Transforming a tired piece of furniture into something beautiful can be highly rewarding, and that’s exactly what inspired our DIY Chalk Paint Vanity Makeover with Wallpaper Drawer Accents. A friend asked me to breathe new life into a small vanity that was missing its mirror and had a broken drawer knob.

With leftover chalk paint from a recent Barn Quilt Headboard project and a scrap of wallpaper, this quick update delivers style on a budget.

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DIY Chalk Paint Vanity Makeover with Wallpaper Drawer Accents

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Materials Needed

• Small vanity (cleaned and repaired)
• Orbital sander and discs 120‑grit sandpaper
• Annie Sloan French Linen chalk paint (or similar)
• FIFO bottles (optional, for paint storage)
• Chalk‑paint brush
• 3M scouring pads
• Wood filler and scraper
• Water‑based polyurethane sealer
• Wallpaper or decoupage paper
• Mod Podge or clear‑drying adhesive
• Glass knobs (×2) or DIY resin knobs
• Screwdriver

1. Preparing the Vanity for Paint

Start by cleaning the entire vanity surface with warm, soapy water and a scourer to remove makeup stains and grease. Once dry, lightly sand the lacquered finish with 120-grit sandpaper.

This creates a rough surface for the chalk paint to adhere to. Fill any old mirror‑mount holes or dings with wood filler, then sand smooth once dry.

You can repeat the same prep work on all the vanity drawers.

2. Painting the Vanity

Pour your chalk paint into FIFO bottles to prevent rusting in the can. Apply the first coat with a quality chalk‑paint brush—brushstrokes are normal at this stage.

After it dries, lightly buff with a 3M scouring pad for a silky finish before applying a second coat. Wipe away dust between coats for an ultra‑smooth surface.

3. Sealing the Paint

Once the final coat is dry, seal the vanity with two thin layers of water‑based polyurethane. Allow each layer to cure fully before the next for optimal durability and easy cleaning.

4. Applying Wallpaper to the Drawers

Measure each drawer recess and cut wallpaper to size.

Use Mod Podge to adhere the paper—apply one coat beneath, position the paper, let it dry, then brush a second coat on top for protection.

Trim any excess and smooth edges with a craft knife for crisp lines.

5. Reattaching and Upgrading Knobs

Re‑screw the original handle on one drawer. For the drawer that was missing a knob, replace both handles with matching glass knobs. Alternatively, craft your resin knobs using epoxy resin and a mould.

6. Painting or Fitting the Mirror

Locate a thrifted mirror to suit your vanity. After dusting, paint the frame with two coats of chalk paint, lightly sanding between coats if desired. This mirror isn’t fixed, so it can simply sit atop the vanity or be wall‑mounted for extra stability.

7. Final Reveal

Step back and admire your revitalised piece: a small vanity given fresh life with chalk paint and a chic wallpaper feature.

When reviewing my photos, I realised I’d forgotten to fill the old mirror‑mount holes, so I went back, filled them and touched up the paint.

More furniture makeover ideas

This old dresser was destined for the tip until I gave it a geometric makeover.

If painted furniture isn’t your style, these tips will show you how to restore a dresser to its former glory. You can find more of my furniture makeovers here.

If you’d like to find any of the items used in this project, we’d greatly appreciate it if you used our affiliate links. These links provide us with a small commission at no extra cost to you, allowing us to continue creating and sharing more inspiring projects. We’d also love to hear your thoughts—feel free to leave a comment or share this post!