One of my big goals for 2019 is to share as many personal decorating projects in our current house as possible. My hope is that at the end of our lease this time next year we’ll be buying a house (fingers crossed!) and while it’s tempting to just count down the days, it will be way more fun to make the most of our remaining months and make this place look the best it can be! I have lots of projects in the works (will be sharing our guest bedroom and home office later this month!) but today I wanted to share a fun and easy Ikea dresser before and after. You definitely don’t have to be a DIY expert to take this one on!
We’ve had this Ikea Hemnes dresser in our bedroom since we moved in and while it’s super functional and generally inoffensive, I’d been eyeing a more stylish upgrade, especially as it pales in comparison after I splurged on my dream dresser (which now houses my husband’s clothes, go figure!) a few months back. I was thinking about saving up for this dresser (I liked that the hardware on the two dressers would be complementary without feeling matchy-matchy) and mentioned it to my mom, who suggested a DIY version to get the look without replacing the perfectly adequate Ikea dresser. I then remembered having heard about a company called O’verlays that sells overlays specifically for Ikea furniture… and the rest is history!
This project could not have been easier — once we had all our materials, it took us less than a half hour to apply the overlays and swap out the hardware. Would love to hear if any of you decide to give it a try!
Ikea Hemnes dresser // O’verlays kit // Lee Valley 43mm x 51mm ring pulls // Liquid Nails adhesive
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Thanks for this idea! I got the overlays and same pulls and I’m having an issue with the pulls being too loose for the dresser, like the screw just needs to be shorter so it can fit tighter. Did you encounter this? And if so, any solutions?! Thanks!
I would add a washer behind the screw so it’s nice and tight!
Hi! Did the ring pulls screw in or did you glue them on with the liquid nail adhesive? I’m about to buy some for my Hemnes dresser but couldn’t tell if the adhesive was for the pulls or the overlay. Thanks!
They screw in!
What color paint did you use in the background? I really like it!
It was that color when we moved into the house so I’m not sure, sorry!
Hey! Question, did you paint the overlays?
We did not!
OMG!!! This is amazing!! I am totally going to do this. I too wanted a new and too expensive dresser that looks just like this. I can’t wait!! Thanks Mackenzie ❤️ Can you send your mom over your help me? 🤣 not too far away in Ridgefield!
Hi! Thanks for linking the ring pulls. When I click the link, there are actually two finish choices. Do you happen to recall if you ordered A (more antiqued) or B (more true brass)? Based on the pics, it seems like B, but wanted to double-check. Also, having trouble deciding if I should order a size smaller for the top skinny drawers or if it is better to have them all be a consistent size. Thanks again!
Option B, the more true brass!
What a difference this DIY made!
Could you please tell me what size ring pulls you used.
Thank you 🙂
It’s included at the end of the blog post! 43mm x 51mm 🙂
WOW, great transformation and idea! Looks fab and so much less expensive than the pottery barn dresser that looks almost exactly the same. Thanks for the inspiration!
What a great way to get a bigger visual impact with such a small lift! Love it!
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I can’t tell you how much I love this post….the dresser looks FAB! Definitely trying this one myself! Those overlays are a game changer.
I used O’verlays to transform a hand-me-down Malm Dressers! So easy and fun. I went with the Jasmine kit for the six drawer dresser which is in my bedroom and the Pippa kit for the three drawer chest which is in my living room. I painted both pieces a light blue then sprayed the overlays an antiqued gold. Such a nice pop of color that was low investment in case I feel like changing them some day. O’verlays is also a local New England company located on the North Shore of MA!
That is a total transformation and it looks amazing! Do you know if The color of your dresser is white or white stain? I am thinking about taking on this same project, thanks!
Ours is white!
Mackenzie, I love this DIY project – it looks amazing! I was wondering where you get your white picture frames? I love them!
Thanks! They’re linked in this post: https://www.mackenziehoran.com/2018/03/12/framing-wedding-photos/
Looks great! Did you use the 1/8″ or the 1/4″ thickness? Pleased with the choice? Thanks!
1/8″ and love them! 🙂
this is awesome! The DIY is so accessible, and I love how it turned out.
LOVE how this turned out, lady! So chic!