Transforming A Chest Of Drawers: Shabby Chic Style

Painting a chest of drawers in a shabby chic style is a great way to upcycle old furniture and save money. With a lick of chalk paint, you can transform a pre-loved chest of drawers into a stylish new addition to your home. This simple and affordable DIY project can be achieved in a few easy steps. First, you'll need to source your chest of drawers and choose your paint colour. Then, you'll need to prepare the surface by cleaning and sanding the chest of drawers. Next, you can start painting! Depending on the desired finish, you may need to apply multiple coats of paint. Once the paint is dry, you can distress the furniture with sandpaper to achieve an authentic shabby chic look. Finally, you can add a layer of wax to protect the paint and reattach any handles or hardware.

Choosing the right paint

Painting a chest of drawers shabby chic style is a fun and rewarding project. You can achieve a beautiful finish with the right paint and preparation.

When choosing paint for your chest of drawers, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, assess the material of your chest of drawers. If it is solid wood, you can opt for chalk paint, which is a popular choice for achieving an authentic shabby chic look. Chalk paint is easy to work with, requiring minimal preparation, and can be applied directly to the wood without a primer. It provides a rich pigment and a matte finish, and you can choose from a wide range of colours to suit your taste. If you want a more rustic finish, one coat may be enough to achieve the look you desire, allowing the wood grain to show through. However, for better coverage, two to three coats are recommended.

If your chest of drawers has a mix of solid wood and laminate, or another wood substitute, you should select your paint accordingly. In this case, priming becomes essential to ensure the paint adheres well and does not chip or peel over time. A shellac-based primer is a good option, providing an excellent base for your paint, although it can be pricey and has strong fumes, so adequate ventilation is crucial during application.

For a unique finish, you might also consider using stain and wax in addition to your paint. A stain can be applied first, followed by your chosen paint colour. You can experiment with different stain colours to create a distinctive look. Wax is another important consideration, as it can enhance the colour vibrancy and provide a protective layer. Clear wax is recommended, and you can test a small area first to ensure you are happy with the result. When applying wax, use a very thin coat, rubbing it in with a soft cloth in quick circular motions.

Preparing the chest of drawers

Firstly, ensure you have a suitable workspace by pulling the chest of drawers away from the wall and placing a drop cloth underneath to protect the surrounding area. This will create a clean space for you to work on and minimise the risk of paint getting on unwanted surfaces.

Next, you will need to clean the chest of drawers thoroughly. Start by mixing trisodium phosphate (TSP), an all-purpose cleaner, with water as per the instructions on the label. Then, use a cloth to wipe down the chest of drawers, removing any dirt, debris, or grease. This step is important to ensure that the paint adheres properly to the surface.

Once the chest of drawers is clean and dry, it's time to address any imperfections on the surface. Use wood putty and a putty knife or old credit card to fill in any deep scratches, dents, or cracks. This step will create a smooth base for your paint and ensure a more aesthetically pleasing final product.

After the wood putty is dry, you may want to consider applying a primer, especially if your chest of drawers has a laminate surface or if you are painting over an existing coat of paint. A primer will provide a consistent surface for your paint to adhere to and help prevent chipping and peeling later on. Choose a primer suitable for your surface, such as Zinsser BIN shellac-based primer for laminate surfaces, and apply it according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Before you begin painting, it is important to protect the areas that you do not want to paint. Use painter's tape to mask off hinges, knobs, and any other areas you wish to keep paint-free. If your drawers have metal sides that you want to paint, use tape to mask off the edges and any back parts of the drawer fronts. Mark the back of the hardware with a marker or tape to indicate which drawer they belong to for easy reassembly later.

Painting techniques

Painting a chest of drawers shabby chic is a great way to upcycle old furniture. There are several ways to achieve this look, and it can be done using a variety of paints, including chalk paint, satin latex, and satin sheen.

First, you will need to prepare the chest of drawers. Clean the surface with an all-purpose cleaner like TSP (trisodium phosphate) to remove any dirt or debris. If there are any deep scratches, fill them with wood putty using a putty knife or old credit card. If the chest has existing paint or stain, you may need to sand it off using a palm sander. If the chest has hardware, such as knobs or handles, you can choose to remove and clean them or cover them with painter's tape before painting.

Once the chest is prepared, you can begin painting. If using chalk paint, you may not need to use a primer, as some chalk paints are richly pigmented and can be applied directly to the furniture. However, if you are painting on laminate or painted wood, priming is essential to ensure the paint adheres properly and does not chip or peel. Choose a primer that suits your paint type and the material of your chest of drawers. Apply two light coats of primer and let it dry.

Now, you are ready to paint. If you are using chalk paint, two to three coats may be required for the best coverage, depending on the size of your chest of drawers. If you prefer a more rustic look, one coat may be enough to achieve the desired effect. Let the paint dry thoroughly. If you are going for a distressed look, use medium-grade sandpaper to rub the edges and corners, revealing the wood beneath. Follow this by sanding the distressed areas with softer sandpaper to blend the paint away for a natural look.

To finish the piece, apply a thin layer of clear wax using a soft cloth in quick circular motions. This will protect the paint and bring out the colours. Let the wax sit for about 5-10 minutes, and then buff it with a paper towel or a soft t-shirt until the surface feels smooth.

Adding finishing touches

Once you're happy with the colour of your chest of drawers, it's time to add some finishing touches. Firstly, you should clean the original hardware with a watered-down cleanser. If you want to replace the hardware, you could opt for something more exclusive or decorative, such as silver diamantes or feminine, flourished knobs.

If you want to add a distressed look, use sandpaper to rub the edges and corners, revealing the wood beneath. Focus on the areas that would naturally distress over years of use. Once you're happy with the look, sand the distressed areas with softer sandpaper to blend the paint away for a more natural finish.

To protect the paint, you can apply a thin coat of wax using a soft cloth. Use a clear wax, such as Johnson's, and rub it on in a quick circular motion. After 5-10 minutes, buff the wax with a paper towel or a soft t-shirt until the surface feels smooth.

Leaving it to dry

Leaving your chest of drawers to dry is a crucial step in the painting process. The amount of time you should allow your paint to dry depends on the paint type and the number of coats applied. For example, chalk paint may require two to three coats for the best coverage, and each coat should be allowed to dry for a few hours. If you are happy with one coat for a rustic finish, you can reduce the drying time.

Once the paint is dry to the touch, you can decide if you want to distress the paintwork with sandpaper. If you are satisfied with the finish, you can proceed to the next step of applying wax. However, if you want to distress the paint to achieve an authentic shabby chic look, use medium-grade sandpaper to rub the edges and corners gently. This technique will reveal the wood beneath and create a naturally distressed appearance. After distressing, use a softer sandpaper to blend the paint away for a seamless finish. Don't forget to wipe away any dust and excess paint with a dry cloth to evaluate your work.

If you are happy with the distressed look, it's now time to apply a thin layer of furniture wax, especially over the exposed wood areas. The wax will protect the paintwork and enhance its colour. Again, this layer of wax will need sufficient drying time. For chalk paint, you can leave the wax to dry overnight or for at least 5-10 minutes before buffing it with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Finally, if you are not in a rush to use your newly painted chest of drawers, it is recommended to let the paint cure for a few days. This extra drying time will ensure that your paint job lasts for many years and maintains its beautiful finish.

Frequently asked questions