Office in a Chest

Transform a traditional piece of bedroom furniture into a multitasking mini office, complete with bulletin board and filing cabinet. You'll have easy access to all your essentials -- and be able to tuck them away at a moment's notice. It requires only minimal construction to reconfigure a chest.




To make the bulletin board: Cut a piece of 1/2-inch-thick cork (available at office-supply stores) to fit the underside of the lid; affix it with craft glue.



To make the sliding supply organizer: Cut two strips of molding to fit inside the long sides of the chest; use small nails to attach a strip along each side, several inches below the lip, to support a tray (as pictured). To make the tray: Cut a piece of kraft paper the length and width you'd like the tray to be (make sure it will be wide enough to rest on the strips of molding), and mark the depth needed on the template. Bring the paper to a home-supply store that sells wooden drawer organizers, and arrange enough organizers on top of the paper to cover the surface. At home, paint the organizers to match the chest, and let dry. Use wood glue to attach to one another. To create a filing system: Insert adjustable hanging file-folder frames inside the chest.