DIYer Turns a Laminate Dresser Into a Real Wood Dresser-How to Recreate This DIY
If you've bought an affordable dresser in the last decade or two, there's a good chance it's not actually made of wood, but instead, laminate wood. Laminate wood is a synthetic wood building material typically made of wood fiber, resin and fiberboard.
Though wood furniture is typically more expensive than laminate, it's often more durable - however, that doesn't mean you can't make upgrades to laminate furniture to help it last longer. For instance, one DIYer recently renovated a laminate dresser using real wood, and it turned out beautifully.
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This DIYer Upgraded a Laminate Dresser Using a Wood Veneer
"POV: turning plastic into real wood," creator Erin (@refurbishedish) wrote on her TikTok video.
"Did you know you could do this?" she added in the caption. "Laminate is super durable, but not as beautiful as real wood and you can't change the color with stain. ."
However, there is a way to transform the top of a laminate dresser - with a wood veneer.
"This walnut wood veneer (yes it's actually real wood) has an adhesive backing making it super easy to apply! If you can apply wallpaper you can easily do this!" Erin wrote.
If you want to try this at home, here's what you'll need, according to Erin:
- Sheet of wood veneer that is at least the size of your tabletop
- Electric sander
- Small wood plank, roller tool or any tool for smoothing your wood veneer
- Woodworking edge trimmer
- Sandpaper
- Wood stain of your choice
- Foam paint brush
And here's what to do, per Erin's video:
- Sand down the top of your laminate dresser using an electric sander, and then wipe away all the sawdust.
- Peel away the backing from the wood veneer, and carefully stick it to the top of your dresser.
- Carefully scrape the wood plank across the top of the wood veneer, and then repeat with your roller tool until you've removed all bubbles and the veneer is completely adhered to your dresser.
- Use your woodworking edge trimmer to cut off the overhanging parts of wood veneer.
- Sand down the edges of the veneer.
- Apply wood stain to the wood plank using a foam paint brush.
@refurbishedish Did you know you could do this? Laminate is super durable, but not as beautiful as real wood and you can't change the color with stain. This walnut wood veneer (yes it's actually real wood) has an adhesive backing making it super easy to apply! If you can apply wallpaper you can easily do this! Everything I used is linked in my Amazon Shop! in bio
The Less I Know The Better - Tame Impala
This DIYer's Idea Was So Creative
Erin's idea was super creative, and hopefully, her upgrade will help her dresser last longer.
Her TikTok followers agreed, and a few left comments applauding this project.
"That's a really clever idea. Thanks for sharing . It's a gorgeous unit now," one commenter wrote below the video. "Ok I didn't realize you could just…do that. Amazing !!" another added.
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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 5:08 PM.