A while back I refreshed my older daughter’s room. She loves blue, so we painted the walls a soft, cheerful blue and made a few small updates throughout the space. I even shared a tour of the room.
My daughter has very definite tastes — she knows exactly what she likes and what she doesn’t. In a previous post I reupholstered her chair, and when I suggested painting the desk as well, she was strongly opposed. To my surprise, one day she changed her mind and said, “Yes, Mom — it’s time to paint it.” That’s how this Ikea desk makeover with chalky finish paint began.
Disclosure: I was compensated for this post with product. All opinions are my own. I only recommend products I use and trust.
The desk was an inexpensive Ikea piece — particleboard and simple hardware, bought to fit into an already small room. It had a little keyboard shelf underneath and otherwise offered little in the way of character. The color was, frankly, boring.
We decided it needed a fresh coat of blue.
For paint I chose DecoArt Americana Decor Chalky Finish — a favorite for quick furniture makeovers because it adheres well to laminate and particleboard and gives a rich, matte, paint-like finish. I used the color Escape, a lively mid-blue that pairs nicely with the room’s palette.
After two coats the desk had a smooth, even blue finish. I sealed the desktop with a clear acrylic varnish to protect it from daily wear and occasional spills — a practical step for a child’s workspace.
I painted the keyboard shelf in DecoArt Americana Decor Chalky Finish in Everlasting — a crisp, clean white — to create a bright contrast against the blue top.
Even after painting, I felt the keyboard shelf needed personality. My daughter suggested writing “FABULOUS” across it — a word she uses constantly — but I wanted something a little more unique. I found an old Marshall’s shopping bag with a bold circular pattern and decided to decoupage those circles onto the shelf for a playful, graphic accent.
That bag became my inspiration: bright, fun, and perfectly in tune with the room’s vibe.
Using a plate as a template, I traced the circles onto the bag’s paper and cut out the shapes. Cutting was straightforward; the challenge was adhering the paper to the painted shelf. I couldn’t find my jar of Mod Podge, so I improvised with a glue mixture. Unfortunately, I watered it down too much and the paper wouldn’t stick properly. To complicate things, the weather was humid and rainy during the project, which made drying difficult.
After a frustrating few days and a trip to the store for the European equivalent of Mod Podge, I applied three proper coats to seal the paper circles. I also used DecoArt stencils to add the “FAB-U-L-O-U-S” lettering in a playful font so my daughter would be pleased. The stenciled letters gave the shelf a personal touch and tied the design elements together.
I’ll admit the keyboard shelf almost defeated me, but the finished result was worth the effort.
The Escape blue is bright and cheerful — the kind of color that lifts a room instantly. Painting the shelf brackets to match the top and shelf helped the piece feel cohesive: the bracket attached to the desk is painted Escape, while the shelf bracket is white to echo the Everlasting shelf.
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Painting the brackets and sealing the surfaces completed the transformation. The desk now looks custom and cheerful, and it complements the rest of the blue room beautifully.
In the end everyone is happy: I achieved the painted desk I wanted, and my daughter got her “FAB-U-L-O-U-S” shelf. The combination of chalky finish paint and a protected decoupage top gave new life to an inexpensive Ikea piece without major expense.
This shade of blue brightened the room and lifted our spirits on even the rainiest days. The project took about a week from start to finish because of weather delays and the decoupage learning curve, but the result was worth the extra time.
The desk is back in my daughter’s room and both of us are thrilled. Chalky finish paint is a reliable option for quick furniture makeovers — it adheres well, provides great coverage, and creates an on-trend matte finish. This Ikea desk makeover proves that a little paint, a small creative accent, and patience can transform an inexpensive piece into something special.
I promise not to say “fabulous” for the next few months — but for now, it really is just that.
What do you think of the decoupaged shelf — yay or nay?
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Related:
Organizing the Organizer
A Tour of the Blue Room
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This blog is for entertainment purposes only; my DIY tutorials are not professional advice. Read the full disclaimer on the blog.
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