10 Unique Ways to Decoupage a Dresser

By
Rita Shehan
Rita Shehan Head Shot
Rita Shehan
Rita Shehan is a crafting expert and writer focusing on paper crafts. She shares over a decade of paper crafts experience, including quilling, origami, scrapbooking, paper flower creations, and designing invitations. Rita is also the founder of the website EasyPaperCrafts.com.
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Updated on 11/19/20

With a little bit of paint, decoupage medium, paper cutouts, and elbow grease, a worn-out old dresser that's ready for the garbage or donation pile can be transformed into a beauty for just pennies. Recycling and restoring furniture instead of buying new is also good for the environment and your pocketbook.

Get inspired from the following decoupage dresser projects and learn how to turn trash into treasure with paper, fabric, and a decoupage medium, such as Mod Podge.

  • 01 of 10

    A Moody Photo Transforms a Dresser

    succulent printed dresser

    A Beautiful Mess

    This worn midcentury modern dresser is recrafted to feature a decoupaged photo of succulents. The photo was printed as an oversized blueprint to get that moody tint. The photo was then cut and glued to the dresser front with decoupage medium which also serves as a clear coat finish.

    Furniture Restyle: Photo Decoupage Dresser from A Beautiful Mess

  • 02 of 10

    A Blonde Bombshell Comes to Life

    Marilyn Monroe Decoupage Dresser

    Three Velvet Glove

    If you're a fan of Marilyn Monroe, a classic movie star and icon, why not immortalize her by decoupaging one of her posters onto a dresser. This craft technique works well with any poster decoupaged onto a dresser with a flat front.

    Blonde Bombshell Decoupaged Dresser from Thee Velvet Glove

  • 03 of 10

    Hack an Ikea Chest

    elephant decoupage dresser

    bricolage

    If you love to hack Ikea furniture, try a decoupage hack. Here an ordinary and plain pine Ikea Rast dresser is transformed with black paint and an unexpected photograph of a mama elephant and her baby.

    Another Ikea Rast Hack from Bricolage108

  • 04 of 10

    Decoupage a Tapestry on a Dresser

    tapestry decoupaged dresser

    Tanner Bell / Hometalk

    Many people think that decoupage is only for paper cutouts. It is possible to decoupage fabric onto furniture, and this boho style dresser proves it. The dresser is decoupaged with tapestry-style fabric that looks like hand-painted artwork or lace from afar.

    DIY Tapestry Dresser from Hometalk

    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Paste a Poster on a Dresser

    gustav klimt poster decoupage

    Somewhat Quirky Design

    Create a romantic piece of furniture by decoupaging an old dresser with a large poster of Gustav Klimt's painting "The Kiss." The painting is the most famous work that Gustav Klimt designed and painted sometime between 1907 and 1908. You'll easily find prints of this and other masterpieces to fit your furniture online or even in your local art museum's gift shop.

    Decoupaging Letters Tips and Tricks from Somewhat Quirky Design

  • 06 of 10

    Turn a Dresser Into a Coloring Book

    coloring book decoupaged dresser

    Ileen Stephens / Hometalk

    Put your kid's coloring pages to good use by decoupaging a dresser with the art. You can approach this one of two ways. Decoupage completed art. Or make the dresser an interactive piece of art like the one above. Decoupaged blank coloring pages let your child color on them using permanent markers. You'll turn old furniture that's seen better days into a favorite personalized piece that makes everyone smile.

    Decoupaged Boys Dresser Using a Coloring Book from Hometalk

  • 07 of 10

    Decoupage a Botanical Beauty

    floral decoupaged dresser

    Unfolded / Carte Blanche Upcycled Furniture & Accessories

    If you love traditional botanical artwork, paint an old dresser sage green and decoupage the drawers with prints. You will be reminded of an English garden when you enter your bedroom and look at this piece of furniture. The floral dresser will promote a feeling of peace and tranquility in your bedroom, bringing the outdoors in.

    Floral Inspired Decoupaged Image Transfer Dresser from Carte Blanche Studio

  • 08 of 10

    Turn a Jewelry Box Into a Treasure Box

    rose decoupage dresser

    Simply Fresh Arts

    Smaller chests of drawers such as jewelry chests can also be decorated with decoupage cutouts. Change an ordinary jewelry box chest into a stylish container with a print of a rose combined with sheet music. Unique hardware turns this jewelry chest into a one-of-a-kind beauty.

    Decoupage Tutorial from Simply Fresh Arts

    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    Decoupage a Surprise Indoor Garden

    decal decoupaged cupboard

    Kathrine Connery / Hometalk

    You don't always have to decoupage a dresser or armoire on the outside. for a twist, go inside. This adorable armoire is painted turquoise on the outside and bright sunshine yellow on the inside. It's then decoupaged with black florals that'll delight anyone when opening the door.

    No Skeleton's in This Closet from Hometalk

  • 10 of 10

    Decoupage a Bureau With Fabric

    black paisley decoupaged dresser

    My Passion for Decor

    This once beat-up old dresser with great bones had woeful water stains not to mention a broken backside. But it was salvaged and brought back to life with paint and paisley fabric. The top is glossy black, the sides and front rail are painted brilliant white, and then the drawers are decoupaged with bright paisley and black fabric.

    Empire Dresser Makeover Using Fabric from My Passion for Decor