How to Change Hardware on a Dresser
Aside from paint, one of the easiest ways to give your piece a fresh, updated look is by changing out the hardware. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to change hardware on a dresser, whether you’re looking to add modern knobs or vintage pulls.
This switch can make a big impact on the overall appearance of your dresser and can even tie in with the rest of your room decor. Plus, you can use these techniques for repairing old furniture!
There are two main ways of changing the hardware on a dresser. You can update the old one with new knobs. OR you can paint it. You can go right to the painting dresser hardware part of the post here.
Sometimes, old hardware is just outdated or doesn’t match your style anymore. Other times, it may be damaged or broken. Whatever the reason, updating dresser hardware is easy, affordable, and lets you customize your piece just the way you want.
You can go with classic and timeless options like brass or nickel knobs, or opt for something more unique and eye catching like crystal or ceramic pulls. You can also mix and match different styles for a more fun look.
Supplies Used to Change Hardware on a Dresser
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- Wood Filler
- Bondo
- Wood Epoxy (KwikWood)
- Painters Tape
- Spreader
- Sandpaper
- Shellac
- KREG Cabinet Hardware Jig
- Krud Kutter
- Paint
- Primer
- Topcoat
How to Change Hardware on a Dresser
This method is my very favorite way – this is basically updating the piece with new knobs and changing its entire look. This same method applies if you want to change the size of the drawer pull or if you want to change it to a knob.
Hardware with two holes is measured by the center of one hole to the center of the other.
A lot of old furniture has hardware with odd or large sizes. And those sizes are usually not available in newly manufactured ones. Or they don’t offer the style you want in that size. So, it’s very common to fill in the old holes and make new ones to accommodate the new hardware.
What filler is best to fill hardware holes?
There are 3 different products you can use:
- Wood Filler
- Bondo
- Wood Epoxy (KwikWood)
See how these products compare to each other in this post about filling holes when replacing cabinet or furniture hardware.
Wood Filler
This seems to be the most common way to fill in old drawer holes. But it’s my least favorite.
Wood filler shrinks a lot while drying (even the kinds that say they don’t shrink), and it even takes a long time. You can definitely use it for old hardware holes, but you will need to let it dry, sand it down, and repeat that process about 3-4 times before it’s totally flush with the rest of the surface. We’re talking about an all day process here.
It’s great if the old knobs left scratches around the holes, though! Just spread it into and over the scratches, let it dry, and then sand it down smooth. You will want to repeat that one more time to make sure the scratches are really hidden.
Bondo
Bondo was originally made for autobody repairs. But it works really well for furniture repairs, too!
(I personally prefer the autobody kind over the all purpose kind, but the all purpose kind is cheaper and is usually in stock.)
It works really well for old hardware holes, too, though! Bondo dries fast – within 20-30 minutes of mixing the hardener into it. It also dries really hard! And it doesn’t shrink as wood filler does.
The major downside, though, is the strong smell it has, and it is flammable. So, if you’re working indoors, I wouldn’t recommend Bondo.
How to Use Bondo
Bondo is made of two parts. Mix the two together in increments according to the instructions on the can.
And then spread it over the holes. You need to work fast and in small batches because this stuff hardens within a couple of minutes, making it impossible to spread anymore. Once it is dry, you can sand the excess down and put one more layer on top. After you sand down the second layer, it should be perfectly even with the wood.
One other thing to note, it dries very hard, which makes it more difficult to sand. I like to sand it down with 100 grit sandpaper and then move up to 220 grit. You also don’t want to spread too much extra on, or else you will have a lot of excess to sand off.
You can also learn how to repair damaged furniture and how to repair missing or broken trim on furniture using Bondo here.
Wood Epoxy
Out of the three, wood epoxy (KwikWood) is my favorite way to fill in these holes. It dries hard like Bondo, but it takes a little bit longer. It also has a longer work time, which is a lot easier to manage.
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It comes in a little tube, and all you have to do is break off the amount you need and knead it together in your hands. It’s the consistency of clay! Wood epoxy does have a smell to it, but not anything like the strength of the smell of Bondo.
Just break it into small pieces and push it into the holes. You can add a little bit of water to make it easier to work with and to spread it out a bit at the top of the hole. After it dries for about an hour, you can sand it down smooth.
Wood epoxy doesn’t shrink, and it doesn’t have air bubbles in it like Bondo, so if you slightly overfill the hole, and then sand it down once it’s dry, you should be good to go!
Learn more about this epoxy (specifically KwikWood) in this green painted modern dresser makeover. Here’s a more detailed guide on how to use KwikWood!
How to Fill in Old Hardware Holes
- Remove the old knobs or pulls.
- You may want to place a piece of painters tape over the holes inside of the drawer to make sure the filler doesn’t ooze into the drawer.
- Grab your filler of choice and apply it. Be sure to overfill them just a bit.
- Once your filler of choice is dry, sand it down smooth so it is flush with the drawer front.
- Repeat as necessary (according to the type you’re using).
- If the old hardware left dents in your wood, fill the small impressions following the same process.
- For the best results, one last thing to do is to spray shellac over the filled area. This helps the paint look its very best over it!
How to Remove Old Hardware From Furniture
First things first, you have to figure out what kind of hardware you’re working with. Are they screwed in, nailed down, bolted, or just for decoration? Knowing this will help you decide on the best way to remove them.
If they’re screwed in, you can easily remove them with a screwdriver. An electric screwdriver can even make this process quicker and easier. If they’re nailed down, you can use a hammer to pry them off. If they’re bolted, you’ll need to use a wrench or pliers.
Take your time and be gentle while doing this step. You don’t want to ruin your piece by forcing them off too quickly or using too much force. This matters even more if you’re gonna reuse them in the future, so make sure to take them out carefully.
How to Make New Holes for Hardware
With your old holes filled, now is a great time to drill new holes. You really, really, really want to do this before you paint. If you mess up, you can fill them in and redrill them. But if you have already painted, you’ll have to touch up those areas.
I’ve made that mistake way too much. So, decide where you want the new knobs or pulls to be, and then measure where the holes need to be drilled. Mark it with a pen.
Make sure that each piece is the same distance from the edges. This KREG cabinet hardware jig is such a good tool to help with that! I like this one specifically because you can adjust it to so many different sizes. The cheaper ones that have specific sizes and measurements, don’t ever seem to be what I need.
Here’s my more detailed guide on how to drill new hardware holes!
Now you’re ready to paint your piece!! If you’re new to this, check all of our tips and painting furniture ideas here! Here’s how to paint furniture with chalk paint you can easily follow, too.
How to Paint Dresser Hardware
If you still like the old ones but still want to update them, you can paint them! It’s super simple, and here’s how:
- First things first, remove it and find a clean cardboard box to work on them.
- Take the pieces apart if they come apart.
- Make sure to clean them really well (I love to use Krud Kutter) to remove any grease and grime build up over the years.
- Then, give them a light scuff sanding with 220 grit sandpaper. This will really help the new coating stick and last long!
- Next, clean off all the dust.
My go to method is to spray paint hardware. The spray makes it easy to get into all the details without getting too much coating everywhere.
What Spray Paint Should I Use for Dresser Knobs?
Before painting your old knobs or pulls, we need to prime it. Yes, the spray paint says that it will stick to metal, but in my experience, it easily scratches off over time. But a coat or two of primer will help prevent the scratches.
Once the primer is dry, you can spray a couple of metallic coats. Be sure to read the label of your spray can for application instructions. I typically choose a Rustoleum Universal spray paint. It says that you can use it on metal (most hardware is metal), so that’s perfect! I love that it also has a sheen to it that makes it look more real.
When using a spray can, keep your distance so you get a light mist on the hardware. Too much paint will result in drips. With a light mist, you can go back and forth a few times to get a nice thin coat.
Once it’s dried, it’s best to put a few coats of a topcoat on to once again help your new finish last longer without scratching. This may take a little bit of the metallic sheen away, but the way it will protect it is much more important for a lasting finish.
For more on how to change the color of drawer pulls, here’s how to spray paint drawer pulls and how to paint drawer pulls. Happy painting!!
Are your drawers giving you issues?? Learn how to fix old dresser drawers that stick in this post. Or learn how to fix old dresser drawers from falling out here.
How To Change Hardware On A Dresser
Changing hardware on a dresser is the easiest way to update the overall look. So let’s dive into how to change hardware on a dresser!
Materials
Instructions
- Remove the old dresser hardware.
- Place a piece of painters tape over the holes inside of the drawer to make sure the filler doesn’t ooze into the drawer.
- Grab your filler of choice (wood filler, Bondo or KwikWood), and fill the holes in. Be sure to overfill them just a bit.
- Once your filler dries, sand it down smooth so it is flush with the drawer front.
- Repeat as necessary (according to the type of filler you are using).
- If the hardware left dents in your wood, fill the small impressions with wood filler – following the same process.
- Spray shellac over the filler to help paint look its very best over the filled in area.
- Drill the new hardware holes before you paint.
- For painting hardware, clean them really well with Krud Kutter and give them a light scuff sanding.
- Apply a coat or two of primer onto your hardware to help prevent the scratches. Once the primer is dry, now paint your hardware.
- When the paint dries, put a few coats of topcoat on to once again help your new finish last longer without scratching.
Recommended Products
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More Repairing Furniture Resources
- Repairing Veneer with Wood Filler
- How to Fix a Chipped Wood Corner
- How to Fix Chipped Wood Furniture
- How To Fix Dog Chewed Wood Trim
- How To Repair Damaged Wood Finish
Follow us on YouTube to get more tips for painting furniture. Or share your project with us on our Facebook Group and be part of our community. See you there!
Hi Natalie,
Thx for the tip! I can’t stand having to constantly buy wood fill and then it hardens on you and makes it unusable ugh. I’m going to definitely buy Kwik Wood. Happy new year!
Janet
So happy to help Janet!
Filling holes is the worst part of refinishing furniture and cabinets! Thank you for this-cant wait to try kwikwood, and I had to share this post on my fb page!
Hey Beth! Thank you so much! I hope you love the Kwikwood as much as I do!
What is the name of the color green on this dresser?
Love it! Susan
The makeover and supplies used for this green dresser is here The Green Painted Modern Dresser