How to Paint a Dresser

Searching to update an old dresser? Find out how to paint a wood dresser the simple way for a stunning, clean end.

I like a superior home furniture makeover there is some thing about the combine of creativeness and restoration that – at the hazard of sounding overly spectacular – stirs my soul. So a new painted dresser makeover for our grasp bedroom was both of those price successful and therapeutic. 😉

Rather than display you a uncomplicated before and right after, though, I needed to give a phase by step tutorial on how to paint a dresser. In today’s climate of lengthy lead occasions and higher charge, I assume it is specially sweet to be equipped to restore an previous piece to new daily life. Regardless of whether it’s a family members heirloom, a new-to-you antique, a fun classic uncover, or only a substantial excellent new-ish dresser that requires a clean search, becoming ready to restore an outdated dresser is these kinds of a handy skill!

Discovering a Top quality Utilised Dresser

Initial, here’s a brief glimpse at the piece I just lately painted. After a few of a long time of residing with home furnishings that did not actually healthy the structure of our grasp bed room, I last but not least decided to go my stunning empire dresser out to the ranch and get a extensive, low dresser that match our space greater.

I located this dresser on Facebook Marketplace regionally, and with dovetail drawers, smooth glide drawer slides, and velvet lining, I was thrilled with the high quality I acquired for the selling price.

It is a additional present day form and fashion than I typically choose for furniture, but I knew I required a painted dresser that was a bit stately and still simple to enhance the wooden grain on the much more ornate antique washstands I restored for bedside tables.

Also, just hold out on that blank wall close to the window… I have bought major ideas! For the dresser, even though, I was on the lookout to achieve a clean, fashionable, matte finish in a deep moody blue. Allow me clearly show you how.

This is not sponsored, but a special thanks to Fusion for giving the paint. All viewpoints are my personal!

How to Paint a Dresser

This write-up includes affiliate one-way links. Click on in this article to study my total disclosure.

Tools and Supplies:

I’ve put with each other a video clip tutorial for you. For a lot more particulars and written recommendations, continue to keep examining down below.

1. Remove drawers and hardware

Pull just about every drawer all the way out of the dresser overall body and established it apart with the drawer front going through up. Then clear away all knobs, pulls, and attractive hardware. Retail outlet these securely in a cup or bag so you really don’t eliminate them.

As you do so, inspect the dresser for any significant hurt to the previous complete. If there are sizeable chips or deep scratches in the complete, get a moment to fill all those with wood filler before the subsequent action. Believe in me, the prep function is worth it!

2. Lightly sand

Applying medium grit sandpaper (I like 150), give the dresser a light sanding. If it demands additional smoothing, go in excess of a 2nd time with 220 grit paper.

You do not require to get rid of the past end completely given that you are heading to paint the dresser. You just want to scuff up the former finish and smooth out any inconsistencies. If the prior complete was shiny, be absolutely sure to sand enough to take out that sheen, as this could make your paint not adhere incredibly very well.

3. Clear

It is essential to get rid of all sanding dust as very well as any leftover grime, grease, or filth. I advise a brief wipe down with an previous rag to remove the majority of the sanding dust. Then spray the dresser with Krud Kutter or Basic Eco-friendly and wipe with a lint-free fabric to be certain a clear, oil totally free finish.

4. Paint to start with coat

My objective for this dresser was a smooth and strong complete no cost of brush strokes (if you want a textured chalk paint end, then this is not the suitable strategy for you.) Applying a higher-good quality artificial brush or a smaller foam roller produced for trim paint, apply the paint in easy extended strokes, staying careful to steer clear of paint drips. Let it dry fully.

5. Paint next coat

Repeat action 4 for the next coat.

6. (Optional) Apply prime coat

Fusion mineral paint does not involve a leading coat, and our dresser will only maintain ornamental merchandise, a lamp, and my clothing when I fail to put them absent )… so I did not seal it. But if you know your dresser will acquire sizeable visitors, then you may possibly pick out to seal it with a polyurethane or drinking water-primarily based best coat (scroll down to see linked posts for more strategies on top coats!).

7. (Optional) Update components

When your paint dries, you could possibly contemplate updating your components. I gave these drawer pulls a small facelift with Rub ‘n Buff, which is my favorite gold wax merchandise. I just wiped it on with a paper towel and rubbed off the excessive.

8. Put in components

At the time almost everything has totally dried, reinstall your components. Then use the dresser carefully for at least of pair of months to allow for the paint to completely get rid of to its toughest end.

Painting Home furnishings FAQs:

Can you paint a dresser without the need of sanding?
You can, if you use chalky paint or mineral paint, but I would suggest from it. A really light-weight sanding (not to remove the complete, just to scuff it up a little bit) will smooth out imperfections and boost your paint’s adherence and hence toughness.

Do I require to prime my dresser right before portray?
That will rely on the earlier end and type of paint (and color) you are making use of. As you noticed over, it is achievable to paint with out primer if you get ready the wood correctly (a gentle sanding to eliminate any shiny finishes) and use a paint produced to adhere, such as mineral paint or chalky paint.

However, if you are arranging to use latex paint or oil primarily based paints, I advise priming. If you are seeking to paint a pretty dark wooden dresser white, then you may possibly want to key just to minimize down on the range of coats of paint needed. If the wood is specifically darkish or different and you want a clear, gentle shade, then I suggest an oil centered primer.

What form of paint do you use on a dresser?
My most loved paint to use on dressers (and most small home furnishings items) is Fusion mineral paint. Nonetheless, I have also had achievement with chalk paint, latex, and even oil-dependent paints. The important issue is that you put together the dresser to obtain the paint properly. If you pick 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 appreciate applying spray paint on outside furniture and add-ons, but I would not suggest making use of it on a dresser considering that spray paint does not often give you a quite even finish. And most dressers have massive flat locations that would be tough to spray paint without some inconsistencies in the complete.

Alternatively, you could use a paint sprayer, with mineral or latex paint like I did on our murphy bed, but I discover that taping off all the drawers and openings of a dresser is really cumbersome and hardly well worth the perform because dressers are merely not incredibly big.

Can I comply with these directions for other wooden home furnishings (like chairs, beds, tables, and many others.)?
Yep! These exact same instructions could be adopted for most parts of home furniture. Having said that, I do advise a leading coat for a table or desk to give it better toughness.

Other Home furniture Portray Strategies

Here are a number of extra posts you could possibly locate useful when painting furnishings. Get guidelines on poly, waxes, stripping furniture, and a lot more!

Happy portray!