How To Apply Decorative Transfers to Drawer Sides

Dress up your furniture with this easy tutorial on how to apply decorative transfers to drawer sides!

Give your furniture a custom look for a fraction of the price by using chalk paint and decorative transfers on the sides of your dresser drawers. Both techniques are easy to use.

If you’ve been around here for some time, you may recall that I had bought a super cute little end table with drawers at my local Habitat Restore. I painted it with Dixie Belle Silk Mineral Paint: Serenity & Morning Sunshine, just in time for Easter. It was sooo cute!

But, no where in my house did I need a purple and blue nightstand. HA! So, I decided to give it a second makeover and painted it black to match the giant dresser I painted for my daughter’s bedroom.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.

While I absolutely loved it painted just black, I felt that it needed something more. Something fun! Something different and girlie!

That’s where the furniture transfers come in. I made over a cute little drum table using Dixie Belle Magnolia Garden Transfer (oh my gosh, it is so adorable!!) and I used the Dixie Belle On The Farm Transfer to create a custom sign for a Christmas gift.

The transfers are so easy and fun to use that I decided to use the Dixie Belle Floral Romance Transfer and I couldn’t be more thrilled with how this little end table turned out!

Dresser drawer sides can be given a new look by using decorative transfers. Transfers make it super easy to add a beautiful design and pattern to dresser drawer sides without having to paint or stencil them (woot!!! For real, this is game changing in my mind!). Transfers can be found in a variety of designs, from floral patterns to geometric shapes.

They can also be customized to match the existing décor in a room or just add a pop of color or pizzazz!

Check out: Before & After Projects Using Dixie Belle Chalk Paint

Supplies Needed:

• Dixie Belle Floral Romance transfer
• chalk paint, optional
• white lightning cleaner

How To Use Decorative Transfers on Dresser Drawer Sides

Before adding a transfer, first clean the surface of the dresser drawer sides with white lightning cleaner. I swear by this furniture cleaner and you can read more about it here. If desired, paint the drawer side using your favorite color of paint.

Start by finding some decorative transfers that you love. You can find these online at Dixie Belle under Belles & Whistles transfers.

1. Measure and cut the transfers to fit the sides of your dresser drawers.

2. Apply the transfer to the dresser drawers using the wooden stick that looks like a tongue compressor in the transfer package. Press firmly until the decorative transfer has adhered to the drawer side.

3. Remove plastic cover slowly and carefully, using the wooden stick to resecure any areas of the transfer that did not adhere.

4. Trim off any excess transfer with an Exacto knife or scissors.

Take your hand and gently press on the transfer ensuring that it is adhered in all areas.

That’s it! You do not have to seal the transfer, just stick your drawers back in your dresser and you are good to go!

Before

After

You can certainly apply these gorgeous transfers to the tops of furniture, the sides of the dresser/end tables, even the insides of the drawers as a drawer liner! The possibilities are endless when it comes to these transfers! I simply love them!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are furniture transfers?

Think of furniture transfers like wall decals. They come in a variety of designs and can be used on dresser drawer sides (or any other piece of furniture!) to add a pop of color or pattern.

Do I need to paint the dresser drawer sides before adding a transfer?

No, you don’t have to paint the dresser drawer sides before adding a transfer. However, if you want to add a bit of color to the dresser, you can paint the drawer sides before adding the transfer.

Can you remove a furniture transfer?

Yes, furniture transfers can be removed. However, they may damage the paint or finish on the dresser drawer sides. If you’re not sure if you want to commit to a design, I recommend testing the transfer on a small area first.

Do I need to seal the dresser drawer sides after adding a transfer?

No , you don’t need to seal the dresser drawer sides after adding a transfer. However, if you plan on using the dresser in a high-traffic area, you may want to consider sealing the dresser to protect the transfer. You can use a clear furniture sealer like Dixie Belle’s Gator Hide which repels water!!

Need more help applying a transfer?

Watch my YouTube video explaining how to apply a transfer step-by-step!

Ready to try adding some decorative transfers to your dresser drawer sides? Head on over to Dixie Belle’s website and check out their selection of beautiful furniture transfers!

Have fun experimenting with different furniture transfers until you find the perfect look for your dresser!

More Painted Furniture Makeovers!

• How To Use Dixie Belle Chalk Paint To Makeover A Boring Old Dresser
• Dixie Belle Silk Mineral Paint: Serenity & Morning Sunshine
• Dixie Belle Magnolia Garden Transfer
• Nightstand Painted in Dixie Belle Bunker Hill Blue
• Dixie Belle Kudzu Green Painted Shelf: Before & After
• 10 Ways to Make Over Furniture with Chalk Paint
• Painted Dining Room Hutch with Chalk Paint | Before & After
• Upcycled Magazine Holder | Before & After
• Old Sewing Table Turned Desk
• Dresser Makeover – Before and After
• Repurposed Old Table with Chalk Paint and Stencil