The makeover of Regan’s room led me on a hunt for the perfect nightstands and, after some effort with paint and sawdust, ended in a very happy result. These minty green gloss bedside tables were worth every minute of work.
Below I’ll walk through exactly how I transformed distressed, crackled nightstands into smooth, high-gloss pieces that look custom-made for the room.
I found the nightstands on Facebook Marketplace for $100 each. They’re solid wood with dovetailed drawers — two details I always prioritize when buying secondhand furniture.
I’ve noticed glossy furniture and cabinetry making a comeback, especially within grandmillennial and classic-traditional trends. These tables started with the opposite of a glossy finish: a heavy, distressed, crackled farmhouse paint. My goal was to convert that rough, aged look into a smooth, glossy surface that reads fresh and refined.
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Design preferences evolve. Nine years ago, I loved the heavily distressed farmhouse look, and it still has many fans — it’s a beautiful style. But for my traditional colonial home, a smoother, glossier finish fits better now.
To achieve that glossy result, I followed several careful steps to remove the old finish and prepare a flawless surface for paint. If you’re converting distressed furniture into gloss-painted pieces, these are the techniques that worked best for me.
How to Create a Smooth Surface for Gloss Painted Furniture
Supplies
- Orbital sander
- Sanding pads in multiple grits — coarse, medium, fine
- Extra-fine sandpaper for hand sanding
- Wood filler (for filling old hardware holes)
- INSL-X STIX Bonding Primer or similar high-adhesion primer
- Round furniture paint brush
- Gloss enamel paint (I used Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel in Gloss, color Evergreen Fog)
- New hardware of your choosing
- Slow cooker filled with water (optional — useful for gently warming paint)
- Extension cord
Step 1 – Sand With Coarse Grit
Start by removing the bulk of the distressed paint with an orbital sander using coarse-grit sanding pads. Distressed finishes require aggressive sanding to level out cracks, chips, and layered paint. Gloss paint reflects light and will reveal any imperfections, so it’s worth taking the time here.
If you’re changing hardware placement, apply wood filler to existing screw holes now so you can sand them smooth before drilling new holes later.
Step 2 – Sand Again With Medium Grit and Fine Grit
After the heavy grit removes the old texture, switch to medium-grit sanding pads to further smooth the surface. Finish the sanding pass with a fine-grit pad so the wood feels silky and even. The goal is a blank, even canvas for primer and paint.
Step 3 – Apply Primer
A quality bonding primer is essential on raw wood and for furniture that will get everyday use. I used a waterborne bonding primer designed for strong adhesion. One coat adheres the paint to the wood and helps prevent scuffs or peeling later.
Step 4 – Sand Primer
Once the primer is dry, lightly hand-sand with extra-fine sandpaper to remove any drips, brush marks, or imperfections. This scuffing creates a perfectly smooth base for the topcoat.
Step 5 – Warm the Gloss Paint for a Smoother Finish
A trick I picked up from other high-gloss furniture projects is to gently warm the paint. Place the can in a slow cooker of warm water on low; warm paint flows easier, lays down smoother, and minimizes visible brush strokes. This is a handy alternative to spraying if you want less prep and cleanup.
Here’s what the warm paint looks like — it spreads much more evenly.
Step 6 – Use a Round Brush to Apply the Paint
A round furniture brush holds more paint and helps avoid hard lines that straight or angled brushes can create. Work quickly and evenly with the warm paint — aim for a medium-thin coat that covers smoothly without pooling. If you’re using a waterborne alkyd enamel, the paint will self-level as it dries, minimizing brush marks.
Step 7 – Sand Between Coats
After the first coat dries, lightly scuff the surface with ultra-fine sandpaper to remove any dust nibs or tiny imperfections. This creates the smoothest possible foundation for the final coat.
Step 8 – Finish With a Smooth Second Coat
Apply one final coat of warmed gloss paint with steady, even strokes. Allow proper drying time, then install new hardware to complete the look. The result should be a mirror-smooth, durable gloss finish that elevates the piece.
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Finished Gloss Painted Nightstands
Ta da — the nightstands look completely transformed. The glossy evergreen finish reads modern and elevated, and you wouldn’t guess these were upcycled pieces salvaged from a distressed farmhouse look. Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog has varied undertones and can read differently depending on the piece and surrounding finishes; I loved how it worked here.
Bedroom Sources
Below are the sources for the major pieces used in Regan’s bedroom:
- Ceiling Color: Romabio Barefoot Dance
- Wall Color: Magnolia Home True White
- Poster Bed
- Chinoiserie Wallpaper
- Blush Comforter Set
- Tulip Print Sheet Set
- Stitched Cream Quilt
- Bolster Pillow
- Euro Pillows
- Peacock Lamps
- Bud Vase
- Rug
Related: 18 Favorite Modern Vintage Beds for a Low Budget
I’m completely in love with how this room came together. After we carried the nightstands in and added the peacock lamps, Regan immediately asked if she could store her Barbies in the drawers — so they’re already getting used and adored.
More Furniture Makeover Ideas
- Desk Chair and Painted Vanity Makeover
- How to Add Reeding to Furniture | Shoe Storage Bench Makeover
- How to Reupholster Dining Chair Seats + Faux Bamboo Chair Makeover
- The Trick to Paint Laminate IKEA Furniture
