How to Turn a Thrift Store Dresser into a Built-in TV Stand the Easy Way

You won’t believe this, but I just spent 10+ hours collectively over the last few days sifting through my cell phone photos searching for the “BEFORE” photo of a thrift store dresser I purchased. You see, I’ve had the dresser since 2017, but I’m only now sharing it’s second transformation because it is an absolute knock-out! The “before” photo was buried in my cell phone crypt, but I finally found it thanks to my husband who kept saying “You will find it, don’t worry.” With that being said,I sure hope you enjoy, “How to Turn a Thrift Store Dresser into a Built-in TV Stand the Easy Way”. This is part 1 of a 3 part series where I’m sharing our full new family room head to toe.

Score! I Found a Mid Century Modern Dresser at the Thrift Store

I ended up paying $46.89 for the dresser who had definitely seen better days. It had great bones, and I knew I could paint it and give it a fresh look for our son’s bedroom. As soon as my husband saw it when we picked it up, he suggested refinishing the top only, and painting the rest. At first I was a bit overwhelmed with the thought of sanding, but I could see how gorgeous that wood grain was on the top of that dresser. So, I had may plan…refinish the top, and paint the bottom. Guess what happened next?

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Well, we slid the dresser over to the side of the garage and I forgot about it. Ok, maybe I didn’t forget about it, I knew it was there in my subconscious 😆, but I got very good at ignoring it. Until one gorgeous fall afternoon, I gained the energy and courage to DO IT. My husband showed me how to use an electric sander like this one: ELECTRIC SANDER which really helped in the entire process-this was my first time guys and it was so easy. I used it to sand the entire piece, then I stained the top, and painted the bottom black (see more on that below). Now don’t get too spook-a-fied by this next photo, but this is where the dresser ended up for a couple years…our son’s bedroom-BOO!

The Thrifty Dresser’s First Home… Our Son’s Bedroom

I must say, although I didn’t take any better photos of it, it really turned out nice-especially the refinished top. I was so happy to give our son something I brought back to life, and know he would learn how to appreciate the thrift store even more than he did. He had a ball decorating the dresser in his teen years, and used it for all his stuff. When he moved out he decided not to take it with him which was fine by me because I knew I would have some fun with it somewhere else one day. I was right (keep reading 😊).

How to Turn a Thrift Store Dresser into a Built-in TV Stand the Easy Way

Ahhh….finally, here’s the first big family room reveal since we moved into our new home (did you hear we moved?). Here we are in our two story, freshly painted family room that opens up to our kitchen,and small dining area. In this very bright, and tall room we have a fireplace that is surrounded by two large built-in nooks. Our first thought was to build shelves in these odd spaces, but that’s what we see everyone doing. We wanted something a little more creative, and easier. Here’s the BEFORE WE MOVED IN:

Here it is now with our “built-in TV stand” created by using the thrift store dresser I made over (AGAIN AFTER OUR SON USED IT). Our TV is installed overhead using this wall mounted TV bracket that can push the TV out, and even turn it towards our sofa which is to the left. I was shocked when I realized the dresser fit in this awkward space so nicely. Not only can I use it to display my plant babies (which help to hide the cords until we install these cord hiders), but I store all of my entertaining supplies in the drawers. We are so proud of this ha ha..and the best part is NO TV OVER THE FIREPLACE which is something I’m not a fan of.

Luckily, the top of the dresser wasn’t damaged from our son using it in his bedroom, so all I had to do was paint the bottom drawer area black again. This time I used a paint that was recommended to us for better coverage. It really did the job and even covered chipped areas (see paint info. below). I finally remembered to take a photo of the top for you to show off that gorgeous wood grain I had originally fallen in love with.

How I Painted the Thrift Store Dresser Bottom Drawer Areas

This was a quick- two coat job I did in our garage on a drop cloth (you can see the new epoxy floor we had done, too!). After a quick electric sanding with the sander I mentioned above, I used a small roller to paint the drawers with Behr’s Black Cabinet Door & Trim Enamel in satin.

Stay tuned, next up is part two of the family room where I’m sharing what we decided to do with the OTHER built-in nook on the OTHER side of the fireplace so I can bring it all together to show you the full room. I should mention that I scored some nifty chartreuse green Mid Century chairs that I just finished cleaning/sewing, and can not wait to show you all. Oh, and I also refinished a china cabinet I found on Facebook Marketplace. Thank you for being patient with me in my old age 👩‍🦰 as I get this house in FULL HOME TOUR CONDITION…we are absolutely in love with this place.

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