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Mid Century China Cabinet
UP-CYCLE
Chandelier
PHOTOGRAPHY
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RE-PURPOSES

How to Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser

11/6/2017

52 Comments

 
Disclosure: I was compensated for doing this post with product.  However, all the opinions stated here are my own. I only use products I love and would recommend to my viewers. 
​
A few weeks ago I shared my small apartment makeover with the newly installed kitchen.  This is where we will be staying when we visit Greece.  But did you know there is another room to this space. Yes, we also have a bedroom.

​It is time I show you all the furniture that I tackled in there. A few weeks ago I had shown youthe laminate table makeover into a farmhouse look which will be used as a computer table. Today I am sharing how to beautifully transform an Ikea Malm dresser. 


Ikea Malm Dresser in black before, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com

What I Used:  

  • Sandpaper
  • Decoart Americana Chalky Type paint in Everlasting
  • Decoart Americana Acrylic Paints in various colors - basically whatever I had left over because I wanted to make a brown
  • Decoart Americana Multi-Purpose Sealer
  • Decoart Americana Gel Stain
  • Decoart Creme Wax in Clear
  • A round brush

​I started out with a standard Malm Ikea dresser.   Basic black and oh so ugly!  What were we thinking when we bought it? The only great thing about it is that you can fit lots and lots of clothes and of course it is cheap.  But it was way too dark - in fact it couldn't get any darker.  I desperately needed to do something. 

​The How To:

The first thing I did was to scuff up the dresser with a sander. 
​
sanding the dresser just a bit, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
Just random scuffing all over.  
​

top of sanded dresser, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
Then I went over the entire thing with Americana Chalky Type Paint in Everlasting.  As you must know by now I use this color as a base and also because it goes on really well.  I must have added about three coats to the whole dresser. Needed to desperately get rid of that black!
​
Painting the dresser with white chalky type paint, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
I then wanted to use an acrylic paint to go over the white on the top.   This is what I had but the bottle was almost empty.
​
Khaki Tan Americana Acrylic Paint, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
But there is one thing I am, and that is resourceful!  So I mixed in a whole bunch of colors to really muddy it up and come up with a brownish tone.

Here is the brown toned color that I created.  I went over the top of the dresser with this.
​
Painting the top with a brown color, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
I did this in short brushstrokes and it dried quickly.  I was aiming to give it some texture. 
​
short brushstrokes on top of dresser, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
I also painted the front part of the dresser in this color.  But I left the sides with the white color. 
​

painting the front of the dresser in the brown color, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
Here we can see that it has dried.  But I was not done.  I wanted something more. 

What I wanted was to get a nice rich finish that would be hard as nails. Because it is a dresser and the top would be used a lot so it had to have a tough finish. 
​
The top of the dresser, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
Enter my secret weapon.  This is a multi-purpose sealer also from DecoArt's Americana line.  It can be mixed in with almost anything to create a hard surface. In fact it can be used for outdoor items too.  Not that I would be placing my dresser outdoors... just sayin'!
​

Americana multi-purpose sealer and gel stain, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
I mixed it in with the gel stain to get a nice rich look, about 1/4 sealer to the 3/4 gel stain. 
​

mixing the sealer and gel stain, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
And I used that nice round brush to get thick full brush lines. I just dipped the brush in and dragged it all the way across the top. I had also used the gel and the brush to get a different sort of look on the laminate table a few weeks ago. 

Here I was after a more subtle look so I just dragged the gel stain right across.  No short paint strokes. 
​
painting the brown stain across the top of the dresser, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
Here is the top all done with those nice long brush strokes across it.
​
The finished top of the dresser in walnut brown, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
Disclosure: The items below are affiliate links and link to Amazon.com. If you purchase any of these products through the links, I receive a small commission, that way I can continue to provide you with lovely content.  There is no extra charge to you for purchasing through my affiliate links.
​


​The drawers were all painted in Everlasting white. And they along with the other white parts of the dresser were all sealed with the creme wax in clear.
​
The front of the dresser in white, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
And here is the result!
​

finished dresser white and walnut, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
Doesn't it look cool with the rich brown tone peeking out?
​

white drawers with walnut front frame of dresser, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
Bottom of dresser walnut and white, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
The top dried to a nice hard surface which is what I was after so that I can put all sorts of fun things on top.
​

Top of dresser walnut and white, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
And just a quick before so we remember what it looked like:
​

Black Ikea Malm dresser before, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
Ahh so much better, don't you think?  It has a bit of that farmhouse look that we all love. Would you have believed it was once black?
​

Finished walnut and white dresser, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
As you have seen I've got the farmhouse look going on.  White is an easy color to coordinate with almost anything and already had a green bed and dresser in the room.  The obvious question to ask me is why didn't I just buy it in white in the first place?  And that is a good question.  Originally the dresser was used by my son when he was still a teen and he wanted black.  Of course that was years ago but that does not mean we have to settle for the original color. It is easier than you think to transform your furniture. And this piece is not even wood but particleboard.

It is now in the bedroom.  I have one more project to show you and I will be done with the apartment in Greece.
​
detail of top of dresser, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com
I hope you enjoyed this up-cycle.  I am always looking to try new products on my furniture to see what works and what doesn't.  This multi-surface sealer really made a difference!  I am so happy with how I beautifully transformed this Ikea Malm dresser.  Have you ever tried this product? 

Do you have a Malm dresser?  I have another one in New York and it is also black.  Ugh!!


Picture
How to paint and up-cycle a black Ikea Malm dresser beautifully and transform it into a white and walnut farmhouse look, How To Beautifully Transform an Ikea Malm Dresser theboondocksblog.com

​If you really like what you see subscribe to my blog and get my adventures twice a week in your mailbox. The form is on the sidebar and your e-mail will never be shared with a third party.
Picture
The bedroom Series:
Creating a headboard with fabric
Warming up a room with fabric
Laminate table painted with gel stain
Saving a Laminate table with Gel Stain
Bed frame painted in olive Green
Bed Frame Makeover
Ikea Pine Dresser painted in Olive Green with natural top
Ikea Pine Dresser Makeover
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This blog is for entertainment purposes only; my DIY tutorials are not professional advice. Read my full disclaimer here.​

I love it when I get your comments and I will try to reply to every one of them. ​Please do not add a hyperlink to your comment, otherwise it cannot be published.
52 Comments
Michelle Leslie link
11/6/2017 06:30:07 am

It looks completely different now Mary. You would never say it was the same dresser at all. And the lighter color makes it seem bigger too and less of a black hole that swallows everyting up

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 12:07:45 pm

I have to be honest. When I first looked at this one I honestly had no idea what I was going to do. And then it hit me that I would go with this combination which is so easy on the eyes.

Reply
Debbie link
11/6/2017 08:52:03 am

Hi Mary, how much improved is that dresser now? It's a amazing what a lick or five of paint can do! It's far better than the original. Lighter and brighter.

xx

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 12:12:13 pm

Exactly Debbie. Greece can be so depressing in the wintertime on a cloudy day so we needed to have lots of pretty bright furniture.

Reply
Barbara Chapman ~ French Ethereal link
11/6/2017 09:00:07 am

Hi Mary! Oooh! I love how modern the dresser looks now. I don't like black much on furniture, either. Still thinking about painting this little nightstand I found at Hobby Lobby that is perfect here in our RV prairie home... <3 ;) At first I wasn't sure about the brown on the front, but now that it is all done and the drawers are in, just a touch really makes the front pop!!! Really nice! Happily pinned through Tailwind for you. Will share over to FB, too.

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 12:15:17 pm

Thanks so much Barbara. That combination of white and wood is so warm and cozy. I think it goes just about with anything. I hope to see your project on the blog soon.

Reply
Carol link
11/6/2017 09:09:14 am

Mary, So beautiful and looking up to date. Great job, my friend!

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 12:17:03 pm

Thanks Carol Now I am eyeing the one we have in New York. ;)

Reply
Stacey link
11/6/2017 09:25:13 am

Mary, great job! I love to see Ikea hacks. :)

Pinned.

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 12:19:30 pm

Stacey the black had run its course, it was time for some happy bright furniture.

Reply
Heidi link
11/6/2017 10:19:37 am

That looks amazing, Mary. What a difference. I love the top. Lots of great paint tips here, I never knew about that sealer!

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 12:21:52 pm

Thank you Heidi. The top is what makes this dresser special otherwise it would just be a plain white box.

Reply
Louise Alexander
11/6/2017 10:54:40 am

I love this. You did an awesome job. Thanks for sharing.

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 12:23:31 pm

Thank you Louise. It was my chance to get rid of that black hole of a dresser.

Reply
Rachel link
11/6/2017 11:20:29 am

Mary! That is IMPRESSIVE. When I saw the before photo, I was so anxious to read your post and see the AFTER. You are truly amazing with your vision for upcycling. xo rachel

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 12:26:59 pm

Rachel that before photo was really bad. Can you imagine living with that thing for so many years. But you know teens have that stage they go through where they want everything black? Well, I had a few of them that went through it.

Reply
Debrashoppeno5 link
11/6/2017 11:20:40 am

What a difference the paint makes. The dresser looks terrific. I love how you gave it texture. It will really brighten up the space

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 12:28:04 pm

Debra you know the power of paint better than all of us. You are always transforming blah pieces and making them so interesting.

Reply
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces link
11/6/2017 11:57:52 am

Mary! It looks so refreshed and awesome!

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 12:28:40 pm

Thanks Larissa, it was time to get rid of all that black.

Reply
Katerina Konstantinou link
11/6/2017 01:22:28 pm

You just gained the title of inventor of colors! I can't believe the result on the finished dresser! Great transformation!

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 12:30:43 pm

Thank you so much Katerina. I needed to drag that dresser out of the depression era!

Reply
Kim link
11/6/2017 02:23:30 pm

Light, bright and beautiful, Mary! Thanks for sharing. 😊

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 12:33:18 pm

Thanks Kim. All that black needed a kick in the butt to go away. But I believe there is not a trace of it left in the apartment!

Reply
Florence link
11/6/2017 05:05:46 pm

You worked another miracle on a piece of furniture Mary. I would never believe it had been such a dark black. It's now an attractive transformation.

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 12:33:56 pm

Thank goodness Florence. All that black can be really depressing.

Reply
Linda at Mixed Kreations link
11/6/2017 05:16:05 pm

You did a great job transforming the dresser! Love how it turned out, and really loving the top. I can see another makeover coming soon on your other black dresser.
I need to get me some of that sealer. Is it water base?

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 12:34:55 pm

The sealer is water based yes. I mixed it with the gel stain which was also water based. So it was an easy cleanup as well.

Reply
Lisa link
11/6/2017 05:28:02 pm

Another beautiful transformation!

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 12:35:44 pm

Thank you so much dear friend. I will banish all the black, one piece at a time!!

Reply
Pam Richardson link
11/6/2017 11:52:11 pm

Mary, wow that dresser turned out fabulous! Your vision for the piece was perfect! It now has a nice modern vibe! Great job~

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 12:36:30 pm

Thanks so much Pam. It really was too depressing before. I like to think of it as modern farmhouse now.

Reply
Christina Makri link
11/7/2017 08:03:09 am

It is a whole different piece of furniture!!!! From a modern masculine black dresser to a sweet farmhouse style ! As always you did excellent work! I prefer also to transform my old furniture than buying new ones. I can't wait to see what you have done for your small apartment in Greece!

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 12:37:58 pm

You know it doesn't even look that nice in black. Now that I have discovered what I can do with paint, there are so many other ideas that could be done, maybe with milk paint? That would give it an interesting look. Thanks Christina for the support.

Reply
Claire link
11/7/2017 01:35:14 pm

Wow that looks so much better. Thanks to the magic of paint.

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 04:36:14 pm

Claire they have so many varieties that do so many things, how can you not want to transform everything.

Reply
Leanna link
11/7/2017 02:52:31 pm

This looks great now, I love how the white contrasts with the brown top. You did a marvelous job of refurbishing this dresser its so bright and fresh now. Great job.

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 04:37:50 pm

I am so glad it all worked out. You know I always get nervous when I start these projects.

Reply
Katrin link
11/7/2017 03:55:03 pm

You gotta be kidding me! It is gorgeous and the top looks like real wood and shines so beautifully! Wow, what a stunner that Malm dresser, I would have never thought you could do this to it!

Reply
Mary
11/7/2017 04:39:37 pm

Katrin it was that sealer that did it. I love trying out new things. I researched this a long time and finally found it and it worked beautifully.

Reply
Nikki Frank-Hamilton link
11/7/2017 06:01:35 pm

Mary, the way that you painted the top makes it look like wood. It looks fantastic! You know I'm a huge fan of black furniture and even I thought it needed some help! LOL Good thing the lines of the piece were nice and that you are so creative. It turned out awesome!!!

Reply
Mary
11/8/2017 05:34:32 pm

I really wanted a look that was more than a plain white box Nikki. This was the best solution.

Reply
Cynthia Chilson Finger link
11/9/2017 11:21:10 pm

I do love a good IKEA hack, and this one is a real charmer. You did a great job on this one, Mary! And thanks so much for sharing info on new to me products. It's always nice to learn something new along with all the pretty pictures. Take care, Cynthia

Reply
Mary
11/14/2017 10:12:38 pm

Cynthia I love using new things. I am learning so much one piece of furniture at a time.

Reply
Michele link
11/11/2017 11:34:35 am

Magic once again Mary. you are really coming into your own as a repurposer!

Reply
Mary
11/14/2017 10:14:33 pm

Thank you so much Michele. I am always looking out to redo things that will be practical and make sense to my way of life. I hope the readers agree with my practical self.

Reply
Zografia | Bisozozo link
11/11/2017 03:59:20 pm

You are right Mary. It looks great with the brown details. Much much better now!

Reply
Mary
11/14/2017 10:16:14 pm

It did not fit in with the rest of the house before too dark.

Reply
Amber Harrop
11/13/2017 06:21:53 pm

You did a great job of updating it and i love the top of the unit Mary

Reply
Mary
11/14/2017 10:18:12 pm

Thanks so much Amber. It's the top that makes it stand out otherwise it would just be a white box.

Reply
Julie link
11/17/2017 08:42:48 am

Wow, that sealer is really worth knowing about - thanks. I love the rich finish it has given to this dresser. It really is transformed.

Reply
Mary
11/26/2017 09:01:14 am

Julie I researched this at length before and knew I had to have something tough to work with. I am very happy with how it turned out.

Reply

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     I'm Mary and I recently  moved to New York from beautiful Greece.  I like to re-purpose and up-cycle  anything that is old or looks like junk.  Join me as we use our creativity to spark some life into old things.  And do it frugally!  You will also see lots of photography of my Greece and New York.

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This blog is for entertainment purposes only; my DIY tutorials are not professional advice.
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