We took this standard issue, black and white IKEA Besta cabinet configuration and gave it that proverbial pop of color, not with paint but with an assortment of vinyl electrical tapes. The process was tedious — involving a bit more work than we imagined. Isn't that how all DIY's go? The results, however, are something we're particularly proud of.
My style is evolving as I write for Apartment Therapy. Before coming on board, I was a proponent of the ultra modern and the super sleek, which the first iteration of our Besta cabinets install reflected very well. I think this style choice was partly due to myself growing up in a country-styled home that my Mom decorated with pictures, flowers, ducks, and all sorts of glassware in every corner. For whatever reason, I never appreciated that look and always viewed those pieces as unnecessary clutter, which steered my aesthetic away from it as far as possible.
Now that I've been reading and touring homes for Apartment Therapy, I'm starting to see things more open-mindedly. I see how a wall of pictures can tell a story, how a row of ceramic ducks can be fun, and how flowers and plants can really liven up a space. I'm starting to appreciate other design styles, even my Mother's, as I now see how all those details turn a space into a comfortable home with personality - something my previous living room motif didn't really have much of.
With this new appreciation toward such decorative elements, it seemed fitting to dial back the techno-modern a bit and infuse some much-needed color into the space. I looked at contact paper and Panyl, and myKea options, but nothing really grabbed me. I wanted bold bright green tones I couldn't find anywhere, and realized this project was going to have to go the full-custom DIY route.
We used photoshop to draft up the design. Then used self-adhesive lime green vinyl sheets for a base (from Metro Restyling) and two types of vinyl electrical tape (from Identitape) for the stripes.
After removing all the doors from the cabinets the vinyl sheets were applied using a t-square as a squeegee — it was helpful to use a straight-edge that spanned the width of the doors. The doors were then put back onto the cabinets and the tape carefully applied across all the cabinets - one long row at a time. This whole project took the better part of an afternoon, but we love how it pulled everything together and made the space that much more fun and personal.
See the first part of the transformation here: Before & After: Bachelor Pad Drab to Penthouse Fab
Read more details on the installation process: House.0
(Images: Chris Perez)
The Ultimate Used Furniture Cleaning Kit
Ana Creates a Community at Home
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Z2 iPod Dock and Wi...
Soda Recipe: Homemade Ginger Ale
Recipe: Spring Fruit and Nut Tabouli
It really brightened the space and made it look more friendly and open. Love that color of green. I'm impressed that you got all those lines so straight in one afternoon...that wasn't easy!
I like the transformation, but I can't help but notice that the before picture is in black and white... Not a very good basis for judgment.
It's a great change! I love pops of color. Reading this post came through at a perfect time as I just came to the realization yesterday that I have been drawn to modern, sleek, clean and monochromatic designs in my home because my childhood home was filled with dark antiques crammed into small spaces with patterned oriental rugs. I wanted to create a clean, airy space, but after living in that space for a few years, I have come to appreciate the plants, the patterned rugs (if only to hid the dirt!) and conglomeration of pictures and pieces to make a truly uniquely styled home.
Thanks for your post, and wonderful job on that update!
Great hack. I love the warmth that the green brings to the space, without compromising the sleek modernity.
This seems like an emerging trend to me - really spare, sleek modern lines with elements that reference nature - like the green and the plant. Other places I've seen rustic woods, over-sized florals etc. At least, I feel like I'm seeing this more than I used to.
Agreed with Alikaye
I would have preferred if the speakers were white.. I agree with Alikaye, the first photo should not have been converted to black and white. Was the floor so colourful that you wanted it to read as grey? Also, Besta doors are now available in turquoise, green and lilac for anyone else looking to add quick colour.
I like the change but it's misleading since the first picture was taken in black and white. Seems like it was done to give the "after" more of an impact. Do we really need those kind of tricks to make a place more impressive?
That green is fantastic! It makes the space much more cheery and fun. What patience you must have to add all those stripes.
As for the before picture, I don't understand the complaints about it. With the exception of the floor, the room was black and white anyway (stated in the title), and the previous post on this room is linked to this one.
It looked better before that is green is toooooooo much. I also think if you get better looking speakers it would make a big change. Keep the plant it looks great.
technicolor?
YOU PUT LIFE IN THIS ROOM, IS AMAZING HOW THE MIND FEELS WHEN IT LOOKS IT.
CONGRATS.
I like the KEF speakers.
I guess if by "technicolor" you mean adding one color and removing the b&w effect you applied in photoshop, then yeah. I mean, it looks fine, but the title wwwway oversells this.
Just enough color!
Boy, people here are fussy. Every article must, of COURSE, have several perfectly taken photographs (only in color, naturally) the the EXACT same viewpoints, from beginning to end of every project shown. If you happen the realize AFTER you finish that people might be interested in the change, don't even THINK about posting if you failed in the critical documentation step! Geez, people, maybe work with what you are given to consider the project... you aren't being asked to judge a contest here, exact parallels are not mandatory.
I think it looks fantastic! (I wonder about the use of so much white for glare in a home theater, though. Does it interfere with viewing at all?) (My partner's home theater is dark red with a black ceiling, but we have a projection TV, so maybe that makes the difference?)
Sometimes I read AT to just enjoy the nit-picking comments. They can turn out to be more entertaining than the original post.
Have fun watching a movie with a giant green stripe in your peripheral.
It turned out great! I love how that touch of color brings the whole room alive and makes it more liveable. The plant and bar are also great. The color would probably be too much for me personally, but that doesn't mean it won't work for you. :)
The comments are very entertaining... although sometimes I wonder if people would throw such a stink about little things like angles and coloring if they couldn't hide behind the mask of anonymity.
I'm a sucker for that color green, but I really don't like that much, that intensely in the room. One stripe might have done the trick for me.
Good point on painting the speakers white. And those chairs hardly look comfortable for watching a movie.
Oooh. Now it is cold AND green.
Agree that first photo should have been in color. Love the redo! Also...white speakers would make it even better. Nice job!
I can't imagine what the afterimage of the green stripe is going to do to the skin tones of people on the TV screen. And the chairs do look extra-uncomfortable. But if these cabinets were over a desk, I would be all in favor. I like that the finished effect resembles a mod synthetic version of malachite. And if one must decorate with tape, way up high is the perfect spot for it -- less scuffing and less chance of lint accumulating on the edges.
I think adding that big plant and the booze on the other side helped a lot more than all that sticky green paper and tape.
Looks good. I like that green and the stripes. But I did like the vases on the right side rather than the booze. The speakers, by the way, seem out of place. Square speakers would've worked better, in my opinion.
Medusa12120, did you even read any of the other comments?
What I've learned from this post is to always store booze within reach of the couch. And I have a new drinking game from how many times someone pointed out the first photo was B&W. Thanks Chris!
the green is gorgeous! wish we could see the before in color, tho.
Hi! It looks amazing! Were the vinyl sheets difficult to apply to the Besta pieces? Is there any prep that needs to be done prior to application?
Thanks for sharing this!!!