Quick Dresser Updates on a Budget

Like a lot of people nowadays, Brandon and I decided to forego the standard nursery changing table. Instead, we’re using a dresser with a changing pad on top. Then we’ll be able to use the dresser for storage and clothes as our first born ages and outgrows the nursery.

And even better…we got the dresser for free!

It’s actually the dresser my parents bought as part of an entire bedroom suit for me when they were expecting their second child. So I guess you could say it’s an antique. 🙂

But I can’t just leave it as is! I wanted to change it up subtly, without involving the usual paint brush. And that’s when a light bulb went off. I remembered some pink and white striped wallpaper, also from my childhood bedroom, that I found in my parents’ attic close to a year ago.

Not in the most pristine condition, given that it’s about 24 years old, but perfectly perfect for lining dresser drawers!

So I got to work measuring the bottom of the drawers. Since there are 3 drawers of the same size, I measured once for all 3 using a yard stick.

Then I used the yardstick to measure and mark on the wallpaper itself.

I lined up the yardstick with the marks and started running my X-acto knife along it. But that didn’t last very long since I kept cutting into the yardstick itself!

So I switched over to scissors which worked out great. I was able to keep the lines pretty straight by taking it slowly and cutting only a little at a time.

You may also notice that the wallpaper is wrinkly from being in a semi-rolled state for many, many, many years. After I cut a piece of the paper, I set some heavy books on top to encourage it to flatten out. I cut my other 2 pieces of the same size and set them under the books for a few minutes while I cut the wallpaper to size for the two small top drawers.

Then I took one drawer and one piece of wallpaper at a time outside for the messy part.

Spray adhesive seems to have more fumes than spray paint, so definitely don’t spray indoors! I don’t even like to spray it in my workshop if I can avoid it.

I turned the face of the drawer away from me before spraying to reduce any overspray getting on the “pretty side”.

Spraying the bottom really well and don’t worry too much about getting it on other parts of the inside of the drawer. It’ll dry clear!

Carefully line up one corner of the wallpaper with the drawer bottom and roll it onto the drawer, smoothing it as you go. Just like you would put a screen protector on a cell phone…if you’re into that sort of thing!

Once I had one drawer done, I transferred my heavy books into the drawer to keep the wallpaper intact while the glue dried. And I moved on to the next drawer. Repeat that a few more times and all of the drawers had new lining!

I switched up the direction of the stripes for the two small drawers for a fun change.

It didn’t take long to start filling up the drawers and making the new liner disappear! With a few new outfits from an excited aunt, grandma, and great-grandma and a TON of hand-me-downs from a lovely couple we met at our parish, one drawer is completely slammed. And the other 2 large drawers are almost there!

What a blessing to already have so much for our baby girl! Can’t wait to see her in all of them!

Naturally I couldn’t stop there!

Since this dresser is over 20 years old, I thought my girl deserved some new hardware to freshen up the front. I’m sure she’ll appreciate it once she’s out of the womb. 😉

The old stuff wasn’t in bad shape, but it blended in and wasn’t shiny anymore.

I removed all of the old hardware and put them in a plastic bag. I saw somewhere that it’s a good idea to save the original hardware in case you want to sell it someday. That really only applies to actual antiques, but who knows? This could be considered an antique someday, no?

When I removed a few of the old pulls, I noticed a ring in the wood. I guess they were tightened too much at some point and dug into the finish.

But since I wanted this to be a “quick” update, I didn’t bother with it. There are only 2 spots that are noticeable if you’re looking for it. Most of the other ones just needed to be wiped with a damp rag.

Once the new hardware arrived on my doorstep, I got to work installing them. It looked instantly brighter and fresher!