How To Use Dixie Belle Chalk Paint To Makeover A Boring Old Dresser

Learn how to transform an old dresser into a beautiful piece of furniture using Dixie Belle chalk paint. This project is so easy and affordable!

Do you have an old dresser that you don’t know what to do with? Maybe it’s been sitting in your garage for years, or taking up space in your bedroom.

Well, I have the perfect solution for you! With a little bit of Dixie Belle chalk paint, you can give that dresser a brand new look. In this blog post, I will show you how to use chalk paint to transform a boring old dresser into something beautiful. I will also provide before and after pictures so you can see the transformation for yourself. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!

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

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One day, while perusing Marketplace on Facebook, I found a giant, amazing, solid wood dresser for sale. I 100% did not need it, but it was only $50 and I couldn’t help myself. While trying to load the world’s heaviest dresser into the back of my minivan, I had a real case of buyer’s remorse!

I hauled the dresser home and there it sat. The story of the giant dresser only gets better.

It sat in the our mudroom, causing us not to be able to open the closet doors. Then it sat outside on the patio so we could open said doors. Then our house was struck by lightning and caught fire, and the dresser was moved to a storage unit for 2 years. Then one day I had finally had had enough of the poor dresser waiting around for it’s makeover. I hauled the sucker back to our house and decided to give it a makeover with some Dixie Belle chalk paint.

Dixie Belle chalk paint is a game changer when it comes to giving old furniture a new lease on life. In just a few simple steps, you can transform a boring dresser into a beautiful showpiece. The best part is that Dixie Belle chalk paint can be used on almost any type of surface, so the possibilities are endless. To get started, simply clean the dresser to prep it for painting. Next, apply a thin layer of Dixie Belle chalk paint and allow it to dry. Once the paint is dry, apply a second coat if desired. Finally, add new hardware to complete the look. With Dixie Belle chalk paint, giving your furniture a makeover has never been easier!

Supplies Needed To Paint Furniture

How To Prep Furniture To Paint

Gather Supplies

Before beginning your project, gather your supplies and make sure you have everything you need. DIY projects always go smoother when you have all of your supplies ready before staring your project.

Clean with Dixie Belle White Lightning

Start by giving the dresser a good cleaning. This will help the chalk paint adhere to the surface better. Once the dresser is clean, you can start painting. I always clean my furniture pieces with Dixie Belle White Lightning before painting. Truly, I swear by this product. Check out my original post with additional photos of why I use Dixie Belle White Lighting.

Dixie Belle White Lightning Cleaner | Gathered In The Kitchen

Fix Any Blemishes

Next, look over your piece of furniture for any cracks in wood or veneer finish, or any other rough areas that require sanding. If so, you will need to sand those areas using a 220 grit sandpaper. This will help the chalk paint adhere to the surface better as well as smooth out any surface level blemishes.

Paint!

Now it’s time for the hard part! Deciding which beautiful color to use! I suggest using a light color if you want a shabby chic look, or a dark color if you want something more modern.

If you are unsure of what color to use, you can always test out the chalk paint on a small area of the dresser first. For this dresser, I chose to paint it black using Dixie Belle chalk paint in Caviar.

Once you have chosen your chalk paint color, it’s time to start painting! Begin by painting the dresser with a thin layer of chalk paint. Once the first coat is dry, you can add additional coats until you are satisfied with the coverage. Many colors do cover in one coat.

I always tape off the drawer edges with painter’s tape because I cannot stand messy, overpainted edges 🙂

Dixie Belle Best Dang Wax Clear | Gathered In The Kitchen

Distressed Furniture with Chalk Paint

If you want a distressed look, you can stop here and sand down the edges of the dresser using 220 grit sandpaper once the paint has dried. This will give the dresser a shabby chic look that is perfect for any home.

Polished Look

However, if you want a more polished look, you can continue painting the dresser until you have achieved full coverage.

Seal with Wax

Once you are happy with the way the chalk paint looks, you will need to seal it with furniture wax. This will help protect the paint and keep it looking nice for years to come.

And that’s it! You have now successfully transformed a boring old dresser into something beautiful using chalk paint. I hope you enjoyed this blog post and found it helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below.

Spray Paint Drawer Handles and Pulls

Updating the hardware in your home is a quick and easy way to give it a fresh new look, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. A can of spray paint can go a long way towards transform tired, outdated drawer handles and pulls. Just make sure to use a light hand when applying the paint, and don’t forget to put down some newspaper or a drop cloth to protect your surfaces. In no time at all, you’ll have brand new hardware that looks like it came from a high-end store.

Rustoleum Gold Metallic Finish Spray Paint | Gathered In The Kitchen

Before

After

I put the dresser in my daughter’s bedroom – and now it has a new home that loves it! It matches the adorable night stand I also painted and added decorative furniture transfers to the drawer sides.

Dresser painted in Dixie Belle Black Caviar | Gathered In The Kitchen

Frequently Asked Questions About Chalk Paint

What is chalk paint?

Chalk paint is a relatively new “type” of paint that has been growing in popularity over the last few years. It gets its name from the fact that it contains a high level of calcium carbonate, which is what makes it similar to chalkboard paint.

The great thing about chalk paint is that it’s so versatile- you can use it on just about any surface (wood, metal, plastic, etc.), and it doesn’t require any priming or sanding before you start painting. In fact, one of the main selling points of chalk paint is that you don’t have to spend a lot of time prepping your surface before you start painting. You can simply clean the surface with a damp cloth, let it

Do you need to seal chalk paint?

Sealing chalk paint is not necessary, but it can help to prolong the life of your project. If you choose to seal your chalk paint, Dixie Belle offers a clear sealer that works well. You can also use a wax to seal your chalk paint, but keep in mind that wax can yellow over time.

To decide if you need to seal your chalk paint, consider what type of finish you want and how much wear and tear your project will see. If you’re using chalk paint on an area that gets a lot of traffic or exposure to the elements, sealing it will help it withstand the elements and everyday use. On the other hand, if you’re creating a decorative piece that won’t see much wear and tear, sealing it is not as necessary.

Once you’ve decided whether or not to seal your chalk paint, follow the instructions on the Dixie Belle website for the best results.

If you’re looking for an easy way to update your furniture, I highly recommend giving chalk paint a try. Dixie Belle makes some of the best chalk paint around and it’s so easy to use – even beginners can get great results. Plus, their paints are non toxic which is a big plus in my book. Be sure to check out my other posts where I show how I used Dixie Belle chalk paint on different pieces of furniture.

What are the benefits of chalk paint?

Chalk paint is a popular paint choice because it’s easy to use and provides a beautiful finish. It’s also durable and can be used on a variety of surfaces.

More Painted Furniture Makeovers!

Stephanie Bruce

Stephanie is the founder of Gathered In The Kitchen. She is currently learning how to raise backyard chickens and is forever testing the boundaries of color while updating her 1886 Victorian home. Follow her on Instagram at @gatheredinthekitchen