20 Creative Ways to Update an Old Dresser With Paint

If you have an old dresser or nightstand collecting dust in your garage, or you just got the itch to give your bedroom a quick and affordable makeover, consider one of these creative paint projects to upgrade your old chest of drawers. From faux finishes and bold color choices to mini murals and stunning stripes, these clever ideas are sure to liven up tired furniture.

Let this eye-catching design inspire you to give a seen-better-days dresser new life with a midcentury modern spin. Here, angular paint patterns were used to cover up some damaged spots on this 1950s credenza. Sections without damage were left as is to show off the beautiful pecan wood grain.

Using a landscape painting for inspiration, treat your old furniture piece like a canvas and create a simple ethereal landscape of your own.

The real deal is gorgeously intricate, but at a pretty price; stencils in flower-and-leaf motifs and geometric patterns deliver the design for a whole lot less.

Pro tip: If you use repositionable spray mount, you won’t have to hold down the stencil as you go, and it’ll give you the cleanest lines.

A retro color palette takes this piece over the style rainbow. Painting only the doors and leaving the wood finish everywhere else looks groovy yet grown-up.

Use several shades of the same paint color to bring a colorful touch to a piece of furniture.

Use two shades of paint and a roll of sisal rope to transform a humdrum wood dresser into a cottage-style masterpiece.

Painter's tape and stencils were used to create a Moroccan-inspired design on this thrift-store bureau.

This old dresser - found at a re-sale shop - was painted in stripes then bold flowers cut from wrapping paper were decoupaged to the surface to provide a burst of color.

Paint and ice cream sticks were used to transform an old dresser into a funky piece of new furniture.

Budget-friendly, sample-sized latex paints were used to create a chevron-inspired design on this old piece of furniture.

If your dresser has recessed panels on the door or drawers, consider using a patterned paper to make a bold design statement.

Two-tiered end tables and nightstands were all the rage back in the 50s. The design is very practical. With a new coat of paint, an old relic like this can become an indispensable piece of furniture.

To add one-of-a-kind flair, try updating a vintage credenza with a sprayed two-tone finish. To achieve a professional high-end look, rent an HVLP (high-volume, low-pressure) paint sprayer from a rental store, then paint the piece using high-gloss lacquer in contrasting colors.

Organize your entryway with a brightly colored dresser. Picture frames and chalkboard paint added to the center of each drawer front serve as name plates. This gives each family member a designated place to store their winter gear and accessories.

Don't make it difficult by trying to get your stripes or chevrons the exact same size. Vary it up with different widths and colors.

Chalkboard paint is perfect for a kid’s bedroom. The drawers can be labeled to keep clothes and other belongings organized.

Chalkboard paint doesn't have to be black. Try a bold color to turn an old eyesore into an artist's canvas — or use it as a way to label the contents of each drawer. Use chalk pens to avoid smudging and dust.

Automotive paints applied to wood and metal furniture result in glossy, sparkly factory finishes. Strip the old paint with an electric sander, then drop the unfinished piece off at an auto body shop. Many body shops charge by the bay and the number of paint colors used rather than by the piece. By dropping off several sanded pieces in need of the same new paint color, homeowners can get more bang for their buck.

This thrift store nightstand was made over with chalk paint and rub-on brass wax.