The dresser is a vital furniture item in the bedroom, providing much-needed storage space while creating an area for you to add a touch of personal style.
But by the time you add a jewellery box, your favourite photos, candles, bits and pieces from your travels, and whatever else, dressers can become a mess. Other times, you just get sick of how the dresser looks and feel it needs a refresh. Whatever your reason, we’ve prepared this quick and easy guide to help you refresh your dresser in no time!
START BY REMOVING EVERYTHING FROM THE DRESSER (INCLUDING ANYTHING UNDERNEATH).
This will give you a clear idea of exactly how much stuff you have while providing a blank canvas for you to start thinking of new creative directions.
DISPOSE OF ANYTHING YOU DON’T LOVE, WANT, OR NEED.
This includes not just décor, but the clothing and accessories you might keep in your dresser. Try to donate where possible!
The rationale for this is straightforward: having less stuff means more gaps, helping you declutter the space while identifying key areas where some new décor could go well. But don’t go overboard!
Also remember that this is a dresser; the stuff in your dresser should only be that which you might need in a bedroom. Everyone’s needs are different: one person’s sock drawer might be another person’s favourite DVD drawer. Try to move non-essential items like hobby collections to other parts of the house.
NOW, MAKE SURE YOUR DRESSER IS PROPERLY CLEANED.
With everything cleared in and around the area, now is the perfect time to clean and nourish your dresser. Remember to vacuum underneath and tighten the screws holding various bits and pieces together.
Pro tip: if you have the time, take this opportunity to clear and clean other furniture in your house too, especially timber pieces like bedsides, desks, bookcases, buffets, hutches, and so on. This will also help you declutter and give you ideas of how your items could be moved between rooms.
TAKE THE TIME TO DO SOME RESEARCH.
With a clean space, you’ll now be in the perfect mindset to start afresh with your dresser.
The first thing to think about is how you use your dresser, as well as how you might want your dresser to be used in future. For example, a dresser purely for storage now might be transformed into something like a vanity, with a mirror, jewellery boxes, perfumes, and make-up. Or you might want your dresser to become a mini exhibition, displaying bits and bobs from your travels and your favourite artistic pieces. Consider also the option of clearing the décor altogether, radically decluttering your room and focusing instead on storage.
If you’re looking for ideas, there are plenty of places to look. You might try (for example):
- Social media like Instagram and Pinterest, and popular websites for housing ideas like Houzz;
- Vlogs and blogs (like the one you’re reading!), including ones which talk about the latest trends or the differences between furniture styles;
- The range of dressers available for you to buy, in case you decide you want a new one;
- Places you’ve been, like the homes of family and friends, where you’ve seen dressers which interest you; or,
- If you have a special interest like eco-friendly, sustainable, or biophilic design, then looking at blogs which cater to that interest.
BEFORE YOU GET TOO EXCITED, START BY PUTTING BACK IN ANYTHING WHICH MUST GO IN YOUR DRESSER.
Now’s not the time for décor, but for things like socks and undies which need a home in your dresser and may not fit elsewhere. (It’s boring, I know, but you need to go in order of priority!)
NOW LET LOOSE WITH THE DÉCOR!
But, again, do it in priority. Start with the functional pieces and larger items, such as mirrors, lamps, wall art, indoor plants, and storage trays. Then go for the details: candles, photo frames, greenery, ceramics, and so on.
Always remember: don’t go overboard! Less is always more when it comes to home decoration, including in eclectic/maximalist homes.
P.S. DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE DRAWER KNOBS!
Changing drawer knobs is easy, cheap, and makes a big difference to how your dresser looks. They come in a whole range of styles, from a clear contemporary knob to pewter, rustic knobs, and everything in between. Check them out in-store or online!
