Rast 3 Drawer Chest Pine

17 Stunning IKEA Hacks that Make the Most of a Plain RAST Dresser

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When it comes to hackable IKEA products, it's awfully hard to beat the RAST dresser. This plain dresser is packed with potential, thanks to its wood construction (endlessly paintable!) and simple shape (endlessly design-able!). Prepare to be blown away by all the possibilities for revamping this basic three-drawer dresser. Below, 17 ways to take this $40 dresser and turn it into something dazzling.

1. Campaign style

Campaign furniture is a classic, but it can be a struggle to find pieces that don't break the bank. That's where this RAST DIY comes in. Bloggers Mallory and Savannah of Classy Clutter used some paint and new hardware and to transform a simple IKEA dresser into a timeless looking piece. This project is an excellent way to save money if you're prone to changing your style preferences frequently, as you can still achieve the campaign look without committing to a splurge-worthy piece.

2. Mid-century look

Traditional mid-century modern dressers can also cost a pretty penny! This RAST hack will allow you to bring the MCM look home for much, much less. Blogger Dena Holley-Stormer used wood stain to upgrade the trim of her dresser, added traditional tapered legs, and finished the look with some dazzling drawer pulls she purchased on Etsy.

3. Vintage-look apothecary chest

It's hard to believe that the chic apothecary chest you see here originated as a simple IKEA dresser. Blogger Bliss of Bliss Ranch got extra creative, adding pine wood trim to the existing dresser components. She also took the legs off of old dining chairs and using them to hold up the piece, then painted the whole thing white. Glass door fronts finish the whole thing off.

4. Rattan-covered drawers

After oohing and ahhing over various rattan pieces, blogger Meg Lowery decided to make her own cane nightstand using a RAST dresser. Trim around the drawers complements the caning, and dainty black knobs match the black-painted frame.

5. Faux luggage look

Blogger Jen Crider fell for a stunning suitcase dresser she saw online, but the piece sold out before she could get her hands on it. So she made her own! The finished product, which includes leather scraps and components from old suitcases, is perfectly vintage chic and bound to make a statement no matter where it's placed.

6. Wood with bright accents

Blogger Bethany Sy transformed two RAST dressers to create punchy mid-century modern pieces with warm wood tones and pops of pink. The hourglass-shaped plywood accents she added to the drawer fronts function as minimalist drawer pulls, too.

7. Long mid-century modern dresser

Bethany Sy also transformed a set of three RAST dressers into one large piece—and it's hard to tell at first glance that this isn't your standard dresser. The dressers are in fact attached to one another, but if you anticipate wanting to move the chests around to style them individually down the line, you could still adapt the various components of this hack to best fit your space.

8. Antique-look filing cabinet

Blogger Pati of Style Squeeze took her toolbox and totally transformed this ordinary RAST piece into something with a vintage feel. Bin pulls, filing labels, and an antiqued wood finish complete the old-school-library vibe. Casters make the piece extra functional.

9. Wallpapered drawer fronts

For color and pattern, look no further and wallpaper. Blogger Ashley Wilson chose to stick a kid-friendly print to the front of this RAST dresser so it would suit her son's room. She also added legs, and painted the frame of the dresser for some extra charm.

10. Farmhouse-style burlap

Burlap is another excellent option for upgrading the front of a RAST dresser. Blogger Amy of Canary Street Crafts created this shabby chic piece using burlap and some new knobs that pop against the pattern.

11. Bar cart redo

Who says you have to use the RAST as a traditional chest? Blogger Breighanne Eggert turned hers into a bar cart, complete with a towel bar and a built-in wine rack. Keep all of your entertaining essentials organized and looking stylish with this clever hack.

12. Shaker-style trim

The shape of the RAST dresser makes it easy to add on additional details for a more elevated look. Blogger Doreen Cagno upgraded the various components of her dresser to make it more intricate, designing her own top, bottom, and trim for a Shaker-style feel. Bin pulls finish the look.

13. Built-in closet organization

A RAST dresser (or two!) can work wonders in a closet that needs a new storage solution. Blogger Brooke Cribbs made her own version of built-ins using the RAST. Adding a counter on top maximizes storage space, while shelves at the bottom neatly stow shoes.

14. Storage-rich desk

Need some extra storage where you work? The RAST can be a starting point for a DIY desk. Blogger Stacey Cartwright used hers at the end of her DIY desk, adding a long table top to make plenty of space to spread out.

15. Faux cubbies

With a little craftiness, blogger Alicia of Thrifty and Chic created the illusion of a piece with nine different drawers. She used the RAST dresser to create her apothecary-like nightstand, carving faux "drawer" lines into the fronts. The placement of the new drawer pulls helps maintain the appearance of separate little cubbies.

16. Glam mirrored fronts

Blogger Sara Davis was inspired to create her own version of an Anthropologie dresser she spotted online. Mirrored accents on the drawer fronts, coupled with turned legs, transform this plain piece into something glamorous. The mirrored fronts help give the illusion of more space, too.

17. Simple Scandi-style

Blogger Maryal Miller is a fan of what she describes as the Scandinavian farmhouse look, so she used driftwood stain to give her RAST dresser an aged wood look. The bun feet and ceramic knobs go all-in with the Scandi and cottage vibes.

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