Making Our 100-Year-Old Cabinet Into the Perfect Bedroom Built-in

Have you ever come across a vintage piece that just speaks to you? That’s exactly how I felt the day we moved into our 1920 beach cottage. Sitting right there in the house was a beautiful, timeworn cabinet—tall, charming, and full of character.

We later learned that this cabinet was original to the home, built the same year as the house itself. Even more special? Each homeowner before us had chosen to leave her behind, passing her on with the cottage like a piece of family history.

So we knew she had to stay. The question was: where?

This post is all about how we gave this antique gem a brand new purpose, transforming her into a custom bedroom built-in that feels like she’s always belonged right where she is.

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Creating a Space in Our Home

I wish I had better “before” photos from when we first brought the cabinet inside—but back then, I hadn’t quite realized how important good pictures would be for the blog and social media. (We all start somewhere, right?)

What I do remember clearly is how massive this cabinet felt in our little house. At around 1,600 square feet with limited wall space, we didn’t have many options. The only spot that made any sense was in the bathroom… but there was one big problem.

It blocked the door next to it.

After much measuring (and maybe a little bit of heartache), we realized the only way to make it work was to trim about 12 inches off the back of the cabinet.

That decision wasn’t easy—altering a 100-year-old piece felt almost sacrilegious—but we knew we couldn’t keep her otherwise.

Thankfully, all we really lost was some shelf depth and a bit of drawer space.

To finish the back and give it a clean, finished look, we added a beadboard panel, which gave the piece even more charm and helped it blend seamlessly with the cottage style of the home.

Upcycling Our Cabinet by Creating a Bedroom Built-In

When we first moved in, this beautiful cabinet didn’t have a permanent place yet. At the time, our bedroom had a walk-in closet where the cabinet now sits, so a built-in wasn’t even on the radar.

But that changed.

During the first phase of our home renovation, we reworked the layout by creating a hallway that connected the bedroom to the bathroom. As part of that project, we shifted the closet entry, which opened up new possibilities for the bedroom wall.

Still, it wasn’t until several years (and a few more renovation phases) later that everything finally clicked.

We decided to install a bathtub on the opposite side of the bedroom wall—the one that used to house the closet. That gave us the perfect opportunity to recess the cabinet into the wall by pushing the wall slightly into the bathroom, giving this piece a permanent home.

Once the space was framed out, we set the cabinet in place and secured it to the studs, essentially making it part of the architecture. To finish the look, we trimmed out the gap with 1″x 4″ pine boards for a seamless, built-in appearance.

Then came a fresh coat of paint, a little gentle distressing for that lived-in charm, and a pair of glass doors to finish it off.

What started as a loose idea turned into one of our most meaningful DIYs, and it fit like it was always meant to be there.

Her New Home

Our bedroom is small—really small. With a king-sized bed and one nightstand squeezed in, there’s not much room left to work with. That’s why this built-in became such an important part of the room. It gave us much-needed storage and a chance to showcase something beautiful and meaningful.

Now, this 100-year-old cabinet acts as both a dresser and a display space. I use it to store everyday essentials and to style with seasonal décor, photos, and favorite little treasures throughout the year.

It’s functional, full of character, and tells a story that’s deeply connected to our home.

I love that it’s no longer just an antique piece sitting against a wall—it’s truly part of the room, part of the house, and part of us.

Final Thoughts on Our 100-Year-Old Cabinet

It’s one thing to find a beautiful antique cabinet, but it’s something truly special when that piece becomes part of your story.

We feel incredibly lucky that this 100-year-old cabinet was waiting for us the day we moved in. With a little creativity (and a few bold renovation moves), we were able to give it a permanent home—one that honors the past while serving a purpose in our everyday life.

This project wasn’t just about storage or style. It was about preserving a piece of our home’s history and making it shine in a new way. And honestly? It’s one of my favorite transformations we’ve ever done.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make an old piece work in a modern space, I hope this gave you some inspiration. And if you’ve got a special heirloom or vintage treasure waiting for its next chapter, maybe now’s the time to start imagining where it belongs.

Have questions? Want to share a piece you’ve repurposed in your own home? I’d love to hear your story in the comments below.

And feel free to share this post with a fellow vintage lover or DIY enthusiast who might be inspired to bring new life to something old.

Until next time,

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