The Easiest Dresser Makeover: Swap the Knobs (and Mix Them on Purpose)

Some of the most satisfying before-and-after furniture flips involve no new wood at all. A tired thrift-store dresser gets a coat of paint, the old knobs come off, new ones go on, and suddenly it looks like a piece you'd find in a boutique. If you only change one thing, change the knobs. Here's how to do it well.

Step 1: Check what you're working with

Pull out a drawer and look at the holes.

• One hole per knob? Easy. Almost any single-screw knob will fit.
• Two holes per drawer (an old pull)? Measure center to center. You can either buy new pulls with the same spacing, or fill the holes with wood filler, sand, paint and drill a single new hole in the center for a knob.
• Thick drawer front? Measure the thickness. Knobs usually come with standard screws, so a very thick front may need a longer screw from the hardware store.

Step 2: Decide your look

This is the fun part. Three approaches work well:

Matching set

The same knob on every drawer. It's calm and classic, and you can't go wrong with brass on a painted dresser.

Mixed on purpose

Different knobs that share one thread, such as the same metal finish or the same theme. Think a row of leaves, a row of flowers and a row of butterflies, all in gold. It looks collected over time rather than random. The trick is to keep one thing consistent: color, size or theme.

One statement row

Simple knobs everywhere, plus a special piece on the top drawer or the center drawer. It's a small splurge that becomes the focal point.

Three easy ways to style a dresser. Pick the one that suits the piece.

Step 3: Pick knobs that suit the room

• Kids' rooms and nurseries: animal knobs such as elephants, rabbits, giraffes or sea turtles. Kids can find "their" drawer, and the knobs can stay when the room grows up, because they're metal rather than plastic.
• Bedrooms and vanities: botanical shapes such as leaves, flowers or a crystal butterfly add a soft, romantic touch.
• Beach houses and bathrooms: shells, seahorses and palm trees bring a relaxed coastal feel.
• Kitchens: a fruit knob such as a pineapple or strawberry on a pantry or coffee-station drawer is a fun surprise.

For kids' rooms: rabbit, sea turtle and giraffe knobs.

For bedrooms, beach houses and kitchens: ginkgo leaf, palm and pineapple.

Step 4: Install without damaging the finish

• Let fresh paint cure fully before you screw in hardware, or the knob can stick to and peel the paint.
• If you're drilling new holes, put painter's tape on the spot and drill through it to prevent splintering.
• Tighten by hand. Overtightening can crack the paint around the screw.

Budget reality check

A six-drawer dresser needs six to twelve knobs. Even with nicer metal knobs, the hardware usually costs less than a can of good furniture paint and a few sheets of sandpaper, and it does more to change the look than anything else on the piece.

Ready to shop? Browse our Animal Cabinet Knobs and Botanical & Nature Cabinet Knobs. Mixing styles is encouraged. Not sure what will fit your drawer? Send us a photo and we'll help.