DIY Refinished Bathroom Vanities with Chalk Paint

As you guys know, I’m living with my parents in Alabama for a couple months, so last weekend I was itching to work on some kind of project that wasn’t too physically strenuous but that would serve as a nice distraction while I wait for Jamie and Sadie. My parents have a pair of well-used vanities in their home that needed a bit of TLC, so I asked them a few times if they’d mind if I refinished them. They’ve been considering replacing them altogether during a future bathroom remodel, but because they’re extremely well-built and in fabulous working condition, I thought maybe they’d consider keeping them if they saw how fresh they could look with a little sanding and paint.

They thought I was a bit crazy for wanting to do something like this at 37 weeks pregnant, but once they gave me the okay, I went to work. 🙂

Note: Refinishing this vanity was much easier and faster than the oak projects I’ve done at my own home simply because I started with vanities that were already painted white. Painting white on top of white meant that I only had to do two coats! The three oak vanities that I’ve done at our home in Kansas all soaked up three coats.

Complete List of Materials

• Tarp or sheet to lay drawers on to paint
• Lysol wipes (personal preference) to remove dirt and sand before painting
• Screwdriver to disassemble and reassemble drawers, doors, and hardware
• Bag to keep screws and hardware handy
• Sanding block or paper – I used a 120 grit block because this job only required a light sand to smooth things out and remove easily-flaking paint.
• Spray paint for the inside of the drawers – I used Rustoleum’s Universal All-Surface paint in a gloss pure white.
• Paint brush – I highly prefer to use new Purdy paint brushes when doing chalk paint projects because it eliminates most brush marks.
• Chalk paint – I used a 32 oz. jar of Bell Craie’s Furniture Paint in the “Dover” color (North Alabama readers, I purchased it at Funky Monkey on Hwy 72).
• Wax – If you’ve kept up with my DIY posts, you know that I’m loyal to my 1 lb. jar of Minwax Paste Finishing Wax in a “natural” color.

Exact list of steps I took to complete this particular project

1.) Disassembled vanity (took out drawers, unscrewed knobs, and attempted to take off doors but decided to leave them on due to very advanced complicated hardware)

2.) Did a quick sand to smooth things out and remove any chipping paint

3.) Used Lysol wipes and a dry rag to clean/remove dust

4.) Did a light spray paint of the inside of drawers; Let dry completely (approximately 1.5 hours outside)

*Note: I only spray painted the inside of the drawers because I was painting white drawers white. I simply wanted to refresh them. I did not sand the inside of the drawers before or wax them after. If you want to paint the inside of the drawers a different color I suggest painting them with a brush to get full, even coverage.

5.) While the inside of the drawers dried, I painted the first coat on the vanity.

6.) While the vanity dried, I spray painted the second coat inside the drawers.

7.) While the drawers dried again, I did the second and last coat on the vanity.

8.) Once the inside of the drawers were dry, I painted the first coat on the face of the drawers. Once they were completely dry (around 90-120 minutes later), I did the second/final coat.

9.) Once the drawers were totally dry, I used an old rag to rub the natural/clear wax on in a light circular motion.

10.) The final step was to screw back on the hardware and put back in the drawers.

Voila! All finished.

When I write these posts, I try to keep in mind real people behind computer screens who might be building up the nerve to tackle their own DIY/chalk painting projects. I am so far from a DIY or painting expert, so if I can do these types of home projects, I 100% guarantee that anybody can! As long as you’re prepared with the right materials, the right amount of time, and the necessary patience to live temporarily among the mess (until it’s done), you can definitely paint with chalk paint! Just don’t do a permanent piece of furniture first. Try a spare nightstand or coffee table and work your way up!

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