DIY

(Anthropologie Inspired) IKEA Rast Dresser Hack

Anthro Inspired Ikea Rast Hack

Anthropologie knock off

Pittsburgh Paints & Stains and Hickory Hardware are sponsoring a blogger competition that I’m excited to be participating in.  Each blogger was sent an IKEA Rast Dresser and asked to give it a makeover.

*You can see all nine hacks HERE, and you can quickly vote (via Facebook) for your favorite.  There are so many creative transformations!  If you love my makeover, I would love your vote!  Thanks SO much!

IKEA Rast Dresser

The IKEA Rast is a small, basic dresser.  Like all things from IKEA, it required assembly.  My son helped me assemble the dresser, and I was dreaming of what it would become.

Putting dresser together copy

Below is my inspiration and vision for the dresser:

Screen Shot 2015-07-14 at 7.50.19 PM

This is the Mirelle Three-Drawer Dresser from Anthropologie.  It’s BEAUTIFUL, but it’s $1700!  I was determined to get the look of this luxury piece by giving my Rast dresser a makeover.

Here’s my supply list:

Once the dresser was put together, I took the drawers to a glass company (special thanks to Delaware Glass & Mirror in Muncie, Indiana!) where they cut mirrors for the drawer fronts.

Adding Mirrors to drawers

Then I picked up the rest of my supplies from my local Menards.

Trim Pieces

I started with several decorative trim pieces.  I used the 3/8″ x 3/4″ Embossed Hardwood Moulding with Ovals Pattern on the top and bottom of the dresser for decorative accents.  I put the two KOK Woodgoods 46″ Long Oak Corner Guards on the front corners.  They were extra long, so I measured and cut them to size.

Adding corner pieces

I used wood glue to attach all the trim.  I added a few finish nails to the corner trim pieces.

Adding Trim to Dresser

The trim pieces were all clamped and left overnight to dry.

Clamping Pieces

The next day, the legs were added.  The legs were made out of (4) Colonial Elegance® Country 1-5/8″ x 1-5/8″ x 7-1/2″ Hemlock Stair Divider Baluster.

Legs Before

The block at the top and bottom was removed.

Cutting Legs

These are such an inexpensive leg solution!

Legs After

They were added using (4) Colonial Elegance® Metal Stair Baluster Fasteners.

Adding Legs

The top of the dresser is not ver pretty, and it needed to be special.

Dresser needing top

For the top, a piece of wood was cut to size.

Pine Top

Wood glue was added to the top of the dresser.

Glue on Top

And a few holes were predrilled to the wood top.

Drill Holes

Then the top was attached using glue and nails.

IKEA Dresser Top

The corners were so sharp, and I sanded the top and sides and rounded out the two front corners.

Sanding Dresser

My dresser was starting to look pretty fancy…

IKEA Dresser Hack

I bought two quarts of Pittsburgh Paints & Stains Trim, Door & Furniture Paint in Vintage Beige (which has a beautiful grayish look) and Antique White.  This paint is great because it has a gel consistency which allows for easy applications – there aren’t drips and it goes on smoothly!  It has a beautiful finish with no brush marks and it comes in five ready-mix colors.

Pittsburgh Paints Trim Door & Furniture Paint

I painted the entire dresser in Pittsburgh Paints & Stains Trim, Door & Furniture Paint in Antique White.

Antique White

Painted Dresser

Then I went through and sort of dry brushed with Pittsburgh Paints & Stains Trim, Door & Furniture Paint in Vintage Beige for a more vintage look.

Vintage Beige

Adding Gray copy

The mirrors hadn’t been permanently applied to the drawer fronts yet – they were only on using screws.  I placed the mirrors on a flat surface and added lines to give the look of the small pieces of mirrors using a permanent paint pen in gray.

Making Mirror

Once the paint was dry, I glued the mirrors onto the drawer fronts using Loctite PL Premium Polyurethane Construction Adhesive.

Gluing Mirror

I glued little star embellishments to the mirrors – similar to what the Anthro piece has.

Stars

I added the Hickory Hardware knobs (1-1/8 In. Park Towers Satin Dover Cabinet Knob) and my dresser was almost complete!

Detail of IKEA hack

This piece required a little extra details in the drawers.

I added starched fabric to the drawers.  (To see a full tutorial on using starched fabric in decor, click HERE.)

Starched Fabric

Starched Fabric Drawer Liners

And my dresser was done!

IKEA RAST makeover

IKEA Rast hack Detail

Anthropologie knock off

The smaller dresser size makes the perfect nightstand in our bedroom, and I’m in love with my faux Anthropologie piece!

UPDATE: I’ve dealt with cracked mirrors thanks to my 4-year-old.  See all the details HERE.

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Anthro-Inspired IKEA Rast HAck

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59 thoughts on “(Anthropologie Inspired) IKEA Rast Dresser Hack

  1. That dresser/nightstand is so beautiful. Can’t think of a prettier makeover. You are sooooooo talented. And the most important thing, you are a child of God. I love hearing of your walk with Him. I too am moving, across country, and leaving my best friend which will be difficult. But I know God will be with me.
    You are a beautiful lady!

    1. Thank you so much for the encouragement, Gayle! I wish you all the best on your move. Transition and change is just hard, isn’t it? Hang on to your faith in Him – it’s the only constant in this ever-changing world!

  2. Sara, that´s a perfect makeover…Firstly I thought about trying this, cause I have 3 pieces of these IKEA dressers, but it´s a little bit beyond my abilities. Anyway, you did it great!!!!! I am going to vote for your transformation!

  3. I have been wanting a dresser from Restoration,but refuse to pay the $$$. I can make one now, AWESOME AWESOME!
    Wish I saw this post earlier so I could of voted for you.

    1. Thank you so much, Courtney! The IKEA rast costs $35, but I would suggest upcycling a dresser if you can. The rast works, but it’s not the highest quality piece, and the drawers stick a little. As far as supplies, it’s hard to say exactly how much I spent since I didn’t pay for everything. t have a friend who owns a glass/mirror company, so he did the mirrors for me and the hardware company sent me the drawer knobs. I spent just under $100 for everything else – paint, wood pieces, and other supplies. All that being said, I’m guessing I had somewhere around $200 in materials? I guess this is pretty inexpensive when you compare it to the Anthro version?!

  4. I am SO impressed with this! My two rast bedside tables have been through plenty of identities, but this is the best I’ve seen. Weekend project! Thanks so much 🙂

    1. Thanks so much, Meaghan! I LOVE the way it turned out. Unfortunately (just recently) my daughter was playing with the knobs and tightened one too much and cracked a mirror. I can have it replaced, but I’m so bummed! Good luck if you go for it, and keep little hands away from the knobs! 😉

  5. Best dressed makeover I’ve seen! Really fabulous! What is on top of the mirrors giving it the beige brown look? Is that paint as well? Thanks!

    1. I think it’s just the reflection of my (beige) carpet that you’re referring to? I tried to take the shot coming down on the dresser because I didn’t want my reflection in the mirrors. As a result, you see the carpet! 🙂

  6. Wow, I have restored a lot of furniture, but always take it back to the original condition, I love this, its beautiful,,I might have to copy this make over, if thats ok?

  7. Really, really stunning. I have been pricing mirrored dressers and this is so nice and a fraction of the cost. I never would have thought to use corner guards. I am going to attempt this. Wish me luck!

    1. Thanks, Anna! It is definitely one of my favorite DIY pieces, and I would love to see pics of yours! I would suggest putting felt under the knobs (per a reader’s suggestion). I made the mistake of not doing that, and my 4 year old tightened the knobs too much and cracked a mirror on a drawer. Keep 4 year olds away, and you should be fine! Good luck!

  8. Hi Sara, The dresser came out beautiful! I bought the dresser and plan on copying what you did this weekend….. One question though, did you put the holes in the mirrors for the handles or did the glass company put them in for you? I am afraid I might crack the mirrors if I try it myself…

    1. Than you, Susan! I hope your makeover is a success! Yes, I had the glass company drill the holes for me. I was WAY too afraid to attempt that on my own! Try putting felt pads under your knobs to avoid over tightening the knobs and cracking the mirror. I wish you the best and would love to see pics!

  9. I’m half finished with my version of this dresser but I noticed that the corner guards on mine stick over the edge a little at the bottom so the bottom drawer doesn’t go all the way in. Any suggestions on how to fix it? I may have to sand it down.

    1. Sherry, I’m so sorry your corner guards are causing problems! I’m assuming your corner guards are just a little wider than mine, because they did not affect my bottom drawers. My first thought is to sand, and I’m pretty sure that’s what I would do. I know sanding can be a pain, but it will be worth the effort! Please send me a photo when you’re done with the project, and add felt under the knobs to prevent cracking the glass. Good luck, and I’m excited for you!

  10. So talented! This came out beautiful. Just curious, what did you use to attach the star embellishments to the mirror – the same construction adhesive or something different?

      1. Hi Sara,
        I’m about 90% done with my dupe of you amazing hack. Thank you so much for the inspiration. I do have a question though. I cannot the paint pen in gray. Did your paint pen have a metallic finish? I can only find silver. Is it possible that you used silver?