Painted dressers, with a smooth blending of shades from light to dark, are attractive and creative.
Now and then I run across something so creative that I can’t wait to use the idea at my house or –even better — my youngest daughter’s house. These gradient painted dressers qualify. When I first saw the vintage dresser Korrie from Red Hen Home painted in gradient colors [top], I was disappointed. My youngest already purchased a dresser for her eclectic gender-neutral nursery. The gradient painting process is simple: using a fan deck or the paint strip display at a paint store, select a strip and purchase a sample pot of paint of each color for each drawer. The top drawer along with the dresser top, sides and feet are usually painted the same (lightest) color. Colors get darker as they work their way down. Gradient color painted dressers are fun to create and update piece that have seen better days.
This smaller piece from a Norwegian website is a favorite. It has an interesting shape and the soft colors selected are muted and subtle. While many find gradient pieces a tad too cute to use in main areas of the house, they look great in nurseries, children’s and teen’s rooms, even guest rooms. They lend themselves to modern or country, chic or casual, and cottage or beach decorating styles.
Caroline, of The Feminist Housewife, was not feeling this white dresser against her white walls, so she decided to add color by whitewashing and lightly distressing. The whitewashing effect can be achieved by cutting the bottom color paint as many times as needed (number of drawers) in order to finish the project.
After seeing the Norwegian dresser, Cassie, from Primitive & Proper, combined a little elbow grease (aka sanding), priming and painting to turn a $30 Salvation Army find into another inspirational piece.
The blue color family seems to be the popular choice, but I found this bright green version on Flickr.
Maya, of Completely Coastal, discovered this dresser where the owner took it one step further by incorporating a wave-like pattern. Spreading seven colors over four drawers certainly made it a more time consuming project, but perfect for a seaside cottage.
(Sources: Red Hen Home, Norske Interiors, The Feminist Housewife, Primitive & Proper, Flickr, Completely Coastal)
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Jessica says
September 13, 2011 at 6:30 pmCute ideas! I could do something like that!
laxsupermom says
September 14, 2011 at 9:41 amLove this look! So perfect for a kid’s room. Terrific images! Thanks for sharing.
Korrie@RedHenHome says
September 14, 2011 at 11:04 amThanks for featuring my dresser! Only one slight adjustment to suggest…you don’t need a whole quart of paint for each color; a $3 sample pot is plenty, making this a very affordable project!
Allison says
September 14, 2011 at 11:30 amYou’re welcome! Correction made – thank you.
Tobey says
February 21, 2013 at 10:19 pmI am in to a process of doing this to a dresser. and I wanted to mention that I tried using test pots of CeCe Caldwells to do the drawers. I wanted to paint each drawer inside and out with the shade of blue I had chosen. The test pots from CeCe Caldwells were not enough for this project. but the test pots of Anne Sloans were more than enough. To get the lighter shades I just added white to the paint, to lighten it. The dresser looks great, love this look. thanks Tobey
Tina says
September 14, 2011 at 1:20 pmI love this idea and the way it works well with mid-century pieces. The legs contribute to the lightness. I’m thinking nightstand for my bedroom – more storage without looking like a heavy piece. Terrific!
Laura says
September 14, 2011 at 5:13 pmLove these and I am a big fan of all of Korrie’s work
lexi says
June 29, 2012 at 11:08 amThanks for including my green dresser, above! If anyone wants more info, you can learn more about it here:
http://www.homeworkshop.com/2011/01/12/lexis-paint-chip-dresser-makeover/