How to Make a Dresser Look Expensive by Changing the Hardware

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One of the easiest ways to make an inexpensive dresser look completely different is surprisingly simple: change the hardware.

You do not necessarily need to sand, strip, paint, stain, or completely refinish a piece of furniture to give it a fresh look. Sometimes the dresser itself is perfectly fine, but the knobs or drawer pulls are making it feel dated, inexpensive, or just not quite your style.

This is one of my favorite tricks for an IKEA dresser, an inexpensive dresser you found on Facebook Marketplace, a thrift-store find, a hand-me-down piece of furniture, or even an older antique dresser that needs a little updating.

A simple hardware swap can make a basic piece of furniture look more intentional, more current, and much more expensive.

And the best part? It can be one of the easiest DIY furniture projects you ever do.

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AI DISCLOSURE: This article was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence and was reviewed, edited, and customized by Everyday Wholesome before publication.

The Easiest Dresser Makeover: Change the Hardware

Before you buy a completely new dresser, take another look at the one you already have.

Is there actually something wrong with the dresser?

Or do you just dislike the way it looks?

Those are two very different things.

If the dresser is sturdy, the drawers work well, and the size fits your space, you may be able to completely change its appearance simply by replacing the knobs.

For a clean, modern look, I love simple matte black hardware.

SHOP THE MATTE BLACK DRESSER KNOBS HERE

Black hardware works with so many decorating styles that it is an especially easy choice when you want an affordable update without committing to a complete furniture makeover.

Why Changing Furniture Hardware Makes Such a Big Difference

Hardware is a relatively small part of a dresser, but visually it can make a huge difference.

Think about a basic white dresser with little white or silver knobs.

It can look perfectly fine, but it may also feel a little generic.

Replace those knobs with contrasting matte black hardware and suddenly the dresser has definition.

The whole piece looks more intentional.

Hardware is almost like jewelry for furniture.

The dresser is the outfit, and the knobs are the finishing touch.

That is why something as simple as changing six or eight knobs can sometimes make a bigger difference than you would expect.

You Don’t Need an Expensive Dresser

This decorating trick works particularly well with inexpensive furniture.

You can use it on:

• IKEA dressers
• Target furniture
• Walmart furniture
• Amazon dressers
• Facebook Marketplace finds
• Thrift-store furniture
• Yard-sale dressers
• Hand-me-down furniture
• Old nursery furniture
• Nightstands
• Vanities
• Desks
• Bathroom cabinets
• Older furniture you already own
• Antique or vintage dressers

You do not need an expensive piece of furniture to create a beautiful room.

Sometimes an inexpensive dresser has a great shape, lots of storage, and perfectly functional drawers. It simply needs a few details changed to look more polished.

Try This Before Buying New Furniture

Furniture can be expensive.

Before spending hundreds of dollars replacing a dresser, ask yourself what you actually dislike about the piece you already own.

Do you dislike:

The shape?

The color?

The finish?

The size?

Or is it really just the hardware and styling?

If you still like the basic dresser, try a few inexpensive changes before replacing it.

You could:

• Change the knobs
• Change the drawer pulls
• Add a mirror above the dresser
• Add a lamp
• Add framed artwork
• Style the top with a few accessories
• Remove clutter
• Add a decorative tray
• Change the wall color behind the dresser
• Paint the dresser only if it really needs it

Sometimes changing the hardware is enough all by itself.

My Favorite Look: Matte Black Dresser Knobs

One of the easiest hardware options is a simple round matte black knob.

They work beautifully because they create contrast without being too trendy.

The hardware I linked here comes in a simple round matte black style that can work on dressers, drawers, cabinets, cupboards, and other furniture.

SEE THE BLACK FURNITURE KNOBS HERE ON AMAZON

Black hardware looks especially pretty with:

• White furniture
• Cream furniture
• Natural wood
• Light oak
• Gray furniture
• Sage green
• Navy blue
• Light blue
• Dark wood
• Painted furniture

It is also easy to coordinate black dresser hardware with black picture frames, lamps, mirrors, curtain rods, and other details throughout the room.

How to Update an IKEA Dresser

IKEA furniture is perfect for a simple hardware makeover.

The clean shapes and relatively simple finishes make IKEA dressers incredibly versatile.

But sometimes a basic IKEA dresser can look exactly like what it is: an inexpensive, mass-produced piece of furniture.

That does not mean you need to replace it.

Changing the hardware is one of the easiest IKEA dresser hacks because it gives the dresser more personality without requiring you to completely rebuild or refinish it.

Imagine a simple white IKEA dresser with matte black knobs, a large mirror above it, a pretty lamp, and a few carefully chosen accessories.

Suddenly it looks much more custom.

You could also use brass knobs for a warmer look or antique-style hardware if you want something more traditional.

How to Update a Facebook Marketplace Dresser

Facebook Marketplace is one of my favorite places to look for furniture because people get rid of perfectly good pieces all the time.

Maybe they are moving.

Maybe they are redecorating.

Maybe they bought something new.

Whatever the reason, you can sometimes find solid furniture for a fraction of what it would cost new.

The important thing is to look past ugly hardware.

Do not reject a dresser just because you hate the knobs.

Knobs are one of the easiest things to change.

Instead, look at:

• The overall shape
• The size
• The number of drawers
• Whether the drawers open smoothly
• Whether the furniture feels sturdy
• Whether you like the basic finish
• Whether it fits your room

If everything else works, you can change the hardware.

A dresser with terrible knobs might actually be an amazing find.

How to Update a Thrift-Store or Used Dresser

The same idea applies when shopping at a thrift store, antique store, yard sale, estate sale, or resale shop.

Try to mentally remove the existing hardware.

Imagine what the piece could look like with new knobs.

Sometimes furniture that looks incredibly dated has great bones underneath.

You might find a beautiful solid-wood dresser that simply has hardware from another decade.

If the dresser itself is well made, changing the knobs may be all it needs.

What About an Antique Dresser?

Antique furniture can be a little different.

If you have a genuinely valuable antique, the original hardware may be part of its value and history.

That does not necessarily mean you cannot change it.

You could replace the hardware temporarily while saving every original knob, pull, and screw.

Put everything in a labeled bag and store it somewhere safe.

That way the dresser can always be returned to its original condition.

If the piece is simply older furniture rather than a valuable collectible, replacing dated hardware can be an easy way to help it work with the rest of your home.

Step 1: Decide What Look You Want

Before buying new dresser knobs, decide what overall style you want.

For a clean modern or transitional look, matte black hardware is incredibly versatile.

For a warmer or slightly more feminine room, you might prefer brass or gold.

For a traditional or vintage room, consider antique brass.

For cottage-style furniture, ceramic or glass knobs can be beautiful.

For a clean, classic look, brushed nickel can work well.

If you are not sure, matte black is an easy choice because it coordinates with so many different colors and decorating styles.

SHOP MY BLACK DRESSER HARDWARE HERE

Step 2: Look at the Hardware You Already Have

Before ordering replacement hardware, look carefully at the hardware that is currently on your dresser.

There are two common situations.

One-Hole Knobs

A traditional round furniture knob normally uses one screw and one existing hole.

This is usually the easiest hardware to replace.

You remove the old knob and screw the new knob into the same hole.

You generally will not need to drill anything new.

Two-Hole Drawer Pulls

Longer drawer handles usually attach with two screws.

If your dresser has these and you want to replace them with another pull, you need to measure the distance between the holes.

Measure from the center of one screw hole to the center of the other screw hole.

This is usually referred to as the center-to-center measurement.

If you purchase new pulls with the same measurement, the replacement process becomes much easier because you can use the existing holes.

Step 3: Remove the Old Hardware

Open the drawer and look at the back of the knob or handle.

Most dresser hardware is held in place with a screw from inside the drawer.

Use a screwdriver to loosen the screw while holding the knob or handle with your other hand.

Once the screw comes out, the old hardware should pull away from the dresser.

Do not immediately throw away the old screws.

Keep them until you know that the screws included with your new hardware fit your drawer fronts.

Drawer fronts can vary in thickness, so sometimes the screw length needs to be adjusted.

Step 4: Clean Around the Old Knobs

This is such an easy step to skip, but it can make a surprising difference.

Once you remove an old knob, you may see a little ring where it used to sit.

There may be:

• Dust
• Dirt
• Furniture polish residue
• Discoloration
• Grime from years of use

Clean the drawer front before installing your new hardware.

Use a cleaning product that is safe for the furniture’s finish, and avoid saturating wood or particleboard with water.

Sometimes giving the whole dresser a really thorough cleaning is enough to make it look dramatically better before you even add the new hardware.

Step 5: Decide Whether You Need to Fill Any Holes

If you are replacing one single-hole knob with another single-hole knob, this part should be simple.

Use the existing hole.

However, if you are switching from a two-hole handle to a single knob—or changing to a handle with different measurements—you may have unused holes.

On painted furniture, you can usually fill the old hole with wood filler, let it dry, sand it smooth, and touch up the paint.

Natural stained wood can be trickier because filled holes are harder to disguise.

For that reason, if you have natural wood furniture, I would try to choose hardware that works with the existing holes whenever possible.

Step 6: Install the New Dresser Knobs

Now comes the fun part.

Insert the screw from the inside of the drawer through the existing hole.

Hold your new knob against the front of the drawer.

Thread the screw into the knob.

Tighten it until the knob is secure.

Be careful not to overtighten, especially if you are working with particleboard or inexpensive furniture.

Repeat with every drawer.

One of the most satisfying parts of this project is watching the dresser change as you replace each piece of hardware.

Why Matte Black Hardware Works So Well

Matte black hardware is one of those decorating choices that can work in almost any room.

On a white dresser, it creates a crisp black-and-white contrast.

On natural wood, it feels slightly more modern.

On sage green or blue furniture, black hardware adds definition without competing with the color.

And on an inexpensive basic dresser, it adds just enough detail to make the whole piece feel more deliberate.

The knobs I linked are a simple round matte black style, which makes them easy to use on many different kinds of furniture.

SHOP THE MATTE BLACK KNOBS HERE

Do You Have to Paint the Dresser?

No!

That is one of the reasons I love this project so much.

Not every piece of furniture needs to be painted.

Painting furniture can be beautiful, but it is much more involved.

Depending on the dresser, you may need to:

Clean it.

Sand it.

Repair damage.

Prime it.

Paint multiple coats.

Wait for everything to dry.

Possibly seal the finish.

That turns a quick furniture update into a much larger project.

So if the existing dresser color works in your room, try changing the knobs before you do anything else.

You might realize that was all it needed.

When You Might Want to Paint the Dresser

Sometimes a piece does need more than hardware.

Painting can make sense if:

• The finish is badly damaged
• The color clashes with your room
• There are stains that will not come out
• You have filled several old hardware holes
• The dresser has already been painted poorly
• You want a dramatic transformation

If you decide to paint, think about your hardware at the same time.

The paint color and hardware should complement each other.

Here are some easy combinations:

White dresser + matte black knobs

Cream dresser + brass knobs

Sage green dresser + matte black or brass knobs

Navy dresser + brass hardware

Light blue dresser + brass or black hardware

Natural wood dresser + matte black knobs

Gray dresser + black hardware

Style the Top of Your Dresser

Once the new knobs are installed, spend a few minutes styling the dresser.

You do not need a lot of decorations.

In fact, less often looks better.

Try adding:

• A lamp
• A mirror
• A framed photograph
• A decorative tray
• A candle
• A vase
• A small plant
• A jewelry box
• A few stacked books
• A basket
• Framed artwork

Try grouping a few pieces together rather than lining everything evenly across the top.

Leave some empty space.

That little bit of breathing room can make the entire area feel calmer and more expensive.

Use Matching Hardware to Tie Mismatched Furniture Together

Here is another great trick if your bedroom furniture does not match.

Maybe your dresser is from IKEA.

Your nightstands came from Target.

Your desk came from Facebook Marketplace.

None of those pieces came from the same furniture collection.

That is okay.

Try putting the same or similar hardware on all of them.

For example, you could add simple matte black knobs to a white dresser and matching matte black knobs to two white nightstands.

Suddenly the furniture feels coordinated even though it came from completely different places.

That is an inexpensive way to make a room feel intentional without purchasing an entire matching bedroom set.

You Can Use the Same Trick in Other Rooms

This makeover is not limited to bedroom dressers.

Once you start looking around your house, you may notice all kinds of places where new hardware could make a difference.

Try changing hardware on:

• Nightstands
• Bathroom vanities
• Kitchen cabinets
• Laundry-room cabinets
• Desks
• Built-ins
• Buffets
• Sideboards
• Entryway furniture
• TV consoles
• Craft cabinets
• Linen cabinets

Hardware is such a small detail, but when you repeat the same finish throughout a space, it can help everything feel connected.

How to Make Cheap Furniture Look More Expensive

Changing hardware is only one part of the equation.

If you want an inexpensive dresser to look more expensive, think about the entire area around it.

Some of the easiest tricks include:

Add a Large Mirror

A beautiful mirror above the dresser immediately gives it more presence.

Add a Lamp

Lighting makes furniture feel styled rather than simply functional.

Remove Clutter

A dresser covered in random objects will usually look less polished, no matter how expensive the furniture is.

Use a Decorative Tray

Put perfume, jewelry, candles, or other small items inside a tray so they look intentionally grouped.

Add Something Natural

A vase with greenery or a small plant can soften all the straight lines of a dresser.

Use Coordinating Hardware

Repeat black, brass, or whatever hardware finish you choose elsewhere in the room.

A Great Budget Bedroom Makeover

This is a perfect project if you want to refresh a bedroom without spending a lot of money.

You may not need:

A new dresser.

New nightstands.

A new bedroom set.

Or an expensive furniture refinishing project.

You might just need a screwdriver and some new knobs.

That is my favorite kind of home project—something simple that makes a noticeable difference.

SEE THE BLACK DRESSER KNOBS I USED FOR THIS LOOK

Small Details Can Make Inexpensive Furniture Look Custom

One of the biggest decorating lessons is that a beautiful room does not necessarily require expensive furniture.

Often, it is the details that make something look custom.

A simple dresser can look beautiful when it has:

• Updated hardware
• Good lighting
• A beautiful mirror
• Thoughtful accessories
• A coordinated color palette
• Less clutter

You do not always need to replace what you already own.

Sometimes you simply need to look at it differently.

Before You Get Rid of Your Old Dresser, Try This

If you have a dresser you have been thinking about replacing, try one simple experiment first.

Take off the old knobs.

Give the dresser a good cleaning.

Add new hardware.

Style the top.

Then step back and look at it again.

You may be surprised by how different the entire piece feels.

And if you are searching Facebook Marketplace, IKEA, thrift stores, yard sales, or antique shops for furniture, do not let ugly hardware scare you away from an otherwise great dresser.

Hardware is one of the easiest things to change.

A few new knobs may be all you need to turn a basic or inexpensive dresser into something you absolutely love.

SHOP THE MATTE BLACK DRESSER AND CABINET KNOBS HERE ON AMAZON

PIN THIS DRESSER MAKEOVER IDEA FOR LATER

Save this easy furniture makeover idea for the next time you find a basic IKEA dresser, inexpensive Facebook Marketplace piece, thrift-store find, antique dresser, or old piece of furniture that needs a refresh.

Sometimes the easiest transformation really is as simple as changing the hardware.

Your featured-image title “Easy Dresser Makeover: Change the Hardware” fits this post perfectly.

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