Transform an IKEA organizer into a unique creation
If you love the practicality and value-for-money of IKEA products, but you prefer imprinting them with your own unique style, you will be rubbing your hands together with this simple project. Pottery Barn chic with an IKEA receipt... here's to happy days!
You’ll need:
- a piece of IKEA furniture made of unfinished wood
- 200-grit sandpaper
- single-sided tape
- paper
- black spray paint (or the color of your choice)
- an old piece of cloth
- plastic or rubber gloves
- drawer handles and screws
- a drill with a drill bit of the size of the screws (no bigger)
- wood stain
Here's how:
First check to see if you can turn the drawers inside out (see below). If they fit, you can use the other side (which is usually in better shape on older units) and put on some handles for a unique touch.
Now smooth off the surfaces with 200-grit sandpaper. This also helps to clean the wood on older units.
The next step is to remove the drawers and cover their top edges with tape and pieces of paper to catch the overspray.
Now use the spray paint to coat the insides of the drawers.
Now it's time to put on the stain. Put on your gloves, grab your brush, and go for it.
Let it dry overnight.
When the stain is dry, you can put on the handles. In this example, handles with label-holders were used.
To make sure you position the handle perfectly, mark off the screw-holes on a sheet of paper like this...
Now place the paper against the front of the drawer.
Before you start drilling, take the drill bit and mark off the depth using a piece of tape. This will help you not to drill a hole completely through the front of the drawer.
The final step is to screw the handle to the drawer.
And there you have it!
You can see all the steps in more detail in this video...
A bland, generic IKEA organizer becomes a charming "mini apothecary cabinet"!
But don't be afraid to let your imagination run wild when you're making your own creation.
You can make a more colorful version...
Or something in "shabby chic"...
In the end, it's up to you. Friends and family will be furiously flipping through the pages of expensive furniture catalogs hoping to emulate your style. Little will they guess this piece's humble beginnings!