Why settle for a plain dresser when you could unlock its full potential with a few clever IKEA dresser hacks?
From a chic kitchen island, a statement credenza, or even mega-sized storage that feels custom-built, these inexpensive DIY projects will help your dresser go from basic to brilliant.
These projects run the gamut—from quick weekend refreshes to more ambitious DIYs. So whether you’re a minimalist craving clean lines or a maximalist chasing personality-packed details, you’ll find a hack here that makes your dresser not just useful, but unforgettable.
IKEA MALM dresser hacks
Over the years, the IKEA MALM dresser has become a design classic and a go-to storage solution.
In some markets, the MALM is reissued as the STORKLINTA. No worries, it carries the same clean-lined versatility that made the MALM a household favorite. And the best part? All those brilliant MALM hacks you’ve seen (and loved) work just as well on the STORKLINTA.
Rattan upgrade for dresser
Many people find the basic lines and minimal detail of the MALM dresser perfect as-is, while others see it as an ideal blank canvas. Jenn chose the latter, giving the simple look of the MALM dresser a warm, inviting facelift with new rattan drawer fronts. Trimming out the drawers with pine strips adds a more polished look, and adding legs elevates (literally) the style. The perfect finishing touch? Sleek, black handles.
Wavy loft bed hack
Extra storage is a big plus when it comes to kids’ rooms. Any way you can make it easier to keep things tidy is a win, right? Loft beds are a popular solution to add space to children’s bedrooms. Aude’s MALM chest of drawers hack transforms it into a creative loft bed, full of storage and sporting a cool, wavy design.
From dresser to kitchen island
Have you ever thought about turning a dresser into a kitchen island? When you think about it, it makes sense. After all, kitchens need lots of storage, and dressers provide ample room to stow things. Sumi and Matty turned a MALM dresser into a stylish, functional island, complete with side shelves and a stunning butcher block countertop.
Bobbin-inspired furniture
This is the perfect MALM dresser upgrade. All you need are basic painting materials, wood glue, and an unexpected craft item (wooden doll heads purchased in bulk), to transform IKEA MALM dressers into a stylish and unique bobbin furniture inspired dresser.
Mirrored island hack for walk-in closet
Kitchens are not the only room that benefits from an island. A dresser island is just as useful in a walk-in closet or bedroom. And you can hack it out of two 6-drawer MALM chests placed back-to-back. And the highlight of this MALM dresser hack — a mirrored top for a touch of Hollywood glam. See the mirrored MALM dresser island.
Super long 9-drawer IKEA dresser hack
Add storage space to your room by installing a row of chests. Or two. Or three. Wrap them in plywood, and no one would know that they started life as two separate 6-drawer and 3-drawer chests in different colors. A lick of paint and stain can do wonders. Finish with copper pulls, and voilà! Have fun organizing all that extra storage space. See the IKEA MALM hack.
Hide your laundry basket in a MALM
Struggling to find a place for your laundry basket? Why not disguise it in your furniture? It takes a bit of hacking, but you can tweak a MALM frame into a laundry basket. See laundry basket IKEA chest of drawers hack.
IKEA Dresser makeover with vinyl decals
Do you have an old white MALM dresser that is looking a little yellowed and scratched up? Vinyl stickers or contact paper are the easiest way to give the blank canvas a quick but impactful makeover. Pick a pattern (and there are so many to choose from to suit your home decor) that you like, peel and stick away.
For continuous patterns, don’t forget to include the rung between drawer fronts when cutting your pieces. And be careful to ensure they match up. See the vinyl-wrapped MALM dresser DIY.
Add a pull-out shelf/desk
A fantastic hack for small space living. It took a bit of creativity, but Otis figured out how to add a pull-out desk into the MALM dresser itself. This pull-out laptop table slots between the top two drawers, which is the perfect height (approx 74cm) for a desk. The best thing is that it does not compromise the structural integrity or any of the drawers, and you can still use them as they are meant to. See the MALM dresser pull-out laptop desk.
IKEA HEMNES dresser hacks
The HEMNES range is one of the most beloved collections in IKEA. When getting the HEMNES chest of drawers, do note that it comes in two versions: one made from solid wood with a stained finish. And the other cheaper version is made from particleboard. So do check the details before buying.
Bobbin trim upgrade
Emma completely transformed the popular IKEA HEMNES dresser using plenty of elbow grease, patience, and a stylish trim technique. She wanted to update her bedroom furniture, but buying new pieces wasn’t an option, so she reimagined her existing dresser.
She spent 14 hours (told you she was patient) scraping and stripping the white acrylic finish to reapply a warm, rich stain. Next, she added a recessed bobbin trim around the drawers, giving the piece a modern country look that’s elegant and upscale.
DIY IKEA Dresser kitchen peninsula
Bridgee converted her chipped, worn-out HEMNES sideboard into a gorgeous kitchen peninsula using paint, varnish, and a new countertop. She said the varnish is key since you’re using the piece in a wet area. After painting and sealing, she installed the wooden countertop, making it overhang more on one side, then put her new peninsula into position.
Stunning bathroom vanity
Give your HEMNES cabinet a glow-up for the bathroom using a wooden slab and a unique sink. In this case, Regina added a warm, wood top to the HEMNES sink cabinet and finished everything off with a stone basin. The overall look is modern, warm, and definitely a conversation starter, creating the perfect bathroom vanity.
Fluted dresser without the heavy lifting
Do you love the fluted dresser trend but are not keen on using power tools? Well, this one from Erika doesn’t need them (except to drill the holes for the knobs). It’s very easy and looks fabulous, too. See the fluted dresser tutorial.
She recently made another with the KNOPPANG dresser. What an upgrade! It’s a sure-fire way to make an IKEA dresser look expensive.
IKEA Drawer hack in MCM style
The advantage of solid wood is that you can sand down the IKEA finish and restain it in any way you like. With the combination of brass pulls, white drawer fronts, against an inky blue wall, the HEMNES looks decidedly “vintage”. Read more on the MCM HEMNES dresser hack.
IKEA chest of drawers in plywood and leather
Marlene goes a different route for the HEMNES, choosing a simpler vibe for the nursery. Scoring a second-hand HEMNES chest of 8 drawers, she reassembled the top row of drawers with plywood fronts and finished them with leather pulls.
IKEA TARVA dresser hacks
The IKEA TARVA range is a prime example of the no-nonsense furniture style from IKEA. Solid pine, hefty looking with clean, minimal style. In short, they are perfect for IKEA hacking.
Checkerboard dresser transformation
Famelly gives the basic and unassuming TARVA dresser a luxe and sophisticated upgrade with an interesting application. She turned the top drawers into a work of art using wooden squares to create a checkerboard pattern. To finish things off, she added pole wrap panels to the other drawers, giving the entire dresser a brand new look.
MCM IKEA dresser upgrade
Mid-century modern design is a popular style that has certainly withstood the test of time. It’s just as popular today, if not more so, than it was when it first came about in the middle of the 20th century.
However, that popularity often comes with a higher price tag. Therefore, instead of buying a new mid-century piece, Alexis upcycled a TARVA dresser using paint, stain, and new hardware to give it the retro look she wanted.
West Elm-inspired dresser hack
Her inspiration piece is a classy unit from West Elm called Gemini. The distinctive feature of the Gemini unit is the routed circular overlays. They function as a design detail as well as drawer pulls. Here’s how you can hack a dupe.
Trim the legs, transform the TARVA
Did I mention the TARVA looked hefty? Not anymore with these trimmed, angled legs. Stain it to highlight its new sexiness. See how the trimmed TARVA legs are done.
IKEA RAST dresser hacks
The IKEA RAST chest is one of the most affordable dressers at IKEA. At $49.99, you can’t beat the price for a solid pine chest, which is probably why it’s a hacker favorite. However, IKEA seems to be discontinuing the RAST range, so get it before it’s gone. Browse our dedicated page for RAST hacks and get moving.
Architectural filing cabinet
Maxime gave her IKEA RAST dresser a vintage vibe with a DIY makeover inspired by architectural filing cabinets. She created false drawer faces that made it look like the dresser had six drawers instead of three and lined the bottoms with wallpaper. Brass pulls and labels from Amazon completed the look, along with a walnut wood stain and glossy lacquer.
From IKEA 3-drawer dresser to nightstand hack
Transform an IKEA RAST dresser to serve as a bedside table in your bedroom. Check out the above transformation from plain pine to this beautiful nightstand with warm, weathered wood themes. See the IKEA RAST driftwood nightstand.
TV stand and storage
Think your space is too tiny for extra storage? Think again. The IKEA RAST may be compact—just a foot deep and a little over two feet wide—but that’s exactly what makes it small-space magic.
Line up a few together, and suddenly you’ve got a custom console storage furniture that not only fits but actually makes your room feel bigger. Case in point: this clever RAST storage TV stand hack.
IKEA RAST freestanding wardrobe hack
Carmona transformed two IKEA RAST dressers and some melamine boards into a DIY custom wardrobe for under $200. This IKEA drawer hack simply works.
Pop art dresser
The plain RAST is a candidate for art. Shelley wanted to create a colorful piece and something others would enjoy. Tupac’s iconic image came through beautifully in this. See the details of the pop art dresser.
Black IKEA dresser you’ve always wanted
Kelby says, “Sometimes all you need is a little added texture, some paint, and new knobs!” And the RAST chest never looked better.
Which is your favorite IKEA dresser hack? Let us know in the comments below.
Got IKEA dresser hacks of your own? We want to see it! Submit your project here or tag us on Instagram @ikeahackersofficial.