How to Distress a Black Dresser

If you have a black dresser that looks too polished for your taste, you can use a certain technique known as distressing to create an older, more worn look. A distressed black dresser could add the perfect touch to a rustic-themed or shabby-chic room. Even though you can pay to have a professional distress the dresser for you, you can save a lot of money by doing the job yourself using a few simple tools.

Screwdriver
120-grit sandpaper
40-grit sandpaper
Soft cloth
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Remove any removable handles that are attached to the front of the dresser using a screwdriver. Set aside.
- 2
  Sand the entire surface of the black dresser with 120-grit sandpaper. Sand away just enough to get through the gloss or sealant layer over the black paint.
- 3
  Sand the corners and outside edges of the dresser, as well as random areas around the surface, using 40-grit sandpaper.
- 4
  Wipe away all sawdust with a soft cloth.
- 5
  Tap the surface of the dresser, in random locations, using the front and back of a hammer. The back end is great for making small nicks in the black dresser for a genuine distressed look, and the front is perfect for pounding and softening the corners and edges even further. You can also create small surface scratches using the screwdriver.

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