DIY projects

Furniture flip: Updating a chest of drawers

In this cool furniture flip, Naz and Christine show us how to transform a boring old set of drawers into a fresh modern piece perfect for their boys’ room. The Kiwi couple have two sons and a baby on the way and are in the process of renovating their home. They found this second-hand dresser for $95 and knew it was perfect – all it needed was the right preparation and a lick of Resene paint.

Read on to find out exactly how to do this furniture flip yourself.

Drop cloth
Safety gear
Electric sander and 120 grit sanding discs, or 120 grit sandpaper
Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner
Lint-free cloth
Resene Laminate and Melamine Primer
Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel
Resene #4 Easy Reach roller kit

1

Remove hardware

Before you begin, place a drop cloth down to minimise any damage or spillages as you work.

Uninstall all the original hardware with a screwdriver. If you plan to reuse them, as Naz and Christine are, give them a good clean then set them aside until later

To add an extra touch of flair and decoration, you can attach any type of new knobs or handles that you wish.

2

Sand

Take all the drawers out of the main console and lay them all on their sides. Doing this will help you to sand and paint everything as easily and evenly as possible.

Use an electric sander with 120 grit discs to lightly scuff all the surfaces you intend to paint.

These hardwood drawers have a veneer on top of them, so they need to be suitably scuffed in order for the primer to adhere properly.

Remember to wear your safety glasses, mask and ear protection when you do this step and make sure to sand thoroughly, getting into every corner and all edges.

If you don’t have an electric sander, you can sand by hand using 120 grit sandpaper.

3

Remove dust

Use Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner and a lint-free cloth to wipe away all sanding dust. Simply spray and wipe away. Doing this important step helps the primer and paint you’re applying over the top to go on and stay put most effectively.

4

Prime

Stir the Resene Laminate and Melamine Primer then pour it into the tray that comes with the Resene #4 Easy Reach roller kit – it’s the ideal size for a job like this.

Use the roller to apply a very thin coat of Resene Laminate and Melamine Primer to the drawers and allow it to cure for 48 hours. This waterborne adhesion primer is designed for use over a series of surfaces usually considered to coat, so is perfect for these old drawers.

Apply it in short, smooth strokes. As with paint, pouring it into the tray first means that you’ll keep that product in the tin free of any dirt or fibres that may be on your brushes or rollers.

5

Paint

Stir your can of Resene Lustacryl in your chosen colour. Naz and Christine chose Resene Seachange. Pour the paint into a roller tray and apply your first topcoat.

Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel is the perfect choice for furniture, especially in kids rooms, as it is very durable, makes the piece pop and can be wiped down easily.

Allow to dry before applying a second coat.

6

Reassemble

Allow the drawers to dry for at least an hour after the second coat before moving furniture.

Reinstall your drawer handles (or add new ones), put the drawers back into the base and enjoy your updated furniture!

Top tips for furniture flips

If you decide to keep old varnished wooden handles, you can also paint them whatever shade you like to change it up. Use Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner to ensure the handles are clean and free from grease, especially as these are hand-contact areas. Apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Sureseal and allow to cure without water contact for at least 48 hours. Then apply two coats of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel or Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel in your choice of colour. Or take inspiration from the many decorators who use their Resene testpot collection to paint designs or add a range of different colours to their handles.
Estate sales and garage sales are also great places to find vintage items at reasonable prices.
Look for pieces that are well-made and have good bones. Quality materials and construction will make the upcycling process more rewarding.
Check for structural integrity and make any necessary repairs before painting.
Retain and highlight the original charm of the piece during the painting process.
Explore various painting techniques beyond the traditional, such as distressing or stencilling.
If you want the furniture to sit more quietly in the room, choose a lower sheen finish such as Karen Walker Chalk Colour paint from Resene ColorShops. If you want the furniture to make more of a statement, then use a glossier paint like Resene Enamacryl. You can also use colour to help camouflage or accent your furniture – the closer the colour is to the wall colour the more your furniture will blend in.
Enhance the functionality of the item during the upcycling process.
Bring your thrift flip project idea into your local Resene ColorShop and the team can help you with advice on how to prep and paint or stain it to bring out the best in your project. Take your furniture handles or knobs into your Resene ColorShop when you visit and the Resene ColorShop team can let you know the best primer to suit.