Before & After: A Very Basic IKEA Shelf Gets a Very Mod Upgrade
Krys was ready to upgrade her bar cart situation and was on the hunt for something bigger and better. She found this unit (above) at IKEA but thought it was a bit unforgettable. However, the price was right so she decided to get creative and transform it into the swinging ’60s-inspired bar cart of her dreams.
From Krys: I needed something bigger than the bar cart I had been using and decided to look for a cabinet instead and make a sort of cocktail corner in my living room. I saw the VALJE shelf unit at IKEA and the measurements were perfect, but it was too plain for the space.
The process only took a few minutes longer than it takes to put together an IKEA bookcase. I was done with the entire project in less than two hours. The shelf unit cost $100, and the paint cost about $20 total.
I love the way the colored cubbies tie together the colors of my living room and highlight my vintage glassware collection. Everything is right there and ready to use. I don’t think I would do anything differently.
Krys’s words of wisdom: It’s much easier to paint the backboard piece before you put together the unit. Just park a line where the vertical dividers hit and paint inside the squares.
Resource list:
- VALJE Shelf Unit
- Latex paint in 3 colors, sample sizes from Lowe’s
- Gold spray paint
Thank you so much, Krys! You can see more on Krys’s blog, Melodrama
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