Looking for the perfect way to add some rustic charm to a plain ol’ IKEA shelf? You’re going to LOVE this IKEA hack! Check out how I gave this simple white shelf the ultimate rustic makeover!
An IKEA Kallax Wrapped with Wood
Hubs and I had an absolute blast taking part in the One Room Challenge a few weeks ago! Taking on an entire room makeover is a BIG job, committing to get it done in just six weeks was borderline crazy! But, even through the stress and chaos, we chose to take the challenge for what it was – just the kick in the pants we needed to finally give our son his rustic big boy bedroom.
Making over an entire room meant tons of shopping, projects and DIY’ing. The star of the show was definitely this DIY Plank Wall with it’s perfect weathered wood finish, but I’d say a close second was the bedside table that we designed using an IKEA Kallax shelf. It really does add that polished-rustic look we were going for!
Wondering how we made it? It was easier than you think!
We started by putting together the IKEA shelf, which went surprisingly fast.
Then, it was just a matter of “wrapping” the outside in wood. We chose to use 1×3 pine, but you could really choose to use whatever wood you’d like. *Important tip: bring your wood into the room to acclimate for a few days so that it’s at it’s truest size when you start building!
You might choose to miter the boards as they meet at the corner, but in the interest of keeping things simple, we chose to match the look of the Kallax and have our boards meet with the top and bottom ends covering the edges of the boards running along the sides (see photo below).
We started by cutting and nailing on the boards for both sides first, running them from end to end on both sides. Then, after measuring our new width, we added on the boards to the top and bottom, making sure to cover the edges of our new side boards (as mentioned above).
The very last step was to stain the wood. I wanted a darker colour that would add some contrast with the shelf and the wood plank wall behind it, without being so dark that it would look too black against the white, so I ended up going with the same Minwax stain in *Early American that we had used on our DIY Window Valance, which turned out to be the perfect not-too-dark, not-too-light colour. (*affiliate link – for more information read our disclosure policy).
And that’s it my friends! I told you there was nothing to it!
I’m SO happy with how it turned out that I’m seriously thinking about wrapping all of our IKEA shelves in wood now! I absolutely love the character it adds to a plain and simple shelf that everybody seems to have!!!
Don’t forget to check it out in the room!
If you loved this, don’t miss these other fun projects we put together for the One Room Challenge!
Wishing you SUCH a lovely day!
I’m all about Ikea hacks lately! I’ve been pinning lots of ideas to do once I move later this year. This one is awesome! It looks really simple, but it made this shelf look completely different. It totally fits this rustic room. Love it!
Thank you SO much Jenna! It was SUPER quick and easy! I’m dying to do a few more now!!!
That’s a great idea, Kristi! I hadn’t noticed it before but it defiantly gives the white shelf some character! Hope you have a wonderful week! xo
Thank you SO much Kendra!!! I absolutely love how it turned out!!!
I love it Kristi! It’s amazing what one can do to dress up Ikea furniture. There is an IKEA that’s fairly close to home and I’ve been dying to go! I’ve seen so many wonderful IKEA ideas lately.
Thanks Kelly! It’s definitely one of my very favorite places to shop! There are so many fun things to discover and great deals to be had!!! Happy shopping girl!
I love these shelves and how you hacked them! The whole room came together beautifully!
I stopped by from The Scoop.
Thank you SO, SO much Jessy! I’m really happy with how it all came together!
Kristi the selves are so fresh. I liked the teddy. Loved your blog.
Awww, thank you SO much Tanu! I’m thrilled that you love it!!!
Not to mention that it adds stability…not always needed with IKEA furniture…but sometimes! Matches the room nicely!
Yes! You’re absolutely right! Thanks Audra!
A fun, simple DIY project. Such a great way to transform these little cubby shelves and add a little personality ๐
Thank you Ashlea! It was such an easy makeover with such a big impact!
Oh I love this idea!! Perfect way to add warmth and character!!
Thank you Selene! It really was! And I couldn’t believe how simple it was to do!
We’ve been planning on doing something similar for ages but I’m lazy, haha! The way you did it cleans it up so well and it looks so good!
Thanks Corinna! It was so easy-peasy that now we’re hoping to tackle a few more around the house!
Perfect little rustic shelf for Carson’s new room! I like it so much better with the wood wrapped around it. ๐ And I SO wish we had an IKEA near us!! Our closest one is in Portland, over 3 hours away!!
Thank you Amanda! It was such an easy project with such a big impact! I know just how you feel girl, before we moved back home, our closest was more than six and it was awful! Ours is still a couple of hours away, so I just keep a running list for when we finally do get there ๐
What a fantastic idea! I love the whole room!!! Found you at the Charm of Home linky party. Thank you for the inspiration. ๐
Thank you SO, SO much Michele! I’m thrilled that you love it! We’re so happy with how it all came together!
Another cute project, Kristi. It takes a plain white shelf unit and gives it a personal touch. Love it!
Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer! And it was so easy to do!
Wow! That looks incredible. I’m so impressed. Pinned and tweeted. We appreciate you stopping by to party with us. We hope to see you, Monday at 7 pm. Happy Sunday! Lou Lou Girls
Thank you SO much Kimberly!
What an amazing idea! I have never been in an IKEA, but they are opening one in St. Louis SOON and I can’t wait. This IKEA hack is great and I love this entire room, too. And, what a great tip on bringing the wood into the room for a few days before starting the project.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Thank you SO much Carrie! You are going to LOVE having an IKEA nearby!
Love this idea! I have a set of bookcases that would look so good wrapped like this.
Thanks Kati! I love the look so much, I might just end up “wrapping” everything in wood ๐
This is such a great project, Kristi! Such a creative way to dress up Ikea furniture! This was the most clicked link at the Talented Tuesday Link Party – we’ll be featuring you tomorrow! We hope to see you back again this week!
Really?! How exciting!!! Thank you SO much Amy!
I love this idea! What a perfect way to add character to IKEA furniture. Thanks for sharing at Bloggers Brags this week! I’m pinning this to our group board on Pinterest. Have a fabulous week!
Thank you SO much Christie! I love it so much and already planning out my next “wrapping” project!
His room is so cute! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Thank you SO much Sherry!!!
I know I have told you before how much I love how his room turned out but this Ikea hack is brilliant. It makes the shelves seem much more expensive but still easy to make at the same time. I definitely have to get myself to Ikea very soon. Thank you for sharing at Motivational Monday Link Party. I can’t wait to see what you share this week too.
Bethany from The Southern Couture
Thanks Bethany! We’re seriously wanting to wrap all of our IKEA shelves in wood now ๐
Wow! I loved how this turned out! So chic and stylish. Thanks so much for sharing at Merry Monday! This is going to be one of my features this week. Hope to see you again tomorrow night!
Oh wow! Thank you SO much Chelc! I’m thrilled that you love it enough to share! It’s such an easy way to dress up any plain, inexpensive shelf!
This looks great! What size/type of nails did you use? I’d love to do this as well!
Thank you! I think we used an 1 1/4 inch nails – something just long enough to go through the 1×4’s into the IKEA piece, but not so long to go right through the IKEA shelf. Hope this helps!