Our IKEA bedside tables have always let our bedroom down. I would paint the walls, put up wallpaper and decorate the bedroom with art, patterned bedding and rugs and our bedside tables would stand out like a sore thumb. Now for the creative and fun part! Using a tape measure, pencil and saw, I cut 7 half dowels to match the length of the drawers and sandpapered the edges. The creators at Grey House Studio (who have loads of great ideas!) have basically completely clad a MALM dresser with reclaimed wood and added a chunky raised worktop with storage baskets. The fact that the TV is sitting down a level from the dresser next to it helps it not stand out so much, which is an eternal struggle we all feel with televisions!

I then measured out the remaining space and starting from the bottom, cut the length of half dowels with a 45-degree edge and then measured from top to bottom to cut the corresponding half dowel. I did this until it covered the whole drawer. I measured the height of the drawers and cut 7 half dowels for each drawer Making sure they fit! Creating the pattern Happy with the results!Optional step: you can either keep the wood as is or dye the wood to a different tone. If you do choose to dye the wood, dab a cloth with the dye each time, rub it into the wood and leave to dry (we gave them two coats). First of all, I took the drawers out and lightly sanded the table and drawers to give them a smooth finish. I then cleaned the table with sugar soap and applied a wood primer. This took a bit of trial and error (note to self, buy a miter box! ), but once I was happy with how the pattern looked, I then glued the dowels onto the drawer using No More Nails. A little bit of glue to hold the dowels in place Measure and cut the stripwood. Starting with the drawer fronts, measure the width and cut down x2 stripwood into the given length. Keep in mind that the drawer front is a different size to the top of the unit.

A small bedside table is perfect if you simply need somewhere to place your phone. If you want enough space for bedside lamps, candles, plants or other decorative items – then you should be looking at bigger bedside tables with larger surface areas and maybe even storage space beneath. Bedside cabinets have small cupboards or drawers where you can store additional items out of sight. Sustainability: Repurposing, upcycling and painting Ikea furniture is an environmentally friendly way to reduce waste and extend the life of products. Practicalities aside, you’ll also want to choose nightstands that suit your interior taste. Whether your style is traditional or modern, bold or minimalistic – you'll find a nightstand that complements your bedroom set at IKEA. A bedroom is a truly personal space where you can express your style freely – so it’s worth finding bedside tables that truly capture the look you wish to accentuate. A nightstand should look great beside your bed, so browse the IKEA selection for one that would look right at home in your own bedroom.

Bedside cabinets with drawers

If you’re planning to paint an Ikea piece, it’s important to first clean it thoroughly and then sand it lightly to help the paint adhere better. It’s also a good idea to use a primer before painting to ensure a smooth and even finish. I left the dowels and glue to dry for about half an hour and then drilled some holes in the middle to attach the gold handles. The fact that they have used three dressers in a row to turn it into more of a sideboard has also helped transform the dresser into something different. Storage & organisation Furniture Textiles Kitchenware & tableware Kitchens Lighting Decoration Rugs, mats & flooring Beds & mattresses Baby & children Smart home Bathroom products Laundry & cleaning Plants & plant pots Home electronics Home improvement Outdoor living Food & beverages Christmas Shop Shop by room

Whether your style is traditional or modern, bold or minimalistic – you'll find a nightstand that complements your bed at IKEA. Bedside cabinets with drawers Small bedside tables are perfect if you simply need somewhere to place your phone while it's charging overnight. If you want enough space for bedside lamps, candles, plants or other decorative items – then you should be looking at bigger nightstands with larger surface areas and maybe even storage space beneath. Nightstands with drawers Repeat the last 3 steps for the top of the unit. And et voila, you’ve got your very own upcycled Ikea Malm unit. You can use a variety of paints for Ikea furniture, including spray paint, chalk paint, or latex paint. Just make sure to choose a paint that is appropriate for the material you’re painting and the look you want to achieve. Painting the IKEA bedside tablesOnce the paint had dried, I decided to add feet to elevate the tables. To begin with, I wasn’t going to do this, but I felt the bedside table with drawers still looked like a cheap box without the addition of some legs! If you have a MALM dresser or bedside table sitting around without a purpose then we have some creative solutions for you. After implementing any of the ideas we’ve collected here, your MALM dresser will be unrecognizable! Start with sanding. Remove drawers and lightly sand down the surfaces/drawer edges using light sandpaper. I love to upcycle furniture so I decided to keep the bedside tables as there was nothing wrong with them. They were sturdy, and a good size and it would have been a waste of money to try and resell them and buy new ones. Practicalities aside, you’ll also want to choose a nightstand which suits your interior taste. A bedroom is a truly personal space where you can express your style freely – so it’s worth finding a bedside table that truly captures the look you wish to accentuate. A nightstand should look great beside your bed, so browse the IKEA selection for one that would look right at home in your own bedroom.