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    Home » DIY Projects

    DIY Dresser Makeover

    by Patti Estep · May 6, 2025

    IKEA RAST painted blue with botanical transfer print and metal hairpin legs.
    Blue chest with botanical print on the face over a close up of the hairpin legs.

    This DIY dresser makeover transforms a basic IKEA Rast. Perfect for adding more storage in my dining room while creating a stunning feature furniture piece in our home.

    IKEA Rast makeover with hairpin legs and botanical decals.

    Have you ever noticed DIYers making fantastic creations with the very basic IKEA Dresser called RAST? This 3-drawer chest or wood dresser is only $49 and comes all together in one box for you to build.

    It's a pretty reasonable price, but you could also find a similar chest of drawers and perhaps one that's cheaper at yard sales or estate sales. However, you still may want to sand down the finish, paint them, and update the old hardware for a more modern look.

    We really needed more storage in our dining room, and I feel like we have space for a nice chest or dresser. Why not use the RAST and create something pretty and functional?

    This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there’s no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

    Basic 3 drawer dresser painted blue

    IKEA RAST Dresser Makeover

    Start by Painting the Wood

    The first thing I did after putting the dresser together was to give it a beautiful coat of paint. Choosing the color was difficult.  After hours of looking, I ended up with this Vintage Duck Egg Blue from Dixie Belle Paints. It's a chalk paint that doesn't require using a primer first.

    At first, I thought it was too green, but once I painted the entire piece, it looked a lot bluer, and I loved it. 

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    I used two coats of paint. Once it was dry, I used some of Amy Howard's Mind Your Own Beeswax as a sealer.

    Transfer botanical fruit pattern on drawer

    Add a Rub On Transfer to the Front

    Next, I used a rub-on transfer also from Etsy called Sweet Apricot Transfer. I do love a botanical print, and this did not disappoint.

    As you can see, the transfer is a little too big for the drawers, so I cut it into sections with a paper cutter. This way, I could position the prints exactly where I wanted them. You could also use wallpaper sections or a wallpaper border here.

    Upcycled blue chest of drawers with vintage fruit decals on the front.

    Adding New Hardware

    The IKEA Rast comes with tiny basic wooden drawer pulls, but I had to replace them with something a little prettier. I used these antique looking cream drawer knobs from Hobby Lobby. It's amazing how much a little new hardware adds to the look.

    Hairpin legs on dresser

    Add Height with Hairpin Legs

    Lastly, I felt like this dresser needed some height, so I ordered four 8" hairpin legs online.

    However, there was a problem. The legs needed a base to screw into which the Rast doesn't have. So I bought a piece of wood at Home Depot and had my husband cut it down to fit. We used a few finishing nails to tack it to the bottom. Then I painted it with the same blue paint.

    This allowed the legs to be screwed to the bottom, and I think they add a lot to the overall look of the piece.

    Three drawer chest painted blue and decorated with botanical decals next to a china cabinet

    I'm super happy with the way this dresser makeover turned out.

    I think it would look good in our living room or any room in our house. However, it does seem like the perfect piece for our dining room.  Now it's time to fill it up. 

    Patti signature

    More Furniture Ideas

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    A three drawer chest painted blue with a botanical fruit transfer and hairpin legs.
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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Danhy Clermont

      December 31, 2019 at 6:18 pm

      Hi there, did you use 16" hairpin legs?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        January 01, 2020 at 7:26 am

        Danhy, I'm sorry I ordered the 8 inch hairpin legs, not 16. I don't know why it was highlighting 16 inches but I think I fixed it. Thanks for letting me know.

        Reply
    2. Maria

      August 30, 2019 at 1:03 am

      patti, this dresser makeover is lovely and I'm going to do one too! can you give me a bit more info about the wood on the bottom to attach the hairpin legs? one piece to fit the bottom of the dresser, or 1 piece on each side? how thick? thanks so much.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 30, 2019 at 7:08 am

        Maria, I went to Home Depot and bought a piece to fit the entire bottom. I was a 1" x 12' x 36" piece of pine which was a little longer so we cut it down to fit. However, you can ask them at the store to cut it for you. Also, when they say 12" at the store you are really getting 11 1/4 " so while the front is flush the back is a little under. You could by something bigger an have it cut down to fit exactly.

        Reply
    3. Barbara Warner

      August 21, 2019 at 7:38 am

      What a beauty! It's a radical improvement on its original look. I love hairpin legs and the transfers are stunning. This is a gorgeous dresser.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 21, 2019 at 7:44 am

        Thanks Barbara. I'm so happy with the way it turned out and have already put it to good use.

        Reply

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    IKEA RAST painted blue with botanical transfer print and metal hairpin legs.
    Blue chest with botanical print on the face over a close up of the hairpin legs.
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    I'm Patti

    Join me to create lots of fun DIY projects, including crafts, gardening, home decor, and tasty recipes

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    IKEA RAST painted blue with botanical transfer print and metal hairpin legs.
    Blue chest with botanical print on the face over a close up of the hairpin legs.

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