Simple DIY Dresser Makeover
Here is a super simple DIY dresser makeover to update any old dresser into a new, bright piece! This is also the perfect size for a changing table for a nursery. I’ll walk you through every step to take yours from dark and dated to light and fresh.
And if you need extra inspiration or tips to transform your piece, check out these DIY dresser makeover ideas with more ways to make it totally one of a kind!
Updating old furniture doesn’t have to be tricky or cost you a lot. With a bit of prep and the right products, you can take something that feels totally outdated and turn it into a fresh, stylish piece that’ll fit right in with any decor!
Don’t worry if you’re new to this, I’ll walk you through all the steps to make it really easy and fun. And if you’re already a DIYer, this is the perfect quick project to do on a weekend or during a free evening.
For this simple DIY dresser makeover, we just wanted to turn it from a dark and dated vintage piece into something that is bright and fresh for any room in your home. Keep reading to see how we transformed it with chalk paint!
Supplies Used for Simple DIY Dresser Makeover
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- Degreasing Cleaner
- 220 Grit Sandpaper
- Clear Shellac
- Behr Premium Plus Latex Paint in Pure White
- Calcium Carbonate Powder
- Paint Filters
- Respirator
- VonForn Paint Sprayer
- Shop Vac
- Tack Cloth
- Waterbased Polyurethane
- Silver Spray Paint
Prep for Dresser Makeover
So, number one, we removed the hardware and cleaned the piece with a degreasing cleaner. I like to use Krud Kutter because it cuts through grease and grime and removes it. It’s a really nice, tough cleaner, but it’s not so strong or powerful that it removes your finish.
Then I lightly scuff sanded the dresser with 220 grit sandpaper. Learn more about sanding before painting furniture and sanding for paint prep in these posts. Both cleaning and sanding help the paint stick a lot better.
Next, since I’m painting this white, this needs to be primed. There is this thing called bleedthrough with light colored paints and old wood furniture. Basically, it’s either the old finish or the wood tannins that come through the paint and stain, and it looks like brown or orange stains.
We’ve got to fix that and block those stains so they don’t come through our white finish and make our furniture look terrible. So, I primed with a couple of coats of clear shellac and then let it dry overnight. That usually does the trick.
Spraying Homemade Chalk Paint
Then we moved it out into our backyard, put it on 5-gallon buckets, laid down some plastic on the ground around it, and used one of these best paint sprayers for beginners to apply homemade chalk paint.
I made this as a cheap alternative to the expensive chalk paint that’s out there. You just mix it with latex paint. I just used the Behr Premium Plus in Pure White, and I did not tint this at all. Then I mixed it with calcium carbonate powder and water. You can grab our homemade chalk paint recipe here.
The sprayer we used is discontinued now, but this VonForn sprayer is a perfect alternative if you want to start using one. Otherwise, you could brush or roll this chalk paint onto whatever you need to do. It took about five thin coats to get full coverage, and that is completely normal with any white paint, especially when you are going from a really dark piece to white.
Brush vs Roller vs Sprayer
This is also one reason why I love using a sprayer. Instead of brushing or rolling the paint on, it’s so much faster to spray on the five coats. You can get it done in one day when you do this, but if you’re brushing or rolling, it takes more time.
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If you spray it on, you spray it in like five minutes, then walk away and do something for 30 or 40 minutes until that coat is dry. Then you come back and spray for another five minutes. It doesn’t require you to be there for very long compared to brushing or rolling, which takes around an hour for every single coat.
Anyway, after five coats, you should have full coverage. Like I said, this happens with every single white paint, so it’s not just because this paint is not very good with coverage.
Distressing Painted Dresser
After the final coat is dry, I like to distress the finish. I used 220 grit sandpaper and just rubbed it on the edges and the details to show some of the wood underneath. I have a more detailed guide on how to distress chalk paint here.
You can totally skip this step – I know distressing is out now, but if you do choose to do it, make sure to clean up the dust afterward. I like to clean it up with a shop vac and tack cloth. Here’s how to clean wood after sanding for more tips.
Topcoating Chalk Paint
After painting and distressing, the dresser needs to be sealed. You could use wax, but I find it’s not as durable as using a waterbased polyurethane. The waterbased poly won’t yellow over time, and it helps make the chalk paint more durable. It dries very quickly, and it also helps make the finish wipeable. I compared wax vs polyurethane in detail in this post!
I thin the topcoat out a little bit and spray on three coats. You can brush it on, but spraying it on creates a flawless finish. Here is a blog post on how to spray polyurethane. Then I like to let it dry for 24 hours before I reattach the hardware.
Updating the Hardware
This simple DIY dresser makeover was for a client, and she wanted silver knobs. She wanted to reuse the original knobs and hardware, so I painted them with silver spray paint. If you’re curious about how to do this, check out my guide on how to paint drawer pulls here!
Anyways, this is what the dresser or changing table looks like now! It’s light, fresh, and new. Like I said, it’s very cute, perfect for a little girl’s nursery.
More Before and After Makeovers
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Click any of these “before” photos below to view the “after” of that makeover.
Simple DIY Dresser Makeover
Here is a super simple DIY dresser makeover using chalk paint to update any old dresser into a new, bright piece!
Materials
Instructions
- First, take off all the hardware and give the dresser a good cleaning with a degreasing cleaner like Krud Kutter. This helps get rid of any grime and gives you a nice, clean surface to work with.
- Next, lightly scuff sand the entire piece with 220 grit sandpaper. This helps the paint stick better.
- Prime it with a couple of coats of clear shellac. This blocks any stains or tannins from bleeding through and messing up your final finish.
- Now, it’s time to paint! Mix up some homemade chalk paint using latex paint, calcium carbonate powder, and water, then spray about five coats when covering a dark finish with white paint.
- After the final coat is dry, give the edges and detailed areas a little distressing with 220 grit sandpaper if you’re going for a rustic look. Don’t forget to clean up the dust with a shop vac or tack cloth afterward!
- Seal the chalk paint with waterbased polyurethane to keep the finish durable and wipeable. Spray a few coats for a flawless finish.
- Finally, finish it off by putting the hardware back on. You can also paint it with silver spray paint to give it a new look.
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