These vintage nightstands we got from an estate sale are so cute! And today, we’re showing you how to chalk paint nightstands like this and turn them into stunning, personalized pieces for your home.

If you have a similar pair that is in need of a makeover, follow along as we share our tried and true ways for creating these beautiful chalk paint furniture ideas. We’ll also show you how to make it durable and long lasting so that you can enjoy your newly updated pieces for years to come.

Two wooden three-drawer tables side by side with “before” written above in large script.

Estate sales are typically a little bit pricier for finding furniture, but a lot of times, they are also in much better shape. I like to go, if possible, on their sale days or their last day, when items are 25% to 50% off, so you get a much, much better deal. Check out more best places to get good furniture for cheap here!

Anyways, these vintage nightstands have three drawers. The hardware is not so pretty, and I don’t like it. Every time I get furniture with hardware like this, I throw out the hardware, and I like to replace it with something new. This is a simple change that can make a big difference in the overall look of the piece.

And of course, I’m giving these pieces a fresh update with white paint. It’ll totally brighten up the room and give them a modern, clean look. Plus, white furniture always looks great and works with pretty much any decor.

Supplies Used for Chalk Painting Nightstands

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Prepping the Nightstands

First, I removed the hardware from the inside of the drawers using a screwdriver. Since I hate the hardware, I just threw it away. I always remove the hardware before I paint any piece. This way, I can change it out, and it is so much easier to prep and paint a piece without the hardware in the way.

A hand holds a black power tool near the edge of an empty wooden drawer, with a pink shoe visible below.

Then I did the rest of the prep work. I cleaned the pieces with Krud Kutter to remove grease and grime, and I lightly scuff sanded the surface to help the paint stick. Contrary to what a lot of chalk paint companies tell you, most chalk paint will not really stick to vintage furniture without some help.

Do You Need to Prep Before Using Chalk Paint?

Yes, there are times that it will stick without prepping, and you can just slap it on. But the second that you use your furniture, it is easily going to scratch off. If you set something on it, it will stick to the heavy thing that you put onto the surface.

Or you accidentally bump your fingernail against the paint on the drawer as you’re opening it up, and now you’ve got a little paint chip. And so, sure, you can just slap the chalk paint on, but it’s not going to look as good, and it’s not going to adhere very well.

Plus, if you just slap it on over raw wood surfaces, and this goes for any water based paint, you will have stains from the wood come through, and you will not be able to get rid of them unless you prime with a specific type of primer.

Now, if you don’t really care and you just want it to look good for a little bit, and it doesn’t bother you when you get scratches on your piece, go ahead and skip these prep steps. Just know that it’s not going to look very good very soon after you start using your furniture.

A hand sanding a wooden surface with purple sandpaper

After cleaning off the dust from the scuff sanding, I sprayed the nightstands with clear shellac. Now, this sounds weird because it’s technically a topcoat, but it helps the paint stick. It’s a fantastic primer that blocks those stains I talked about. Learn more about how to stop stains from coming through paint in this post.

You can also distress your chalk paint and see the wood underneath instead of some other primer color, because it’s clear. It’s super easy to spray it on, too! Check out our post on the best spray paint primer for wood here to learn more about clear shellac.

Chalk Painting Nightstands

We mixed our homemade chalk paint recipe with Behr latex paint in the color Heavy Cream, calcium carbonate powder, and water. You can check out the post for a more detailed guide on making it.

A can of Behr paint and a bottle of NOW calcium carbonate powder on a wooden surface.

Brush it, roll it, spray it – whichever option is the best option for you and what you’re most comfortable with. We just used a beginner sprayer, the Wagner Double Duty. It has been discontinued, so you’ll want to check out this beginner friendly sprayer instead.

We laid out plastic and some 5-gallon buckets to set the furniture on in our backyard. It works great this way, but you don’t have to have this or any specific setup. Spraying outside is a great option, though, if you don’t have access to a garage or spray booth. Spray 2 to 5 coats of chalk paint. The number of coats depends on the color that you use and the color of the piece you’re starting with.

Two small dressers being painted outside, set on buckets and covered surfaces near a brick wall and trees.

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These nightstands were going from a pretty dark brown to a creamy white – creamy whites, yellows, and pinks all take more coats, so those are going to take 5 coats. But if you’re going from dark brown to black, then that’s only going to take 2 coats.

After we got full coverage, we let it dry, and chalk paint dries super fast – typically, 30 minutes, and you’re ready for a new coat. If you’re in a cold or humid area, it will take a little longer to dry. Recoat it after 30 minutes to an hour.

Distressing Chalk Paint

After the last coat was dry, I distressed the pieces. I just took 220 grit sandpaper and lightly sanded the edges, revealing the wood underneath just a little bit to give it a distressed, worn out look. This is intentional; it’s very farmhouse style. Get more tips on how to distress chalk paint here!

Close-up of a white wooden bedside table with slightly distressed paint on the edges

You don’t have to do this, but while I’m distressing, I also like to lightly sand everything so the chalk painted finish feels smoother. If you skip this step, it might feel rough and textured. If you distressed with sandpaper, clean off the dust with a tack cloth to remove it.

Adding a Topcoat

Then, you have to topcoat your chalk paint. A lot of people like to use wax, but I don’t like it. To me, it takes longer to not be sticky and tacky, and it doesn’t provide as good of a barrier as a polyurethane topcoat does.

But you have to be careful with polyurethane topcoats. Don’t use oil based ones because oil will make your finish look yellow. I use Varathane polyurethane waterbased poly – it’s clear, dries clear, and doesn’t change the color of your paint.

A small, white-painted bedside table with no drawer handles sits outdoors on overturned buckets.

I like to spray it on, but you can also brush it with these best paint brushes for polyurethane or use a sponge. Learn how to apply polycrylic to painted furniture with a sponge here. And here’s how to spray polyurethane to guide you if you want to use a sprayer, too.

I apply a couple of coats and let them dry in between for a couple of hours. This will protect and prevent it from scratching or chipping as easily, and help your finish last longer.

Sale

Vonforn Paint Sprayer

Country Chic Paint in Peacoat Blue

Varathane Water Based Polyurethane

Adding New Hardware

The last thing I did on this makeover was put new hardware on. I chose something new, still a little fancy but simpler. It was rubbed bronze and simpler than the original. I chose this because the size matched the spacing of the holes from the original ones, so I didn’t have to change them. I have more tips on how to change hardware on furniture here.

And that’s how to chalk paint nightstands! A little prep work and a few fresh coats can totally transform a piece into something you’ll love. It could be a thrift find or something you’ve had forever – chalk paint is such an easy way to give it a fresh, stylish look.

White furniture with black handle, glass vase with dried flowers, and green moss ball on top against white wall.

Two white nightstands after makeover with black handles, decorated with books, plants, and small home decor items.

More Before and After Makeovers

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Click any of these “before” photos below to view the “after” of that makeover.

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Old beat up wood dresser with gold hardware before the makeover

My Husband’s First Furniture Makeover

antique desk with drawers before the makeover

Antique Desk Makeover

bedside table furniture before the makeover

Painting a Bedside Table