Have you ever wondered if you can paint Ikea furniture? It’s much easier than you might think. I transformed a black Ikea Malm dresser into a fresh white and walnut piece that brings a farmhouse touch to my bedroom. The makeover brightened the room and gave an inexpensive dresser a custom look.
A few weeks ago I shared my small apartment makeover with the newly installed kitchen. That space also includes a bedroom, and I tackled several furniture pieces there. Earlier I updated a laminate table into a farmhouse-style desk; today I’ll show how I transformed a black Ikea Malm dresser into a bright, durable dresser that fits the room.
Disclosure: I received product for this project, but all opinions are my own. I only use and recommend products I trust.
Materials Needed to Paint Your Ikea Malm Dresser
Note: This is a general materials list for the project.
- Sandpaper (medium and fine grit)
- Chalk-style paint in a white shade (used here as the base)
- Acrylic paints in brown or colors to mix a brown tone
- Multi-purpose sealer (for durability)
- Gel stain (for rich top finish)
- Clear creme wax
- Round brush for the top finish and regular paint brushes
I started with a basic black Malm dresser — inexpensive and practical, but much too dark for the bedroom I was designing. My goal was to keep the storage but update the look to something lighter and more farmhouse-inspired.
How to Paint Your Ikea Malm Dresser
The first step was to gently scuff the dresser with sandpaper. You don’t need to remove all the finish — just roughen the surface so the new paint adheres well.
After light sanding, I wiped the dresser clean and applied a chalk-style white paint as the base. This paint covers well and creates a matte, farmhouse-friendly finish. I applied about three thin coats to completely hide the black underneath.
For the dresser top and front frame I wanted a warm, walnut-like contrast. I mixed leftover acrylic paints to create a brown tone and applied it on top using short brushstrokes to introduce texture.
The small bottle of acrylic I had was nearly empty, so I blended various colors until I reached the desired brown. Working in short strokes gave the top subtle variation and a hand-finished look.
Because the dresser top sees a lot of use, I wanted a hard, protective finish. I mixed a multi-purpose sealer with gel stain (roughly one part sealer to three parts gel stain) to deepen the color and create a durable surface. Using a round brush, I pulled long, even strokes across the top so the grain-like streaks would read like a stained wood finish.
After applying the gel-stain-and-sealer mix, the top dried to a rich, hard surface that resists everyday wear and tear. The drawers and remaining white surfaces were sealed with a clear creme wax to protect the chalk paint without adding shine.
Here’s the dresser after the makeover: white drawers and sides with a walnut-toned top and front frame. The contrast brightens the room while the top feels sturdy and finished.
The makeover left the dresser with a farmhouse vibe that coordinates easily with other pieces in the room. White paint makes the space feel fresh, and the walnut top brings warmth and interest.
Remember, this piece started as particleboard, not solid wood, but proper preparation and the right products can give excellent results. The sealer and gel stain were key to achieving a durable, wood-like finish on the top.
Here’s a quick before image so you can see the dramatic change from the original black finish to the updated farmhouse look.
It’s amazing what paint and a little effort can do. If you own a Malm dresser or similar Ikea piece, you don’t have to settle for the original color. With sanding, a good base coat, and a durable finish on the top, you can create a custom piece that looks much more expensive than it really is.
I enjoyed this upcycle and learned how well the multi-surface sealer performs on a high-traffic surface. If you try this project, take your time on prep and choose a sealer or topcoat suited to the surface you’ve created. Have fun transforming your furniture!
If you want more bedroom project ideas, here are a few other pieces I updated in this series:
