A Secondhand IKEA MALM Dresser Got a Brand New Look for Under $100
The great thing about IKEA furniture? Even if you’re not located near an IKEA store for a shopping trip, you’re likely to find a number of pieces secondhand that are ready for a second life. That’s how Chi GB-Dumaka (@thegbresidence) found her IKEA MALM dresser (similar to IKEA’s STORKLINTA dresser), which she scooped up for a very reasonable £55 on Facebook Marketplace.
The Dresser Was in Solid Shape, but Needed a Little Character
While the used dresser was still in solid shape, Chi didn’t feel like the dark black-brown color went with the rest of her home decor. Plus, with its basic flat front drawers, the dresser looked a little plain. “I wanted to add a little more character to it,” Chi says.
Half-Round Wood Molding, Glue, and White Paint
“The process was pretty simple!” Chi says of her project, which still yielded impressive results. To start, she lightly sanded the dresser to prep it. Then, she cut half-round wood molding to size with a hand saw before attaching it to the drawer fronts with Gorilla Glue. Once the glue had dried, Chi painted over the whole dresser with white paint. In total, it cost just £70, or about $94.
Carefully and Directly Place the Glue
While Chi says the glue method was a super-easy way to pull this project off, she also notes that any glue that squeezed out on the edges was tough to clean up once dry. “If I were to do this project again, I would be a lot more careful and precise when applying the glue,” she says.
A Brand-New Look for Under $100
Though the project was easy, the dresser now looks totally different — and much more in line with the lighter tones and colors Chi uses throughout her home. “I love that the dresser looks a little more expensive now,” she says. “I am proud of the fact I sourced and completed this project myself!”
Inspired? Submit your own project here.
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