When it comes to furniture makeovers, a fresh coat of paint can do wonders. And if you’re someone who loves the color blue, painting a dresser in your favorite hue can be a fun and satisfying project to tackle. Whether you prefer bright and bold shades or serene and calming tones, blue can add interest and personality to any piece of furniture. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to transform a basic dresser into a beautiful blue painted dresser that will become a focal point in any room. So grab your paintbrush and let’s get started!
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Choose your shade of blue furniture paint
The first thing you need to do is decide on the shade of blue you want to use for your furniture makeover. Blue comes in a wide range of hues, from pale pastels to deep navy blue. Consider the style of the room where your dresser will be placed, as well as your personal taste.
If you want a modern and trendy look, consider using a bold shade of blue, like a deep navy. If you prefer a calm and serene look, opt for a softer shade, like sky blue. Or create a custom blue by mixing together different shades to create a unique custom shade of blue.
Mixing your own shade of blue furniture paint is a perfect way to use leftover paint. If you need help on how to mix paint colors, read how to easily mix furniture paint colors.
I had some leftover blue chalky paint and it was too bright of a color. So I decided to mix in some black paint to deepen the blue base. I don’t remember the color of blue but it was from Country Chic Paint, similar to this tide pool blue. The blue chalk paint was mixed with lamp black from General Finishes.
I always recommend mixing a small amount of paint before attempting to mix enough for a dresser. I use a paint syringe ( <- – – – just like this one) to mix small amounts of paint to make a sample. You will want to write down your ratio of colors, especially if you love the color and want to recreate the same mix.
At times, I also mix different brands of paint together. I know the manufacturers will recommend not doing this, but I have experimented enough and know it has worked well for me. It is easier to use what I have on hand so as not to waste my supplies.
I have a confession on this one. Unfortunately, I did not keep track of the paint ratio mix. I just kept adding black paint to the blue until I had the perfect paint color of deep blue. I always add small amounts of paint when mixing colors, especially strong colors like black. Black can overpower the base color and just turn it into an ugly color of black, so be careful and use small amounts when mixing paint colors together.
Properly prep the dresser
Before you start painting, you need to properly prep your dresser. I know that many of the furniture paint companies say “No Prep” paint. However, you still need to do some light prepping.
Remove the hardware, and give the dresser a good cleaning. I like to use a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water. Sand the surface lightly with fine-grit sandpaper to create a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to. Fill in any cracks, dents, or scratches with wood filler, and let it dry completely. Sand the filled areas smooth, then wipe down the entire dresser with a damp cloth to remove any dust.
A properly prepped furniture piece is going to give you lasting results.
Prime the Dresser
Priming a dresser before painting is dependent on the furniture piece. Many will not need to be primed others will definitely need prime paint.
Priming your dresser is an important step that will help the paint adhere to the surface and prevent any stains or tannins from bleeding through. Use a high-quality paint primer and a brush or roller to apply a smooth, even coat to the entire surface of the dresser. Let the primer dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Discover how to prevent bleed-through before painting furniture.
I highly recommend priming a piece of furniture if it has a shiny surface, as the prime will help the paint adhere. Also if the piece is stained cherry or mahogany, this will help block the tannins from bleeding through. I recommend this oil-based spray primer. I prefer to use a spray so I do not have to clean the old-base primer from my brushes or rollers.
Paint the Dresser
Now it’s time to paint your old dresser! Use a high-quality paint brush or roller to apply a thin, even coat of paint to the dresser. Work in small sections, starting at the top and working your way down. Let the first coat dry completely before applying a second coat if necessary.
I use a very fine grit sandpaper(500-1000 grit) to lightly sand the paint before applying the second coat of paint. Lightly sanding between coats of paint, gives a smooth finish. Make sure to remove all of the sanding dust.
I mainly use this Wagner paint sprayer for all of my furniture painting. If you are hand-painting furniture, check out my free guide on how to eliminate paintbrush marks before you begin.
Seal the Blue Painted Dresser
To protect your beautiful blue painted dresser and ensure its long-lasting beauty, you need to seal it with a clear top coat. Using a high-quality clear coat, apply a thin, even coat to the entire surface of the dresser. Let the first coat dry completely, then lightly sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper. Remove any dust, then apply a second coat of clear coat. Let it dry completely before placing the hardware back on.
My favorite furniture sealer is General Finishes High Performance in a flat.
I also added shading using General Finishes Glaze Effects in Pitch Black.
I painted the original hardware using my favorite techniques and products. You can check out how I finish original hardware with my “How to Paint Furniture Hardware“
Favorite Colors of Blue Furniture Paint
There are endless color options when choosing the paint for your blue painted furniture makeovers. Let me give you my favorite blue paint colors from the top furniture paint manufacturers.
- General Finishes Blue Moon – This is a soft teal tone that is perfect for a medium blue color.
- Fusion Mineral Paint Midnight Blue – This is a rich navy blue paint color.
- Annie Sloan Greek Blue – A perfect blue and gray mix.
- Beyond Paint in Deep Blue – The perfect shade of a cool deep blue color.
- Country Chic Nightfall – A beautiful blue-green paint mix.
Blue Painted Eastlake Dresser
I also used the same custom blue furniture paint on this blue painted dresser makeover. This old dresser is called an Eastlake-style dresser. This dresser was well taken care of and was in great condition for its age. Usually, most of these old furniture pieces need a lot of prep work before you can even begin to paint.
The top was a little loose on the left side so I added some wood glue and clamped it down. I also used a little wood filler on the left leg since it was slightly pulling away.
I gave a light sanding to the drawer fronts and top of the dresser. And used my favorite gel stain method and used General Finishes Java Gel
and sealed with Minwax Wipe-on poly. 
This beautiful furniture makeover was completed using the same products to paint, seal, and glaze as the highboy dresser above.
The furniture pulls are wood, so I painted them just as I painted the base of the dresser. The pulls on top were a boring round wood knob, so I purchased new hardware from Hobby Lobby and painted them to match.
I love this gorgeous color of blue with the wood accents. This dresser will have a great second life just as it did with its first life.
Transforming a basic dresser into a beautiful blue painted masterpiece can be a fun and rewarding project for diyers and furniture painters. By following these simple steps, you can create a custom piece of furniture that adds personality and interest to any room in your home. Choose your shade of blue, prep your dresser, prime it, paint it, and seal it to create a stunning piece that will become a focal point in any space. With a little time and effort, you can turn an ordinary dresser into a stunning masterpiece that you will be proud to show off to your friends and family.
Check out these other beautiful Furniture Makeovers using custom paint color blends
Need help with your painting projects?
Learn how to paint furniture in the comforts of your own home with these step-by-step furniture painting video tutorials.
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Rebecca Payne says
Awesome!
Designed Decor says
Thank you!
Barbara Warner says
I love the way you finished the dresser – I really like the stained wood against the blue paint and the blue handles/pulls look wonderful. What a creative way to highlight the natural wood and add some color to the piece as well!
Designed Decor says
Thank you so much!
Designed Decor says
Thank you so much!