In the past I've tried several times to turn an old trunk or camp box into a filing system. Sure they work and I had things inside to keep all my papers and accessories organized, but I was missing out on some serious structure that makes it all truly come together. Check out this great before and after that makes this thrifted object into a serious piece of office organization.
Over at PBJ Stories Pamela Stephens was looking for a way to keep her important papers in her bedroom without it being an eyesore. While a filing cabinet might not look the best placed at the end of your bed, an old trunk with a makeover sure does.
The key to this makeover are the small tricks she's used to create this interior organizational system to hold her files. She shares all her wisdom on making small holes and where the support comes from for the addition. It's a great flip and will have you searching Craigslist for trunks asap!
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(Image: PB&J Stories)

Shaw's Original Fir...
ohhh love that.. great idea
I expected legs to be attached so no surprise but great job on the filing system!
Great job and useful as well!
I'm actually really impressed. This process has so many possibilities. I know someone trying to retrofit his turntable into an old radio cabinet with record storage underneath. This would be a great way to do that. Thanks for sharing!
A perfectly unique and vintage item is turned into something monotonously urban. Yay.
This looks great in this space! Creative, thrifty, eco-friendly and functional.
@Bonete: This is not a unique item. These particular trunks are a dime a dozen. I see one at our local thrift store every week. And if making something "monotonously urban" keeps someone from tossing something into a landfill, keeps it in use, prevents someone from going to Office Max and buying a craptastic plastic filing cabinet....AND makes the person happy -- what is the problem? Not everyone wants to live in an Applebee's.
this is clever. i love it!
I actually love the original trunk colour and design! But adapting it to suit the user is what's important so kudos for making it work so well.
That was a beautiful piece. What a waste..
Those trunks aren't vintage, unless the late-90's are 'vintage' now...And hardly unique. We used to buy them at Wallmart. Good for her, making something useful that was a dime a dozen! I love the idea.