We purchased these inexpensive IKEA Rast nightstands several months ago and I kept going back and forth between wanting to paint and wanting to stain them. I actually really like the original raw, pine wood but love a pretty stained piece as well.
After deciding to paint our planked headboard black earlier this year (headboard paint color is "Noir" by Valspar), I finally committed to staining the nightstands.
If you've spent any amount of time browsing IKEA Hacks on Pinterest, I'm sure you've seen TONS of great ways to customize this basic chest of drawers. I chose to keep ours relatively simple with a warm wax stain and modern, black hardware.
SUPPLIES
(3) Drawer Pulls
(6) Machine Screws *The screws included with the handles would not accommodate the width of the drawers plus the added width of the wood backing.
(3) 3/8 in. x 2 in. Common Boards — cut to 12 in. each
You will also need a brush and/or cloth for applying the stain, a power drill and screwdriver for installing the hardware, plus a tape measure, small level and a pencil to mark the positioning of the new hardware and wood backing pieces.
STEPS
1. | Because our chests were already assembled, I simply removed the existing hardware and drawers and added one coat of wax stain to all visible wood surfaces. (If purchasing the chests new, I would recommend staining prior to assembly.)
2. | Cut (3) common boards to 12 inches each. Lightly sand and paint black.
3. | Using a tape measure and small level, mark each drawer at the desired position for the wood backing pieces. They should be positioned approx. 3 in. from the top of each drawer and 5 1/2 in. from each side. We chose to nail the wood pieces in place to prevent them from moving while drilling holes for the hardware, but you could also secure them using wood glue and clamps.
4. | Measure and mark holes for the hardware. They should be positioned approx. 3/4 in. from the top of each wood backing piece and 1 1/8 in. from each side.
5. | Drill each hole and install the new hardware.
I love the minimal design of the original chest, but the added warm wood tone and modern, black hardware allowed us to create a more custom look that blends perfectly with the current aesthetic of our home.
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