective material—like felt or leather—which will protect the interior surface from dings and scratches (especially if you're storing valuables like jewelry).

For a waterproof alternative, try colorful oilcloth. Just cut the oilcloth to fit the bottom, leaving extra allowance in width for overhang—no sewing required. Its heaviness will keep it in place without adhesives.

2. Beautifies the Interior

Self-adhesive wallpaper is perfect for lining drawers and shelves. Find a pattern that you like and cut it to fit the drawer. If you're so inclined, you can easily change it up on occasion, since the wallpaper is removable.

3. Organizes Stored Items

A liner can be dual purpose: It organizes and protects the interior of your dresser. Drawer dividers, in addition to liners, can be a pretty and practical way to help neatly store everyday items. Soft dividers will cushion fragile pieces and prevent snags on accessories such as socks, linens, bras, and other undergarments.

4. Adds Scent

Lightly fragrance your clothes and linens by lining your dresser drawers with scented sachets—or by purchasing fragranced sheets. For scented sachets, fill fabric pockets with dried lavender and sew the layers of the liner together. You can also use cedar if you prefer a woodsy smell; this fragrance also has the added benefit of discouraging insects.

How to Line Your Dresser Drawer

An ordinary drawer becomes a magical secret compartment when scented with a liner scented with lavender or bursting with spring colors and floral patterns. While you could line drawers with ordinary paper, there are so many other possibilities, such as leftover fabric remnants. As for Martha's favorite option? DIY stainless steel sheeting, which best protects the integrity of utility drawers.

Regardless of the liner medium you select, follow these steps to cut and install each piece into your drawers:

1. Measure the inside of the drawer to get the dimensions and cut your lining down to size.
2. If you want some overlay to wrap around the bottom of a shelf, you can tack on an inch or so.
3. Cut the lining to the right size and affix it to your drawer with double-sided tape.
4. In certain cases, you may even want to apply an adhesive. Heavier liners don't often need to be tacked down and can stay in place at the bottom of a drawer without shifting.