A couple of weeks ago, I showed you my first IKEA Rast hack, which also just happened to be my first project! I used 4 Rasts to create one long media console. It was a success, and I loved the storage it provided. I’m the type who needs storage behind doors or in drawers so that I can close them to hide everything!
My nightstand didn’t have this storage, and I had a lot of cords everywhere. At the very least, I wanted a place to plug in my phone, laptop and tablet without seeing all the cords. So I knew a Rast would do the trick!
This hack was definitely simpler than the media console since it was a single dresser.
Supplies
IKEA Rast Dresser
Wood Glue
2 1/2″ wide trim boards (I used material with a thickness of 3/8″)
4 @ 27 3/8″ (measure your piece for exact length needed)
4 @ 6 3/4″
1x boards for top @ 26 1/2″ each (I used 1 1×3, 2 1x2s, and 2 1x4s)
hole cutter (optional)
Steps
- Assemble Rast as instructed, but do not install “toe kick” on bottom.
- Glue trim boards onto sides to create a recessed panel.
- Lay the 1x boards across the top and nail into the end panels of the Rast. If you wish, you could also attach the pieces together with pocket screws to create a tabletop, then attach the entire tabletop to the top of the dresser.
I finished mine in white paint and stained the top like I did in this post here. I then added some cute knobs.
To hide my cords, I used a hole cutter to cut a hole in the back of the dresser. I can then bring an extention cord into my drawer where I can charge my tablet and my phone, all with the drawer shut.
If you liked this piece, check out a couple of other pieces I made during my bedroom refresh that coordinate with this nightstand.
I hope this inspired you today!
-Marianne
Ana White’s Rustic X Console Table
Hi, your projects look great! How much do the rask cabinets cost?
Thank you Maggie!
Each Rast cabinet costs $35. Here is a link
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/75305709/
Hope this helps!
Hi there. Great project. Did you paint before or after you assembled?
Thank you! I painted after assembly. Good luck!
Hi Marianne! Does the RAST feel sturdy without the toe kick?
Thanks!
Diana
Hi Diana,
Yes, it feels just fine. The back provides good support, and I think the boards I added on top may also help. Hope this helps!
Can you hear your phone if it goes off overnight in the drawer? I’d love to hide the mess but I’m worried I’d miss an overnight emergency call or my alarm in the morning. Thanks! They’re beautiful ?
Thank you! Oh yes, you can definitely hear the phone. I also use my phone as my alarm and it works just fine.
Hi!
I love what you did! What type of wood did you use for the boards on top?
Thanks!
Thanks Jazmin! I used simple 1x poplar boards from Lowe’s. They are the cheapest ones there 🙂
What stain did you use for the top?
Thank you! I used Minwax Special Walnut. Check out this post here for more details on how I did this stain.
http://inbetweenchaos.com/2016/04/10/farmhouse-vintage-stain-technique/
Can you tell me what color/ type of paint and what stain you used for this? I love it.
I used Sherwin Williams Pro Classic in Extra White Semi Gloss. It’s my go-to white paint. I love the finish it gives. (I actually have it all over my hands now!) The top was stained with Minwax Special Walnut, but I did wet it to keep stain from getting so dark. Check out my post on it here
http://inbetweenchaos.com/2016/04/10/farmhouse-vintage-stain-technique/
Good luck!
Hi can you tell me where you got your knobs and what type you ordered as well. Thanks!
Hi Jenn,
Unfortunately, I don’t have a link to those knobs. I bought them at TJ Maxx a few years ago. I have seen very similar knobs at Hobby Lobby. You may want to check them out!
Hi! Not sure if you will see this, but we were looking to redo our IKEA Rasts just like this! Would you be able to share how you attached the trim on the end panels? You had noted that they were glued to the end panels, but it only looks like one piece of wood from the front view of the nightstand vs two overlapping. Am I missing something? Thank you in advance!
Hi Mary! You are not missing something. I did glue the pieces on the side. I then spackled the seam so that it would look like one piece. Hope this helps. Good luck with your project and have fun!
This is the exact question I had! Thanks!
Thank you so much for the info!! 🙂 Hope everyone is safe and healthy!
Hello, I am looking at doing something very similar for our nightstands. How have you found opening and closing the drawers? In the reviews of the Rast online, the biggest complaint seems to be that the drawers get stuck. Do you find that as well?
Thank you!
Hi Rebecca, I have lots of these drawers around the house, and I don’t find that they stick too much. My bigger issue is pulling them all the way out because I don’t have the stops on all of them. With the stops installed, they work well. But I wouldn’t want to put anything really heavy in them. Hope this helps!
Hello Marianne.
Do you think you could give me the link to these boards @ Lowes? I cannot wait to make these and I hope to get started this weekend.
Thanks so much!!