Before and After: This $120 Furniture Flip Uses an Unexpected Material for a Colorful, Whimsical Result

Written by

Sarah EverettAssistant Editor, Home Projects
Sarah EverettAssistant Editor, Home Projects
Sarah is an assistant editor at Apartment Therapy. She completed her MA in journalism at the University of Missouri and has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Belmont University. Past writing and editing stops include HGTV Magazine, Nashville Arts Magazine, and several…read more
published Jan 25, 2023
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used dark wood dresser before being refurbished

Looking to add a bit of color to any furniture you already own? Peel-and-stick wallpaper works, so does paint, of course, and so does colored glass. A fourth option to add to your list? Pompoms.

Yes, you heard that right. Pompoms might be tiny, but they’re certainly colorful, and a whole bunch of them together can create a whimsical, colorful, textured surface for chairs, drawer fronts, table legs, and more.

Credit: Jessica Salvacion

See, for example, Jessica Salvacion’s (@yayitsjes) pom-covered dresser, once a scuffed and scratch piece that was free from Facebook Marketplace. “I wanted something fun and colorful!” Jessica says.

She started by painting the piece blue with some navy furniture paint (Jolie Paint in Gentleman’s Blue). “I wasn’t really sure what I was going to do to the front, but when I looked at some of my saved pictures on Pinterest, I knew right then I was going to hot-glue pompoms to it,” she says. She used Gorilla hot glue sticks for a firm hold, and she also replaced the legs on the dresser.

The most difficult part was knowing just how many pompoms she would need to cover all the drawer fronts. “I bought a total of five bags on Amazon, and I worked on this project when I had time,” Jessica explains. “It took about two weeks.”

Credit: Jessica Salvacion

Jessica’s pompoms are Carl and Kay’s assorted size, ultra-colorful variety. But you could use any size or type of pompom you’d like for a similar project. You could go super tiny, oversized, monochromatic, or sparkly, for example.

“I know this isn’t everyone’s style, but I just knew I wanted to do something different,” Jessica says. “I love that it’s such a statement piece for my guest bedroom. I wanted something bright and happy and a one-of-a-kind piece. I really do think I achieved that.”

Credit: Jessica Salvacion

Her advice for others going similarly bold, textured, or colorful? “Just go for it, and look at it as a piece of art,” she says. “Stick to your own personal style and not what’s popular right now.”