I have such a love/hate relationship with IKEA. I love IKEA furniture. I hate putting it together. I love their chocolate. I hate how much I love their chocolate. A few years ago, we bought a kitchen cart and I loved having the extra storage space but I hated how plain it was. After having the piece for over a year it just dawned on me a few weeks ago to actually paint it. Odd considering there aren’t many things that go unpainted around these parts.
Customizing an IKEA furniture with paint.
Since we move a lot, I never know how much storage space I’ll have in the next house. Our house in Texas (two houses ago) had tons of kitchen cabinet space. Our last house seriously lacked in the storage area. We didn’t even have space to put our pots and pans. Insert IKEA furniture to the rescue. We got this kitchen cart to supplement some storage space for pots and pans and other kitchen gadgets. For years it sat naked (well maybe a little dust sometimes) until a few weeks ago.
First, I got the itch to stain the kitchen cart. I’ve been staining a bunch of stuff lately (see bathroom shelves, rustic shelves, chalkboard for proof) so I thought I better settle down or else I’m going to look around and see just a sea of stained wood.
I ended up compromising with myself and just stained the top. I loved the stained top because it’s really shows off the butcher block wood – so pretty. Then, I painted the rest a really beautiful shade of blue/gray (Behr Calligraphy).
And because it appears that I’m monograming everything these days, I also added a white monogram to the top. I used the same techniques as I did on the monogram photo clipboard.
The kitchen cart has a whole new look. It’s remarkable what a little paint can do to a piece of IKEA furniture. Between this and all the IKEA bed hacks from last week I’m not going to be able to stay out of IKEA.
Such a bummer with the yummy chocolate and all… ha who am I kidding??
I’m sharing this project at Savvy Southern Style and Best of the Nest
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Denise says
February 24, 2014 at 10:14 amOMG I have this cart — and why have I never thought to paint it? Thank you thank you! We WILL be painting ours!
Amy W says
February 24, 2014 at 12:40 pmI really love this IKEA update. That color is so lovely and great idea to keep top stained wood with a cute monogram. It turned out perfectly. I’ll be pinning this now!
Marcia says
February 24, 2014 at 2:42 pmYou were right to share this thanks! You turned a ‘plain Jane’ (no offense to any Janes out there!) into to something so much more interesting. Nice job!! Color?
Krista @thehappyhousie says
February 24, 2014 at 3:54 pmVery cute Chelsea- love the monogram!
Allison @ The Golden Sycamore says
February 25, 2014 at 4:17 amI LOVE this cart makeover, Chelsea! It is so pretty! Love the monogram and that paint color is to die for! Well done, my friend! 🙂
Marie @ The Interior Frugalista says
February 26, 2014 at 7:24 amGotta love an IKEA Hack – well done Chelsea! Love the monogrammed detail too. Your cart caught my eye over at the Wow Us Wednesday Party.
Customize Furniture says
February 26, 2014 at 10:32 pmInterior designing is very important while making furniture. I love your ideas.
Rhonda says
February 27, 2014 at 3:28 amI’m so glad to see this makeover because I’ve been eyeing that cart for this very idea for a long time!! Now maybe I’ll actually do it!
Visiting from Savvy Southern Style… Rhonda @ home.made.
Jen says
February 27, 2014 at 7:25 pmlove the color & staining the top was a great choice…
as always I’m a sucker for monograms…love it!
Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says
March 1, 2014 at 12:25 pmI’m so glad you posted this because it’s stunning! I think you did the perfect makeover on it. Don’t underestimate yourself 😉
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
March 1, 2014 at 5:31 pmChelsea, I will obviously be bringing home one of these carts from Ikea on my next trip! I lo.o.o.o.ve what you did with it – what a greak hack! The blue/grey you chose is so pretty as is the stained top. And the monogram just makes it!! Thanks for linking up to Best of the Nest!!
[email protected] says
March 5, 2014 at 3:58 amI love this transformation! Amazing!Pinning:-)
Shannon [Our Home Notebook] says
March 7, 2014 at 5:18 amLove what you did with this – it looks amazing.
Kris {Driven by Décor} says
March 7, 2014 at 5:53 amHow have I never seen this at IKEA before??!! Adore what you did with it! The combination of the stained top and painted bottom is perfect!
Cassie says
August 20, 2014 at 5:10 pmJust wondering- What stain did you use for the top?
Chelsea says
August 22, 2014 at 7:08 amHi Cassie, I believe it was Minwax Special Walnut. It’s my very favorite – I use it on almost everything!
Cassie says
August 25, 2014 at 6:51 pmThank you very much! I love the color of the stain. Your cart turned out beautiful-You inspired me!
Fran says
May 16, 2015 at 7:03 pmHi! Love this. I’ve been wanting to grab one of these for a long time and finally have the inspiration! Did you sand or prime before you painted and stained? How is it holding up? Thanks!!
Chelsea says
May 20, 2015 at 2:05 pmNo sanding or priming before I painted it but looking back I think sanding it would have been smart. It looks great! There are a few chips in the paint where I keep the pots and pans just from wear and tear but overall it’s looking great!
claudia says
November 3, 2016 at 2:27 pmwhat is the name of this paint color ?
Chelsea says
November 3, 2016 at 10:32 pmBehr – Calligraphy
Patty says
February 6, 2018 at 6:49 pmThat looks great! I’ve had mine for five years all plain but now I’m finally gonna paint and stain it. Did you take it apart or did you paint it assembled?
Amelia says
February 7, 2019 at 8:25 pmThis turned out beautifully! What stain did you use for the top?
Lindsey says
June 10, 2019 at 7:32 pmDid you put a clear lacquer on top to protect the paint? If so what did you use?
Chelsea says
June 16, 2019 at 10:43 amWe always just use clear wax. I think it’s a Minwax brand.