Beautiful before and after ideas for your DIY dresser makeover.
Are you looking to take your old furniture up a notch? If so, you're in luck! A simple way to breathe new life into an antique dresser or chest of drawers is to give it a gorgeous, DIY painted dresser makeover.
Discover dozens of ingenious vintage dresser makeover ideas that will help spruce up your piece of furniture with minimal effort. From stenciled designs to adding a pop of color, you can transform your dresser into a unique showpiece. Add instant style to your interior décor without breaking the budget with these inspiring dresser ideas.
Optional Supplies for Refinishing Furniture
- Small paint brush
- Wood filler
- Sandpaper or sanding block
- Orbital sander for big projects
- New hardware for your piece
- Paint sprayer
- Paint
- Primer
- Stain (Minwax is a great brand)
- Water-based polyurethane sealant
- Glaze finish
Dandelion DIY Painted Dresser Makeover
Sometimes, staining or re-painting an old furniture piece just doesn't cut it. I have refinished loads of furniture makeovers and sometimes you just want to do something unique and fun to satisfy that creative streak, like with my colorful ombre dresser. Hence, this dandelion painted dresser became the perfect candidate.
I used a combination of light coats of paint and stain for this thrifted dresser. However, I am NOT an artist. So the first time attempting dandelion hand-painted dandelions on these dresser drawers took me awhile to get all the dimensions and placement right. The dresser before was a sorry state!
But the after turned out amazing! It was so popular that when I brought another dresser home, I replicated dandelions on that one as well.
Since this dresser has 4 drawers instead of 3, I had to figure out how to cover the top drawer without making my dandelions look too big, wild and out of place. A blowing dandelion was the perfect solution and it made the end result different from the original chest.
Old Dresser Makeover Details
The wood grain is beautiful, creating the perfect backdrop for these dandelions. I painted the frame of this dresser with Benjamin Moore's White Dove then lightly distressed the edges. The front of the drawers are stained with Jacobean by Minwax. Next, I sealed the whole thing with a waterbased polyurethane. The old hardware was replaced with glass knobs to not cover up the dandelions too much.
DIY Painted Dresser Top
One big change was to replace the top of the dresser. Unfortunately, there was some water damage and the veneer was peeling. I tried to salvage the old top, but peeling the veneer off was going to be a very time consuming job. Replacing it seemed to be the best option.
Lowe's carries pine panels that are already joined together. You can probably find something similar at your local hardware store. So all I had to do was cut it down to the size, route the edges, apply new paint and reattach the top.
I love how this hand painted dandelion dresser turned out! For more DIY tutorials, see my youtube channel here.
Distressed Lavender Dresser With Mirror
This before and after dresser makeover doesn't even look like the same thing! Applying fun paint colors like this lovely lavender is a great way to bring in new color to a room. I also ended up distressing the edges of the entire dresser for a more antique look.
Pattern Painted Dresser
Why not not try something unique with painted dresser drawer fronts? With just a little bit of paint and a fun pattern, this antique furniture looks like the perfect dresser for a nursery.
Bold to Beautiful
A fresh coat of paint gives this dresser a completely new look. Going from a bold red to a subtle palette is the best way to create a style of neutrality. Add in new handles and knobs and what a huge difference it makes.
Antique White Dresser
This like-new dresser is painted with Benjamin Moore's White Dove. Then I used a darker color for the stain on top, followed by slightly distressing it. I added a watered down glaze for the top coat to really get in all the cracks!
Ombre Dresser Makeover
Looking to try something that really makes a statement? An ombre style dresser is perfect for those wanting to try out their creativity with a different color. It's also ideal for those who love a modern look. See more details here.
White Painted Dresser
Is your dresser too dark? You can also take a dark furniture piece and turn it into a brighter version with a little white paint.
More details on this dresser here.
Dresser With Replacing Top
The before and after of this dresser are slightly different because we ended up needing to replace the top. This is completely doable if your dresser top isn't salvageable.
What a beautiful blue grey dresser with dark walnut top.
Light Blue Distressed Dresser Makeover
This paint job is perfectly suited for the piece with its light blue paint, followed by antiquing with an oil based brown glaze.
Custom Pink Dresser
Going more bold can be so much fun if you are purposely trying to bring in color to your space. This dresser for my girls' room is a custom pink that I added a lighter tone to. I will find a color I think I like and once I start to paint with it, sometimes the tones are off just a bit. Easily adjust your paint color by adding in some gray, brown or white to change the palette.
After painting with the custom pink, I added the White Dove ivory color by Benjamin Moore. I used an oil based brown glaze to antique this and then I sealed it all with a Spar Urethane.
Don't spend extra money by buying a new dresser. Take an old piece and turn it into a stunning DIY painted dresser makeover to fit the needs of your space. Enjoy these before and after ideas to inspire your own masterpiece.
Happy Refinishing!
Brooke
Looking for additional ideas on how to transform your old dresser? See this inspiring DIY dresser turned bench tutorial.
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Angela says
What a cute dresser! Thanks for sharing at Merry Mondays!
Shirley Wood says
Normally we don't like dandelions but this is different! Love this. So glad you shared with us at Merry Monday. I'm sharing this post on my FB page today.
Carol @ The Red Painted Cottage says
I love the dandelions on the drawers, so light and airy! I'm debating about something on a chest I need to paint, but haven't quite figured it out yet! You did a great job!
Terry says
WOW! This is absolutely beautiful! You did a stunning job turning this into a work of art! You staged it so pretty, well done! If you would like to share this or any other makeover at one more party, Making Broken Beautiful (runs every Thursday thru Sunday) is happening over at The Curator's Collection right now and I'd be honored to host your talents! I hope you have an amazing day!
Smiles!
Terry
http://thecuratorscollection.wordpress.com
Keri says
Brooke, I love, love these dandelion dressers!!! You did a great job on this!! I have to use stencils to get good results when it comes to painting details. Lol. I would like to invite you to link up to our party, Sweet Inspiration, happening right now. Hope to see you there.
Dee says
That is so adorable -- love how it turned out! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!
Susie says
Oh my goodness, this is just major league adorable and it fits so beautifully with your decor. I do love love love the dandelion blowing in the wind. It gives it such a natural feeling of movement. It's a fun fun piece and I applaud your handpainting. Thanks so much for linking to Friday's Furniture Fix. We love having you share with us. Susie form The Chelsea Project
Kathleen Charm Bracelet Diva {At Home} says
Wow, Brooke, they both are gorgeous! What a lovely look for an otherwise plain dresser. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! xo Kathleen
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says
Your dandelion dressers are just charming, Brooke! Featured you at Be Inspired this morning. Thanks so much for sharing!
Cecilia MyThriftStoreAddiction says
Hi Brooke, this is just the cutest thing ever! The design is simple, yet elegant--great job! Blessings, Cecilia
JaneEllen says
Good thing I never got to see this dresser, your buyer would have been out of luck. Last year Goodwill had one very similar and I let hubs talk me out of it. What is there about those little casters on a high boy I love so blasted much?
How you painted that high boy is incredible and sure wish I had it. Where did you get wonderful idea of staining drawers then painting dandelions on front, too awesome girl. Was thinking this might be perfect decoration to paint on front of our "new to us" dresser turned into tv stand.
Had to do some smooth talking to get hubs to buy dresser at our local thrift store for $20, then to put casters on stand. Once we got them on he saw why I wanted them so badly. Partly due to stand being on carpet and need to move it now and then. But it needs some little thing to give it some zing, gotta have some zing. Is painted very light gray, as our walls, so thought painting dandelions in couple shades darker gray would be just what it needs. Let me know what you think of that idea since am "borrowing" your idea.
Have great rest of week
Helen Fern says
I love this!! It would be great if you would share this on the DIY blog hop!
http://www.pleasuresofthenw.com/diy-party-no-3/
Mary-the boondocks blog says
Brooke this is one special piece. It is rustic, farmhouse and whimsical all at the same time. The wood makes it look so cozy while the dandelions give it a fun airy feel. Thank you for sharing with us over at Sweet Inspiration.
Colette says
The dandelion blowing in the breeze made me want to "make a wish". Lovely
Jen @ upcyclednest says
It's a beautiful dresser! I love how the blowing dandelion brings in the top drawer without you having to make the other dandelions too tall.
Sue Burke says
Brooke, this is beauiful! What did you use to paint the dandelions?
startadmin says
Hi Sue,
I hand painted these flowers with a cream latex paint!
Kathleen Charm Bracelet Diva {At Home} says
Hi Brooke! Just wanted to let you know that your dresser has been chosen as Vintage Charm's Feature of the Month for May! Congratulations! I hope you'll stop by the Vintage Charm Party tomorrow morning and see your feature! xoKathleen
Nancy says
Gorgeous. I can see why it sold!