Lady updates old dresser into an heirloom-style piece

There it sits — your out-of-style, dated dresser. Once it was beautiful, but the years have brought dings, scuffs and a change of aesthetic. Instead of throwing out a perfectly good dresser, you can upcycle it to become a classically beautiful statement piece every visitor will ask about.
By upcycling an old dresser and giving it a new life, you can add an heirloom style piece to any room of your house. This project is an outstanding introduction to the world of upcycling furniture. You'll be able to use these skills on many upcycling projects in the future while also breathing new life into a dresser in need of some love. Be sure to use the proper safety gear and work in a well-ventilated area while repurposing your piece.
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Materials
- Ear protection
- Respirator mask
- Work gloves
- Disposable gloves
- Safety glasses or goggles
- Old dresser
- Power sander
- A clean, slightly damp cloth
- FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint, Glacier
- Two paintbrushes
- Sanding sponge
- FolkArt Home Decor Wax, Clear
- Drawer pulls
DIY Everywhere
Instructions
1. Remove all hardware from the dresser and drawers. Remove all the drawers from the dresser and set them aside.
2. While wearing all necessary safety gear, sand the outside of the dresser and drawers using the power sander. Next, take a clean, slightly damp cloth, and wipe the sanded areas to remove sawdust and debris.
3. Paint an opaque layer of FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint to the outside of the dresser and drawers. For this project, we used the color Glacier. Leave the dresser in a well-ventilated area until the paint is fully dried.
4. After the paint is dry, use a sanding sponge to gently add wear on all outer edges, corners and design elements. Focus less on making everything look uniform and more on the overall effect. The goal is to have a worn, heirloom-style dresser as if it has been passed down for generations.
5. Once you finish sanding for wear, apply a layer of FolkArt Home Decor Wax with a clean paintbrush and allow it to dry.
6. Replace the hardware you removed or add new hardware and drawer pulls to match your newly chic, rustic dresser.
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