DIY Ikea Hack Floating Credenza

09.26.14

Remember the before photos and inspiration board I shared with you all a few weeks ago of the room makeover we’d be working on with Valspar? Well I’m excited to share one of the big projects we worked on (before I share the full reveal!) to help transform the space with a trusty old DIY Ikea hack floating credenza. After all, what room is really complete until there’s an Ikea hack, ya know?!

I wanted to make Ainsley’s room a bit more mature while still be functional and bright, with pops of color and fun touches here and there. This credenza was the perfect place for her to be able to easily open and close the doors at her height to put her toys away, and Mom loves it too, so it’s a win-win!

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Besta shelf unit with high gloss, white doors

Two Besta shelf suspension rails

One 3/4″ x 47 3/4″ x 16″ Aspen panel (they’ll cut it down to size for you at Lowe’s)

Wood stain in the color of your choice (I used golden oak) or stain/polyurethane combo

Clear, high gloss polyurethane for top coat (optional)

Dry brush for applying stain/polyurethane

Contact cement glue and brush to apply it with

Fine sandpaper

First, build the main Besta unit exterior, according the Ikea instructions that it comes with, but leave off the doors and the interior shelves. Next, measure and mark where you want the shelf to be place on the wall, and install the Besta suspension rails to the wall/unit as per the included instructions, then attach the unit doors last once everything else is in place on the wall.

Once the unit is installed on the wall, make sure the Aspen wood panel fits appropriately on top of the shelf. Like I mentioned in the supplies list, the Lowe’s lumber department will cut the panel down to the exact size you instruct them.

Now, sand the wood panel surface down to the touch, making sure to round out any sharp edges so that the little ones don’t hurt themselves if they bump into it, then stain the wood with several coats of the stain and let it dry for 24 hours. Once dry, apply the polyurethane according to the can instructions and let set accordingly. (If you’re using the combination stain, this will be done is one step).

Lastly, brush on the contact cement to the top of the Besta shelf, and then rest the finished wood panel on top and let it to set to adhere according to the cement instructions. You can also use wood glue instead, but the contact cement doesn’t expand like wood glue which will save you time from having to clamp it down while it dries.

Once the glue is all set, you’re ready to fill it with toys, dishes, blankets, and in anything in between! I wanted to keep the styling clean and simple, so I chose this 24×18″ palm tree framed print from Minted to top it off with, and a cute succulent and gold knick knack box from Anthropologie.

And you can see a peek of the geometric accent wall we painted with the new Valspar Reserve paint which I’ll be sharing with you next. I can’t wait!

photos by Jared Smith

This makeover series is made possible in partnership with Valspar, thank you for supporting the brands that allow us to bring bigger and better content to you!

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