Transform Your Old Dresser into an Ombre Masterpiece!

A few months back we revealed Addison’s Big Girl Room, and the ombre dresser featured in her room took off like wildfire on Instagram. Want to know an inside secret? The beloved dresser was a DIY project. Now, I am the first one to admit I am NOT a DIYer. Ask me to assemble a stroller or crib, and I’m your girl, but painting is out of my comfort zone. So if I can turn a rundown old dresser into something fabulous—you can too!

dresser

Materials: 1 can of white chalk paint, 1 can of colored chalk paint, plastic cups and a paint brush

Chalk_Paint

First step is to create your colors. My dresser has five drawers, so I created five different shades, including the original color on the bottom drawer.

Next, pour a little bit of your colored paint into plastic cups. Then add white to each cup to lighten the color. Add (1) tablespoon to the first cup then increase the white paint by one tablespoon for each consecutive cup (first cup 1Tbsp, second cup 2Tbsp, etc.). You may have to adjust the amount of white paint you use depending on how much colored paint you need to cover the drawer and how much contrast you want between drawers. I suggest testing each color and allowing it to dry before completing the entire drawer.

Chalk Paint

Now it’s time to paint. Once you have the colors mixed, pull the drawers out and paint the front of each one. Once you have all the drawers completed, paint the frame. I chose to paint my frame white but you can also add a different color to really make it pop!

dresser2

dresser3

This project was so simple. No sanding, no taping—all you need is a little paint and a brush!

dresser5

After completing this project, I am obsessed with chalk paint and want to repaint all the pieces in my house. Stay tuned, I may have more projects featuring chalk paint.

Kristin

Kristin

California mom raising two blonde babies + one blonde doggy to make our family complete. I'm boho style obsessed and a wine lover at heart.

Comments

  1. Jess

    September 24, 2015

    Where did you find the drawer pulls? They are perfect!

  2. Kristin

    September 25, 2015

    I took the original pink and white nobs and dipped them into gold paint. Super easy (and fun) to do!

  3. Maria Schiraldi

    September 25, 2015

    Love this proyect thanks for sharing!!! I really love the scale of pink !!

  4. Jasmine

    January 17, 2016

    Kristin I went and brought raw timber dresser table and brought water pas paint in white and blue not sure if it will turn out like the one u painted

  5. Ashley

    February 6, 2016

    What brand and color of Chalk Paint did you use?

  6. Kristin

    February 8, 2016

    Ashely – the paint is Annie Sloan. You can use this link to find a local retailer: http://www.anniesloan.com/annie-sloan-products/paints/chalk-paint.html

    For this project I used Pure White and Scandinavian Pink.

  7. Cindy

    February 24, 2016

    Love how the dresser turned out! Especially those knobs!! What color and brand of paint did you use for those?

  8. Jenny

    March 3, 2016

    Hi! What wax or sealer did you use?

  9. Ashley

    March 4, 2016

    Interested in why your picked chalkboard paint? Is that a must?

  10. Beth

    March 6, 2016

    Hi Ashley, Kristin used chalk paint, not chalkboard paint.

  11. Myraneisha

    April 14, 2016

    Hello. I love this idea. Thanks for posting it. I wanted to know if you specifically had to use chalk paint?

  12. Jasmine

    May 30, 2016

    Where did you get this drawer?

  13. Carrie Picone

    June 1, 2016

    Hi Kristin!! I was hoping you can hope me and tell me the paint color on the wall? I have been searching high and low for the perfect pink and came across this sweet room and love, love, love it :) Thank You!!

  14. Brittanie

    July 6, 2016

    Where did you get the pick heart decals for the walls..I love this entire picture!

  15. Beth

    July 7, 2016

    Thanks, Brittanie! You can find the heart decals here: http://shop.projectnursery.com/collections/nursery-wall-decor/products/heart-decals

  16. Jasmine

    July 7, 2016

    Where did you get this dresser?

  17. Brittanie

    July 9, 2016

    Thank you for the info on the wall decals..I absolutely love them…I forgot to ask you what color of pink you got to paint the walls so it matches perfect. I’m going to scherwin Williams today and need to know the color so I can paint her room today so if you could get back to me ASAP I’d really appreciate it.thank you again!

  18. Brittanie

    July 9, 2016

    I so wanted to know what the main color of pink you used to mix with the white to get the first shade and to mix to fet the other shades to do the dresser! Thank you again I appreciate everything!

  19. Brittanie

    July 10, 2016

    I’m sorry I didn’t even pay attention….I see what color you used for the dresser, I just need to know what color you used for the walls so I can go buy the paint..just waiting on a reply..THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH. YOU’VE MADE THIS SO MUCH EASIER FOR ME TO PICK A BEAUTIFUL GIRLS ROOM!

  20. Nadya

    August 1, 2016

    What paint did you use for the gold knobs?

  21. Renae

    January 29, 2017

    Thank you for this! I’ve just finished my bubs set of drawers and I love them! ?

    I tried to attach a picture but it wouldn’t let me – but it looks gorgeous ☺️

  22. Linda

    March 18, 2017

    No wax or poly? How’s the paint holding up?

  23. Beth

    March 20, 2017

    Hi Linda, Kristin said the paint job is holding up great!

  24. Lori Rodriguez

    March 27, 2017

    Just would like to share some advise received from my local unfinished furniture store. I was told that a interior latex, water base, flat paint could be used to achieve the chalk paint look. I was instructed to sand (400 grit), prime, sand again, then paint and sand at least 2X, then apply lacquer in whatever sheen is desired. Chalk paint in these colors is only available online and is pricey, so I’m giving this a try. Can’t wait to see the end result!

  25. Kadijah

    April 2, 2017

    Where did you purchase the dresser from?i plan in doing this project and would love the same one you have for your little girl

  26. Rachel

    April 16, 2017

    Love how this turned out ! I’m going to be painting a similar dresser but also the inside and sides of the drawers . Did you have a lot of leftover paint ?

  27. DIY Crafts

    June 18, 2019

    What a cute idea! Thank you for sharing this, I’ll add this in my next to do to list and try to make one cool like this.

  28. lana

    February 16, 2021

    Much obliged to you for this! I’ve quite recently completed my babies bedroom set and I love them! ? Can I do something more for them? and if this will take enough place for it too?

    however, it looks ravishing

  29. alex

    May 8, 2021

    Hello. I love this idea. Thanks for posting it. I wanted to know if you specifically had to use chalk paint?

  30. Candide

    September 1, 2023

    Hi! I’m so excited to paint a similar DIY furniture piece :)

    Did you wax your chalk paint, or did it hold up pretty well?

    Thanks!

    Candide

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