Why You Need a Painted Dresser Now!
Sure, I may be just a little bit biased, but a painted dresser is more than just a piece of furniture; it’s a statement, a personality, a piece of intriguing history, a gloriously useful clothing/dinnerware/board games/junk hiding superhero. And, before we get anywhere near the end of this first paragraph, NO, you don’t need to love shabby chic (or Tuscan anything) to be a prime candidate for a painted dresser. This dark blue dresser and black dresser are painted with a fine glossy finish, a long way from the chipped and rubbed back style that you may have expected. A beautiful dresser is a treasure and future heirloom.
The Versatility of a Painted Dresser
Dressers are known for their storage capacity. This often means they are big, or at least one of the biggest pieces of furniture in the room. This is an excellent reason for making sure they are not a lumping mass of brown. Whether it's clothing, linens, or household items, a painted dresser provides ample space to keep your belongings organized and out of sight. Don’t replace the sight of your stuff with a boring brown bunker, especially if it matches your nightstands!
A beautiful dresser can transform the look and feel of a room. It serves as both functional storage and a decorative element, allowing you to express your personal style. And that style can be chic, sleek, whimsical or downright bonkers as well as traditional or boho or whatever other character you may already associate with a painted dresser.
Painted dresser lesser known fact:
These chameleon tardis furniture pieces can be incorporated into more than just your bedroom. Used in living rooms, dining areas, nurseries and even kitchens, painted dressers can seamlessly adapt to different spaces.
But first, using a Painted Dresser in the Bedroom
The bedroom is a natural place for a beautiful dresser, and a painted dresser can be an excellent addition to this personal space.
Dresser as a Focal Point
Make your bedroom pop by choosing a painted dresser with a bold color or unique design. This can serve as the room's focal point, drawing the eye and adding personality to the space.
This striking vintage blue dresser’s handpainted design was inspired by a Chinese poem found inside one of the drawers. Read the full story, here.
Functional Storage
A bedroom dresser is essential for storing clothing, accessories, and personal items. Opt for a dresser with drawers of varying sizes to accommodate different needs. Customize the interior of the drawers with dividers (available at The Container Store, Amazon etc) so that you can channel your inner Marie Kondo. Or just throw the clothes in a shut the drawer - no-one but you needs to know!
Vanity Replacement
In smaller bedrooms, a painted dresser can double as a vanity. Place a stylish mirror on top, add a few decorative items, and it becomes a multifunctional piece of furniture.
Coordinated Color Scheme
Match the dresser's color to your bedroom's color scheme for a cohesive and harmonious look. This blue dress is co-ordinated with the bed linens and a planter. Consider using complementary or contrasting colors to create an interesting visual effect.
Incorporating a Painted Dresser in the Living Room
The living room is another great space to display a painted dresser with a twist.
Entertainment Center
Transform a dresser into a unique entertainment center. Remove some of the drawers to accommodate electronics like a television, gaming consoles, and sound systems. The remaining drawers can house DVDs, books, or gaming accessories.
Display Shelves
Remove all or some of the drawers and use the dresser as open shelves to showcase your collections, artwork, or decorative items. This open shelving concept can be a striking focal point in your living room. This idea is most effective with a tall dresser
Coffee Table or End Table Alternative
If you're looking for a creative alternative to a traditional coffee table, remove the legs and place a painted dresser in the center of your living room. It provides both storage and a flat surface for books, drinks, and decor. A small dresser, especially if it’s relatively short, can make a great end table. Scale-wise it’s best to use a dresser-end table to one side of a long sofa. Next to a chair, it will overwhelm.
This small antique dresser was customized to fit the Celtic history of it’s owner’s family. It’s used in their living room in a recess next to the fireplace. It has painted accents that pick up on the vintage drawer pulls.
Using a Painted Dresser in the Kitchen or Dining Area
Kitchens and dining areas are not just for tables and chairs; a painted dresser can be a stylish addition too.
Buffet or Sideboard
A painted dresser can serve as a buffet or sideboard in your dining area. It's a great place to store extra dishes, utensils, and linens while also adding a touch of elegance to your space. This white dresser is used in a dining room to store special china, glasses and silverware.
Kitchen Island
In a larger kitchen, consider using a painted dresser as a unique kitchen island. You can install a countertop and add barstools for an informal dining area or a spot for food preparation.
Wine and Bar Cabinet
Transform your beautiful dresser into a wine or bar cabinet. Remove some drawers to make room for wine racks, glassware, and your favorite spirits. A painted dresser can add a touch of sophistication to your home bar. This black dresser was fitted with glassware holders and lighting to make it even more practical
A Painted Dresser in the Nursery
A painted dresser is a practical and charming addition to a nursery or children's room. Either choose a color that can adapt to different themes as the child gets older, such as a white dresser, or find a local furniture artist to update the design every few years.
Changing Table
A painted dresser can be converted into a changing table by adding a changing pad on top. The drawers are perfect for storing diapers, baby clothes, and other essentials.
Don’t forget to attach the dresser to the wall at the back so that it can’t fall on a child who likes to climb!
Clothing Storage
As your child grows, the dresser can evolve into a clothing storage solution. Paint it in fun, vibrant colors to make it a cheerful addition to the room.
Creative Themes
Choose a theme for the nursery, and paint the dresser to match. From nautical designs to enchanted forests, a painted dresser can be a canvas for your creative ideas.
A Painted Dresser for your Entryway
Calm the Chaos
Unless you have a large entry hall that can accomodate a full size, find a shallow dresser to act as a catchall for keys, shoes, dog leashes and shopping bags. This blue dresser has room for storage but the long legs keep it from appearing to take up too much space in what is often a small area.
Outdoor and Patio Uses for a Painted Dresser
Don't limit your vintage dresser to indoor spaces; it can be a unique addition to your outdoor areas as well.
Potting Bench
Repurpose an old painted dresser as a potting bench. It provides a convenient workspace for gardening and potting plants.
Outdoor Bar
With a little weatherproofing, a painted dresser can serve as an outdoor bar for entertaining guests in your backyard or on your patio.
Storage on the Deck
Use a painted dresser to store outdoor cushions, gardening tools, or pool supplies. It adds a touch of style while keeping your outdoor space organized. As you can see with this white dresser, you can even user a dresser as a planter!
Maintaining Your Painted Dresser
Caring for your painted dresser is crucial to ensure it remains in excellent condition. Here are some maintenance tips:
Regular Cleaning
Dust the dresser regularly and wipe it down with a damp cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals that may damage the paint.
Touch-Ups
Keep a small amount of the paint used for your dresser in case you need to touch up any nicks or scratches that occur over time. Ask your friendly local dresser upcycler what paint she used and she’ll most likely have a little left over that you can use.
Protective Coating
Consider applying a clear protective finish to shield the paint from wear and tear, especially if the dresser is in a high-traffic area or exposed to the elements. If wear and tear is something you’re concerned about, make sure to ask what type of paint or finish was used on your dresser. Some types of paint such as those I use on my pieces will dry to a very hard coat; others, such as chalk paint will need to be waxed or sealed before they can be used, and even then, reapplication of wax can be helpful over time.