What My First DIY Dresser Project Taught Me
I’m no DIY expert by a longshot, but I wanted to add a pop of color to this dresser. I purchased it so long ago until I can’t remember what month. I bought a sleeper sofa for my basement from Craigslist sometime in 2014. I wanted the sofa for guests and for my own napping pleasure when I do laundry or watch television. While I was picking up the couch, I spotted this dresser that had good solid bones with a few nicks here and there. I bought the dresser for $40.00 and made my brother load it up. I stored it in my garage; the shed behind my house that I use for everything except my car. I thought this would make a good DIY dresser for me to start with.
A year and a half pass by (raised eyebrow)……
I knew I couldn’t do anything during the summer. The 90-degree weather combined with a hot garage and spray paint makes for a bad combination that ends with a hospital. I waited until the weather cooled off and made the dresser a priority for me.
The first thing I did was removed the hardware and the cabinet door. I knew that I wanted to add a shelf along with cube organizers.
I revamped my living room during the spring. During that time, I purchased about 5 gallons of paint in different colors due to a buy one get one free sale at Ace Hardware. I chose to use the color darling by Clark+Kensington because my intentions were to put this piece in my bedroom.
I replaced the original hardware with cute crystal diamond cut knobs that I purchased on Amazon.
I used a liquid sander to remove the shine/varnish (I don’t really know) and painted my first and second coats. After drying, I spray painted the interior cabinet and painted the black trim. I made touch ups after the paint dried.
Here’s what I learned:
1) Don’t paint furniture with interior paint; it’s too thick and hard to smooth on the surface. The black trim was easy to paint because I used Americana Décor Chalky Finish paint. The paint was thinner, dried quicker, and was easier to handle than a gallon bucket.
2) Make sure you know what you want! I wanted the dresser for my bedroom. My bedroom is black and white with hints of magenta. I’ve now decided that I don’t want to use the dresser for my bedroom. As a result, I now regret painting it “in yo face” pink. I should have painted it a more subtle color so I can sell it.
3) This project was very therapeutic; I love using my creativity! I plan to work on some other projects to improve my upcycling skills.
4) The pink dresser may spend another year in my garage…raised eyebrow. I think I may add stencil to it.
5) I’ve watched too many episodes of Flea Market Flip.
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Have you thought of taking on a DIY project around your home?