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An old side table sanded back and refreshed with white chalk paint and white wax, with handles painted black for contrast.
The project
I gave this side table a new life by giving it a much needed clean and sand. I painted it in a white chalk paint, leaving the top of the table, drawer and cupboard as natural wood. I finished those areas with white wax to give it a whitewash finish. I spray painted the pulls black to give a sharp contrast to the whitewash and bare wood. I also lined the drawer and shelf in the cupboard with vinyl adhesive to give the piece a clean and fresh look.
It took a lot of work to get the timber back to its raw state but it was so worth it in the end. I would recommend waxing the top of the unit a couple times a year if it’s being used to place various objects on it, especially if it’s being used as a bedside table. However, the drawer and cupboard door may not need to be waxed as often.
Before and after
How to upcycle a chest of drawers
Upcycling your chest of drawers can be a simple and cost-effective way to make it more stylish and functional. The guide How to upcycle a chest of drawers shows you how to easily refresh your furniture by sanding and painting.
More inspiration for your upcycling project
These upcycled bedside drawers by Workshop community member AthenaGeorgia were given new legs and knobs, fresh paint and rattan.
Community member houseonhockhill created an upcycled chest of drawers with rattan, brightening them with some Dulux Satin White paint.
You can get more inspiration from our collection of Upcycled bedside drawers and tables as well as our Top 10 most popular indoor furniture projects shared by Bunnings Workshop community members.
