This reinvented IKEA dresser hack modifies the Hemnes design by painting it white and then giving it a distressed look as if it’s right out of Fixer Upper.
Like many people, Lauren and I want to move to Waco, Texas. Well, not really, but we’d love to have a house designed by the Gaines. I’m not really sure when we got into watching Fixer Upper, but by now we’ve seen every episode and loved pretty much every house that Joanna and Chip have redesigned.
It was during this show, that Lauren and I realized we had the same taste in design (luckily). Or maybe Joanna’s design rubbed off on us. As 90% of Joanna’s work is white or white with distress or off-white, we realized how much we liked the look. So off-white kitchen? Check! White farmhouse bed? Check! White distressed dresser? Nope.
Our main dresser in our bedroom is actually an IKEA dresser I got for myself when I moved out to Portland a few years ago. I was fine with the dresser, but agreed that it didn’t really match our farmhouse bed. What I didn’t want was to buy a new dresser or build one, when we had a perfectly functioning dresser. (PS I didn’t take a picture ahead of time as I wasn’t doing the blog yet, so the picture below is just from IKEA’s website)
So one weekend Lauren was away and the weather called for rain the entire time. I decided this could be my chance to change this reinvented IKEA dresser for the better! Obviously you can refurbish any dresser to look like you want, but with the type of material IKEA furniture is made out of, it takes a little more time.
This reinvented IKEA dresser is definitely a weekend project as you have to paint primer, paint and polyurethane about 7-8 times total and wait in between for it to dry. The work is well worth it though, especially for those that love that white furniture look like we do. It now feels like a brand new dresser that goes perfectly with our farmhouse bed! We feel like we have a little bit of Fixer Upper in our house now. And if you’re feeling like another project, check out my different posts.
Reinvented IKEA Dresser Hack Shopping List:
- Primer (I used Zinsser Cover Stain)
- White paint
- Clear polyurethane
Tools
- Paint brush
- Paint roller
- Painters tape
- Sandpaper (80, 150, 220)
- Hand sander (if sanding entire dresser)
How to Do this IKEA Dresser Hack:
Step 1:
Remove all the drawers apply painters tape on areas you don’t want to paint on the inside.
Step 2:
If dresser is in good shape you don’t need to sand, but if it’s a little rough, sand to make smooth.
Step 3:
Primer everything. You’ll have to do at least 2 coats, maybe 3. Make sure you allow recommended dry time in between each. Because of the type of wood and coating IKEA furniture has, you need to use primer and a primer that will specifically stick to it. I recommend Zinsser Cover Stain which can be found at Lowe’s and Home Depot.
Step 4:
Once primer is completely dry, paint everything. You will more than likely need to do 2 coats to make sure everything is covered, which I did as well.
Step 5:
If you want a distressed look, lightly sand all of the edges with 220 grit sandpaper. Since most IKEA dressers are either dark brown or black, when you distress it will really pop against the white.
Step 6:
Apply a coat of polyurethane. I used water based clear matte.
Step 7:
I don’t recommend sanding everything afterward as the polyurethane suggests, but just sand the top of the dresser as that’s used most often. Sand lightly with 220 grit sandpaper.
Step 8:
Apply one more coat of polyurethane and lightly sand with 220 grit sandpaper again just on the top of dresser.
Step 9:
Reattach the drawers and enjoy!
I love how you two are always accomplishing what I only dream of and never actually get around to even starting. Way to go, Ryan and Lauren. Kudos for another amazing job!
Thanks. This is actually fairly easy. Just takes some patience!