There’s nothing better than giving new life to an old piece of furniture, especially when it’s a thrifted find! This thrifted small chest of drawers makeover was such a fun and easy project, and it completely transformed this dated little piece into something stylish, functional, and perfect for any room.

If you’ve ever walked by an old dresser or chest of drawers at a thrift store and wondered if it was worth saving, this project will show you exactly what a little vision (and paint!) can do. I found this at my local Restore shop for $10. It needed some work, but I was able to use the hardware it came with, clean it up, and give it a fresh coat of paint to make it a lot better.
Finding the Thrifted Chest of Drawers
I found this small chest of drawers at my local thrift store for just a few dollars. It had great bones, solid wood drawers, and pretty details—but the finish was worn and outdated. Those are always the pieces I’m drawn to because they have so much potential!
When you’re thrifting for furniture, always look for:
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Solid wood construction (avoid laminate if possible)
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Drawers that slide smoothly
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No major structural damage
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A shape or detail that stands out
This little dresser checked all the boxes, so it came home with me for a quick and simple thrifted small chest of drawers makeover.
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Supplies I used in this thrifted small chest of drawers makeover:
- Small chest of drawers
- Screwdriver (to remove the hardware)
- MUD wood filler
- Sander
- All-in-One Paint (I chose “Highlands“)
- Paintbrush
- Hardware (I used what was on the piece)
Prepping the Piece
Before painting, I always start with a good cleaning. To see how I clean my pieces, head to my post HERE. Then, I applied MUD to the areas that needed to be filled. I let the MUD dry completely and then scuff-sanded the entire piece.

Don’t skip the prep! It’s the key to getting a great finish that lasts.
Painting
For this makeover, I decided to go with a soft, neutral color that would work in almost any space. I used Silk All-In-One Paint from Dixie Belle in the Highlands color, which includes primer, paint, and topcoat all in one. That means fewer steps and faster results. My kind of product!

I applied two coats using these brushes for a smooth, streak-free finish. The coverage was amazing, and the color completely brightened up the piece.

Adding Hardware
I liked the hardware that was on the piece, so I went with it. The saves a lot of money on the project.

The final result? A beautiful, refreshed thrifted small chest of drawers that looks like it came from a high-end boutique! It’s now the perfect addition to a bedroom, entryway, or even as storage in a home office.

This project proves that you don’t need a big budget to create stylish home decor. With a little creativity and the right paint, you can transform almost any thrift store find into a statement piece.
Tips for Your Own Thrifted Small Chest of Drawers Makeover
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Always clean and prep before painting.
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Use quality paint and brushes for a smooth finish.
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Don’t be afraid to experiment with color or hardware.
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Trust the process. It’s amazing what a little paint can do!
Do You Want To Make Money Flipping Furniture?
After twenty years of doing this, I am still picking up pieces when I can find them because I love the creative outlet, but I am now coaching other furniture flippers on how to make more money in their business. If you want to start and/or grow a furniture flipping business, I would love to help you. There are ways to make money in your business beyond painting furniture. Once I learned that, my business flourished. Don’t waste your time trying to figure it out on your own.
To help other flippers, I created The Furniture Flipping Academy! The academy includes everything you need to start, grow, and/or scale a furniture flipping business. It includes courses, resources, templates, a social media planner and guide, a private community, and so much more. It will ensure that you are doing the steps that will lead to success and not wasting your time on things that won’t.
You can find all the information about the Furniture Flipping Academy HERE.




This furniture looks amazing, Lindsay! I love the color. I’m a big fan of Dixie paint for furniture. Your tips are so important when buying at a thrift store. I got into trouble when I purchased a laminate furniture piece. =( I found you over on HomeTalk. =)
Hello!! I am so glad you are here! I learned the hard way in the beginning too!