Repurposing Armoires

Office Desk

• Utilize this compact furniture piece in a small office or designated office area. Install a keyboard tray that you can pick up at most office supply or hardware stores. Hot glue a corkboard to the inside of one of the doors and hang a calendar on the other. Use the shelves and drawers to store files and office supplies. Simply close the doors and slide your chair to the side when not in use.

Dry Bar

• Move your old armoire into the game room. Affix mirrors with peel and stick adhesive to the back of it. Place your favorite bottles of spirits on the shelf in front of the mirrors. Hang a couple of under-cabinet stemware racks from the top of the armoire. Store linens, a wine bucket and bar tools on the shelves below. Insert slats in one of the drawers to hold wine bottles at a slight angle. If you have children, be sure to keep them safe by adding locks to the doors and drawers.

Dressing Table

• Drill a small hole through the top rear of the armoire. Thread the cord of a multibulb plug-in ceiling light through the hole and screw the fixture to the top. Add another hole toward the base through which you run a surge protector that plays host to various curling irons and blow dryers. Place dividers in the drawers to separate hair care products, makeup and jewelry. Set a makeup mirror on the top shelf and affix mirrors to the exterior sides of the doors to act as full-length dressing mirrors.

Pantry

• Transform an armoire into a practical and aesthetically pleasing furniture piece for your kitchen. If you're short on cabinet space, the armoire becomes the perfect place to store canned goods, cereal and other nonperishables. Place hooks around the top perimeter from which to hang coffee cups. Keep cookbooks within easy reach on center shelves. Place table linens, dish towels and cookie sheets in the drawers.

Library

• Transfer your overabundance of books and magazines from the basement to your armoire. Hang magazine racks to the back to organize favorite issues. Keep journals and love notes hidden in drawers. Remove the drawers to display your collection.