Get some tips and help on how to fix a damaged dresser. There are a few ways to easily transform that beat-up piece into something not only usable but beautiful!

I don’t know if you remember my dining room makeover from a few years ago? I couldn’t find an affordable buffet that I loved, so I just used an expensive shelf.  It was functional but I really wanted something that would hide the “clutter.”

Several months ago I was at the Ballard Designs Outlet and found this piece ↓

It was originally over $2000 but because it was damaged, it was $299.  I didn’t love the color but the shape and size were perfect for my dining room…so I bought it.

When I got it home my husband took one look at it and said, “You paid HOW much for this?!?”  To be fair, it was really beaten up on the surface.

I used wood filler to fill in the dings and scratches, then lightly sanded to give it a smooth finish.  You can see from the picture below that even though it was smooth to the touch, it still looked pretty bad!

I knew I wanted to change color when I bought it and I THOUGHT I wanted it green.  The color was beautiful but it just didn’t go well with the rest of the room.

I ultimately decided to go with a white color.  I chose Dove Wing from Benjamin Moore.

It’s hard to tell from the pictures but it is a slightly different color from the walls.

It took several coats to get the finish right, but it came out beautiful.

Here are a few TIPS on how to repair a damaged wood finish:

• Fill in all the imperfections with wood filler.  After the filler is dry, then sand smooth.
• If you want to keep the stained wood, get a stain pen that matches the existing color and use on the filled in areas.
• If the piece is too bad for a color match, use paint.
• Always buy a sample of paint first and try it on a small area.  It can save you money and time in the long run!
• Lightly SAND between each coat of paint.
• Allow each coat of paint to fully dry.

I’m happy to report that my husband really likes the way it came out and apologized for his initial reaction! 😉

You can find the full quick dining room makeover HERE.