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DIY Ikea Hack Floating Credenza

March 24, 2022September 26, 2014 by Ashley

No room makeover is truly completely until it involves a good Ikea hack. And this DIY Ikea Hack Floating Credenza was the perfect fit!

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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!

Materials and Tools Needed to Make an IKEA Floating Credenza Or Modern Floating Wall Credenza

Ikea 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 or most hardware stores.

Wood stain in the color of your choice or stain/polyurethane combo — I used Golden Oak stain.

Clear high gloss polyurethane for top coat — Optional

Dry brush — For applying stain/polyurethane

Contact cement glue and brush

Fine sandpaper

Steps To Make A DIY Ikea Hack Floating Credenza

1 — First, build the main IKEA Besta unit exterior, according the Ikea instructions that it comes with. But leave off the doors and the interior shelves.

2 — Measure and mark where you want the shelf to be place on the wall.

3 — Next, install the Besta suspension rails to the wall/unit as per the included instructions.

4 — Once everything else is in place on the wall, attach the unit doors last

5 — When 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.

6 — Now, sand the wood panel surface down to the touch. Make sure to round out any sharp edges so that the little ones don’t hurt themselves if they bump into it.

7 — Then, stain the wood with several coats of the stain and let it dry for 24 hours.

8 — Once dry, apply the polyurethane according to the can instructions and let set it accordingly.

(If you’re using the combination stain, this will be done is one step).

9 — Lastly, brush on the contact cement to the top of the Besta shelf.

And then rest the finished wood panel on top. Let it to set to adhere according to the cement instructions.

You can also use wood glue instead. However, the contact cement doesn’t expand like wood glue, which will save you time from having to clamp it down while it dries.

10 — Once the glue is all set, you’re ready to fill your DIY Ikea hack floating credenza with toys, dishes, blankets, and in anything in between!

Styling Your Credenza

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!

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!

For more DIY projects like the DIY floating credenza, check out a few of our favorite from the archives —