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    Home » DIY Projects

    Easy Dresser Makeover with Paint, Transfers and Hairpin Legs

    August 21, 2019 by Patti Estep 6 Comments

    Blue 3 drawer wooden chest with vintage decals and black 8 inch hairpin legs
    Blue 3 drawer wooden chest with vintage decals and hairpin legs

    Here's an easy dresser makeover transforming a basic IKEA Rast. Perfect for adding more storage in my dining room while creating a stand out feature furniture piece in our home.

    Decorated dresser with botanical print drawer fronts and hairpin legs.

    When I started blogging I noticed many of my fellow bloggers creating fantastic furniture pieces from a very basic IKEA Dresser called Rast. This 3 drawer chest or dresser is only $39 and comes all together in one box for you to build.

    Basic 3 drawer dresser painted blue

    IKEA Rast Dresser Makeover

    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.

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    The first thing I did was paint the dresser. Choosing the color was really hard.  After hours of looking, I ended up with this Vintage Duck Egg Blue from Dixie Belle Paints. At first, I thought it was too green but once I painted the entire piece it looked a lot bluer and I loved it. 

    I used two coats of paint and once it was dry I finished it with some of Amy Howard's Mind Your Own Beeswax.

    Transfer botanical fruit pattern on drawer

    Next, I used a rub-on transfer also from Dixie Belle 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.

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

    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.

    Hairpin legs on dresser

    Lastly, I really 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 really 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 really think it would look good in any room at our house.

    However, I really like the way it looks in the dining room.  Now it's time to fill it up. 

    Patti signature

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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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