How To Restore a Campaign Dresser

Sharing is caring!

A refinished dresser can transform your space and can save you money. Learn how to restore an old wooden dresser with paint, wrapping paper and DIY updated hardware.

Spring is finally here and I have sprung into action trying to finish up the girl’s bedroom. Scroll to the bottom to check out the rest of the bedroom. My girls need as much storage as possible because the house doesn’t have much in general.

So when I spotted this lovely (shhh…my dad is a wealthy source of old neglected furniture) I instantly grabbed it and took it up to their room.  You might even remember it when I shared the mirror makeover with you. I’ll show you how I restored this campaign dresser, just like Cinderella for her ball.

Disclosure: I was compensated for doing this post with product.  However, all the opinions stated here are my own. I only use products I love and would recommend to my viewers.

This dresser fit in perfectly between the two Ikea bookcases, but the color left much to be desired. The exterior was laminate and had turned yellow and looked even worse next to the bookcases.  There were scratches everywhere and it looked like it had been kicked around a bit. In fact, my daughter complained that it was difficult to open and close the drawers and it made squeaky noises.

Well, how could I leave it looking like a sad Cinderella?  I was going to be its fairy godmother and give it a new outfit. 

​Materials Used to Refinish a Dresser:

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.  If you purchase any of these products through the links, we receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. You can find our full disclosure here.

• DecoArt Americana Satin Enamel Paint in White
• ​​DecoArt Americana Dazzling Metallics Pearl Black
• Vinegar
• ​Stainless Steel Scourer
• ​Bar of soap
• Mod Podge
• Gift Wrapping Paper damask Black and White

How to Refinish a Dresser:

I started off by giving it two coats of my favorite paint in white. Since the dresser was laminate this was the perfect way to do it.  As long as you let the paint cure for a few days, you will have no problems. 

Here you can see that it was giving me trouble so I just went over some spots with a third coat.  I also did the top with a third coat because I wanted a nice hard finish.

And just so you know I did not use a sander at all, firstly because I’m lazy and secondly because it was not an option in this room.  Unlike Cinderella’s hearth I could not afford to have soot, er, sand all over this room.

The hardware was made of brass.  I took out the handles and drenched them in vinegar for ten minutes.  Then I just scrubbed them with some steel wool and this was the result. I put them back on the refinished dresser.

This method did not totally remove all the patina but that is fine with me.  I wanted this piece to be eclectic. A bit of new and old – just like Cinderella herself!

​The rest of the hardware that was on the edges of the dresser was painted using the metallic black pearl that I had also used on the night stand. I used both looks for the hardware because I wanted to keep it interesting.  Also, a bit of black is echoed in the handles.

See how when the light hits it looks more like a deep gray than a black.

Of course, to add even more interest, because our Cinderella cannot go to the ball with just her glass slippers, I added this damask black and white wrapping paper to the sides of the refinished dresser using Mod Podge. I have previously used this paper on pretty boxes that are on a shelf near the corner of the room

​It is super easy to do. Just brush Mod Podge onto the wood, place the paper over it and smooth it out.  Once it dries add a top coat of Mod Podge to the paper to seal it.

​And let’s not forget my girl’s complaint about the drawers.  It was an easy fix, I just rubbed a bar of soap on the frame where the bottom of the drawer slides into the wood. Easy peasy!

I think adding all those different elements to the refinished dresser keeps just enough interest. Cinderella is ready for the ball!

She may not look like a classical Cinderella dresser with scrolls and pastel colors,  but she is a makeover beauty to me!

​And now you are probably asking why not use the toile that is all over the bookcases?  Well the idea was to have a bit of surprise and I didn’t want the room be too matchy-matchy.

And that is the last piece of furniture in the room that has to be made over.  I am thinking of adding a chair but that can be done later on  … or not!

Sometimes all it takes is just a bit of paint to make something look new.  When I showed this piece to my dad his jaw dropped. You have to remember that in person it looked a lot worse.  He told me that he had always meant to paint it but had never gotten around to it.

​Well at least I know where I get my DIY genes from!

This is how I restored my laminate campaign dresser just like Cinderella. She is now ready for the ball. Now tell me was I worthy of being a godmother to this lovely dresser? ​

The Black and White Bedroom: