How to makeover an old dresser?

Are you going to give it a true or false or multiple choice test? 😁

What do you want to do with your old dresser? Stain it? Paint it? Turn it into something else?

What are you testing your old dresser for? Lead paint?

Testing the dresser for what?

What do you mean "test" and old dresser? Please explain so we can assist you.

I have bought at least 6 "not new" dressers and re-purposed them over many years. Some were old, some were Ikea kinds of things. One became a lovely bath vanity. A couple of things I've learned: 1. Wood is better than any other material for furniture that you plan to use every day. It lasts longer, is more sturdy, and usually indicates a piece made with more care than composite materials. 2. Check, and re-check, that the dresser drawers move smoothly. Older dressers often have a center-placed drawer slide. Newer dressers have side rails on the drawers. If you like the look of the dresser, either system is fine, but the drawers should open and close easily...with one hand is great. Sometimes you can adjust or lubricate drawer slides, but if there is warping, or some other structural issue, that may not work long- term. 3. Love the lines and function of the piece, and check that the size fits your space, before you buy it. If the wood is too dark, or you don't like the look of "oak," fine. You can paint it, or re-stain it. Hating that the drawers are too shallow will always be a problem. Having to watch out that you don't bang your foot every time you walk by a dresser that's too big is also a problem.

paint it