What to do with ugly dresser?

**Rhayne** · 08-17-2011, 03:19 PM

Hey everyone! Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do with my ugly dresser to make it look nicer? Right now it is a side table in my bedroom and it's perfect for that function. The problem is, it's downright ugly(to me at least). It's solid wood so it's sturdy and a nice size but I just want something nicer to look at. I do not want to paint or stain it. Does anyone have any other ideas?

Here are 3 pictures of the front, top and handle. The handles do come off with screws on the inside but they're recessed into the drawer so I can't replace them.

**stinkbug** · 08-17-2011, 04:02 PM

Since you don't want to paint or stain it (?) you could decopoug' it with pretty papers and add glass knobs for sparkle....

**stinkbug** · 08-17-2011, 04:03 PM

You can remove those knobs, fill with wood filler....do the paper treatment and redrill for knobs or handles of your choice.

**Libby** · 08-17-2011, 04:15 PM

Swap out the handles and drape a smaller table runner over the top?

What exactly don't you like about it?

**Rhayne** · 08-17-2011, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by Libby

Swap out the handles and drape a smaller table runner over the top?

What exactly don't you like about it?

I like the table runner idea. I never thought of something like that.

I'm weird when it comes to wood items. I like dark woods and hate hate hate light colored wood. I think it stems from the flooring in my parents house(house i grew up in). I absolutely hated those light colored floors and wanted carpeting and my mom refused because she loved the natural wood floors. Oh and as you can tell from the pics, we have light colored wood floors here too and i hate them also. hehe.

**Rhayne** · 08-17-2011, 04:24 PM

I almost forgot. It's hard to tell in the "top" picture but the whole dresser at some point had a clear coating of something that is now flaking off. So the top of the dresser is kinda rough. I couldn't seem to get a pic close up to show that.

**Libby** · 08-17-2011, 04:31 PM

Other then stripping it, staining it or painting it, only thing you can do is decorate it? Add a cherished pic, place a simple tiny vase that will only hold one stem? Table runner or a place mat if you don't like long things hanging off - may work.

If the finish has scratches or other issues, why not strip it and just reseal it?

**shoiji** · 08-17-2011, 05:48 PM

Depending on how much you use your drawers you can also put a small table cloth over it. I used a small table cloth over my two drawer filing cabinet. Looked like a regular table and I just needed to pull up the table cloth to access the drawers.

**Contrary Housewife** · 08-17-2011, 06:26 PM

I know you said you do not want to stain it, but you also say you like dark wood. So I suggest you get a sander and strip off the current flaking layer of polyurethane and then put a nice dark stain on it and a fresh coat of protectant. It should only take a weekend or two and I think it will add a lot of richness and character to the piece.

**mndtrp** · 08-17-2011, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by shoiji

Depending on how much you use your drawers you can also put a small table cloth over it. I used a small table cloth over my two drawer filing cabinet. Looked like a regular table and I just needed to pull up the table cloth to access the drawers.

Considering the OP doesn't want to do much else, this is what I would suggest. I've done the same. Sewing pleats would give the fabric a nicer lay.

**mek42** · 08-18-2011, 01:06 AM

The OP said she doesn't want to stain or paint the piece, so I will accede to her wishes and propose neither of those options. Instead, why not strip and refinish with an oil based poly such as Bush Oil which will add a nice amber and pop the grain or, instead of staining, use a wood dye to darken the piece uniformly while also popping the grain?

Now, since both of these options will probably be counted as in spirit with painting or staining by the OP, it is clearly time to

**2ndGenGranola** · 08-18-2011, 06:25 AM

I cannot stand those orangish light woods either.

Given that it is pealing, you may want to reconsider striping and restaining. If you still don't want to do that, consider a crocheted doily type cover or get a full, fluffy plant to take over the top and distract from the ugly coloring.

**The Muse** · 08-18-2011, 06:32 AM

Well, if you don't want to paint it or stain it, you don't have many other options. You could put a scarf/runner/tablecloth over the top, which probably won't look great. Decoupage as someone mentioned is another option, but not a look I'd go for.

If you don't like the color of the wood, why not paint or stain it? Is it an effort thing? Paint and some new knobs can work wonders on an ugly old piece. Other than that, you pretty much have to just live with it.

**wjcalderon** · 08-18-2011, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by Contrary Housewife

I know you said you do not want to stain it, but you also say you like dark wood. So I suggest you get a sander and strip off the current flaking layer of polyurethane and then put a nice dark stain on it and a fresh coat of protectant. It should only take a weekend or two and I think it will add a lot of richness and character to the piece.

This is what I did to my "golden oak" kitchen cabinets.
It was surprisingly easy and turned out great!
Here's a picture mid-project to show the difference.

**Rhayne** · 08-18-2011, 08:53 AM

Thanks for all the comments everyone. I wasn't totally against the painting/staining idea, I just wanted to see if anyone had other ideas because there are some innovative people here at the village. I guess deep down i knew I'd end up staining it. I just figured it'd be a last resort. I think staining it will be the best idea though. I'm a little new to any kind of staining and such but I think with a little elbow grease and maybe some youtube "how to" videos, i'll be fine.

Thanks again all.