How to Paint an Ikea Dresser

Remove the dresser hardware, such as the knobs and handles, with a screwdriver to avoid getting paint on them. You do not have to remove the hinges and mounting brackets.

Scuff the entire surface of the dresser with 180-grit sandpaper to help give the paint a surface to which it can adhere. You don't have to sand through the dresser's finish; a light scuffing everywhere you plan to paint is sufficient.

Inspect the dresser to determine the materials from which it was made. Ikea uses wood, melamine and laminate finishes. The finish of the dresser will dictate the paint you will need to buy for the project. Upon determining the finish, visit a paint store to buy the right style of paint in the color of your choice. Wood and laminate dressers require standard latex paint, while a melamine dresser requires melamine finish paint.

Apply painter's tape to any areas of the dresser, such as the hinges, that you do not wish to paint.

Fill a paint tray with the paint you chose for the project and use a paint brush and roller to paint the dresser. Use the paint brush for the corners and other detail work and use the roller to paint large, flat areas, such as the top, front and sides of the dresser. Allow the paint to dry for the amount of time indicated on the can and paint additional coats, as desired.