AFFORDABLE DIY | PAINTED LAMINATE | BUFFALO CHECK | DIY CHALK PAINT | WEEKEND DIY PROJECT
I’m a sucker for the clearance section at any store, and IKEA is no exception. I found this gem there the other day:
As far as I could tell, the only problem with it was that it looked like...well, a boring laminate IKEA bookcase. I may be the only person on the planet who buys brand new furniture just so I can paint it, but thirty bucks and the fact that I didn’t have to assemble anything made this a great deal.
I already had paint on hand—the pink was already mixed with BB Frösch Paint Transformer from my filing cabinet makeover (Benjamin Moore Pacific Grove Pink). I mixed the navy paint (Benjamin Moore Hale Navy) with twice as much BB Frösch Paint Transformer as the directions call for because I wanted a little extra bonding for the laminate. I also used a light gray that is not pictured here. It was also already mixed and leftover from a previous project.
NOTE: If you don't add BB Frösch Paint Transformer to your paint, your paint will peel right off laminate.
The brush will last longer and be easier to clean if you use different brushes for water-based and oil-based paints. Comprises: 1 brush (width 25 mm), 1 brush (width 35 mm) and 1 brush (width 50 mm). This item: Ikea Mala Kids 'Painting Brushes' Set of 6 Water Color Brushes in Synthetic Fiber $5.29 Canson (100510941) XL Series Watercolor Pad, 9' x 12', Fold-Over Cover, 30 Sheets $5.97 Pentel Arts Oil Pastels, 50 Color Set (PHN-50) $8.74 More to consider from our brands. Here comes the top valued brush recommendations from IKEA! Have a look at IKEA's online store, you can surely find your desired brush here! Paint brush set, 3 pcs.
I also used wooden furniture legs from Home Depot. They cost less than $4 each.
I removed the back of the bookcase and painted it separately. I almost always remove the backs of bookcases and hutches because it is a LOT easier to paint that way.
The pink paint had gotten kind of thick (like frosting) because I had mixed it several months ago. Usually, I tell people if their mixed paint thickens after storing to just stir and thin slightly with water. For this project, I decided to use the thickened paint—the coverage was incredible (one coat) and it applied great!
I wanted a buffalo check background, but I didn’t want the squares to be “perfect.' I wanted them to look a little more like they do when they are on fabric. So, instead of taping of stripes and squares (which would have taken a lot longer, anyway), I just measured and marked off every three inches. Then, I used a stencil edge as a guide, and painted grey stripes 3” wide. I used a cheap chip brush to create the look I was after.
When the grey stripes were dry, I did the same thing going the other direction with navy paint. Then, I used the edges of small stencils to section off where I wanted the darker blue squares to be.
The blue tape is covering the stencil patterns that I didn’t want to accidentally paint.
I just went over these squares a couple more times with the navy paint so they would look more solid.
I painted the rest of the bookcase navy. The first coat never looks awesome, but don’t let that scare you.
When painting laminate, it is better to start with one thin coat, then let the paint cure overnight. Even though the paint will dry in minutes, it will lift a lot more easily if it hasn’t cured. I painted the second coat the next day, and two coats was all I needed. When painting the second coat, don’t overwork your brush, or the first coat will lift.
Once the bookcase was painted, I enlisted the help of my trusty assistant to paint the legs.
This is one of my favorite things about chalk painting. My granddaughter always wants to help, and I don't have to say 'no.' The paint won’t hurt her, and she actually does a better job of painting in cross-hatch strokes than most adults!
Finally, I waxed the entire piece with BB Frösch Clear Premium Finishing Wax.
Fun fact: apparently, IKEA knows their bookcases are a little boring, so they pre-drill them for legs to be screwed in! This made attaching the legs a lot easier than I had anticipated.
With a little help from Blaire, my new bookcase looks a million times better than it did in the back of the IKEA clearance center!
The simple and classic designs of the IKEA Besta cabinet make it a piece that many have incorporated into their homes. Whether its being used as a TV stand in the living, or in the bedroom for storage, the Besta cabinet has proven to be extremely versatile. However, you might want to upgrade this simplistic design and give it a custom look.
A great example of hacking the IKEA Besta comes from our customer Emily.
(Photo credit: Emily)
She bought the Eleanor cabinet fronts in our DIY option and then painted the fronts black. She added some final touches with our Sara brass legs, Ingrid brass pulls, and a new top. The contrast between the black cabinet fronts and the marble top makes the piece feel more formal.
Heres how to hack your IKEA Besta Cabinet.
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1.Painting
Painting the IKEA Besta cabinet lets you be as simple or as creative as you'd like. With painting, there are so many different design options and colors to choose from, it's easy to find something that matches your room and your style.
Another way to hack by painting is to have different colored front panels. You can create an ombre effect by getting different colored panels that are in the same shade range or make it look retro by having one-panel pop out against the other two. There are so many different looks and styles you can create by changing the color of one or two of your cabinet fronts.
(Photo credit: Sugar and Cloth)
Stencils can be used over previously painted or original cabinet fronts. Just tape your desired stencil to the panel and paint away. This is a great way to personalize your own patterns for your furniture as well.
(Photo credit: IKEA Hackers)
Before you start painting away, here are some helpful tips:
- The primer you used must match the type of paint you are using. A latex-based or oil-based paint is best to use when painting furniture.
- Paint the cabinet fronts before you assemble your Besta Cabinet. Let it dry completely before assembly to avoid smudging and chipping.
- Using spray paint could be easier than traditional brush and roller painting methods. This type of paint can reduce damage to the paint when assembling.
2. Switching out the legs
Children's Paint Brushes
Changing or adding legs to your cabinet can elevate both the style and the height. Having a brass or chrome finish on the legs adds glamour and sophistication without taking away from the rest of the cabinet. It is a subtle way to hack your Besta.
(Photo credit: Norse Interiors)
If you purchase our Sara legs in brass or chrome, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- When switching out the legs, you have to drill holes into the bottom of the cabinet before putting the screw in.
- To best install the screws, when drilling place a piece of plywood against the bottom part you are drilling through. This will keep the cabinet part sturdy and prevent it from any damage.
Ikea Paint Brushes
3. A different top
A different top can make all the difference when hacking your Besta. There are so many options to choose from such as marble, glass, wood, and even concrete. Each type of top brings a different feel to the piece, so you can easily find one that fits the style that you are going for.
(Photo credit: Norse Interiors)
When adding a new top, no matter what material, use industrial-strength adhesive tape for the best result.
4. Lower Besta cabinets
If you have a Besta that sits on the floor you can make a foyer bench. It's a great way to fill up empty space with something that has more than one use. On the top, you can have pillows and other decors, and in the cabinets, you can have storage for shoes, gloves, hats, and more.
(Photo credit: Shelterness)
A similar idea, you can turn the Besta into a day bed. Add a cushion that covers the length of the cabinet, throw on some pillows and a blanket, and you have a place you can relax in all day. For the storage units, you can hold books, extra pillows, and anything else you would use to get cozy.
(Photo credit: Apartment Apothecary)
5. Open space storage
You can use open space as a way to show off certain decor. Not all the cabinets have to be open so you can still use the Besta for regular storage as well.
(Photo credit: Shelterness )
If you have a Besta that has legs to make it taller you can use the open space to create a desk. This hack can save a lot of space and with all the storage it will be easy to keep your desk decluttered.
(Photo credit: Home My Design)
6. Closet space
You can create the walk-in closet of your dreams by adding the Besta inside. You can display your shoes and accessories on the top shelf. The cabinet space will be great to hold folded jeans and sweaters (and maybe some regrettable impulse buys.)
(Photo credit: Today Is Magazine)
7. Replace the doors
Replace the doors on an old Besta sideboard to give it an entirely new look. The cane doors also transmit sound and signal, which is great if you want to hide your cable box and/or router for instance.
(Photo credit: Norse Interiors cane doors)
You might also like 13 Best IKEA Besta Makeovers