A hope chest is one of those pieces that can be equal parts furniture, memory keeper, and future heirloom. I’ve built and refinished a bunch of them in my workshop, and the best designs always blend cozy style with smart storage.
Lift-Out Tray Organizer Inside
A lift-out tray is my go-to for making a deep hope chest actually usable, because it keeps jewelry, photos, and small mementos from disappearing into the abyss. I usually build the tray from thin cedar or pine, and it’s a quick win that feels super thoughtful.
Try these:
- General Purpose Wooden Organizer Tray: Find a pre-made wooden tray to neatly store smaller mementos and rest inside your new hope chest.
- Velvet Jewelry Organizer Insert: Protect delicate heirlooms by adding a soft, segmented jewelry organizer tray directly into your lift-out section.
- Thin Cedar Boards for DIY Tray: Build a custom-fit sliding aromatic tray yourself using these thin, easy-to-work-with cedar plank liners.
Classic Cedar-Lined Heirloom Chest
When I want that true traditional hope chest feel, I build a clean, sturdy box and add a full cedar lining inside for that fresh scent and fabric-friendly storage. My favorite builds use simple frame-and-panel sides because they look timeless even when the wood grain is doing all the talking.
Possibly helpful picks:
- Aromatic Cedar Planks for Lining: Line your project with aromatic cedar planks to naturally protect heirloom fabrics and add a timeless scent.
- Antique Brass Lid Stays: Ensure your heavy chest lid opens smoothly and stays put with durable, classic-style support hinges.
- Shaker Style Wooden Storage Chest: Short on time? Pick up a ready-made oak finish chest that perfectly captures that handcrafted heirloom look.
Foot-of-Bed Blanket Hope Chest
I’ve made a lot of hope chests sized to sit at the foot of a bed, and they’re perfect for quilts, extra pillows, and all the “where do I put this?” linens. In my own place, that low, wide shape is the one I use most because it styles like furniture, not storage.
Useful items to consider:
- Solid Wood Storage Chest: Store your extra linens stylishly with a durable wooden chest that adds warmth and character to your bedroom.
- Beige Wool Throw Blanket: Layer a soft, textured throw over your new chest or bed to create a cohesive, cozy layered look.
- Natural Jute Area Rug: Ground your bedroom space and complement natural wood tones with a durable, textured jute runner or rug.
Farmhouse Plank-Style Hope Chest
For an easy rustic look, I’ve built a hope chest with chunky planks, visible fasteners, and a warm stain that shows off knots and character. It’s the kind of project where a few dings actually make it prettier, which is honestly my favorite kind of woodworking.
Check these products out:
- Black Corner Braces & Hardware Kit: Add instant rustic charm to your wooden chest with sturdy black corner brackets that enhance durability and style.
- Warm Oak Wood Stain: Highlight the natural knots and grain of your planks with a penetrating stain for that authentic farmhouse glow.
- Heavy Duty Iron Chest Handle: Finish your build with robust iron drop handles that make lifting the lid easy while completing the vintage look.
Hope Chest With Built-In Drawers
One of my most-requested hope chest upgrades is adding bottom storage drawers for small keepsakes, letters, or linens you don’t want buried. I learned the hard way that full-extension slides make this feel luxurious, even if the outside stays simple.
You might like:
- Full Extension Drawer Slides: Upgrade your custom chest with smooth-gliding hardware that ensures easy access to every inch of your storage space.
- Decorative Drawer Pulls: Add a touch of elegance to your new drawers with classic knobs that complement natural wood finishes beautifully.
- Soft-Close Lid Support Hinge: Protect fingers and ensure safety by installing a mechanism that keeps the heavy chest lid from slamming shut.
Arched-Lid “Trunk” Hope Chest
An arched top instantly turns a basic hope chest into a statement piece, and I love building it with a coopered lid for that old-world trunk vibe. I did one in a deep stain once, and it looked like it had belonged to a family for generations.
May just do the trick:
- Decorative Trunk Hardware Kit: Add authentic character to your chest with antique-style hammered iron handles, latches, and hinges for a classic look.
- Dark Walnut Wood Stain: Achieve that generational, old-world aesthetic by finishing your hope chest with a rich, deep penetrating oil stain.
- Decorative Tassel Key Chain: Emulate the styled photo by attaching an elegant gold or beige tassel to your chest’s hardware or key.
Painted Cottage-Style Hope Chest
If you’ve got an older chest with good bones, a painted hope chest makeover can be magic—especially with a soft, creamy finish and lightly sanded edges. I’ve added personalized lettering on the front for clients, and it always makes the piece feel instantly “theirs.”
Give these a look:
- Chalk Style Furniture Paint (Cream/White): Create that classic cottage look with a matte, creamy finish that adheres easily to most wood surfaces.
- Calligraphy Letter Stencils: Easily add personalized lettering to your chest front without needing advanced hand-painting skills or expensive tools.
- Sanding Sponge Block: Achieve the perfect distressed aesthetic by gently sanding edges to reveal the natural wood underneath the paint.
Hope Chest With Rustic Handles
I like adding sturdy handles to a hope chest because it makes moving it so much less awkward (ask me how I know). Rope-style or simple metal drop handles also give that vintage-trunk look without needing fancy joinery.
Consider these options:
- Metal Drop Chest Handles: Install these classic metal handles to the sides of your chest for easier lifting and an instant vintage upgrade.
- Antique-Style Decorative Hasps: Add a functional and stylish locking hasp to the front center to complete the authentic, rustic trunk aesthetic.
- Twisted Jute Rope Spool: Use thick natural jute rope to create decorative vertical accents or craft your own rustic, knotted rope handles.
Soft-Close Lid Safety Upgrade
Every hope chest I build now gets soft-close lid supports because slammed fingers are not the kind of “keepsake” anyone wants. The first time I installed them, I couldn’t stop opening and closing the lid like a kid—so satisfying and so safe.
A few relevant products:
- Soft-Close Lid Support Hinges: Prevent slamming lids and protect fingers; upgrade your chest with adjustable supports for a smooth closing action.
- Heavy Duty Gas Struts: Ensure heavy wooden lids stay open safely and close gently with these durable, easy-to-install support struts.
- Decorative Black Chest Handles: Add a rustic touch and make moving your upgraded chest easier with sturdy, stylish iron side handles.
Bench-Seat Hope Chest
Turning a hope chest into a bench seat is perfect for entryways and bedrooms, and I’ve built them tall enough to be comfortable without looking bulky. In my workshop classes, this is the design that gets the biggest “I can actually use this every day” reaction.
Items that may come in handy:
- Wooden Storage Bench: Add functional seating and hidden storage to your entryway with a sturdy, classic wooden bench chest.
- Coffee Table Books: Style the top of your hope chest bench with decorative hardcovers to create an inviting, curated look.
- Woven Floor Runner: Ground your bench area and add texture to the floor with a durable, natural fiber runner rug.
Cedar Lining With Scented Dividers
For a super traditional hope chest interior, I’ve done full cedar lining plus simple dividers to separate linens from keepsakes. The first time I opened one months later and that cedar smell hit me, I was totally sold on the extra step.
These products might be useful:
- Aromatic Red Cedar Closet Lining Planks: Line the interior of your chest with these aromatic planks to naturally freshen contents and repel moths easily.
- Adjustable Drawer Dividers & Organizers: Create designated sections within your chest using these expanding dividers to keep heirlooms separate from bulky linens.
- Natural Cedar Wood Sachets & Blocks: Enhance the cedar scent further by tucking these convenient blocks or sachets between layers of folded fabrics.
Inside-Lid Memory Pocket
One sweet idea I’ve added to a hope chest is an inside-lid pocket for letters, small albums, or a handwritten family note. I’ve made them from fabric or thin wood panels, and it always feels like a tiny “story corner” built right into the chest.
Explore these options:
- Self-Adhesive Canvas Pouch: Use strong fabric glue or small tacks to attach a pouch for storing heartfelt letters inside the lid.
- Fabric Transfer Paper: Personalize the pocket with names or “Hope Chest” lettering by ironing a printed design onto the fabric.
- Upholstery Tacks: Securely fasten corners of your memory pocket to the wood for a rustic, permanent finish.
Upcycled Dresser Into a Hope Chest
I’ve converted a beat-up dresser into a one-of-a-kind hope chest by removing the top drawers and building a hinged lid box where they used to be. It’s a total upcycling win, and the leftover drawers become built-in organizers that look original to the piece.
Maybe worth checking out:
- Heavy-Duty Lid Support Hinges: Ensure your new chest lid stays open safely and closes softly by installing these adjustable support hinges today.
- Aromatic Cedar Plank Liners: Protect your stored heirlooms from moths and add a fresh scent by lining your chest interior with cedar.
- Vintage Drawer Pulls and Knobs: Give your converted dresser a cohesive, antique look by updating the hardware with these classic metal pulls.
Sliding Front Panel Hope Chest
For a fun twist, I’ve built a hope chest with a sliding front panel so you can grab baskets or folded throws without opening the lid. It’s unexpectedly practical in tight spaces, and it always makes people do a double-take when they see it in action.
You might give these a try:
- Heavy Duty Drawer Slides: Install these sturdy slides to create the smooth gliding mechanism needed for your hope chest’s custom front panel.
- Decorative Flush Pull Handle: Add a recessed handle to your sliding panel for a sleek look that creates easy, snag-free access.
- Woven Storage Baskets: Organize smaller items inside your hope chest with these bins, perfect for quick retrieval through the sliding opening.
Live-Edge Lid With Resin Inlay
If you want a real wow-piece hope chest, I love pairing a live-edge lid with a slim resin inlay down the center for a modern-meets-rustic look. I did one with a dark body and a glowing, glossy inlay, and it stopped everyone in my shop mid-sentence.
Check if these fit your needs:
- Live Edge Wood Slab: Start your DIY project by selecting a unique, raw wood slab to create a stunning, one-of-a-kind lid.
- Epoxy Resin Kit: Create a glossy, durable inlay that highlights the wood’s natural beauty with a high-quality resin kits.
- Mica Powder Pigments: Add color and shimmer to your resin pour to customize the look and match your room’s decor.
Hidden Compartment Hope Chest Base
One of my sneakiest hope chest builds had a hidden compartment in the base—basically a false bottom that lifts out with a concealed finger notch. I’ll be honest, I felt like a magician the first time I demonstrated it, and it’s perfect for the extra-precious items you don’t want on display.
Products that could assist:
- Concealed Magnetic Cabinet Locks: Secure your hidden compartment without visible hardware using these ingenious magnetic locks designed for internal mounting.
- Thin Poplar or Plywood Board: Create the perfect false bottom panel with lightweight, sturdy wood that blends seamlessly into your chest interior.
- Finger Pull Router Bit: Carve a discreet, professional groove or notch to easily lift your false bottom panel out of place.
