How to Paint a Dresser

Hunting to update an previous dresser? Find out how to paint a wooden dresser the effortless way for a beautiful, sleek finish.

I like a excellent furniture makeover there’s a little something about the mix of creative imagination and restoration that – at the threat of sounding overly spectacular – stirs my soul. So a recent painted dresser makeover for our master bedroom was equally expense productive and therapeutic. 😉

Somewhat than demonstrate you a basic before and immediately after, even though, I preferred to give a action by step tutorial on how to paint a dresser. In today’s climate of long guide times and large price tag, I assume it is in particular sweet to be capable to restore an old piece to new daily life. Whether or not it’s a family heirloom, a new-to-you antique, a fun classic come across, or only a superior good quality new-ish dresser that requirements a fresh new appear, remaining ready to restore an outdated dresser is these types of a handy ability!

Acquiring a Quality Utilised Dresser

First, here’s a quick search at the piece I not too long ago painted. Soon after a pair of several years of dwelling with household furniture that did not genuinely in good shape the format of our grasp bed room, I ultimately determined to move my attractive empire dresser out to the ranch and get a very long, lower dresser that in shape our area better.

I found this dresser on Facebook Marketplace domestically, and with dovetail drawers, clean glide drawer slides, and velvet lining, I was thrilled with the excellent I acquired for the cost.

It is a extra contemporary form and style than I often opt for for home furniture, but I knew I wanted a painted dresser that was a little bit stately and nonetheless very simple to enhance the wood grain on the much more ornate antique washstands I restored for bedside tables.

Also, just wait on that blank wall around the window… I’ve received massive options! For the dresser, though, I was searching to reach a clean, modern-day, matte end in a deep moody blue. Enable me exhibit you how.

This is not sponsored, but a special thanks to Fusion for furnishing the paint. All opinions are my very own!

How to Paint a Dresser

This article consists of affiliate one-way links. Click on below to examine my whole disclosure.

Instruments and Materials:

I have place collectively a online video tutorial for you. For a lot more aspects and created directions, preserve studying underneath.

1. Clear away drawers and components

Pull just about every drawer all the way out of the dresser physique and set it aside with the drawer front experiencing up. Then clear away all knobs, pulls, and attractive hardware. Retail store these safely in a cup or bag so you never shed them.

As you do so, examine the dresser for any major problems to the former complete. If there are important chips or deep scratches in the finish, take a moment to fill those people with wood filler before the upcoming phase. Believe in me, the prep operate is value it!

2. Lightly sand

Making use of medium grit sandpaper (I like 150), give the dresser a light sanding. If it desires a lot more smoothing, go above a next time with 220 grit paper.

You do not need to remove the past complete solely since you are going to paint the dresser. You just want to scuff up the preceding end and smooth out any inconsistencies. If the previous end was glossy, be confident to sand ample to get rid of that sheen, as this could make your paint not adhere extremely nicely.

3. Clear

It is important to take away all sanding dust as nicely as any leftover grime, grease, or dirt. I advise a speedy wipe down with an aged rag to eliminate the majority of the sanding dust. Then spray the dresser with Krud Kutter or Uncomplicated Environmentally friendly and wipe with a lint-free fabric to be certain a clear, oil totally free complete.

4. Paint initial coat

My goal for this dresser was a smooth and durable finish free of charge of brush strokes (if you want a textured chalk paint end, then this is not the suitable system for you.) Using a high-top quality artificial brush or a little foam roller made for trim paint, utilize the paint in clean extensive strokes, becoming watchful to steer clear of paint drips. Let it dry completely.

5. Paint second coat

Repeat step 4 for the 2nd coat.

6. (Optional) Apply best coat

Fusion mineral paint does not have to have a major coat, and our dresser will basically maintain ornamental merchandise, a lamp, and my dresses when I fail to place them away )… so I did not seal it. But if you know your dresser will get substantial website traffic, then you might pick out to seal it with a polyurethane or water-dependent best coat (scroll down to see linked posts for extra guidelines on major coats!).

7. (Optional) Update hardware

Whilst your paint dries, you may take into consideration updating your components. I gave these drawer pulls a small facelift with Rub ‘n Buff, which is my most loved gold wax product. I just wiped it on with a paper towel and rubbed off the extra.

8. Install components

When anything has completely dried, reinstall your components. Then use the dresser diligently for at the very least of couple of weeks to allow for the paint to absolutely remedy to its most difficult complete.

Painting Home furnishings FAQs:

Can you paint a dresser without having sanding?
You can, if you use chalky paint or mineral paint, but I would suggest from it. A pretty light-weight sanding (not to get rid of the finish, just to scuff it up a little bit) will sleek out imperfections and improve your paint’s adherence and consequently toughness.

Do I need to have to primary my dresser prior to portray?
That will rely on the earlier finish and type of paint (and color) you are making use of. As you noticed earlier mentioned, it is feasible to paint without primer if you prepare the wooden adequately (a light sanding to get rid of any shiny finishes) and use a paint built to adhere, these as mineral paint or chalky paint.

Nonetheless, if you are arranging to use latex paint or oil based paints, I advise priming. If you are seeking to paint a pretty dark wood dresser white, then you could want to primary just to minimize down on the number of coats of paint necessary. If the wood is especially dark or assorted and you want a clear, mild colour, then I suggest an oil based primer.

What form of paint do you use on a dresser?
My favorite paint to use on dressers (and most tiny furniture parts) is Fusion mineral paint. Nonetheless, I have also had achievement with chalk paint, latex, and even oil-based paints. The crucial factor is that you get ready the dresser to acquire the paint appropriately. If you choose latex or oil paint, you will want to use satin, semi-gloss, or gloss for durability.

Can you paint a dresser with spray paint?
I enjoy applying spray paint on outside home furnishings and add-ons, but I would not advise employing it on a dresser since spray paint does not often give you a really even complete. And most dressers have huge flat locations that would be tough to spray paint with out some inconsistencies in the finish.

Alternatively, you could use a paint sprayer, with mineral or latex paint like I did on our murphy bed, but I find that taping off all the drawers and openings of a dresser is quite laborous and rarely really worth the function due to the fact dressers are simply just not quite significant.

Can I abide by these instructions for other wood household furniture (like chairs, beds, tables, and so forth.)?
Yep! These same guidance could be followed for most pieces of furniture. On the other hand, I do recommend a major coat for a table or desk to give it greater toughness.

Other Home furniture Portray Recommendations

Below are a number of additional posts you might locate valuable when painting furniture. Get guidelines on poly, waxes, stripping household furniture, and much more!

Delighted portray!