How I Revived a Pair of Drab MCM Nightstands: A Step-by-Step Guide with Mat

How I Revived a Pair of Drab MCM Nightstands: A Step-by-Step Guide with Materials and Tips

When I first came across this pair of Mid-Century Modern (MCM) nightstands, I knew they had potential, but they needed a serious refresh. My goal was to transform them into sleek, modern pieces with a hint of thier original vintage charm. Here’s how I tackled the project step-by-step, along with the materials I used along the way.

I started by thoroughly cleaning the nightstands with Krud Kutter. The surfaces had quite a bit of buildup, but thankfully, no bad odors. Once they were clean, I removed the outdated drawer hardware and set the drawers aside to inspect them. One drawer didn’t slide smoothly, but I figured I’d address that later.

"The MCM nightstands before their transformation, showing signs of wear and outdated hardware."

After cleaning, I began the sanding process. I didn’t want to sand initially, but I figured a fresh start was necessary. Using 180 grit sandpaper followed by 220 grit, I hand-sanded the entire piece, preparing it for a new finish. It was tiring work, and I forgot to take photos at this stage—this tends to happen when I get absorbed in a project! Next, I made a small structural change by cutting off about 4 inches from the bottom of each nightstand to prepare for adding legs, all while keeping the original height in mind.

Now, it was time to paint. I had always envisioned these nightstands in a soft green, so I chose Heirloom Traditions Simply Sage. Yes, I know what you’re thinking—why did I sand the entire piece if the paint already has a built-in primer? Well, I’m a newbie, and at the time, I wasn’t thinking that far ahead. I just loved the color and wanted to use it.

Before painting, I wiped the nightstands down with a tack cloth to remove any remaining dust. To avoid getting paint on my hands (even though the paint is soap and water cleanup), I put on some nitrile gloves. Then, I applied the paint using a painting sponge from Heirloom Traditions, which gave me smooth, streak-free coverage. I used a method I found effective—starting with a light coat, followed by a dab coat, and then a full coat for the best finish.

Since the paint already had primer built-in, I skipped that step but did apply a couple of coats of Minwax Polycrylic spray for extra protection. For the inside edges of the nightstands, I used Frog Tape to achieve crisp, clean lines—a small detail that made the piece look more professional.

Next, I tackled the drawers. After filling in the old hardware holes with wood filler, I sanded them smooth and decided to go with modern, brushed gold drawer pulls. The contrast of the gold against the sage green was perfect. I lightly sanded the inside and outside of the drawers with 220 grit, wiped them clean, and applied clear shellac to bring out the wood grain while protecting the drawers. After painting the front of the drawers, I used a drawer pull gauge to line up the new holes before drilling them with my DeWalt drill.

One of the drawers didn’t slide as smoothly as I wanted, so I applied wood lubricant to the drawer tracks. This worked like a charm, making them glide effortlessly.

"Brushed gold drawer pulls add a modern touch, perfectly contrasting with the sage green paint, while wood lubricant ensures the drawers slide smoothly."

Now it was time to attach the new legs. This part was simple—I drilled holes in the bottom corners of the nightstands and screwed in the legs. For the back of the nightstands, I kept things simple by applying a coat of clear shellac, which enhanced the wood grain.

"New legs on the MCM Nightstands"

"Back of the MCM Nightstands"

"The final result: A pair of MCM nightstands with a modern twist, complete with new legs and a fresh sage green finish."

This project turned out to be one of my most satisfying flips. From cleaning and sanding to adding modern touches like the brushed gold drawer pulls, new legs, and wood lubricant to ensure the drawers functioned perfectly, every step contributed to the transformation of these MCM nightstands. After completing the makeover, I staged the nightstands, took some photos, and posted them on Facebook Marketplace. Surprisingly, they sold within just a couple of days for $300, making it my fastest flip to date.

This project taught me that with a little patience and creativity, you can revive outdated furniture into something truly stylish and modern. The combination of vintage charm and modern finishes made these nightstands stand out, and I couldn’t be happier with the result. Even if you’re new to furniture flipping like I am, don’t be afraid to experiment with techniques and materials—you might just surprise yourself!

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