How to Decorate a Painted Dresser for Christmas

Before my Boxwood beauty was beautiful, she was an ugly old dresser that needed to be rescued. Just like many of you who adore painting furniture with Miss Mustard Seed's milk paint, I was up for the job! After paying only $50 for her and giving her a good sanding and a few coats of Miss Mustard Seed's milk paint in the color Boxwood, she was ready to make her debut.

And that she did.

And since it is December, today's post will be dedicated to sharing how to decorate a painted dresser for Christmas. I have had my painted Boxwood beauty for 5 years now, and I am so excited to share all I have learned about decorating her over the years!

How to Decorate a Painted Dresser for Christmas

Each year for Christmas, I always get excited when it comes time to decorate for the holidays, and especially love taking some extra time to decorate our Boxwood green dresser.

Let me take you on a tour down memory lane of the life of my favorite painted dresser over the past several years. All the while sharing my top five favorite tips for decorating any piece of painted furniture you might have in your home!

Tip #1: Pick a Piece to Paint

When it comes to festive holiday decor, there's no need to limit yourself to the Christmas tree. Your whole home can be decked out in coordinating colors and a similar theme. And if you're looking for a unique way to spruce up your space, why not start with a dresser or furniture piece?

If you don't have a painted piece yet, why not give one a go? With a little bit of paint and some creative ingenuity, you can turn an ordinary piece of furniture into a holiday showpiece. Here are a few tips to get you started:

First, decide on the colors you want to use. If you're going for a traditional look, red and green are always a classic combination.

I love Tricycle Red, and of course, my all-time favorite is Boxwood Green.

But if you're feeling more adventurous, try mixing and matching different shades and hues. Miss Mustard Seed’s® Milk Paint line has so many beautiful options! Once you've selected your colors, it's time to start painting. When working with multiple colors, it's important to create a consistent design. One way to do this is by taping off each section that you want to paint. This will help to ensure clean lines and prevent colors from bleeding together.

Once the paint is dry, it's time to start accessorizing. Look for Christmas-themed items that coordinate with your colors. I quickly found out that Boxwood green goes with everything! It is basically neutral. Who would have thought?

Ornaments, ribbons, and greenery are all great options. And don't forget about the small details like books or candles! Adding a few strategically placed bows or berries can really make your dresser pop. I added this mirror above my dresser this year and loved how it reflected our tree! With these tips in mind, decorating your dresser for Christmas will be easy and fun!

Tip #2: Use of Layers

Decorating the top of a dresser for holidays is a great way to show off your personality and style. There are many different ways to do this, but one of the most popular is to use layers. By using layers, you can add depth and interest to your display.

Start with a base layer of linens or patterned prints like plaid. Then, add a second layer of colorful objects or natural pieces.

Finally, top it off with a few sentimental items or books. I added a sweet Christmas tree bell that holds wonderful memories and a plaid bucket that pulls in the red from our tree. This technique is easy to do and allows you to create a unique, customized look for your home.

The tree you see in the picture above was our tree from last year. I used milk paint in the color Mustard Seed Yellow to paint the ornaments after I made them. You can read that full post here!

Tip #3: Have a Focal Point

As any seasoned decorator knows, the key to a successful holiday display is to choose a focal point. This can be a statement piece, like a glittering evergreen wreath, or a more understated element, like a grouping of candles.

Once you have your focal point in place, you can build the rest of your display around it. If you're using a dresser as the base for your holiday decorations, consider painting it in a festive color, like Tricycle Red or Boxwood Green, like me. Or you can always just use those colors in your decorations.

Then, choose decorations that will complement the dresser and help it to stand out. A few well-placed baubles or some sparkly tinsel can go a long way toward transforming your dresser into a holiday focal point.

I had fun adding red and white ornaments to a blue and white bowl. Simple yet sleek. Then my favorite mini Christmas was placed in a bright white metal urn creating an instant focal point on top of the dresser. The greenery of the tree complimented the green of my dresser, giving it a cohesive feel. This display allowed the dresser to still be the main feature in our family room!

Tip #4: Keep It Simple

When it comes to decorating for Christmas, sometimes less is more. This is especially true when you have a prominent piece of furniture that you want to showcase.

To keep the focus on the furniture, keep your decor simple. A few well-chosen accessories will work and still be intentional.

For example, you might use a festive tablecloth or runner and some simple candles. Or, if you're decorating a dresser or sideboard, you might consider using a few small Advent calendars or simple vignettes. By keeping the decor simple, you'll ensure that your furniture piece steals the show this holiday season.

I used my favorite mini tree again and adorned her branches with vintage shiny brite ornaments that are family keepsakes. Setting the tree into a patterned bucket took it to the next level. This was one of my all-time favorite ways I decorated my painted dresser!

Tip #5: Don't Forget to Have Fun

Christmas is the perfect time to let your decorations reflect your personality. If you love traditional Christmas colors, go for it! If you prefer a more muted palette, that's beautiful too. And don't be afraid to mix and match! The important thing is to choose Christmas decor that brings you joy.

If you're not sure where to start, take a look at some Christmas decorating ideas online or in magazines. You can also get inspiration from your favorite Christmas films or TV shows. Once you have a few ideas in mind, it's time to start shopping! Christmas decorations can be found just about anywhere this time of year, from big box stores to small local shops. And don't forget about online retailers! You're sure to find what you're looking for no matter where you look.

When you've finally found the perfect Christmas decorations, it's time to put them up! I love using a mix of old and new along with items I have on hand. Notice my favorite tree again? Each year I look for new ways to display it. In the picture above, you will notice that it found its way into a vintage basket! And I used blue accents. Blue and green always seem to complement each other so well.

No matter how you choose to decorate for Christmas, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process. After all, Christmas only comes once a year!

How to Decorate a Painted Dresser for Christmas

Hopefully, a few of these ideas on how to decorate a painted dresser or piece of furniture were helpful. It was fun for me to look back and see how my style evolved yet stayed the same in several respects. All I know is that this Boxwood Green dresser will forever hold my heart, especially at Christmas

Do you have a favorite painted piece of furniture that you look forward to decorating every year? I’d love to see pictures in the comments. I hope you were able to find some inspiration and ideas on how to decorate a painted dresser for Christmas. Happy decorating, friends!

If you want to see more of my favorite green dresser, I would love to have you come visit me over on my blog, The Tattered Pew!