Painting a Dresser Gray
If you’re looking to update your dresser with an incredibly versatile color that can fit in with any decor style, then gray would be a top choice. This painting a dresser gray makeover will show you how beautiful a piece of gray painted furniture would be.
This is one of the DIY dresser makeover ideas featuring gray that you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re going for a modern or farmhouse look, we’ll guide you through the process of transforming your old dresser into a stylish and functional piece.
Gray is such a popular color choice for dressers because it gives off a sleek and sophisticated vibe. It also acts as the perfect neutral canvas that can easily blend in with any existing furniture pieces you may have.
When it comes to painting furniture gray, there are various shade options to choose from – light gray, dark gray, and everything in between. This allows you to truly customize the look of your piece and make it unique to your own personal style and space. Here’s best grey furniture paint to learn your gray paint options!
So let’s get into this makeover, and see how easy it is to give your dresser a fresh new look with gray furniture paint. We’ll cover all the steps you need to know, and you can easily follow along and create your own beautiful piece of gray furniture.
Supplies Used for Painting a Dresser Gray
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.
- Screwdriver
- Krud Kutter
- Rag
- Bondo
- Drill
- 220 Grit Sandpaper
- Vacuum
- Tack Cloth
- Painter’s Tape and Pre-Taped Plastic
- Clear Shellac Spray
- Behr Latex Paint (tinted with Sherwin Williams Iron Ore gray)
- Calcium Carbonate Powder
- Vonforn Paint Sprayer
- New Hardware
Prepare Dresser for Gray Paint
We started by taking off all the hardware from the dresser. This step is necessary because it will be easier to paint and avoid getting any paint on the hardware. We used our handy dandy electric screwdriver to carefully remove them.
Then we cleaned the dresser by spraying it with Krud Kutter and wiping it off with a rag. We wanted to make sure that the surface was free from any dirt or grime before painting. Krud Kutter is a great cleaner for furniture because it cuts through the dirty surface without being too harsh on the wood.
We were also going to replace the old hardware with new ones, and they come in different sizes, so we filled in the old hardware holes with Bondo. You can learn how to use Bondo for filing holes when replacing cabinet or furniture hardware here, and you can also read our Bondo Wood Filler review for more about this product.
After, we measured and marked where the new hardware holes needed to be, and we drilled new holes in the drawers using a drill. Then we scuff sanded the entire dresser including the dried Bondo with 220 grit sandpaper. Sanding creates an even surface as well as helps the primer and paint adhere better to the wood.
Prime Dresser before Painting Gray
After tackling the dust from sanding with a vacuum and tack cloth, we were ready for the primer. But first, we taped off the inside of the drawers with painters tape and pre-taped plastic first so that we wouldn’t get any primer on the inside.
We used clear shellac in a spray can, and applied 2 coats to the entire dresser. Priming with clear shellac helps with adhesion so the new paint will stick to the surface well and not chip or peel off easily. It also helps block bleed through from the wood from coming through your paint. Check out priming wood for painting to learn all the benefits – we feature clear shellac in the post as well.
We let the shellac dry overnight to make sure the primer is completely dry and set before proceeding with painting. It also allows for a smoother painting process, since you won’t have any sticky or tacky spots that can ruin your paint job.
Painting a Dresser Gray with Homemade Chalk Paint
For our gray paint, we decided to use our tried and tested homemade chalk paint recipe. It’s a simple and cost effective alternative to buying expensive chalk paint. We got Behr latex paint tinted with Sherwin Williams Iron Ore gray, then mixed in some calcium carbonate powder to create our chalk paint mixture. Check out our blog post above for detailed instructions on how to make chalk paint!
We also used this gray paint in this grey chalk paint dresser, so you can see how this color turned out on another dresser.
Once we mixed up our chalk paint, we poured it into our trusty Vonforn paint sprayer and thinned it out with a small amount of water. You can learn how to thin paint for a sprayer properly here so you don’t waste any paint. For more on the Vonforn sprayer, here’s our Vonforn paint sprayer review and our guide on how to use Vonforn paint sprayer!
We sprayed 2 coats of gray chalk paint onto the dresser, waiting about 30 minutes in between each coat for it to dry. Don’t rush the process and make sure the paint is completely dry before applying the second coat to avoid any clumping or unevenness.
After the gray paint dried completely, we added the new hardware. See how it completes the look and adds that final touch of style! You can always use the old hardware, but if you want to give your dresser a more updated look, consider switching out the hardware for something new. Here’s how to change hardware on a dresser for more tips on this!
More Before and After Makeovers
See All >
Click any of these “before” photos below to view the “after” of that makeover.
We love how our gray dresser turned out, and we hope this makeover inspires you to give your own piece a fresh new look with some gorgeous gray paint! There are also more grey painted dresser ideas here for more inspiration. For more bedroom furniture makeovers here’s our list of grey painted bedroom furniture ideas.
Whether you prefer a light or dark gray shade, with the right techniques and supplies, you can easily transform your furniture and make it your own. And with the added bonus of using homemade chalk paint, it’ll be a DIY project that’s both fun and budget friendly.
Painting a Dresser Gray
Transform your old dresser with a sleek and modern gray finish! Follow this easy step by step guide to learn how to give your dresser a fresh new look.
Materials
Instructions
- First, remove all hardware from the dresser with a screwdriver to make painting easier and avoid getting paint on the hardware. This includes drawer knobs and pulls, as well as any decorative pieces.
- Next, clean the dresser with a furniture cleaner like Krud Kutter to remove any dirt or grime. You want the piece to have a smooth and clean surface before painting for the best results.
- Fill in the old hardware holes with Bondo. Measure and mark where the new hardware holes will go before drilling them.
- Sand the entire dresser, including the dried Bondo, with 220 grit sandpaper for a smooth and even surface. Sanding also helps the primer and paint adhere better to the wood.
- Tape off the inside of drawers with painters tape and pre-taped plastic to protect them from primer and paint.
- Spray 2 coats of clear shellac primer to the entire dresser for better adhesion and a smoother paint job. Let the primer dry overnight before proceeding so it's completely dry and set.
- Create your own homemade chalk paint by mixing latex paint with calcium carbonate powder. Pour it into a paint sprayer and thin it out with water for smooth and even application.
- Spray 2 coats of gray chalk paint onto the dresser, waiting about 30 minutes between each coat for it to dry. Let the paint dry completely after the final coat.
- When the gray painted dresser is dry, add new hardware to complete the look and a more updated style. You can also use the old hardware if you want.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
More Painted Furniture Makeovers
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!
