Changing Table: DIY IKEA Tarva Dresser Hack

Raise your hand if you’ve seen the DIY IKEA Tarva Dresser Hack before?! Well I decided to take on my own DIY IKEA Tarva Dresser Hack a while ago and I’m finally sharing it with y’all. This was one of the first couple DIY projects I took on with very little power tools and a lot of trial and error.

GETTING STARTED ON YOUR DIY IKEA TARVA DRESSER HACK:

STEP 1 : Assemble your IKEA Tarva Dresser as specified by the manufacturer. Be sure to exclude assembling the IKEA legs and substitute your own bun feet.

(ASSEMBLY NOTE: Make sure you install the three middle pieces the correct way. I had to rip off the back panel after I nailed 60 nails into! Just to turn the middle pieces of wood around so I could attach the drawer slides correctly.)

STEP 2 : Measure twice, cut once! Cut all boards according to length of drawer then width of drawer. Make sure you cut each board at a time and measure each before cutting. Glue the top and bottom length wise pieces and secure with clamps. You’ll want to invest in quite a few clamps unless you want this project to take you more than one day.

STEP 3 : Use your brad nailer or manual staple gun to secure the length wise piece of wood you glued earlier. Make sure your glue is almost dry before nailing anything! I used the staple gun that converted into a brad nailer (linked below).

STEP 4 : Glue and nail your width pieces. Some pieces may need to be shimmied into place with a hammer if you cut them for a snug fit.

STEP 5 : Repeat STEPS 2-4 until you have finished all 8 drawers. As you finish each drawer put it in the slot you got it from. The framing will not be the same on all of the drawers due to the IKEA product itself.

STEP 6 : After all 8 drawers are framed use your stainable wood filler (linked below) at all 4 joints of the framed drawers. Let the wood filler dry and sand the drawer for staining. For tips on Sanding and staining check out my DIY Open Shelving post.

STEP 7 : I used two stains for the drawers, Rust-Oleum Driftwood and Rust-Oleum Weathered Gray. Start by staining all your drawers with Driftwood and immediately add the Weathered Gray 1st Coat then make your way around with the 2nd Coat. The stain does not need to cure in-between. You want to be able to blend the stains so there are no streaks.

I used one coat of Driftwood (Left Drawer) and two coats of Weathered Gray (Middle Drawer 1st Coat and Right Drawer 2nd Coat).

STEP 8 : After you’re done staining your drawers start on the dresser frame and use the same technique you did on the drawers. (Originally I did the frame first then the drawers. It makes more sense to do the drawers first then the frame. You can stick the drawers in the frame and let the stain cure for 24 hours without your project taking up your entire garage.)

STEP 9 : After your stain has cured for 24 hours, add your choice of poly to seal the dresser. Follow the directions for Polycrylic on the can. Be sure to tape off the drawer slide rollers so they do not stick from the spray poly.

STEP 10 : Add your hardware once the poly is completely dry. I decided to go with cup pulls. I found these at Lowes!

If you don’t have the Kreg Jig – Cabinet Hardware Jig, you can use tape or a sticky note in my case as your guide. I did this project in before they came out with this product that would’ve saved me so much time!

STEP 12 : Clean and style for your home!

The awesome thing about this IKEA Tarva Dresser is how interchangeable it is. When we lived in North Carolina we used it as a media console and it held everything from extra phone chargers and DVD’s to our Wii and DVD Player. Now, in Tennessee we are using it as a dresser in our master bedroom. It’s also temporarily being used as a baby changing table for our sweet Liv since she sleeps in there still.