One of the fastest, easiest and least expensive ways to give your bedroom a new look is to change the color scheme. New linens, window treatments and carpets are the most obvious quick-change options, but if you want to carry your bedroom all the way from blah to “ta-da,” change the color of the furniture, too.
Self-adhesive Paper
The fastest and most easily reversible approach to change the color of the dresser would be to cover the entire thing with good quality self-adhesive paper. This is offered in nearly every color and texture imaginable from plain, purest white to synthetic metals such as stainless steel and copper. Self-adhesive newspaper is a snap to apply. Remove the drawers in the dresser and take off any handles or knobs. Clean out the dresser with a sponge dampened in a little bit of warm water with a couple of squirts of dish liquid stirred into it. Totally dry the dresser with a lint-free cloth. Use a little, dry paint roller or a lightweight rolling pin to help smooth out air bubbles.
Varnish
Tinted masonry adds a tricky sheen and a touch of color to any endeavor. Try a deep, clear red over a black dresser for a faux Chinese lacquer look, or glowing blue over red or black for a more rustic Mexican effect. Sand the present paint to get rid of any surface imperfections, then rub it down with a tack cloth to remove dust. Use the varnish with a paint brush or sponge brush.
Paint
A fresh coat of paint does wonders for just about anything, and it can completely update the look of a worn dresser. It’s not necessary to strip the old paint off if it is in good condition. Clean out the dresser with a degreasing cleaner. Thoroughly dry the dresser thoroughly, then rough up the surface with sandpaper. Wipe away the sanding dust with a tack cloth. Use self-priming spray paint or brush-on paint to ensure it adheres without having to recreate that the dresser. Let the first coat dry, then move over it gently with sandpaper before applying a second coat for a smooth finish.
Stain
Darkening the stain using a wooden door isn’t difficult, although you do have to strip off the sealer or the top coat of stain. A belt sander or power sander does that easily, but don’t use one unless you are adept enough to prevent damaging the wood. Chemical strippers also work. Simply rub the stripper and let it sit according to the time listed on the tag. Scrape away the old stain, sand the dresser, wipe the dust away, and you are all set to employ the new stain. Utilize a staining sponge, which is basically a little square of foam wrapped in thin cotton. Wipe on the stain, then allow it to sit for an instant, then rub off the excess. Seal the stain with a coat of polyurethane spray once it dries completely.
Bleach
Bleaching wood is hard and typically is done by professionals because the chemicals used are caustic and dangerous to breathe. If you would like to attempt a DIY dresser bleaching undertaking, protect your work surface with a drop cloth, and yourself with a painter’s mask, gloves and goggles. Buy a two-part bleaching procedure containing sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide. Some kits include chlorine bleach and oxalic acid, but these only bleach out the surface stain or rust stains; they do not lighten the true color of the wood. Mix equal quantities of the bleaching chemicals in a glass bowl and then apply the solution to the wood with a sponge. Let the solution sit on the wood according to the manufacturer’s directions, then rinse it away with water. Neutralize the wood with white vinegar, then rinse it with water. Let the dresser dry completely before applying whatever last finish you have chosen.