Finding the perfect nightstand to set the scene (and store your things) in your bedroom or guest room is not always an easy thing to do, especially if you're after a particular style at a particular price point. But that's not say it's impossible. In fact, the perfect nightstand might be hiding in plain sight... at least it was for the professional DIYer behind this inspiring IKEA hack.
Digital creator and expert furniture flipper, Kristen Coulson, turned the classic white HEMNES cabinet into a vintage-meets-modern nightstand that anyone with "designer taste, but an IKEA budget" would dream of. She wanted to create a piece that would stand out as a warm and chic accent in her space, and, armed with a sander, wood stain, and playful round bobbin detail, she was able to create a pair of custom nightstands that look seriously stylish.
Want to get your bedrooms ready for hosting season with a cozy piece that also oozes style? Kristen takes us through her clever IKEA nightstand hack, and how to get the look in your own home.
Kristen Culson )@something.renewed) says the inspiration for this DIY came from designer-looking nightstands and furniture pieces. "Particularly the Jenny Lind style that have round elements," she adds. "I love this look and I thought something simple like adding the round half ball could give a similar vibe, on a DIY budget."
Kristen started with the base — the best-selling IKEA HEMNES nightstand— which she sanded down to the original wood in order to stain it in a color of her choosing. "These nightstands had the typical white IKEA factory finish on them. I knew this line of IKEA bedroom furniture was made of solid pine, so I wondered… what would happen if I sanded it all off!?" says Kristen.
Luckily, the wood grain underneath was a beautiful base that she could work with. Kristen then stained both the nightstands and the wooden balls in a rich walnut color that gave the pieces a vintage, worn look. If you want a bit more color and to keep the chic vintage look, vintage-inspired paint colors would also work a treat for this DIY.
After the stain dried, Kristen glued the half-round spheres to the sides. "I used an orbital sander, Minwax stain, polyurethane, wood glue, half wooden spheres from Amazon, stain applicator, and a brush for applying topcoat," she shares. "I also purchased new knobs on Amazon."
"I absolutely love the look the renovation gave these nightstands," she says.
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Once you decide to begin the IKEA HEMNES hack, there are a few practical tips to consider. "Stain the wooden balls beforehand," advises Kristen. "They’re easier to glue down after being stained! My biggest tip is to have patience when sanding off all the IKEA white paint Use a piece of sandpaper to get in the cracks so every trace of it is gone!"
As for finding and styling a pair of nightstands that works for you, the options are endless. Though Kristen used the HEMNES nightstands from IKEA, any bedside table could be your starting point. "I recommend finding your nightstands second-hand or anywhere that comes at a relatively cheap cost," says Kristen. Once the renovation process begins, the chic, elevated look will follow.
I love the look of these natural, yet playful bedside tables in a farmhouse bedroom idea, or as an antique-inspired piece in a stylish guest bedroom. Creating a warm, inviting bedroom is important in the cozy months.
"I would style the entire room around the nightstands with pops of that same color stain," says Kristen. All that is left is to add a few decorative vases and candle sticks on top.
Who says custom DIYs have to be hard? This IKEA hack is proving to be the cozy refresh your home needs this holiday season.
