We all know the struggle of finding the perfect piece of furniture that fits both our aesthetic and practical needs. Well, with this modern dresser TV stand makeover, you can create a customized piece that is not only stylish but also serves its purpose.

With just a few simple steps, you can transform an old dresser into a chic and practical TV stand. This is one of the DIY dresser makeover ideas perfect for those looking to add a unique touch to their living space while also repurposing old furniture.

We had this modern dresser and decided to repurpose it into a TV stand. The sleek design and sturdy construction made it the perfect candidate for a makeover.

We decided that we wanted the 2 top drawers to swing open like doors so that we can access all of our TV equipment easily. But when the doors are closed, it will look just like a regular dresser!

How cool is that? So here’s how we did it!

Table of Contents

Supplies Used for Modern Dresser TV Stand Makeover

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JigSaw
Hinge
Extra Wood
Krud Kutter
220 Grit Sandpaper
Shop Vacuum
Tack Cloth
Clear Shellac Spray Primer
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Napoleonic Blue (or color-matched latex paint)
Calcium Carbonate Powder
Varathane Polyurethane in Satin
Drill

Turning Dresser to TV Stand

It was actually pretty tricky to turn the dresser into a TV stand. We cut the drawer front off with a jigsaw, and it took quite a bit of thinking and trial and error to create a working hinge. But in the end, we were able to get the top 2 drawers to swing open like doors for easy access.

The key was using some scrap wood to recreate the drawer front and box, making sure that the hinge was attached correctly and would function properly.

We also had to secure some extra wood underneath the drawer box since it was quite thin and the screws for the hinge needed more support.

photo of hinge to create swinging doors of furniture

The drawers also needed to be pulled out a few inches in order for the front to be pulled down, but it all came together in the end. And that’s how we were able to make the dresser appear normal when the drawers are closed!

Removing Hardware from Dresser TV Stand

After figuring out the mechanics of the drawer fronts, we then removed all the hardware from the dresser. This included the knobs, drawer slides, and any other unnecessary pieces that would interfere with our painting.

Cleaning and Sanding Dresser TV Stand

Next, we cleaned the dresser TV stand with Krud Kutter to remove any dirt and grime. If you want your paint to adhere properly, it’s important to have a clean surface. Cleaning furniture before painting also helps to remove any odors that may be trapped in the wood.

photo of cleaning and scuff sanding furniture before painting

After cleaning, we gave the dresser TV stand a light scuff sanding using 220 grit sandpaper. This helps to create a rough surface for the paint to stick to and also removes any glossy finish. Here’s sanding before painting furniture to learn more about the importance of this process.

We made sure to clean off all dust with a shop vacuum and a tack cloth. You don’t want any dust or debris sticking to the paint!

Priming Dresser TV Stand

The next step in our dresser TV stand makeover was priming. We used a clear shellac spray primer to make sure that the paint would properly adhere to the surface.

Clear shellac is one of the best primers for painting furniture and we chose it because it dries quickly, seals any stains or odors, and provides a good base for paint.

photo of applying clear shellac onto furniture

After giving the primer a good shake, we sprayed an even coat all over the dresser, making sure to cover every nook and cranny. It’s important to let the primer dry completely before moving on to the next step. We left ours to dry overnight!

Painting Dresser TV Stand

For painting our dresser now TV stand, we chose a beautiful shade called Napoleonic Blue from Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Check out our honest Annie Sloan chalk paint review to learn more about our personal experience using this chalk paint. And here’s turn a headboard into a bench makeover where we used Annie Sloan in Napoleonic Blue.

We got it color matched at Home Depot with latex paint for a cheaper price, and then turned it into homemade chalk paint with calcium carbonate powder. You can follow our homemade chalk paint recipe here!

photo of applying multiple coats of custom paint onto furniture

You can also see the color code in the photo above so you can easily replicate this gorgeous blue hue. We painted our dresser TV stand with 3-4 coats of the Napoleonic Blue, letting it dry for about 2 hours between each coat. Since this is a bold color, it took multiple coats to get full coverage.

We also painted the inside of the drawers that we modified to function as doors, as well as inside the dresser where they sat. We did this for a more cohesive look and to make sure that there were no unfinished areas visible when the doors were open.

After painting, we lightly distressed the dresser TV stand with 220 grit sandpaper by hand for a slightly worn and vintage look. And we had our shop vac and tack cloth handy to clean off any dust that was created during the distressing furniture process.

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Sealing Painted Dresser TV Stand

Once we finished painting and distressing our dresser TV stand, it was time to seal the paint with a topcoat for painting furniture. We used Varathane polyurethane in a satin finish for a durable and protective coat.

We sprayed three coats of polyurethane over the entire piece, making sure to cover every surface. We let the polyurethane dry overnight. By morning, it was completely dry and our dresser TV stand was ready to be put back together!

We attached the hardware back onto the drawers, making sure they were properly aligned and functioning.

Another thing we did was drill 1.5″ holes in the back of the drawer and the back of the dresser for cords to go through. This way, we could keep our cords organized and hidden while still being able to use our dresser TV stand as a functional piece of furniture.

photo of drilling holes at the back of the drawer and the back of the dresser for cords to go through

We also drilled multiple holes to help with air flow and prevent any overheating from electronics inside. This may seem like a small detail, but it’s important to consider when using furniture for dual purposes.

We wanted to make sure our dresser TV stand would be both stylish and functional in every way possible. And if you want to match your modern TV stand with your dresser, here are modern dresser ideas you can try!

And that’s how our dresser TV stand makeover went! It started a bit tricky with the drawers, but in the end, we created a beautiful and functional piece of furniture that now serves as both storage and an entertainment center.

We hope this inspires you to repurpose old furniture and get creative with your home decor!

close-up view of furniture after the makeover

full view of furniture after the makeover

More Before and After Makeovers

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

Vintage Buffet Makeover

Old Sideboard Makeover

antique buffet in dark wood before makeover

Painting an Antique Buffet

Painting a Dresser Gray