On the lookout to update an previous dresser? Discover out how to paint a wood dresser the easy way for a gorgeous, clean end.

dark blue dresser with brass inset hardware, how to paint a dresser

I adore a great household furniture makeover there’s something about the mix of creativeness and restoration that – at the threat of sounding overly extraordinary – stirs my soul. So a latest painted dresser makeover for our learn bedroom was both price efficient and therapeutic. 😉

Somewhat than show you a very simple just before and just after, even though, I wanted to give a phase by stage tutorial on how to paint a dresser. In today’s local climate of prolonged direct periods and high price tag, I feel it is specially sweet to be capable to restore an old piece to new life. No matter if it is a spouse and children heirloom, a new-to-you antique, a pleasurable vintage uncover, or only a higher good quality new-ish dresser that requires a clean look, staying equipped to restore an out-of-date dresser is these a practical talent!

iron bed with painted dresser

Getting a Excellent Employed Dresser

Initial, here’s a fast glimpse at the piece I recently painted. After a pair of many years of dwelling with furnishings that didn’t really healthy the structure of our grasp bedroom, I at last resolved to shift my beautiful empire dresser out to the ranch and get a very long, low dresser that fit our place greater.

I discovered this dresser on Fb Marketplace regionally, and with dovetail drawers, smooth glide drawer slides, and velvet lining, I was thrilled with the high-quality I acquired for the selling price.

epsresso dresser before paint
the dresser before

It’s a a lot more modern day condition and model than I normally select for furnishings, but I knew I wanted a painted dresser that was a little bit stately and but simple to enhance the wood grain on the far more ornate antique washstands I restored for bedside tables.

white bedroom with dark blue dresser and iron bed

Also, just hold out on that blank wall around the window… I’ve obtained major ideas! For the dresser, although, I was searching to accomplish a clean, contemporary, matte complete in a deep moody blue. Enable me show you how.

This is not sponsored, but a particular thanks to Fusion for providing the paint. All viewpoints are my own!

How to Paint a Dresser

This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. Click on listed here to study my whole disclosure.

Tools and Provides:

I’ve put collectively a online video tutorial for you. For extra particulars and penned instructions, continue to keep examining underneath.

1. Clear away drawers and components

Pull just about every drawer all the way out of the dresser system and established it apart with the drawer front facing up. Then clear away all knobs, pulls, and decorative hardware. Retail store these properly in a cup or bag so you really do not eliminate them.

As you do so, inspect the dresser for any severe harm to the prior finish. If there are substantial chips or deep scratches in the end, just take a minute to fill people with wooden filler right before the following phase. Belief me, the prep function is truly worth it!

2. Evenly sand

Using medium grit sandpaper (I like 150), give the dresser a mild sanding. If it desires far more smoothing, go above a 2nd time with 220 grit paper.

You do not require to eliminate the preceding finish totally given that you are going to paint the dresser. You just want to scuff up the prior finish and smooth out any inconsistencies. If the prior end was shiny, be sure to sand plenty of to take away that sheen, as this could make your paint not adhere really perfectly.

3. Clean

It is crucial to take out all sanding dust as properly as any leftover grime, grease, or grime. I recommend a rapid wipe down with an aged rag to take out the majority of the sanding dust. Then spray the dresser with Krud Kutter or Straightforward Eco-friendly and wipe with a lint-absolutely free fabric to make certain a cleanse, oil free finish.

4. Paint to start with coat

long brush strokes to paint a dresser drawer

My goal for this dresser was a sleek and sturdy complete free of brush strokes (if you want a textured chalk paint complete, then this is not the suitable strategy for you.) Making use of a large-top quality synthetic brush or a little foam roller made for trim paint, use the paint in easy extended strokes, staying mindful to stay away from paint drips. Permit it dry totally.

5. Paint second coat

paint dresser body with brush

Repeat stage 4 for the next coat.

6. (Optional) Utilize major coat

Fusion mineral paint does not involve a major coat, and our dresser will only hold attractive things, a lamp, and my apparel when I fail to place them absent )… so I did not seal it. But if you know your dresser will acquire considerable visitors, then you could possibly pick to seal it with a polyurethane or water-primarily based top rated coat (scroll down to see related posts for much more guidelines on prime coats!).

7. (Optional) Update hardware

update drawer pulls with rub n buff gold leaf

While your paint dries, you could contemplate updating your hardware. I gave these drawer pulls a small facelift with Rub ‘n Buff, which is my favored gold wax solution. I just wiped it on with a paper towel and rubbed off the extra.

8. Set up hardware

When anything has entirely dried, reinstall your hardware. Then use the dresser cautiously for at the very least of couple of months to allow for the paint to completely overcome to its most difficult end.

Painting Household furniture FAQs:

Can you paint a dresser devoid of sanding?
You can, if you use chalky paint or mineral paint, but I would recommend towards it. A quite mild sanding (not to eliminate the end, just to scuff it up a bit) will smooth out imperfections and boost your paint’s adherence and as a result toughness.

Do I need to key my dresser ahead of painting?
That will count on the previous complete and style of paint (and colour) you are applying. As you observed higher than, it is attainable to paint without the need of primer if you put together the wooden correctly (a light sanding to eliminate any shiny finishes) and use a paint designed to adhere, this sort of as mineral paint or chalky paint.

However, if you are preparing to use latex paint or oil based paints, I recommend priming. If you are hoping to paint a really dark wooden dresser white, then you may want to key just to minimize down on the selection of coats of paint needed. If the wooden is in particular dark or varied and you want a clean up, mild colour, then I recommend an oil primarily based primer.

What variety of paint do you use on a dresser?
My preferred paint to use on dressers (and most smaller furniture pieces) is Fusion mineral paint. Even so, I have also experienced success with chalk paint, latex, and even oil-centered paints. The essential issue is that you prepare the dresser to receive the paint correctly. If you pick latex or oil paint, you will want to use satin, semi-gloss, or gloss for sturdiness.

dark blue painted dresser with gold hardware

Can you paint a dresser with spray paint?
I enjoy employing spray paint on outdoor home furnishings and add-ons, but I would not suggest utilizing it on a dresser since spray paint does not always give you a pretty even end. And most dressers have huge flat regions that would be complicated to spray paint with out some inconsistencies in the finish.

Alternatively, you could use a paint sprayer, with mineral or latex paint like I did on our murphy mattress, but I discover that taping off all the drawers and openings of a dresser is very tiresome and hardly value the operate because dressers are simply not pretty significant.

Can I observe these directions for other wooden home furnishings (like chairs, beds, tables, etc.)?
Yep! These exact same guidance could be followed for most items of furniture. Even so, I do advise a top rated coat for a table or desk to give it larger toughness.

Other Home furniture Portray Strategies

Below are a couple of much more posts you could possibly come across useful when painting home furnishings. Get recommendations on poly, waxes, stripping furnishings, and more!

Joyful painting!

how to paint a dresser