How to upcycle or paint my old laminate nightstands?

Your nightstands are quite lovely. They would look nice painted a color that suits your aesthetic. New knobs might update further. Using bins, drawer organizers and maybe an organizer tray on top could help organize your items both on top and inside the drawers would make things more functional.

I'm all about using what you have! Your nightstands look like they're well made and sturdy, so they're absolutely worth hanging onto. Using chalk paint would allow you to paint without sanding and priming first.

You'd just need to clean the pieces to get any oils or anything else off the finish. I use Simple Green, which seems to work well. Choose a color that works with your décor. You may need a couple of coats to cover completely.

After you've painted, you'll need to seal and protect the paint, since chalk paints have a flat finish. I've been using a polycrylic (rather than the typical wax that is used over chalk paint--and MUCH easier), which you can brush on.

Good luck!

Kerri

Better Than Before Home Furnishings & Design

www.BetterThanBefore.co

Cabinet Transformations by Rustoleum. Everything you need is in the kit. No sanding, no "use in a well ventilated area", clean up with water. I had great success using this on a bathroom vanity several years ago. The glaze (included in the kit) works better with the lighter colors and can give you a nice wood grain look if that's what you're going for.

https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/transformations/cabinet-transformations-dark-kit/

https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/transformations/cabinet-transformations-light-kit/

I agree: Chalk paint is the way to go. No prep work, fast, easy results.

All good suggestions. This is hometalk, use the search box and enter 'painting laminate' and a bunch of projects will pop up. Post a photo when you're done...and congratulations on your new son! :-)

Valspar (Lowe's) has spray paint for laminate. I've used it several times.

I sanded/roughed up surface of laminate, wiped with laqcuer thinner, primed with spray paint for laminate, paint finish coats with what you want.

Every projects finished look is dependant on surface preparation. Don't rush!!! We disassemble as much as we can, tape, sand, prepare surface, paint with several thin coats, after final coat has cured several days, I sand with Very Fine steel wool, use tack rag to wipe down thoroughly....and apply a paste wax. A professional outcome can be achieved with not rushing. Not a one day project....or it will look rushed.

You might want to check out Annie Sloan chalk paint. I just painted a big old hutch with it. It is easy to use an gives you lots of color and finish choices. There are many colors and both clear and dark wax for finishing. You can go on line and google samples of chalk painted night stands. It will give you lots of examples. Just be sure if you decide to go this way that you get the Annie Sloan paint and not any other brand. No, I don't get anything for recommending this brand but it is the only true chalk paint. Good luck with your project.

Chalk paint.