DIY Dresser Makeover | White Dresser with Wood Stain Top | THRIFT FLIP

I was surprised to see the drawers were in brand new condition. I suspect someone refurbished them, and I’m so glad for that. The deep drawers and unique jewelry/ underwear drawer up top also convinced me to get it. I paid $60 for this dresser which I think is a steal considering the condition and the fact that it’s mostly solid wood. 

Dresser Makeover Before Photo

After I finished the DIY frame for the oversized mirror I thrifted from Craigslist, I decided that I wanted a the dresser to match it. I decided that I wanted to relocate the mirror to my bedroom and the dresser needs to match with it.  I came across a few painted dressers with stained tops and decided to go that route. 

DIY Dresser Makeover Supplies

First things first I removed the original knobs on the dresser. They’re cute, but I decided to go with something else for this transformation. Then I filled the holes left behind with paintable wood filler from DAP. 

Preparing to Stain the Dresser Top

In order to stain the top surface of the dresser I needed to get rid of the any finish or sealant that may be on top of it. I  applied a thick layer of Klean-Strip paint stripper, and spread it around with a paint brush to cover the entire dresser top. I scrapped it all off with a plastic scraper after 15 minutes.  For stubborn spots, I spot treated with the paint stripper again and scraped that off as well.

Safety Tip: This stuff is corrosive and so please use chemical resistant gloves for whatever project you’re using it on.

I followed up with a thorough cleaning of the entire dresser with TSP. This helps to remove all dirt, grease, and any other residues that may affect paint application. Then I let the dresser dry thoroughly for a few hours before moving to the next step. I used my RYOBI orbital sander (new purchase yay!) and sanded down the dresser with 220 grit sandpaper to expose as much of that natural solid wood as possible. 

I prepped the dresser top for staining with wood conditioner and began the staining process 20 minutes later with Varathane Gunstock wood stain. Then I applied 2 coats, and let the last coat sit for at least 15 minutes before wiping off the excess.  

Prime & Paint

Next I sanded down the rest of the dresser to create an abrasive surface for paint to adhere to. That probably wasn’t necessary because I followed that up with the Zinzer Bulls Eye 1-2-3 1 White Water-Based Interior/Exterior Primer and Sealer. This primer makes it easier for paint to stick to most surfaces.

Next I applied 3 coats of BEHR Ultra Bakery Box White (matte finish) as well as the drawers. I applied the first two coats with a paint brush, and applied the last coat with a paint roller to make brush strokes less visible. 

I let the paint set for few days. Then I sealed it in with 4 coats of Varathane Ultimate Polyurethane Water Based Crystal Clear Matte Finish. A minimum of 3 coats is recommended for furniture that will experience high traffic or constant use.

The new natural wood dresser knobs were conditioned, stained, and sealed the same way as well. I predrilled the dresser drawers for the new knobs, installed them, and…Voila!

I love my dresser so much and I can’t believe it how different it looks! I’m so happy that I saved another thrifted treasure and made it into something so amazing.

Here’s my DIY Dresser Makeover YouTube video for visuals to go along with this post.  

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