what can i do to my dresser?

Question

i am using my dresser as a tv stand and my dresser is white so i put a pink bandana on it to dress it up under my tv. What else can i do to it? I cant paint it cuz i allergic to smell. my friends said we should draw on it with markers. i dunno would that work?

Answer 1

You can do a decoupage technique. What you do is find paper items that you like, and glue them to the dresser then seal it, there are special glues.

You could use wallpaper samples, sheet music, newpaper clippings, comic strips, book illustrations or words. Etc.

Take the drawers out and don't put them in until everything is dry.

You get the paper items wet with the glue stuff, lay them on the surface in a collage type arrangement, and smooth them out.

When it is looking the way you want it to and it dries, seal it with a coat of polyurethane or some stain to antique it (maybe allergic to this), or maybe just put more of the decoupage glue over the whole piece with a brush to seal it up.

Another thing I did, it was so easy and looks very very cool! Indian blanket across the top of the dresser, draped over the sides with a mirror on top, you could put your TV instead. Keep the front uncovered so you can get into the drawers easily. You might have a pretty blanket made of wool, or a lace piece, or a table runner. You could also pick up a piece of patterned fabric that you like and use it the same way. Use double stick tape to hem the raw edges.

There are, by the way, different kinds of paint, some are kid safe, which means non-toxic and fume free. So if you think you can't paint, you might try a different kind of paint. Explain your situation at the paint store, ask them to show you allergy friendly formulas, and see if they will pop a can so you can sniff it and see if it will be okay for you to use...this is of course, if your allergy isn't a life threatening one. If you start to have symptoms, get dizzy or go into a sneezing fit or sinus problems or headache, just get the can closed up and come back another day. You may have to try this a few times to get the right one for you. But there is a big variety of formulas. If you are alllergic to latex, try oil and vice versa. I would definitely look at eco-friendly. These are often all natural, or made with a whole different chemistry so it isn't even the same substance that makes you sick.

Answer 2

You can buy paint at any department or crafts store marketed under the name "Apple Barrel." Apple Barrel paints have next to no odor and they are water based for easy clean-up. And they are CHEAP--less than a dollar a bottle. I wouldn't paint the whole dresser. I'd let the white that it currently is be the background, and then I'd paint motifs on it that best show my personality. For instance, I live in a rustic cabin, so I'd probably paint vines and wildflowers on it. Or American Indian pottery motifs. Or--I'm thinking about Mardi Gras today, so I might choose to paint fleur de lis, beads, and masks all over it. Whatever your theme is, you could paint a theme-motif on it.

When you're through painting, it only takes 30 minutes for water-based paints like Apple Barrel to dry. You could have a friend help you take the dresser outside and have the friend coat the dresser with clear-coat spray (available at any craft store for cheap, too) so that the paint doesn't wear off. Let the dresser sit outside for most of the day, or in a carport, and by the time you bring it in, it won't have any scent.

Even with your allergy, you can decorate your dresser. Water-based paints actually have less odor than permanent markers (which, to me, have an awful scent and cause me headaches). I've painted furniture, and even an antique refrigerator, using the technique above. The good thing is that when you get tired of the motif, you can always (have a friend) spray paint over it, and start over with a new motif. Good Luck!

Answer 3

I put up a table cloth with stars and moons on it I also like putting things on my dressers that make me smiole or things that i like to collect I.E. my teddy bears..I also put up some pics of family friends etc..also u could chnge the handles to something different or i think that for ur younger years it would be cool to use ur dresser as a auto graphing board so when u get older it'll remind u of good times with alot of dirrent people so that sounds like a neat idea or u can go to crafting stores they have paints small tubes and stencils so u can put different designs on them...

Answer 4

find a pretty piece of fabric that matches the room and tack it around it at the top, then let it hang down likea dust ruffle. Put another piece of cloth across the top and let it hang over the edges, so you can't se the tacks...

Answer 5

You can paint it. Take it to a basement or garage. paint it the color you want. Seal it. Change the knobs with others. Wait until it dries , before you take it back in your room.

Answer 6

Try dressing it up with wall paper or contact paper with a design that you like. There is no smell :)

Answer 7

dont draw on it it will look really bad more than likely! you can get a mask and paint it outside!