Turn An IKEA Rast Dresser Into A Nightstand With A Modern, Fluted Look

Whether your home's style is classic bohemian or your décor veers more toward a modern style, IKEA likely has furniture pieces for you. However, what if you consider your interior to be closely aligned with the midimalist design trend, or appreciate the vintage visual appeal of thrifted dressers — but don't have the patience to look for the perfect piece? For that, you may consider transforming a plain IKEA RAST dresser into the fluted nightstand of your dreams with a few tweaks. 

IKEA's furniture pieces are known for their affordable price point and visual appeal. Plus, many of their furniture pieces work well as blank canvases for your DIY projects, such as turning a basic TARVA dresser into a show-stopping revamp. Using the RAST dresser, specifically, you can build a sophisticated nightstand from the bare bones of the piece. This gorgeous transformation can look amazing in a modern or mid-century modern style interior, or shine as a funky modern art deco piece. Whatever your interior décor preference, the fluted element to this piece works best for those styles that intersect contemporary and elegant.

Keep in mind that while this is a woodworking project beginners can likely do, you'll need to know your way around certain tools. There are different ways to DIY a fluted dresser. Merge the wood from the top drawer with the bottom base using a pocket hole jig and drilled holes on the edges, then seal them together with wood glue before screwing the pieces together. This creates a shelf where the top drawer once was. You can use the same technique for the bottom shelf. Then, drill holes along the edges of the shelves facing away from the front and, leave a slight gap between the wood and drawers for functional drawers.

From here, you're ready to add fluting to the drawers. It's recommended to sand down the dresser prior to adding dowels. Next, cut out wooden square dowels into smaller pieces that are the same length as the drawers and glue them down with wood glue. If you're going for a mid-century modern interior, consider adding dimension to your fluted nightstand by adding more dowels closer together — just be sure that the dowels are spaced out evenly. For a smooth paint application, use a primer before applying your chosen paint. A wood stain can be good for interiors that use natural materials, such as bohemian or mid-century modern. With a little flair, creative design, and some vision, you'll enjoy a fresh piece that fits your style.