Did you know it is much easier to refurbish old furniture than it seems? While it can come off as an intimidating task, it is really quite simple. You can complete the entire project in a matter of hours. The longest part is waiting for the paint to dry. 

It still takes some TLC, along with a list of other things, but it’s not as hard as you would think. Now, here is how to get started! 

Here is a list of items that you need when refurbishing a dresser:

• Sandpaper 
• Cloth 
• Screwdriver (optional
• Paintbrushes
• Drop cloth (unless you do this outdoors)
• Primer
• Paint color of your choice 
• Knobs 
• Pre-stain
• Stain
• Stir sticks
• Painter’s tape 
• Sealer

Some items are optional, such as the drop cloth, if you are doing the project outside. You can find all of these products in your local arts and crafts store, or warehouse locations. 

The first step is to find the perfect piece of furniture. You can oftentimes find them for very low prices at thrift stores such as Community Family Thrift. Next, make a trip to gather supplies and select the paint color that you desire. 

Start by removing the drawers and sanding down all the pieces of furniture. Make sure you go over them extra well if there are any scratches. Once this is complete, you can wipe down the drawer with a damp cloth to remove any dust. 

Let the furniture rest for a moment before doing anything else to it. Once it has completely dried, you can go ahead and paint a coat of primer or pre-stain over every area that you plan to paint.

Let this dry for at least an hour or until there are no wet spots. The primer may look streaky, but this is totally normal. 

Once you have given it some time to dry, you can get started painting it. Before you paint, be sure to use painter’s tape to mark off any areas that you don’t want to paint. A cute idea is to paint the top of a desk only and leave the rest of it wood colored. Or spray paint just the legs of a small living room table. 

Sometimes an accent of color is all you need to make a statement piece in your home. 

Once you have finished each previous step,  you can use a sprayable paint sealer to seal the finished product. Add on the knobs or handles of your choice and voila, you have a beautiful piece of refurbished furniture for less than half the cost of buying it new. Bonus, you also help the environment by not purchasing new furniture. 

If you don’t happen to have space for your newly refurbished drawer, consider donating it instead of dismantling and trashing it. You’ll be providing this piece of furniture to a family in need who would be beyond grateful to have it in their home. Learn more about how you can donate with South Florida Donation Center today!