My wife and I were using a 1970's dresser set which was constructed of cheap particle board wood with a laminate teak exterior. I decided to revamp them to match our bed. Instead of simply painting, I decided to use solid wood (pine) and removed the cheap mdf drawer fronts and replaced the tops as well.

Wood Type: Pine (dresser drawers fronts and top)

Finish: Water based polyurethane, Minwax conditioner , dark walnut stain and white paint

Hardware: Drawer Handles

Step 1: Destroy Dresser Drawer Frons

I didn't like the original handles and wanted to replaced them. I quickly realized, that I couldn't replace the handle without replacing the entire front of the drawer (see photo). So I took apart the drawers and built new ones out of pine.

I cut my drawer front panels to length with mitre saw and then made a dado on my table saw. There was a dado groove on original drawer front which secures the front to the drawer base (see photos).

Step 2: Build Dresser Tops

I then started to work on making a new top for the night stands and dressers. I made pocket holes and screwed and glued the boards together.

I then used a router to make a decorative edge along the top of the nightstands.

I had to plane the top of the dresser because it was not flat since I will screwing a new pine top onto the existing one.

My wife helped me out and painted the original sides white. I then screwed on the new top. I stained the top and front panels with a Minwax dark walnut stain and applied a few polyurethane coats.