Industrial Side Table from VHS Storage

Industrial Side Table from VHS Storage

I can’t be 100% certain, as I’ve not visited EVERY thrift store across the globe. But I’m 99% certain that every thrift has VHS Storage or VHS tape drawers on their shelves. Cassette tape storage cases, too; they’re positively everywhere! So, I decided I needed to upcycle them into something COMPLETELY unexpected. My idea? An industrial side table that kinda-sorta looked like a metal card catalog.

VHS storage at thrift store for upcycling projects

They stacked together perfectly and I just KNEW they could be transformed into something that looked like a metal card catalog.

VHS Cabinet or VHS storage from the thrift store

NOW, fair warning. this is going to be a longer tutorial than my norm. Not because it’s a difficult project, but simply because there are more steps than my average project requires.

But please stay with me- I assure you that it’s worth it!

There are basically three main components to this industrial side table: (1) the base, (2) the cases, and (3) the drawers.

This post contains affiliate links for your crafting convenience. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All blue, bold, and underlined text is a clickable link, either to a product or to a related post.

Building the Base of an Industrial Side Table

So, let’s get right to it, starting with the base. 

Why do I need a base? Because if I’m building an end table, I need it to be sturdy and I need real wood to attach table legs to.

Because the VHS storage cases were stack-able, I used a piece of scrap plywood and traced the bottom of one of my cases on the wood.

Wooden base for an Industrial side table

After cutting it out with our jigsaw and sanding down the edges, I wanted to cover up the edges before painting them.

Why? Because oak plywood is comprised of three layers, and each layer takes on paint differently. I didn’t want those striations to show through!

Thanks to a fellow blogging friend, Anika’s DIY Life, I learned about edge banding tape! I had never heard of it before, but it’s super easy to use.

Think of it like iron-on wood tape.

Edge banding tape to be used on oak plywood

I unrolled some edge banding tape, walked my entire piece of plywood along it, and snipped off what I needed with my beloved multi-media shears.

Then, just as the directions on the package stated, I used my iron to press and seal it along the edges of the plywood.

It was SO EASY and looked fabulous when I was done!

Covering the edges of plywood with edge banding tape

The base of my industrial side table was ready to be spray painted. But let’s set it aside and talk about Component # 2: The Cases.

Upcycling the VHS Storage to Look like a Metal Card Catalog

First, I needed to do a little prep work on the VHS storage before painting.

And all that I did was sand down the bottom of my top case and the top of my bottom case because I needed to permanently glue them together. And a little bit of sanding just roughs up the finish and helps the wood glue get a better hold.

After applying wood glue and stacking them together, I used some of my heaviest books to add weight while I let the glue set overnight.

Gluing together the VHS Storage to make an industrial accent table

Once the VHS storage cases were fused together, I could finally start spray painting everything.

First, I started with a gray primer, just to allow the spray paint I used to apply evenly later on.

Spray primer before using metallic paint on VHS storage

Next, I used this spray paint for my industrial “metal” look– it’s one of my favorites!

Spray paint color for an industrial side table

I also used the same spray painting on the plywood base, starting with the grey primer first. One everything had dried on the base and the cases, I brushed on some matte topcoat to protect the finish.

Now I needed to get the wood glue out again and attach my painted plywood base to the bottom of my VHS storage cases.

Once again, I used heavy books to add weight while it set overnight.

Building an industrial side table with VHS storage or tape drawers

Quick note, I have the entire piece upside-down while it dried so that the weight of the books was directly on the wood base.

After the base and tape storage cases had been fused together, I screwed hairpin legs into the corners of the plywood (these are the exact ones I ordered).

I made sure to use shorter screws that didn’t pierce the cases.

Upcycling the video tape storage into an industrial end table

The industrial side table was coming along brilliantly! Now it was time to work on the drawers so I could finish everything up.

Drawers for a Metal Card Catalog or Industrial Side Table

My plan with the drawers was to add some file-cabinet-looking handles to each one.

Handles for the drawers of an industrial side table

But first, I needed to pre-drill the holes before painting, just so I didn’t scratch up the painted finish

I bought some very basic drawer handles and measured out placement for the drill holes on each drawer.

I temporarily attached them just to make sure they worked and set the handles aside.

Like I had done with the plywood base and VHS storage cases, I painted the drawer fronts with grey primer and metallic spray paint. I also brushed on a clear matte topcoat afterwards.

Drawers of a metal card catalog from a VHS cabinet

Then, I re-attached the drawer handles to each drawer front.

Making a metal card catalog from VHS drawers

And just like that, all the components of the industrial side table from VHS storage were done and ready to be assembled together!

Industrial Side Table from VHS Storage

I glued on some label holders (which I spray painted with brushed nickel to match the handles) to each drawer front and slid them back into the case.

AND THERE IT IS- my very own metal card catalog or industrial side table!

industrial end table

Isn’t that amazing? Would you even know that this industrial end table started out as VHS storage cases?

industrial side table or industrial end table

I just love it when my crazy visions become a reality…and in this case, even better looking than I could have imagined.

Wondering how I’ll actually use my industrial side table? I will either purchase or construct perfectly sized drawer organizer boxes and glue them to the inside of each drawer. That way, I’ll be able to store odds and ends inside of it, without issue.

industrial side table from vhs storage

So, what do you think? Will you look at outdated VHS storage cases differently now?

If you enjoyed this upcycling project for DIY industrial furniture, then you’ll love this rotating hardware bin that I made from another thrift store find!

Hardware organizer from a Tupperware veggie tray

Craft on!

S

Want to be notified when I publish my next upcycling project tutorial?

Please subscribe here.

Join me on Social Media:

please follow sadie seasongoods on facebookplease follow sadie seasongoods on instagramfollow sadie seasongoods on pinterest

 

 

 

 

 
PIN ME!vhs storage as industrial side table

industrial side table

 

Website | + posts

Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.

Comments

  1. this is so cool! great way to revive those cases!!

  2. Ok, this is way cool. I actually have two metal library card files. They are smaller than the VHS cases but I’m wondering if I could do something similar? Love your ideas and the execution of them. You should be proud of this one! It’s awesome.

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      Yes!! That’s how I got my vision for it- by seeing end tables that other folks had made with real metal card files. I’m sure there are tutorials out there, but I would think the process would be similar (attaching the files to a base, attaching legs to the base?).

  3. Mandy Williams says

    This is fantastic! One of your best ideas!

  4. Super smart remodel and looks fabulous as always!

  5. Rita Corblies says

    Well now you sparked my interest . Your vision/imagination is incredible.

  6. Elizabeth Fencl says

    Are you Kidding me?? You are a Genius!! This is hands down one of the best makeovers I have seen in a while…Love it!!

  7. Soooo many ads but loved the makeover.

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      Hi, Linda, thanks for the feedback. This is a much longer tutorial/blog post than I normally post, so there will be more ads than normal- but only because it’s longer. The ad percentage is the exact same on every post I publish. Unfortunately, the only way I can pay our mortgage is to include ads on my website- this is my full-time career and I need to be compensated for the hours, days, and weeks that I put into each and every project I post here. The alternative is that my website require a yearly membership fee and I really don’t want to ever go down that route. Best of luck to you.

  8. I always love your projects—so useful and creative!

  9. I found containers(with lids) @ Dollar General.Cut off lid and they fit inside perfect

  10. Well Done!!! This is one of the best “upcycles” ever! I love it! You should be proud!

  11. A M A Z I N G !!! Love it!

  12. Sarah, holy VHS girl, you should totally be proud of this project, it is just awesome!

  13. How in the world would you have perceived this idea? It’s so fabulous! Good going!!!

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      Thank you!!! It’s actually been rattling around in this head of mine for a while (the original photos are time stamped from August 2017)…I just needed time to work out the execution. Glad I didn’t put it off any longer!

  14. I just saw some of these at the Goodwill the other day! I knew they would be great for something, but couldn’t think of it at the moment, so I left them behind. I’ll be keeping an eye out for them now because the wheels are turning! Great project!

  15. Deborah Bell says

    You have outdone yourself and should be very proud of the metal cardholder converted from VHS storage boxes. AMAZING is all I can say!!

  16. Genius! Everyone could use small, but big function, storage. Love following your blog.

  17. Oh my goodness, I just got rid of some of these! What a great idea and now I’m kicking myself. Isn’t that always the case. Something collects dust in the basement for years and years and then shortly after finally getting rid of it, you find a purpose. Love what you did with yours! Pinned 🙂

  18. Terri Hughes says

    WOW…..I would have never thought to do this with these old VHS tape drawers. Love it!!!!

  19. Cristine Meixner says

    OK, this one is truly incredible! What vision! What style! Cheers for you!

  20. Terri Hughes says

    WOW……I would never have thought to do this with old VHS cases. Turned out great!

  21. Thank you for sharing! I see those VHS storage drawers all the time. WoooHooo!

  22. Robyn Wright says

    WOW! WOW! WOW!

  23. Once again, you have AMAZED me! 🙂 This turned out great.

  24. oh gosh, great job! I love this!!!

  25. This is so awesome, Sarah! And I’m totally with you-whatever is plentiful drives me to create something with it (but my overflow is in my own house).

  26. Gavin Daniels says

    You have a wonderful eye!

  27. As always, beautifully done! Those cassette case holders that were next to the VHS one you snatched might worth a second look. Next time I see either at the thrift store, I’m grabbing them to upcycle for my office/craft room.

  28. This is beyond fantabulous!!

  29. That is one of the most amazing upcycling projects I think I have ever seen. I would never have guessed what you used to make it. I absolutely love it!

    xo Dianne

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      Thank you so very much, Dianne!! I, too, am thrilled at how it turned out- I had high hopes going into it, but you just never know if those ideas will work out!!

  30. OOOHHH I already have a bunch of those cabinets, and see them by the dozens at the thrift shops. I’m not usually a fan of industrial, but these turned out beautiful. Our home is mostly all wood furniture. But those cabinets are yucky fake wood so it is a real improvement to paint them.

  31. Anja Hughes-Stinson says

    wow! i love this idea! I always see these and have wondered what I can make out of them. So awesome and great detailed instructions 🙂

  32. This is so great!! I found these at our local thrift store and am working on my version of this right now!!

  33. Cheryl Atkinson says

    Never in a million years would i know what these were. This is fabulous

Trackbacks

  1. […] DIY Industrial Metal Card Catalog From Upcycled VHS Tape Drawers from sadieseasongoods.com […]

Have a question or like what you see? Please let me know!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.