How to Make a Chest of Drawers Feminine

Create a pretty dresser from a boring chest of drawers.

Turn a boring, ugly chest of drawers into a pretty, feminine dresser with just a few simple ideas. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money or involve a lot of time or tools to turn your brown thrift store chest of drawers into a shabby chic dream for yourself or a girly piece of furniture for your daughter's bedroom.

Things You'll Need

• Sandpaper
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Wallpaper, scrapbook paper, fabric or magazine pages
• Ribbon
• Decoupage medium
• Sponge brush
• Drawer pulls/knobs
• Decorative paper
• Mirror

Instructions

1. Paint it. Changing the dresser's color is the first step to revamp the way it looks. Choose a soft color such as pastel pink or yellow, or go for a brighter shade such as bright orange. Keep it neutral if you want to add other accents to feminize the dresser. Sand the dresser before painting and allow the paint to dry before other decorating.

2. Decoupage the dresser using pretty images from magazines, wallpaper pieces, scrapbook paper, sheet music or just about anything made of paper or fabric. Use ribbon to embellish edges or gift wrap to liven up the top of the dresser. Use a decoupage medium and a sponge brush to add the paper anywhere on the chest of drawers you want.

3. Add pretty knobs. Purchase decorative handles for the drawers and change out the old ones. Porcelain or crystal knobs would be pretty. This will completely change the look of the drawers. Check out thrift stores or vintage shops to find old drawer pulls. For an eclectic look, use a different drawer pull for each drawer.

4. Place some decorative paper inside the drawers that matches your paint or decoupage. The drawers can be lined with wallpaper or patterned contact paper to add something a little extra to the dresser and to cover up the ugly bottom of dresser drawers.

5. Add a pretty mirror. Hang up a beautiful mirror that matches the dresser or can be painted to match the dresser. The mirror should go right above the dresser to add femininity to the drawers and provide a nice dressing area.

References

• Country Living: Customize Your Own Bedroom Dresser
• Good Housekeeping: Sweet Dreams: Easy Bedroom Makeover
• Plaid Online: Decoupage Toile Dresser