Quick and Easy Dresser Makeover with Chalk Paint

I'm going to show you how to do a quick and easy chalk paint makeover to update a dresser you already own and make it look like a brand new piece!

DISCLOSURE: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.

Have you ever been gifted an outdated dresser from a well meaning relative?

Or held onto a piece that no longer fits the style (or size?!) of your bedroom for sentimental reasons?

Then this is the post for you!

I’m going to show you how to do a quick and easy chalk paint makeover to update a dresser you already own and make it look like a brand new piece!

I think we’ve all been there before, sometimes you just can’t be picky when it comes to large pieces of furniture.

Dressers can be a must have item, and often come with a high price tag for brand new ones.

For those of us on a budget, or who are looking for something with a bit more unique character, second hand is the way to go!

I received this particular dresser from my late grandmother, and so even when I moved into a home with a smaller bedroom and large closet which left me no real reason to use it, I just couldn’t bring myself to part with it.

It had moved with me so many times that it was literally coming apart at the bottom.

Plus the glossy black paint was full of very noticeable imperfections that drove me crazy! It was in desperate need of a makeover!

I moved it to a few different places in my house before the perfect solution finally hit me.

I had been needing a new TV console, and wanted something that was on the larger side and had plenty of storage. Plus I had also been dying for one with a distressed farmhouse style!

Unfortunately everything I found while shopping around was very pricey, and so I simply wrote this off as something I would have to wait on getting.

Reusing my outdated dresser for a TV console was the PERFECT solution!

Now all I had to do was give it a quick makeover….(I seriously did this in one weekend! You can’t beat that!)

Supplies Needed:

Chalk Paint (Kilz Chalk Paint in White)
Spray paint (Rust-oleum Ultra Matte in Black)
Spray finish (Krylon Matte Finish)
Paintbrush
Clear Furniture Wax
Lint-free cloth or wax brush
Sandpaper
Wash cloth
Screwdriver (to remove hardware)
Nails (if your piece needs them for repairs)

Step One: Prep

First I removed the drawer handles using a screwdriver, and set them aside to be spray painted later.

Then I put a few nails in the side of the dresser to repair the places where it had started to come loose.

I did sand my dresser before painting, which you technically don’t have to do when using chalk paint (especially when creating a distressed look like this) but there were a few places where the last paint job had left large drips, and so I wanted to at least sand those a little bit.

After I had finished sanding it lightly by hand, I wiped everything down with a damp clean cloth to get rid of any dust and dirt.

I wasn’t aiming for perfection since I knew the chalk paint and distressed look would disguise a lot of the issues it had.

Step Two: Painting

Dresser:

Once the prep work was finished, I used Kilz Chalk Paint in White to paint the entire dresser.

Using a round, natural bristle paintbrush I made long, light strokes, going in only one direction.

After allowing it to dry for a few hours, I did a second coat.

If you’re looking for a more perfect finish when covering a dark color you may need to do a third coat, but for the distressed, farmhouse look I was going for I decided on just two.

Drawer handles:

For the drawer handles I used the spray paint Rust-oleum Ultra Matte in Black.

I did two coats, allowing it to dry for a few minutes in between.

After the second coat was dry I added two coats of Krylon Matte Finish spray to seal it.

This is the first time I’ve used this finish spray, and so I’m really hoping it will hold up well with heavy use. It dries very fast and with a completely invisible matte finish that I was really happy with!

Step Three: Distressing

I used a wet sanding technique on the dresser to get a distressed farmhouse look without the mess of regular sanding!

You can use any wash cloth, dish towel, or hand towel for this.

White usually works best so you don’t have to worry about any colors coming off and ending up on your fresh paint!

I just wet the wash cloth (be sure to wring out the excess water) then began rubbing the edges of the dresser until some of the white paint began to rub off and reveal the black paint underneath.

I continued this on all the edges, and then in a few areas on the top, sides, and drawer fronts of the dresser as well.

Be sure to vary how much paint you take off in each area so that it has a naturally worn look!

Step Four: Waxing

After letting the entire dresser dry overnight, I began the waxing process!

The two most important words to remember here are: Elbow Grease!

If you want a smooth and even finish, it takes a bit of work.

I started by scooping out some of the wax onto a plate (this keeps you from getting any dust or debris in your container of wax)

Next I took a clean lint free cloth (you can also use a wax brush if you prefer) and used it to spread the wax onto the dresser.

When you do this you want to try to wipe from one side all the way to the opposite end without stopping so that you don’t get a build up of wax in the middle of the dresser.

After letting that sit for at least 10-15 minutes I took another clean lint free cloth and began to buff the dresser where I had applied the wax.

I used a combination of circular motions and longer strokes back and forth to get an even finish.

Once you’re finished your piece should feel soft and smooth, if you notice that it doesn’t then you may need to add more wax!

It’s especially important to have a good coat of wax on the top of the dresser and any other areas that you think will receive the most wear and tear.