You’re about to discover how a simple coat of paint can completely transform an ordinary dresser into a stunning statement piece.
Whether you’ve got a thrift store find gathering dust or a family heirloom that needs new life, painted dressers offer endless possibilities for personalizing your space.
From bold colors to subtle finishes, these ideas will inspire you to grab a paintbrush and create something uniquely yours.
01. Glossy Black with Gold Accents
Credit: Studio Peake
You’ll love how a lacquered black dresser paired with striking gold hardware instantly elevates your bedroom’s sophistication level.
The high-contrast combination works beautifully in any design style, from modern to traditional. Try balancing the dark finish with a crisp white lamp or light-colored bedding to create visual interest that draws the eye.
02. Fresh White Vintage Makeover
Credit: Liz Marie Blog
Transform your vintage dresser with an all-white paint job that lets its beautiful details shine while helping it blend seamlessly into your existing decor.
This approach works wonderfully in farmhouse-style spaces or between French doors where you want functional storage without visual clutter. The white finish creates a clean backdrop that you can style seasonally with different accessories.
03. Textured Fluted Drawer Fronts
Credit: Studio Peake
A fresh coat of paint brings out gorgeous texture in fluted drawer fronts that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Look for dressers with scalloped edges or decorative details that gain new life under white or light-colored paint. This technique also helps bulky radiators and other eyesores fade into the background while your colorful wall art takes center stage.
04. Sleek All-Black Storage Solution
Credit: Emily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
An all-black dresser with matching hardware creates sophisticated storage that works in absolutely any room style you can imagine.
This is your perfect solution for bedrooms with small closets that need overflow clothing storage. The monochromatic look adds drama without overwhelming your space, and it pairs beautifully with both bold and neutral color schemes throughout your home.
05. Classic Navy with Marble Top
Credit: Britt Design Studio
You can’t go wrong with a navy painted dresser that brings traditional elegance to hallways or bedrooms.
Add gold hardware and a white marble top for a crisp, slightly coastal vibe that feels both timeless and fresh. Style the top like a console table with decorative objects and a table lamp to make your hallway feel welcoming and complete.
06. Stenciled Black Detailing
Credit: Studio Peake
Add character to your stained wood dresser by incorporating painted black details that preserve the original style while giving it personality.
This technique works beautifully on antique pieces where you want to maintain some vintage charm. The painted accents add visual interest without completely covering the natural wood grain, creating a perfect balance between old and new.
07. Delicate Floral Stencil Pattern
Credit: Thistlewood Farms
Purchase a decorative stencil to add subtle detailing that transforms a plain dresser into something special.
Start with a light gray base coat, then use white acrylic paint with a floral pattern stencil for delicate touches. This DIY approach gives you custom designer looks without the hefty price tag, and you can choose patterns that perfectly match your personal style.
08. Faux Bone Inlay Finish
Credit: Annie Sloan
Create a stunning decorative finish using paint techniques that mimic expensive bone inlay without spending a fortune.
Chalk paint combined with pearl glaze gives your dresser and matching armoire an upscale look that appears far more expensive than it actually is. This sophisticated technique adds depth and dimension that catches light beautifully throughout the day.
09. Charcoal Wash for Vintage Appeal
Credit: Becca Interiors
Give your vintage-style dresser a modern update with a light wash of charcoal black paint that creates subtle depth.
This technique pairs wonderfully with vintage floral wallpaper and midcentury lamps for a timeless aesthetic. The soft wash allows some of the original finish to peek through, adding character and preventing the piece from looking too heavy or dark.
10. Weathered Coastal Finish
Credit: Becca Interiors
You’ll achieve an authentic antique feel with a weathered paint finish that looks like it’s been kissed by ocean breezes.
The stone-washed denim effect works beautifully in entryways when styled with natural decor elements like driftwood and seashells. This effortless coastal-inspired look brings relaxed vacation vibes into your everyday living spaces without feeling too themed.
11. Festive Whimsical Pattern
Credit: Annie Sloan
Transform an old dresser with chalk paint in holiday colors and an abstract wavy pattern that’s festive yet versatile enough for year-round display.
Green, cream, and red create a cheerful combination that works beyond the Christmas season. The whimsical design adds playful personality to your bedroom while showing off your creative DIY skills and artistic flair.
12. Colorful Indian Cabinet Style
Credit: Erin Williamson Design
Mix stained and painted wood with furniture pieces that feature painted details in primary shades for an eclectic global aesthetic.
Dark walnut combined with red, blue, and green painted accents creates visual richness that becomes a conversation starter. Style your piece with vintage accessories and textiles to enhance the worldly, collected-over-time feel that makes spaces interesting.
13. Matte Black Carved Details
Credit: Britt Design Studio
Matte black paint brings out stunning texture in dressers with carved details that deserve to be noticed and appreciated.
Combine matte black drawer fronts with a smooth satin top to add dimension that creates visual interest. This hybrid approach works especially well for dresser-nightstand combinations where you want sophistication with a touch of contrast.
14. Timeless All-White Cabinet
Credit: Annie Sloan
Give your old dresser, hutch, or china cabinet a complete refresh with all-white chalk paint for a look that never goes out of style.
The white backdrop becomes the perfect canvas for displaying colorful dishware, vibrant plants, and decorative accessories. This versatile approach works in kitchens, dining rooms, or anywhere you need pretty storage that feels light and airy.
15. French Blue with Dark Wax
Credit: Liz Marie Blog
A tall, narrow dresser painted in French blue chalk paint gains instant character when you add the right finishing touches.
Lightly sand the dried paint for an aged appearance, then brush on dark wax and wipe it off to seal and deepen the color beautifully. This budget-friendly technique transforms inexpensive furniture into pieces that look like expensive antique finds.
16. Modern Laminate Update
Credit: The Merrythought
You can absolutely modernize a laminate dresser with paint, turning outdated brown finishes into clean contemporary pieces.
Leave some original details like diamond shapes visible to add visual interest and dimension. The best part is you can easily change up the look later by repainting those accent areas whenever you want a fresh style update.
17. Rich Blue Mixed Materials
Credit: Annie Sloan
Painting a dresser made from mixed materials in a single rich color allows different textures like carving, caning, or wicker to reveal themselves beautifully.
A deep blue finish creates a stunning backdrop for bright accent colors in pink and green. This approach works wonderfully for sideboards that you style for celebrations or seasonal displays throughout the year.
18. Sage Green Thrift Store Transformation
Credit: Thistlewood Farms
Turn a thrift store bargain or forgotten family heirloom into something you’re genuinely proud to display in your home.
A coat of sage green paint paired with spray-painted gold hardware creates a brand new look on a tight budget. This color choice feels fresh and current while maintaining a timeless quality that won’t look dated next year.
19. Scandinavian-Inspired White and Gray
Credit: Annie Sloan
Create a Scandinavian-inspired feel with white chalk paint as your base, then edge the top and hardware with soft gray for subtle dimension.
This minimalist approach works beautifully for bedside dressers where you want calm, peaceful vibes. The gentle contrast adds just enough visual interest without overwhelming your serene bedroom sanctuary where you rest and recharge.
20. Glamorous High-Gloss Lacquer
Credit: Mary Patton Design
Choose a high-gloss lacquered finish to add instant glamour to your living room, dining room, or foyer that makes guests take notice.
The reflective surface highlights streamlined designs and creates a luxurious feel that elevates your entire space. This sophisticated finish catches and reflects light beautifully, making rooms feel brighter and more spacious throughout the day.
21. Blue-Black Textured Wash
Credit: Becca Interiors
A hand-painted wash of blue-black paint adds gorgeous texture to classic dressers that doubles as functional nightstands.
Place it beside your bed and style with a table lamp and neutral decor objects for a cohesive look. The subtle color variation created by the wash technique adds depth that solid paint simply can’t achieve on its own.
22. Coral with White Trim Details
Credit: Thistlewood Farms
Transform an unremarkable pine bookcase into something special with coral paint, added shelving attachments, and decorative white trim that creates custom appeal.
New knobs and washers from your local home improvement store add graphic touches that make the piece feel designer. This DIY approach lets you create exactly what you need while expressing your personal style and creativity.
23. White with Star Embellishments
Credit: A Beautiful Mess
Combine paint with custom detailing to give an old dresser a complete DIY makeover that reflects your personality.
Switch from black to white using non-toxic lacquer paint, then glue halved spray-painted wood stars to drawer tops for personalized flair. This creative approach transforms basic furniture into one-of-a-kind pieces that you won’t find in anyone else’s home.
24. Bold Hot Pink Statement Piece
Credit: Annie Sloan
Paint a living room or hallway sideboard in daring hot pink to instantly brighten up your space and showcase your bold personality.
Pair the fuschia chalk paint with gold hardware and trim for a glamorous eclectic vibe. Add colorful lamps and candles to create a vibrant display that makes you smile every time you walk past it.
25. High-Contrast Two-Tone Design
Credit: K Shan Design
Give your vintage dresser a high-contrast makeover with two-tone paint that creates visual drama and sophistication.
Cream and black work beautifully together for small dresser-style nightstands that need to blend with your bedroom’s existing palette. This technique adds interest without requiring complex painting skills, making it perfect for beginners looking to try something new.
26. Upgraded Hardware Without Paint
Credit: A Beautiful Mess
You don’t always need paint to transform a plain dresser into something special and eye-catching.
Upgrade a simple white piece with shiny brass bar pulls and decorative corner braces that create a higher-end custom look. This low-lift approach gives you maximum impact with minimal effort, perfect for when you want quick results without major time investment.
27. Weathered Grecian Blue Finish
Credit: Annie Sloan
Give your kitchen dresser or hutch a weathered Mediterranean feel with Grecian blue chalk paint that evokes seaside villages.
Allow some natural wood to shine through for the authentic appeal of well-worn patina that tells a story. This technique creates character that looks like it developed naturally over decades rather than in a single weekend painting project.
28. Shabby Farmhouse Milk Paint
Credit: My 100 Year Old Home
Use milk paint to give an old wood dresser that coveted shabby farmhouse feel that’s so popular in country-style homes.
Replace old wood knobs with mercury glass knobs for vintage bling that catches the light. Remember to sand every surface thoroughly to remove paint or varnish so the milk paint adheres properly and lasts for years.
29. Refreshed Midcentury Console
Credit: Thistlewood Farms
Turn a dinged, unloved midcentury console into a modern showpiece on a budget with a DIY paint job that saves it from the landfill.
Patch up damage, sand away the old finish, prime thoroughly, and paint in a fresh coat of blue. This restoration approach honors the original design while making it work for contemporary living spaces and current color trends.
30. Natural Top with Painted Base
Credit: Finding Silver Pennies
Give an old dresser new life by leaving the top natural while painting the drawers and sides in coastal blue.
Add white stencil detailing that complements your room’s style for a custom designer look. This two-tone approach creates visual interest while preserving beautiful wood grain that adds warmth and natural texture to your space.
31. Instant Patina Salt Wash
Credit: Liz Marie Blog
Create instant patina on your dresser with a salt wash finish that makes brand new furniture look beautifully aged.
Mix paint with salt wash product, then sand it after drying to achieve a chipped appearance that looks authentically vintage. This technique works wonderfully in all-white farmhouse living rooms where you want pieces with character and history.
32. Mint Green Farmhouse Nightstand
Credit: Liz Marie Blog
A mini dresser works perfectly as a vintage-style nightstand when painted in soft, soothing colors that promote relaxation.
Try very pale mint green on the drawers with soft white on the legs and top for subtle contrast. Pair it with bronze accents throughout your bright farmhouse bedroom to create a cohesive look that feels collected and intentional.
33. Striped Movement and Energy
Credit: Britt Design Studio
Customize your dresser with stripes that add visual interest and movement to otherwise plain furniture pieces.
Mix thin vertical and horizontal strips in complementary colors, with trim that matches your window treatments for cohesion. This bold approach works especially well in primary bedrooms where you want to make a statement that reflects your confident design style.
34. Sunny Yellow Focal Point
Credit: Finding Silver Pennies
Transform a drab dark wood dresser into a cheerful focal point with sunny yellow paint that instantly lifts your mood.
Mix chalk paint with a bonding agent for a smoother professional feel. Add simple white hand-painted details on drawers that echo existing decorative elements to make the piece feel more custom and thoughtfully designed.
35. Navy Entry Statement Piece
Credit: Britt Design Studio
Add a subtle dose of sophisticated color in a neutral foyer with a navy painted dresser that welcomes guests beautifully.
Style it with carefully chosen decor objects and hang a mirror above to create both storage and display space. This transitional approach works in entries where you need function without sacrificing style or visual appeal.
Final Thoughts
Painting a dresser is one of the most rewarding DIY projects you can tackle, transforming tired furniture into stunning focal points that reflect your personal style.
Whether you choose bold colors, subtle finishes, or creative techniques, the possibilities are truly endless when you pick up a paintbrush.
Start with one piece and see how it transforms your space—you’ll be amazed at the difference a little paint can make in creating a home you absolutely love.
