How to Create an Easy Paint Wash for Furniture | Dresser Makeover

I love it when a vintage piece gets a fresh start! This old dresser had great bones but needed some serious love, and instead of using a traditional stain, I went with a paint wash. The beauty of a paint wash is that you still see the gorgeous wood grain, but you have way more control over the color and depth than with a stain. Plus, it creates a softer, more modern look that feels lighter and fresher.

Now to complete and tie everything together, I paired it with a warm gel-stained top; this dresser went from dated to timeless—showing off all that character in the best way possible!

Here’s the beautiful vintage dresser I started with. When I brought this dresser home, I gave it a quick once-over. It had a few veneer chips and some light scratches, but nothing a little TLC couldn’t handle.

Supplies & Tools

1. Vintage Dresser
2. TSP
3. Sander
4. Spray Gun 1.7mm
5. Coffee(Color) Chalk Mineral Paint
6. Paint Brushes
7. Water Mister Spray Bottle
8. Furniture Appliqué
9. Gold Gilding Wax
10. Gel Stain
11. Topcoat

To get this dresser ready, I took off the hardware and gave it a thorough inside-and-out cleaning with a heavy-duty furniture cleaner.

To prepare the wood top for gel stain, I gently scuff-sanded the dresser’s surface with 320-grit sandpaper.

I filled the small imperfections and old hardware holes with wood filler, then hand-sanded everything with a 220-grit sanding sponge. I wanted to show that even if you’re just starting out, you don’t need fancy tools to get great results.

To give this dresser a little extra personality, I added some decorative appliqués. These are one of my favorite things to work with because they’re so versatile—you can bend them, cut them down to size, paint, gild, gold leaf, or even piece them together to create an entirely new design. You can also stain them so they blend seamlessly with your furniture, which is exactly the look I went for here.

I also trimmed the appliqués and attached the cut pieces to each end, right under the dresser’s lip. It’s a simple step that adds just the right amount of elegance and detail without overwhelming the piece.

I’ll be honest, it doesn’t look all that impressive straight out of the can, but once it’s applied, the results are beautiful! It creates a warm, medium-toned finish that instantly refreshes wood.

Staining with a gel stain is super simple:

1. Open the container and give it a good mix.
2. Dip a lint-free cloth into the stain and apply it evenly onto the wood surface.
3. Wipe back any excess with a clean cloth or shop towel.
4. Let it dry, then apply a second coat if you’d like a deeper, richer color.

For this project, I stopped at one coat—the finish turned out just right. It’s definitely become one of my go-to stain colors!

There are two ways to apply a paint wash: the traditional method and a quicker shortcut.

Traditional Method:

This involves mixing paint with water (usually a 50/50 ratio or slightly stronger), brushing it onto a prepped surface, and wiping it back before it dries. This technique allows the wood grain, character, and any decorative trim or appliqués to show through, giving furniture a layered finish that feels both vintage and fresh.

Quick Method (No Mixing Required):

This shortcut skips the paint-and-water mix and works directly on the existing finish. All you need is a spray mister filled with water, your paint, and a few simple tools.

1. Lightly mist the surface (for example, a drawer front) with water and apply paint in manageable sections.
2. Mist your paintbrush with a little water and spread the paint evenly.
3. While the paint is still wet, dab away excess using a paper towel.
4. Smooth out the surface with your paintbrush, but don’t reload it with more paint.
5. Use a clean, fluffy dry brush to gently feather the paint for a soft, blended effect.
6. Move to the next section by misting with water and repeating the process.

This quick approach is fast, forgiving, and gives beautiful, washed results without all the extra mixing.

To protect both the stained top and the paint-washed body, I sealed the piece with three coats of a durable water-resistant, water-repellent topcoat. I applied it using a spray gun for a smooth finish, and between coats, I performed a light sanding with a 220-grit sanding sponge. After the final spray, the surface had a beautiful, even protective layer that’s built to last.

dug through my hardware stash and came across some beautiful vintage knobs that almost worked—but I didn’t have a complete set. Since I was reusing the existing hardware holes, I needed eight pieces and was short by one or two.

Looking back, that turned out to be a happy accident! It pushed me to get creative by pairing different backplates and knobs that I probably wouldn’t have thought to mix. To unify the look, I added a touch of antique gold wax, and suddenly the whole set felt intentional—like a custom, one-of-a-kind collection.

And here's the finished look! The paint wash lets the beautiful warm wood grain shine through—and I’m obsessed with how it looks.

The gel stain worked beautifully to refresh the top, adding just the right tone while still preserving all the dresser’s vintage character.

I’m so happy with how this dresser came together—it was an absolute joy to work on.

For the original blog post, and links to the tools & supplies used:

https://salvagedinspirations.com/coffee-bean-wood-wash-paint-vintage-dresser-makeover/

May this makeover spark your creativity and give you new inspiration for your next furniture project.

You can catch the full step-by-step tutorial on my YouTube channel!