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DIY Dresser Makeover with Paint and Paper

August 7, 2021 by boondocks 32 Comments

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A little bit of paint and some pretty wrapping paper gave this DIY dresser makeover and extra-special touch. The dated wood dresser went from meh to beautiful in no-time flat!

A side view of the DIY dresser makeover featuring blue and pink floral gift wrap decoupaged on the sides of the drawers.

The Story of a DIY Dresser Makeover

Once  upon a time there was a dresser that came to a house with a newborn.  The dresser was very happy to hold all the lovely baby clothes, first of one little boy and then of a second little boy.  It housed overalls and little jeans.  

An old dresser before,  The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    A few years later, the dresser (along with the boys) went on a very big trip across the pond, to a new place, an unfamiliar place.  And the dresser was happy again, because now it was housing pretty little pink dresses…. first for one little girl and then for another. The dresser was very happy to have been a part of the lives of four children.  

Scratch marks on the dresser The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    After a while, the two boys were not little anymore, and left to go across the pond again. And so the dresser was left alone with the girls now, who were not so little either. But that dresser worked hard to keep the clothes in line. Of course the clothes were much bigger now and very unruly.  The dresser was getting old, it was full of scratches.  And yet it was still a strong, solid  dresser fighting to keep all those frilly clothes in.

scratches on dresser, The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    Something had to be done to save this poor hard working dresser!  It was going to be placed in a freshly painted room, and it needed a new look!  The room was to be blue with black and white accents.  

Before The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    After 25 years of hard work it was time for a DIY dresser makeover!!!  The poor dresser had been neglected for too long.  

Painting the Dresser

What’s this??  Chalk paint??   Easy to use, and no need to prime??  My kinda stuff!

first coat of chalk paint The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    The dresser was happy with the new coat….   Until the paint  ran out!  Now normally that would not be a big deal… Just go to the store and buy some more.  But, but… I live in the boondocks … there is no such thing here!  

chalk paint on dresser top and sides,  The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    Quick.. to the internet… blog friends will save the day!  Ahhh… homemade chalk paint (2 tbs. plaster of paris, 2 tbs. water,  then add 1 cup of latex paint) – let’s get this show on the road!  

Chalk paint on dresser The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

Adding a Contrasting Black Accent

    Just a bit more… a little black to go with the black and white vibe in the room.  

Black paint on dresser The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    And we seal it with some clear varnish.  The dresser is happy now, it feels as if it has been cared for ….

front, The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

Finishing with Decoupaged Gift Wrap

    But wait, there is more… Let’s give a little more TLC to this refinished dresser!

Mod podged paper on back The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

A little mod podge and some pretty gift wrapping paper and our DIY dresser makeover is done!

mod podged sides The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    And now for the little wow!  

Mod podged sides The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com
top view The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    From this:

Before The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    To this:

The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com
Wrapping Paper The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com
Refinished dresser with chalk paint , The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

And that is the story of the hard working dresser. It has lived a very full 25 years and with a little love is ready to go another 25!  But please enough with the frilly clothes!

Additional DIY Dresser Makeover Ideas

For additional creative DIY dresser makeovers, check out this IKEA Malm dresser makeover , this refinished pine dresser and this fresh French country painted dresser.

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Filed Under: Chalk Paint, Decoupage, Furniture, Up Cycle Tagged With: furniture, painting furniture, upcycling

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Keri

    August 10, 2015 at 4:08 am

    Mary,
    I like the clever way you told the dresser’s story!! The makeover you gave this dresser is awesome…so beautiful!!!!

    Reply
    • Mary

      August 10, 2015 at 5:07 am

      Thanks Keri, I decided to try something different, I’m so glad you liked it!

      Reply
  2. DIY Just Cuz

    August 12, 2015 at 10:24 am

    Thanks for linking this up to the Welcome Home Wednesdays link party! This is such a sweet post! I loved reading about the story of this furniture! Thanks for sharing…we hope to see you again next week!

    Reply
    • Mary

      August 12, 2015 at 3:02 pm

      It was my pleasure to visit your new link party. Best of luck and thanks for visiting my post!

      Reply
  3. Larissa

    August 12, 2015 at 3:38 pm

    What a lovely story with a fantastic ending, Mary! Love the paper addition and the spunk it adds. Great job!

    Reply
    • Mary

      August 12, 2015 at 10:21 pm

      Thanks, Larissa, that means a lot coming from you!

      Reply
  4. Karen

    August 13, 2015 at 11:24 am

    What a great makeover! Using the wrapping paper was so clever and I love that you have had the piece for so long!
    Thanks for sharing at Something to Talk About!
    Karen

    Reply
    • Mary

      August 13, 2015 at 1:08 pm

      Thanks Karen for stopping over.I plan to have it forever after this makeover!

      Reply
  5. Melinda

    August 13, 2015 at 4:57 pm

    Such a good, loyal dresser deserved a pretty new outfit.
    Here from 2UsesTuesday.

    Reply
    • Mary

      August 14, 2015 at 2:33 am

      Thank you Melinda for agreeing! It seems pretty happy now! 😉

      Reply
  6. Betsy

    August 14, 2015 at 9:40 am

    The dresser is pretty darn cute… but my favorite part is the story! Such a beautiful story of how a piece touches many lives. Thanks for linking up with us at Welcome Home Wednesdays… can’t wait to see you next week!

    Reply
    • Mary

      August 15, 2015 at 5:49 am

      Betsy your sweet comment meant so much to me! See you next week!

      Reply
  7. lisa @stylesofcooking

    August 14, 2015 at 11:15 am

    Wow,wow, wow what a transformation. I love the whole process and the end result is so modern, and inspiring. I am now looking closely at all of my old furniture. Found you through simple and sweet fridays.

    Reply
    • Mary

      August 15, 2015 at 5:51 am

      Lisa, I have the same dilemma. I look at all the furniture in the house and am totally not satisfied now… ah the conundrum of a blogger!

      Reply
  8. Hayley @ Snap Happy Bakes

    August 15, 2015 at 9:56 pm

    This is so cute! Love the transformation. I’m trying to think how to ‘do up’ my house cheaply at the moment so upscaling furniture could be the way forward! Thanks for the inspiration!
    If your looking for another link up party to join, I’d love to have you over at #frifree4all 🙂

    Reply
    • Mary

      August 16, 2015 at 1:42 am

      Hayley, I’m glad I could inspire. I will definitely link up to your party! Thanks for visiting.

      Reply
  9. Tara @ Lehman lane

    August 17, 2015 at 5:17 am

    Mary, you did a fantastic job transforming this dresser! I love the gift wrap you used for the drawers and the back. Very fun. Thanks so much for sharing your dresser at Dream. Create. Inspire. Link, I hope you will join us again tomorrow night! Take care, Tara

    Reply
    • Mary

      August 17, 2015 at 11:28 am

      Tara, thanks for visiting and I’m glad you liked the dresser. I will be seeing you tomorrow night as well at your link party!

      Reply
  10. Nikki Frank-Hamilton

    August 17, 2015 at 5:42 am

    I love this story, if only our furniture could really talk, the stories we would hear! The paint job looks great, what an improvement! And I love the surprise floral print on the back and the sides of the drawers. So cool. What a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing with #WAYWOW!

    Reply
    • Mary

      August 17, 2015 at 11:29 am

      Nikki, thanks for your sweet words. Half of my life is in that dresser. I will see you again next week!

      Reply
  11. [email protected]

    August 17, 2015 at 5:49 pm

    I’m so glad the dresser is finally happy! It looks beautiful, by the way! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Talented Tuesdays!

    Reply
    • Mary

      August 17, 2015 at 10:08 pm

      Amy I’m so happy you like that old dresser. It is very happy!! I’ll see you today at the link party, thanks for visiting!

      Reply
  12. Rebecca

    August 28, 2015 at 10:10 am

    I love the wrapping paper detail you added! Very clever, and it gives it so much personality. Also, great story-telling, in this post and all your others.

    Reply
    • Mary

      August 28, 2015 at 10:39 pm

      Thanks Rebecca, my daughter chose the paper and I surprised her with it. Thank you for your sweet comment!

      Reply
  13. Hayley @ Snap Happy Bakes

    September 5, 2015 at 6:50 am

    Love this! Looks great! Thanks for coming & joining in with #frifree4all – was great to have you 🙂

    Reply
    • Mary

      September 5, 2015 at 8:10 am

      Hayley thanks for visiting, I’ll see you soon in 2 weeks.

      Reply
  14. [email protected] Interior Frugalista

    September 25, 2015 at 6:02 am

    Mary, congratulations on the feature at Friday Five! Well deserved my friend ♥

    Reply
    • Mary

      July 31, 2016 at 10:53 am

      Marie, I just saw this almost a year later. Thanks for the comment even if belated.

      Reply
  15. Chris

    July 31, 2016 at 9:54 am

    I loved reading the tale of the little dresser, you have made it look beautiful, great makeover. Xx

    Reply
    • Mary

      July 31, 2016 at 10:54 am

      Thank you so much Chris. This one is going to last forever.

      Reply
  16. Emily

    April 16, 2018 at 2:29 am

    You did a fantastic job with the dresser. I love the black and white!

    Reply
  17. Runningonempty

    April 16, 2018 at 2:53 am

    I enjoyed this post.
    Certainly, dressers are not made to last anymore, so if you’ve got solid ones, give them a second or third life.

    Reply

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