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The Case of the Runny Legs Dresser



how to update the legs of a dresser

I'd been looking for a small dresser for a long time, that's why when I saw the ad for this one on CL, close home, and for only $50! I had to go and get it.


The legs, the color, and the scalloped top were the things I liked the least, the overall style didn't go that well with the other things in the room where the dresser was going to be placed.


A nice piece of furniture by Thomasville...

It would work much better than what my daughter had as a dresser in her room!

So, the first thing to take care of were the legs. Taking them off was surprisingly easy, unscrewing two sets of screws on each corner and OFF they went!

A new set of legs was built, cutting pieces of 1 x 4, mitered at the front corners.

Trying to match other pieces of furniture already in the room, with the jigsaw a curved design was cut out.


Then, long wood blocks were nailed to the top side.  That's were the new set of legs is going to be screwed to the dresser.


The new legs all finished up, with extra supports on the corners:


The scalloped edges on the top were removed with a circular saw.

Almost done.
How to change the legs of a dresser


After caulking, sanding, priming, and two coats of paint,

a new dresser was born!
how to paint and update the legs on a dresser

The scalloped edge is gone, new hardware makes it look more polished.
how to give new life to drab furniture

And the legs are not any more those "runny legs" (like my daughter told me when she first saw the dresser), they are simpler, shorter, and a lot less curvier :)


The before of a nice dresser and the after of a new dresser that is going to work way better in our space.


This is how it looks in my daughter's room.



As for the legs...

They were repurposed into this!




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35 comments :

  1. Cristina, you are amazing. The dresser looks great. Such a stunning makeover.

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  2. Way to think outside the box. Looks wonderful!

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  3. Christina, you are always so busy working on amazing projects. When do you sleep? i love the dresser without the "runny legs".

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  4. I would hang on to the legs if it were me. You never know when you might want to make something with them. One woman's trashy running legs is another woman's treasure!

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  5. My sweet friend, you have a none ending talent, I'm just so impressed of all you're alwqays making!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wish I could do something, but no, I am not that handy..AT ALL!! The dresser is gorgeous! Have a super weekend.
    FABBY

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  6. What an amazing idea, Cristina! It looks gorgeous. Love it. Megan

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  7. Doesn't even look like the same dresser, kudos! Bet you will come up with a great use for those old legs. Great job.

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  8. Gorgeous, I think you made all the right choices and now that dresser gets a new life!

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  9. A beautiful dresser! Like another comment, I'd save the legs for a future project :)

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  10. The finished piece is simply stunning-- I need to take some inspiration from you for a dresser I have sitting in my basement waiting for some DIY love. I love it!

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  11. Absolutely gorgeous transformation!!!
    and those legs will definitely be put to use in the future, I'm sure:)

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  12. Wow, a great before and after, I pinned it too:)

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  13. You are amazing with those power tools! Great job on this. I can't get over the transformation...it's nice that you could save a good, well-made piece of furniture. Happy Sunday!

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  14. Wow, that looks great! Your hard work really paid off!!

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  15. Unbelievable change and huge improvement. Great way to breathe new life into a solid piece of furniture.

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  16. Great transformation and great tutorial too! I'm your neighbor over at Transformation Thursday.

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  17. Wow! Great job. I love how crisp and clean it looks.

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  18. A sleek new look for this dresser--I love the color you chose to paint it and the hardware.

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  19. A lovely finished piece and you did a great job adding the base too.

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  20. What a wonderful transformation!!! You are a brave one to put new legs on it... you gave it a whole new look!
    Such a nice new sleek look!

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  21. Visiting from Common Ground.
    I love what you did with your dresses. it looks a totally new. Amazing!
    rita

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  22. What a shame to have 'transformed' that beautiful dresser into modern! Augh!

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  23. I LOVE this.. The "before" was way too traditional (aka "Grandma and Anonymous posters unwilling to identify themselves would like it"). Your update is perfect for anyone under the age of 60! :) I love the choice of chrome handles too. It looks great.

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  24. Saying you are talented is an understatement!!How do you come up w/all these GREAT ideas! I've been following your blog for a while now and you never cease to impress me!!! Wow!

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  25. You are A-MA-ZING! It looks fantastic!

    --Katie

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  26. Lovely! I never would have thought to trim the top of the dresser, it looks amazing!

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  27. What a great transformation! I have to admit, I do love the 'runny' legs, but since it didn't go with your decor, you came up with a great solution. It looks very modern now...and for $50 you can't beat it!

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  28. Total transformation. Great job. Loved your step by step pictures too.
    Joy

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  29. Oh yes, Thomasville is GREAT quality....I worked at a Thomasville store for a few years.....love their lines - you did a great re-do!

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  30. Cristina, how did I miss this post before? It must have been before I started subscribing. You are so amazing! I never would have looked at that dresser and envisioned what you did with it. I'm so impressed! I'm pinning this to my furniture inspiration board. Great job!!
    Debbie

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  31. What a huge improvement you made with those changes. Love your dresser!

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  32. Wow--what a big transformation! I'm always amazed at how much can be done to change the look of a piece of furniture...love your update :)

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  33. Wowzer Cristina! Not just a paint job but a total makeover- amazing! Thank you for linking up to Get Your DIY On this past week. I hope you'll join us tomorrow with your Holiday Signs :)

    Mandy @ The Hankful House Blog

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