When it comes to furniture makeovers, IKEA pieces offer a blank canvas for creativity. The versatility of these affordable items allows for endless customization possibilities. This article explores five unique ways to transform a simple IKEA dresser into a stunning, personalized piece that reflects various design styles. From mid-century modern to Victorian-inspired details, each makeover demonstrates how small changes can have a big impact.
You can use any piece of furniture to recreate these looks, but we think the IKEA Rast Chest is a great (and affordable) option at around $50. Although solid wood offers more versatility for adding stain and custom skirt cuts than medium-density fiberboard, you can use either option for this do-it-yourself (DIY) project. No matter your canvas, the looks shown here offer a big style boost.
Before: A Plain Dresser
The IKEA Rast chest is an unassuming piece of furniture that’s ripe for a transformation. Its simple design and solid construction make it an ideal candidate for customization.
The key to these transformations lies in the hardware and color choices. From vintage-inspired pulls to bold paints and stains, these small details can set the tone for the entire makeover. Let’s explore how these seemingly minor elements can inspire complete style overhauls.
For a timeworn, layered patina on a flat-pack dresser, consider the cottage-style approach used in the original This Old House Magazine feature: paint everything a pale base color, such as yellow, then top it with a second shade like soft blue. Once dry, sand in spots to reveal the color beneath. This two-tone distressing technique gives an inexpensive chest the kind of aged character that would normally take decades to develop naturally.
For the original This Old House Magazine feature by Megan Baker, the editorial team started not with paint swatches or wallpaper samples, but with the hardware itself. After spotting a range of handsome vintage-inspired pulls and knobs—from mid-century conical knobs to Victorian-style drop pulls—the team was so charmed that they used them to build out five complete looks for a single plain flat-pack dresser. Each piece of hardware had such a distinct style that it naturally informed a total transformation.
Pro Tip: Michelle Brunner, Senior Editor at This Old House Magazine, and Tisha Leung, Design Editor, demonstrated how a dresser makeover can punch well above its weight class. As Michelle put it during a staff DIY challenge: “We can do a pattern and hack the look of a thousand-dollar inlay dresser.” The secret was pairing the right stencils with metallic accent paint—proof that creative hardware and finish choices can make a budget piece look like a high-end find.
DIY Mid-Century Modern Dresser
The mid-century modern style continues to captivate design enthusiasts with its clean lines and functional beauty. Our first transformation embraces this timeless look, creating a piece that wouldn’t be out of place in a 1960s home.
To achieve this look, we chose gleaming brass knobs with a sleek cone shape, reminiscent of the Sputnik era. The dresser frame is warmed up with a rich walnut stain—a classic choice for mid-century furniture. Tapered legs add to the period-appropriate silhouette. The key to achieving an authentic mid-century modern look is in the details. Pay attention to the angle of the tapered legs and the placement of the hardware for the best results.
For a striking contrast, the drawers are painted in an olive hue. This color adds depth and interest to the piece while maintaining the mid-century palette. The combination of warm wood tones and cool, muted colors is quintessentially mid-century modern.
To recreate this look, you’ll need the following items:
- Deltana cone cabinet knobs in brass
- 6-inch white pine legs
- Dark walnut stain
- Dutch Boy’s Submarine paint (or a similar olive tone)
Watch the how-to video for this project: How To Make a Mid-Century Modern Dresser
DIY Art Deco-Style Dresser
Our next transformation takes inspiration from the glamorous Art Deco period. This style, characterized by bold geometric patterns and luxurious finishes, adds a touch of 1920s sophistication to the Rast.
The focal point of this makeover is the set of streamlined Jazz Age bin pulls in a sleek black finish. These hardware pieces set the tone for the entire design. To complement the pulls, we coated the entire dresser in a showstopping teal color.
To add dimension and echo the style’s signature metallic inset details, we also incorporated graphic gray stripes on black bands. These decorative elements adorn the recessed kickplate and top edge of the dresser. The clean lines and geometric patterns characteristic of the Art Deco style require careful planning and execution. Use painter’s tape to achieve crisp, straight lines for the striping details.
Here are the materials needed for this transformation:
- Art Deco solid iron bin pulls
- Teal paint
- White paint (for the striping details)
Watch the how-to video for this project: How To Make an Art Deco-Style Dresser
DIY Cottage-Style Dresser
If you prefer a more rustic, lived-in look, our cottage-style dresser is the way to go. This makeover turns the modern IKEA dresser into a piece that looks like it’s been a family heirloom for generations.
The existing wood knobs of the Rast chest served as the starting point for this charming redo. To create the illusion of an apron-front style, we pushed the kickplate forward and added a scrolling jigsaw cutout. This simple modification dramatically alters the silhouette of the piece.
Nose-and-cove molding frames the drawer fronts and adds depth and character, while a cornice made of solid crown molding finishes the look. To achieve a timeworn patina, we used a two-step painting process. First, we applied a coat of pale yellow paint, followed by a layer of soft blue. Strategic sanding reveals hints of the yellow beneath, creating an authentic aged appearance. Imperfection is part of the charm. Don’t be afraid to sand unevenly or let some of the underlying color show through more in certain areas for an authentic, time-worn appearance.
Here are the materials you’ll need for this cottage-style transformation:
- Wood knobs (included with IKEA Rast chest)
- Solid crown molding
- Nose-and-cove molding
- Yellow paint
- Soft blue paint
Pro Tip: Decorative painter Ingrid Leess recommends putting down two coats of color—ideally a light one followed by a darker one—then selectively sanding the edges, corners, and contours where natural wear would occur, revealing the paler base coat. Sand a little more to reveal glimpses of unpainted wood to further the effect.
For the best distressed results, use a flat or matte finish for both coats. Using a chip brush, paint the entire exterior with your light base-coat color, going in the direction of the grain—you don’t need to be too fussy about brushstrokes. Once the base coat is dry, lightly apply the darker top coat, being careful not to overload the brush. Wait a full two days before sanding to allow the paint to dry completely.
Watch the how-to video for this project: How To Make a Cottage-Style Dresser
DIY Victorian-Style Dresser
Our Victorian-inspired design takes the IKEA chest from simple to ornate, embracing the intricate details and rich colors characteristic of this style.
The centerpiece of this makeover is a set of dainty drop pulls, which set the stage for embellishments. We added a tray-style top wrapped with solid crown molding for a more substantial and elegant profile. A curvy jigsaw-cut apron front, achieved by moving the kickplate forward, also adds to the Victorian appearance.
The color palette for this piece is bold and dramatic. We used an inky navy blue paint as the base, creating a perfect backdrop for multi-hued details. Faux panel trim in buttery yellow adds contrast and dimension, while stenciled floral designs bring the focus to the center of each drawer front. The details that define the Victorian style require careful attention and steady hands. Take your time with the stenciling and trim work.
To recreate this Victorian-inspired dresser, you’ll need these items:
- Small William and Mary pendant pulls with floral backplates
- Solid crown molding
- Clark + Kensington’s Dark Diversion paint
- Clark + Kensington’s Golden Ticket paint
- Floral stencils for decorative details
Watch the how-to video for this project: How To Make a Victorian-Style Dresser
DIY Campaign-Style Dresser
Our final look draws inspiration from campaign furniture, a style that originated with British officers in the 18th and 19th centuries. This look experienced a revival in the 1970s, and our makeover captures that retro-modern vibe.
The defining features of this transformation are the swinging campaign pulls and brass corner brackets. These hardware elements anchor the minimalist design and give the piece its distinctive character. To create the perfect boxy surface for these brass accents, we pushed the kickplate to the dresser front and built out the top edge with thin shelf-edge molding. The clean lines and symmetry of campaign furniture require careful measurement and execution. Pay attention to the placement of the corner brackets and pulls for a balanced result.
The color choice for this piece is a vibrant orange. We coated the entire dresser in high-gloss paint, creating a bold backdrop for the brass hardware. This color choice, combined with the distinctive hardware, results in a piece that’s both retro and contemporary.
To achieve this campaign-style look, you’ll need the following:
- Champagne bronze pulls with four corners
- Thin shelf-edge molding
- Sherwin-Williams’ Obstinate Orange paint
Transforming a simple IKEA dresser into a unique, stylish piece is easier than you think. Whether you prefer mid-century modern, Art Deco, cottage, Victorian, or campaign style, these makeovers show how small changes in hardware, paint, and details can create drastically different results.
