How to Paint a Dresser

Hunting to update an previous dresser? Find out how to paint a wood dresser the simple way for a lovely, easy finish.

I like a superior furniture makeover there’s a little something about the mix of creative imagination and restoration that – at the possibility of sounding overly dramatic – stirs my soul. So a modern painted dresser makeover for our master bed room was the two charge efficient and therapeutic. 😉

Relatively than clearly show you a simple just before and just after, though, I needed to give a phase by step tutorial on how to paint a dresser. In today’s climate of very long direct instances and high price, I consider it is primarily sweet to be in a position to restore an aged piece to new lifestyle. Whether it’s a spouse and children heirloom, a new-to-you antique, a enjoyment vintage discover, or only a significant excellent new-ish dresser that requirements a new glimpse, currently being able to restore an out-of-date dresser is this kind of a valuable ability!

Obtaining a High quality Applied Dresser

Very first, here’s a brief seem at the piece I a short while ago painted. Just after a pair of many years of living with home furnishings that did not really fit the structure of our learn bed room, I at last made the decision to shift my gorgeous empire dresser out to the ranch and get a extended, very low dresser that in good shape our area greater.

I identified this dresser on Fb Market domestically, and with dovetail drawers, sleek glide drawer slides, and velvet lining, I was thrilled with the high quality I received for the cost.

It is a a lot more modern condition and design and style than I frequently opt for for home furnishings, but I realized I desired a painted dresser that was a bit stately and however simple to enhance the wood grain on the a lot more ornate antique washstands I restored for bedside tables.

Also, just wait around on that blank wall all over the window… I’ve got massive ideas! For the dresser, even though, I was on the lookout to realize a clean, present day, matte end in a deep moody blue. Allow me exhibit you how.

This is not sponsored, but a particular thanks to Fusion for providing the paint. All opinions are my individual!

How to Paint a Dresser

This write-up has affiliate backlinks. Click below to read through my total disclosure.

Tools and Materials:

I have put together a video clip tutorial for you. For more particulars and penned directions, maintain reading through down below.

1. Eliminate drawers and hardware

Pull each and every drawer all the way out of the dresser physique and set it aside with the drawer front facing up. Then take out all knobs, pulls, and attractive hardware. Retail store these securely in a cup or bag so you do not reduce them.

As you do so, examine the dresser for any significant damage to the previous complete. If there are significant chips or deep scratches in the complete, choose a minute to fill all those with wooden filler prior to the future phase. Belief me, the prep perform is worth it!

2. Evenly sand

Using medium grit sandpaper (I like 150), give the dresser a gentle sanding. If it desires much more smoothing, go around a next time with 220 grit paper.

You do not want to get rid of the previous end totally because you are going to paint the dresser. You just want to scuff up the preceding complete and smooth out any inconsistencies. If the former finish was glossy, be guaranteed to sand enough to get rid of that sheen, as this could make your paint not adhere quite very well.

3. Thoroughly clean

It is significant to take out all sanding dust as very well as any leftover grime, grease, or dust. I recommend a rapid wipe down with an previous rag to take away the vast majority of the sanding dust. Then spray the dresser with Krud Kutter or Easy Eco-friendly and wipe with a lint-free of charge cloth to ensure a clear, oil totally free end.

4. Paint to start with coat

My purpose for this dresser was a clean and long lasting finish free of charge of brush strokes (if you want a textured chalk paint finish, then this is not the appropriate strategy for you.) Utilizing a higher-excellent artificial brush or a small foam roller produced for trim paint, utilize the paint in clean long strokes, being watchful to avoid paint drips. Let it dry completely.

5. Paint next coat

Repeat phase 4 for the 2nd coat.

6. (Optional) Utilize top coat

Fusion mineral paint does not have to have a prime coat, and our dresser will merely hold attractive goods, a lamp, and my apparel when I fall short to set them absent )… so I did not seal it. But if you know your dresser will receive major targeted visitors, then you may possibly pick to seal it with a polyurethane or water-based mostly leading coat (scroll down to see linked posts for far more suggestions on best coats!).

7. (Optional) Update components

Although your paint dries, you could contemplate updating your components. I gave these drawer pulls a minimal facelift with Rub ‘n Buff, which is my favored gold wax product or service. I just wiped it on with a paper towel and rubbed off the excess.

8. Set up hardware

Once anything has totally dried, reinstall your components. Then use the dresser cautiously for at least of couple of weeks to make it possible for the paint to absolutely treatment to its most difficult finish.

Painting Household furniture FAQs:

Can you paint a dresser with out sanding?
You can, if you use chalky paint or mineral paint, but I would recommend towards it. A very light-weight sanding (not to remove the end, just to scuff it up a little bit) will sleek out imperfections and maximize your paint’s adherence and hence durability.

Do I want to key my dresser right before painting?
That will depend on the former complete and form of paint (and colour) you are making use of. As you noticed higher than, it is probable to paint without primer if you put together the wood adequately (a gentle sanding to remove any shiny finishes) and use a paint made to adhere, these kinds of as mineral paint or chalky paint.

Even so, if you are setting up to use latex paint or oil based mostly paints, I advise priming. If you are seeking to paint a very dark wood dresser white, then you could want to primary just to slice down on the variety of coats of paint essential. If the wooden is specifically darkish or assorted and you want a clean up, light-weight color, then I recommend an oil based mostly primer.

What variety of paint do you use on a dresser?
My preferred paint to use on dressers (and most tiny household furniture parts) is Fusion mineral paint. However, I have also had accomplishment with chalk paint, latex, and even oil-based mostly paints. The essential thing is that you prepare the dresser to receive the paint properly. If you choose latex or oil paint, you will want to use satin, semi-gloss, or gloss for toughness.

Can you paint a dresser with spray paint?
I enjoy making use of spray paint on out of doors furnishings and extras, but I would not suggest making use of it on a dresser since spray paint does not generally give you a quite even complete. And most dressers have massive flat parts that would be difficult to spray paint with no some inconsistencies in the end.

Alternatively, you could use a paint sprayer, with mineral or latex paint like I did on our murphy mattress, but I find that taping off all the drawers and openings of a dresser is very wearisome and rarely well worth the function due to the fact dressers are basically not quite huge.

Can I follow these instructions for other wood household furniture (like chairs, beds, tables, and many others.)?
Yep! These identical guidance could be adopted for most pieces of home furnishings. However, I do suggest a major coat for a table or desk to give it increased longevity.

Other Furnishings Painting Strategies

Here are a handful of far more posts you may possibly uncover beneficial when portray home furniture. Get ideas on poly, waxes, stripping home furnishings, and much more!

Happy portray!