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Easy IKEA Nightstand Upgrade Using Paint Marker

By  Carrie Waller
Before and after: IKEA nightstand upgrade using a paint marker Carrie Waller

We've shared some pretty easy-to-create IKEA hacks here on Hunker, but this one might just take the cake for the easiest of ​all​! If you've got a ruler, a pencil, and a paint marker, you have everything you need to completely transform a plain side table. Keep scrolling to see how we pulled it off, step-by-simple-step!

IKEA Nightstand HackCarrie Waller

Things Needed

DIY supplies needed to makeover your IKEA nightstand.Carrie Waller

Step 1

Use a ruler to find the ​vertical​ center of your drawer front, and draw a light pencil line to mark it.

Draw a vertical line down the center of the drawer front.Carrie Waller

Step 2

Use your ruler again, this time to find and mark the center ​horizontal​ line of your drawer front.

Draw a horizontal line down the center of the drawer front.Carrie Waller

Step 3

Use the ruler to draw light pencil marks every 1 inch along the top-most edge and bottom edge of your drawer front.

Use a ruler to draw marks every 1 inch.Carrie Waller

Step 4

Make more 1-inch pencil marks, this time along the center horizontal line you drew in Step 2.

Make more 1-inch marks along the center horizontal line.Carrie Waller

Step 5

Connect the marks diagonally on the drawer front using a pencil exactly as you see them pictured here.

Connect the marks on the drawer front using a pencil.Carrie Waller

Step 6

Read the instructions that come with your paint markers to activate the pigment, then practice making lines and marks on a piece of scrap paper until you feel confident.

Practice using your paint marker on scrap paper.Carrie Waller

Step 7

Use your paint marker to draw carefully over the pencil lines you marked. You can freehand it, like we did, or use your ruler as a straightedge. Be careful not to rub your hand over any of the wet lines as you work! If you need to, work in sections, and then set it aside to allow the paint to dry a little in case you're worried about smearing the pigment.

Draw over the pencil lines you made using the paint marker.Carrie Waller

Step 8

Repeat Steps 1 though 7 on the second drawer. Allow the paint lines to cure for 24 hours, then seal the drawer fronts using clear spray paint. ​Be aware that the lines may bleed a little bit during this step if the paint isn't fully cured. If you're concerned about this, feel free to skip the step entirely, or test the clear spray paint on a piece of scrap wood with paint lines drawn on it.​

Seal the fully cured paint marker lines using clear spray paint.Carrie Waller

Step 9

Attach the handles to your drawers, slip them inside the table surround, and your upgraded IKEA side table is done! Style it alongside over decorative accents that repeat the same paint marker color you chose to make the piece feel right at home amongst your other beloved decor.

Reattach the handles and your upgraded IKEA side table is done!Carrie Waller

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