Cut shapes out of contact paper and stick them on your side table to give it a modern look. Learn the steps here. Add brass corners ($9 for a set of eight from Amazon) to a coffee table. This IKEA LACK table ($10) looks fancy. Put leather pulls on your dresser. Get the directions here. Use adhesive-backed wooden strips, called StikWood, to upgrade a headboard. At about $14 per square foot, you can DIY small projects with zero carpentry skills. Just paint the outside. Leave the drawers unpainted for a cool contrast. Learn more about it here. Or you can paint the bottom. Get more info here. Spray paint it gold. The ultimate IKEA hack: Gilding the Vittsjo shelf ($80). Get the tutorial here. And don’t forget about spray painting hardware. These IKEA EKBY brackets ($22.99) are looking mighty fine. And yes, you can even spray paint cushions. Works for sun-faded cushions, as well. Get the directions here.
If you want a quick transformation, replace furniture legs. Pretty Pegs makes custom legs for IKEA couches. Get the tutorial here. This bookshelf was turned on its side before the legs were attached to make a mid-century console. Try it with the IKEA Expedit (now the Kallax, $59.99). Get the steps here. If you don’t want to break a sweat adding legs, you can just prop it up. Bed risers ($11 at Target) are your friend. Get the DIY here. Cover a table with marble contact paper. Get contact paper here for $13. And click for more info. Or you can use a pretty wallpaper. You can use wallpaper to upgrade an old chair, too. And get it to stick with Mod Podge ($11). Paint on colorful splotches. Or you can apply painter’s tape before spray painting for a striped pattern. Such an easy way to transform an IKEA SELJE nighstand ($30). Paint frame mats to add color to cool typography prints. Keep it cheap and use IKEA RIBBA frames ($10 each).
Wrap three-ply jute twine around your pendant light cord for a rustic look. Get the twine on Amazon for $3. Get more info here. Replace drawer pulls with library card catalog hardware. Buy them here for $2 each. Cover a dresser with O’verlays ($39 for 3 panels). O’verlays are decorative fretwork panels that come in different patterns and sizes—there’s even a collection to fit IKEA’s most popular pieces. For more info, click here. Or just add some colorful decals. Check out cute scalloped decals here ($27). And get the DIY here. And lastly, you can just scribble on words with a permanent marker. Want awesome DIY tips in your inbox three times a week? Sign up for the BuzzFeed DIY newsletter!We've reported it to the team. Step 1: Prep the DresserUnfortunately, our only good "before" shot is partially obscured by our ridiculous (and useful!) jumpsuits. But rest assured, it's an unfinished six-drawer dresser. To prep furniture, use 100-grit sandpaper to even out the surface.
Gloria wanted a whitewashed look, with the wood grain showing partially through, so we did not prime. If you're traditionally painting a piece, apply one coat of a low-VOC stain-blocking primer and let dry fully. Step 2: Water Down PaintFor a whitewashed effect, thin down latex (water-based) white paint with water; about 2 parts paint to 1 part water.We checked out the paint's consistency on a piece of scrap wood. The first time it was a little too thin, so we added more paint. Step 4: Roll on PaintOnce you get the consistency to your liking, use a small dense foam roller to roll the thinned-down paint onto the dresser. (A paintbrush would work well, too.) Step 5: Remove PaintQuickly use a sponge to wipe the paint off in the direction of the wood grain. (Despite the photo, we eventually found it easier if you paint the entire length of your surface and wipe off that entire strip, rather than do short chunks.) Step 6: EvaluateLet the first coat dry. If you like the finish, great.
We found we needed to do the entire process one more time to get the look we were trying to achieve. Step 7: Remove DrawersWe painted the top and sides first, then removed the drawers to finish separately. Step 8: Add Protective FinishOnce the paint is fully dry—which didn't take long since the coats are very thin—add a finishing coat to protect the paint from chips and stains. We recommend Minwax Water-Based Polycrylic Protective Finish in Clear Gloss. (Please notice we were overly ambitious and also painted a TV tray.)When the protective finish is dry, add back your drawers, hardware, and clothes—and admire. Have you made over a piece of furniture? Photos by Gloria Dawson-----Plus:More products, decorating trends, and design inspiration we've gotta tell you about »How to pick the right paint finish for any project »Another awesome dresser makeover »compact furniture designs from a mini "plug-in" kitchen to a new-look spiral staircase Ingenious ways to maximise space in small places, from a mini "plug-in" kitchen to a new-look spiral staircase...
Thursday 8 September 2016 15:34 BST Big ideas for small spaces Britain has the smallest homes in Europe - an average of 85 square metres - according to Swedish furniture giant Ikea. Coming soon to the superstore is a mini kitchen with worktop and sink for £99, plus fridge, £69, and a plug-in portable induction hob (£35) that you can hang up on the wall. During London Design Festival this month, you can experience the tiny home designed by Nina Tolstrup and her partner Jack Mama of Studiomama, pictured below. It’s only 14 square metres — about 150sq ft — and fits into a north London conversion that the couple rent out. Viaduct director James Mair is recreating the elements of the compact home on the mezzanine at Viaduct contemporary furniture and lighting store in Summers Street, EC1. It offers a decent bed, good storage, comfortable lounging, a workspace, a sitting/dining area, plus cooking and shower facilities. Says Mair: “Here is an elegant solution for a tiny central London building.”