Styling a dresser is as easy as 123. It doesn’t take much effort and money to decorate a bedroom dresser. If you know the ins and outs of styling a dresser, you’d be surprised how much interior design prowess is in you. But what are the ins and outs of bedroom dresser decoration? If you’re dying to know how to decorate a dresser, you’ve come to the right place.

Why You Need to Style Your Dresser

Coming home to a visually appealing room is already a luxury in and of itself. Since your dresser is your bedroom’s second biggest furniture item, it draws the eyes in. And this is why knowing how to decorate a dresser is crucial. 

Here’s why:

  • Achieves a balanced look since dressers are primarily big and wide pieces
  • Offers a trendy and stylish space with curated bedroom decor
  • Ties your overall bedroom design together 
  • Helps real estate agents and homeowners stage homes for viewing
  • Transforms a mundane dresser into a classy dresser
  • You come home to a much calmer space after a long day!

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How to Style a Dresser

Here are seven simple and cost-efficient tips on how to decorate a dresser top:

1. Begin with a clean slate

Dante Dresser In Blue By Acme Furniture - Local Furniture OutletDante Dresser In Blue By Acme Furniture - Local Furniture OutletDante Dresser In Blue By Acme Furniture

The first step in decorating a dresser is starting with a clean slate. Remove all the items on your dresser’s top surface and wipe it clean with a damp cloth to eliminate grime and dust. Also, identify what type of dresser you have.

Do you have a blue velvet dresser that could be excellent as a vanity dresser? Does your room have a simple wood multi-colored dresser that needs a nice touch? Or are you planning to use your big dark cherry dresser as an entertainment center that holds your TV? Knowing your dresser’s style and overall purpose lets you grab the most practical items that bring value to your space.

2. Spruce up your wall

You can skip this step if your bureau dresser is under a window. If it’s displayed against a plain wall, try sprucing up the wall to achieve vertical balance. You can feature anything on the wall to set the center stage, especially if you have a wide dresser. 

You can decorate your wall in four ways:

  • Place a mirror above it, or buy this black tufted dresser bedroom set with a mirror
  • Hang a massive piece of artwork above your dresser
  • Hang multiple pieces of artwork and prioritize symmetry
  • Display a few hanging picture frames for visual cohesion

Pro Tip: Make sure anything you display on the wall isn’t wider than your dresser and is half your dresser’s width.

3. Create depth through layering

Layering in interior design means achieving balance in materials, textures, colors, and shapes to create depth. This style is also excellent for modern bedrooms with a glossy dresser or a coastal-inspired space with a white weathered dresser.

You can lean picture frames on the mirror or wall or place small artwork pieces with various patterns. You may also add a small sculpture to add perfect curves and lines or display a few accessories in multiple colors.

Acme Gaines 6 Drawer Dresser In High Gloss White - Local Furniture OutletAcme Gaines 6 Drawer Dresser In High Gloss White - Local Furniture OutletGaines 6 Drawer Dresser In High Gloss White Finish By Acme Furniture

4. Add height

You must add height to connect your dresser to the decorative elements above. And this can be your dresser’s focal point that lures the eyes in. Try a tall lampshade for that warm and calming lighting effect, or you may also grab a tall pillar candle. How about a tall and slender vase?

A tall focal point helps balance the scale and pull the look together. Display the tallest decor on either side of the mirror or hanging artwork. In the next section, we’ve provided a list of what to put on a dresser.

Pro Tip: Books also serve as perfect pedestals to elevate other shorter items and add height.

5. Fill in the horizontal space

Ashley Maretto Dresser In Deep Espresso Brown - Local Furniture OutletAshley Maretto Dresser In Deep Espresso Brown - Local Furniture OutletMaretto Dresser In Deep Espresso Brown By Ashley Furniture

Now that you have height, it’s time to fill the horizontal space. Adding a few accessories creates horizontal balance. Complementing the vertical focal point with a few smaller items offers a more stylish look. An empty surface makes your wide espresso brown dresser bare and dull. 

You can cover the dresser’s width with items like:

  • Tray
  • Bowls
  • Jewelry box
  • Framed photos
  • Small candles
  • Figurines (Read until the end for our list of things you can put on top of your dresser)

6. Add greenery

Any homeowner wondering how to decorate a dresser would instantly think of greenery on a dresser’s top. Adding greenery softens your space and establishes personal expression. It also induces a calming effect and uplifts your mood, especially coming home after a long day.

Indoor plants also don’t require that much maintenance. But you can always get faux greenery and a beautiful vase to boot. 

7. Curate beautiful accent pieces

Add the finishing touch by adding curated accent pieces like a sea conch, small sculpture, or animal figurine. Adding structural elements creates visual interest due to their exquisite shapes and textures. These accent pieces improve your bedroom’s style and tie the look together.

What to Put On Top of a Dresser

Here are some items you can put on top of a dresser:

  • Bowls
  • Baskets
  • Boxes
  • Bookends
  • Jewelry boxes
  • Jewelry stands
  • Trays
  • Trinkets
  • Dishware
  • Clocks
  • Framed photos
  • Candles
  • Potted plants
  • Succulents
  • Vases
  • Perfume
  • Decorative bottles
  • Beads
  • Books
  • Gemstones
  • Cool ornaments
  • Sculptures

Conclusion

Now that you’re equipped with tips on how to decorate a dresser, you can put these into action! If you’re still looking for that perfect vanity or cherry oak dresser for your bedroom, we got you covered. Local Furniture Outlet offers the most captivating and timeless dressers that suit every style.