If you’re going for an elegant vibe in your bedroom or living space, this light blue French provincial dresser makeover may be just what you need! The soft, muted blue color adds a touch of sophistication to any room, while still maintaining a cozy and inviting feel.

Plus, with the popularity of blue painted furniture on the rise, this dresser will add a trendy element to your space. Keep reading to find out how to create this beautiful look for your furniture!

Photo of French Provincial Dresser before the makeover

This DIY dresser makeover is a great way to give new life to an old piece of furniture. By painting it, you can transform a dated French provincial dresser into a modern and stylish statement piece in your home.

Light blue is such a cute and versatile color for furniture, especially when paired with a classic French provincial style.

It adds a subtle pop of color that can instantly brighten up any room. It can also be easily incorporated into any existing color scheme.

Now let’s create this gorgeous light blue French provincial dresser!

Table of Contents

Supplies Used for Light Blue French Provincial Dresser Makeover

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I also may earn from other qualifying purchases with other companies or get free product to review and use. All opinions are my own.

Electric Screwdriver
Krud Kutter
Sandpaper
SurfPrep Pro Foam Pads (Use code RAY10 to get 10% off your order)
SurfPrep 3×4 Sander (Use code RAY10 to get 10% off your order)
Vacuum
Tack Cloth
Clear Shellac
Home Depot Flat Latex Paint
Calcium Carbonate Powder
Fuji Q4 Paint Sprayer
Varathane Water-Based Polyurethane
BIN Shellac Primer
Cheap Paint Brush
Glaze
Rub n Buff (Gold Leaf)
Gloves

Prepare French Provincial Dresser

Before anything else, prepare the dresser for painting – start with removing hardware using an electric screwdriver. This is to make sure that every part of the dresser will be fully painted and no spots will be missed!

Photo of removing hardware with electric screwdriver

Next, use a strong cleaner like Krud Kutter to clean every inch of the dresser, especially if it’s very dirty. Rinse everything off with a clean wet rag and set aside to dry completely.

Once dry, it’s time to scuff sand the dresser with a medium-to-strong grit sandpaper.

In this case, we recommend using SurfPrep pro foam pads and their 3×4 sander for more control on the curved surfaces of this French provincial style.

After sanding, remove all dust with a vacuum and finish off with a tack cloth.

For proper adhesion, it’s important to prime the dresser. This will also prevent any existing stains or tannins from bleeding through your new paint job.

Apply 2 coats of primer, making sure to let it dry completely between coats.

Photo of clear shellac in can and spray can

We recommend using clear shellac as it dries quickly and provides a strong base for your paint. It’s also one of the best primers for painting furniture and the best primers to stop tannin bleed.

Paint French Provincial Dresser Light Blue

The next step in this makeover is the painting process! For this one, we made a custom blue mix color using Home Depot Flat Latex paint.

We mixed it with calcium carbonate powder following this homemade chalk paint recipe.

Photo of Home Depot Flat Latex paint in custom blue

We sprayed this custom light blue chalk paint onto the dresser using our trusty Fuji Q4 paint sprayer.

Using a paint sprayer on furniture gives it a smooth and even finish, especially on curved surfaces like those on this French provincial style dresser.

Photo of setting up Fuji Q4 paint sprayer to paint dresser

Apply 2-3 coats of paint, letting each coat dry completely before applying the next. This may seem like a lot of layers, but it guarantees full coverage and a flawless finish.

Seal Light Blue French Provincial Dresser

Before applying the topcoat, it’s important to make sure the paint is completely dry.

We recommend waiting at least 24 hours before sealing your dresser. Do this so the topcoat adheres properly and doesn’t cause any streaks or smudges.

We topcoated this dresser with Varathane water-based polyurethane in satin finish. We still use our paint sprayer for a smooth and even application.

We have a tutorial on how to spray polyurethane if you want more details on this process.

Photo of Varathane polyurethane water based to seal paint

This topcoat for painting furniture not only protects the paint from scratches and wear, but it also adds a subtle shine to the dresser, giving it a high-end look.

Fixing Bleedthrough Stains

Some bleedthrough stains came through in some spots of the dresser, even after applying primer.

To fix this issue, we used BIN shellac primer with a cheap paint brush and applied it to the affected areas until the stains stopped coming through.

We made sure to wait overnight between coats to make sure the primer effectively stopped the stains. After that, we repainted and topcoated everything again for a flawless finish.

It’s important to properly address bleedthrough stains as they can ruin an otherwise perfect paint job. Check out our how to stop stains from coming through paint post here for more tips and tricks.

Glaze Light Blue French Provincial Dresser

To add an extra touch of depth and character to the light blue French provincial dresser, consider adding a glaze.

Glazing involves applying a thin layer of tinted or colored glaze over your painted surface, then wiping off excess to create an aged or textured effect.

For this dresser, we did a base coat of brown glaze, then added another layer in the corners and details for a more antique look.

We also used a dry brush technique with white and blue glaze to create a layered finish.

Photo of applying glaze to painted furniture

Here’s our post on how to glaze over chalk paint so you can see how it’s done.

After glazing, we did 3 more coats of Varathane water-based polyurethane to seal and protect the dresser. You want the glaze layer to stay intact and not rub off or fade easily.

This step is also important for the durability and longevity of your beautiful light blue French provincial dresser.

Paint French Provincial Dresser Hardware

For the hardware, we wanted to elevate the elegance and glamour of this light blue French provincial dresser. That’s why we chose to paint it with Rub n Buff in Gold Leaf.

Rub n Buff is a wax-based metallic finish that adds a touch of luxury and shine to any surface it’s applied on.

We love using it on hardware because it’s easy to apply and dries quickly, giving an instant transformation.

Photo of rub n buff to paint furniture hardware

We got some gloves and rubbed on the Rub n Buff with our gloved fingers onto the hardware.

Start with a small amount and build it up gradually, as too much can create a messy finish. Once satisfied, we reattached the old hardware to the dresser for a perfect finishing touch.

Painting a French provincial dresser in a light blue color can give it a fresh and elegant look while still maintaining its classic charm.

Try out this makeover for yourself, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques, like glazing and painting the hardware, to make it truly unique.

close-up view of French Provincial Dresser after the makeover

full view photo of French Provincial Dresser after the makeover

More Before And After Makeovers

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