How to Paint a Wardrobe White

Go over the wardrobe with 220-grit sandpaper if the wardrobe has a glossy finish. If you're painting a raw, unfinished wardrobe, you don't need to bother with sanding. Glossy varnishes make it hard for new paint to adhere, but sandpaper roughs up the slick finish for easier painting.

Wipe down the wardrobe with a damp rag. This removes sanding dust from the surface.

Remove any hardware from the wardrobe. Most handles and pull knobs are removable with a simple Phillips or flathead screwdriver.

Move the wardrobe on top of a plastic sheet. You might need someone's help to do this.

Apply oil-based high-gloss white paint to the edges of the wardrobe and any ornately detailed surfaces first. An older wardrobe may have decorative carved wood and molding. These detailed surfaces need to be painted precisely, using a fine-tipped artist's paintbrush. For broader edges and less ornate details, a regular 2-inch synthetic-bristle paintbrush works well.

Paint the main wardrobe surfaces with a medium-nap roller and oil-based high-gloss white paint. Many contemporary wardrobes have clean lines, and you will be pleasantly surprised to find that a roller makes short work of large, flat surfaces.

Apply a second coat of paint after the first coat dries.

Reattach the hardware after the final coat has dried for 24 hours.