FURNITURE BEFORE & AFTERS

Two green dressers with diagonal patterning sit side by side. A framed impressionist-style painting hangs above them. A vase with white flowers is on the left dresser, and a small plant is partially visible on the right.

DEC 15 - Tips & Resources

Ever wonder what pieces looked like before the drastic transformation?

Here are a few of our favourite furniture before and afters for your scrolling pleasure.

Table of Contents

MCM WALNUT DRESSER RESTORATION

Before:

After:

Mid-century modern wooden dresser with four drawers on a beige carpet.
Mid-century modern wooden dresser with four drawers and angled legs, placed on a gray floor next to a potted snake plant in a decorative pot.

Occasionally, we come across pieces with gorgeous wood that needs a little TLC to bring it back to life.

In this case, the walnut veneer was hiding under a coat of tinted lacquer. We made some minor repairs where the veneer was peeling off, and sanded to remove the old finish. The handles were painted black to provide some colour contrast, and the entire dresser was sealed with several protective coats of Danish Oil. Alas this mid-century modern beauty is ready to begin a new chapter in its new home.

BOHO RAW WOOD DRESSER

Wooden dresser with four drawers, decorated with a black and beige vase on top, beside a tall potted snake plant.
Wooden dresser with missing drawers on a patio, surrounded by grass and a wooden fence.

Before:

After:

I had a vision for this dresser the second I saw it. I love the warmth and richness of wood and wanted to pair it with a light, neutral paint colour. And this dresser was a perfect vessel for the combination.

The drawer fronts were sanded to expose the raw wood, and tan-washed with a watered-down solution of Fusion Mineral Paint’s Algonquin. The sides and handles were then painted in the same Algonquin paint, and everything was sealed with several coats of a water-based polyurethane.

TEXTURED SET OF NIGHTSTANDS

Before:

After:

Two brown wooden file cabinets placed on a light carpeted floor beside a vintage dresser and a black leather couch.
Two white nightstands with geometric drawer designs, placed side by side. The left nightstand has an orchid plant and some books on top, while the right one has an aloe plant in a pot. Both nightstands have two drawers with round knobs.

This piece was created as part of the Furniture Flip Challenge from Makers Challenge Central. The theme was texture, and I wanted to try something I’ve never seen done before. After scratching my head for a while, I stumbled across textured wall panels from Home Depot. Using a combination of contact cement and Bondo, I securely glued the panels onto the drawer fronts. The nightstands were further completed with several coats of shellac primer, House & Canvas’ Angora Paint, and Varathane’s water-based polyurethane topcoat. My submission didn’t win the challenge, but I had loads of fun.

GREEN WITH ENVY NIGHTSTANDS

Before:

After:

Green mid-century modern dresser with two drawers, positioned side by side beneath an impressionist painting. A white vase with flowers is on the left dresser, and decorative items sit on the right. Light wood flooring and beige wall backdrop.
Dark wood dresser with two drawers on a carpeted floor in a room with neutral walls and ceiling lights.

I tend to stick with neutrals when it comes to paint colours but decided to challenge myself and was pleasantly surprised! Although the colour green isn’t for everyone, experimenting with colour in furniture is a great way to test out what colours you like in your home! As someone who is currently renting, painting walls is not an option, but colourful furniture most definitely is.

SCANDI-STYLE DIPPED DRESSER

Before:

After:

A modern two-toned dresser with four drawers, featuring light wood knobs, standing on wooden legs in a room with gray flooring. A decorative potted plant is placed next to it.
Green dresser with four drawers and decorative knobs, cardboard box on top

The dipped look is definitely very trendy, and I decided to follow along! I didn’t intend for this dresser to become Scandi-style, I’m pretty happy with the combination of wooden hardware along with House & Canvas’ Angora and Linen paint. Although this is probably my biggest transformation, I don’t plan on taking on any more pre-painted furniture pieces. It’s difficult to gauge the wood condition underneath the paint, or in this case, multiple layers of paint.

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