Welcome back for part three of the Ikea desk hack series! Be sure to read Part I and Part II if you missed them. Today’s update is the last of the process shares, which means we’re that much closer to the final results.
Much of this project really is waiting for paint to dry, but having the patience makes all the difference in the end. The last details that needed to be finished were the desk legs and the top. If you’re looking for a place to experiment with color, this part of the project is for you!
Here’s Part III:
I needed to add a bit of height to the Besta units to make it the right size for a desk. If you want to recreate this desk hack, know that you can get the exact desk height you want just by choosing the right legs.
How to Paint Ikea NANNARP Legs
What You’ll Need:
– Sandpaper
– Primer
– Spray paint
– Sealant spray
Start by lightly scuffing up the surface with sandpaper. You don’t need to sand a lot, just enough to remove a bit of the coating so the paint sticks better. Wipe off the debris and dust completely. Spray with a coat of primer and let dry fully before applying your color.
I applied two coats of color, letting the legs dry between coats. You won’t need to spray the top of the legs since they will be flush against the desk. Just make sure the sides are coated.
Let dry fully before sealing.
I opted for a multicolor desk leg option since the desk is a solid color. They’re surprisingly subtle on the desk, so if you’ve ever wanted to take a risk with color, this would definitely be the place to do it. Plus they aren’t too difficult to paint over if you change your mind later.
How to Paint a Wooden Desk Top
Next up: finishing the top of the desk!
I sanded the top with both 80 and 120 grit sandpaper until it was smooth to the touch. Make sure to run your hand across the entire board to check for any rough patches. This step really is so important because it will determine how easy your desk cleans up. It’s easier for dust to get stuck to a rough surface, making it a pain to clean (trust me, this is my third wooden desk top).
After the top was sanded and cleaned, I decided to paint it! You could leave the wood as is if you prefer, just be sure that you seal it to protect it.
Even though the paint color I chose was white, I still primed the surface. This helped add another layer of protection and helped my actual paint go further by reducing the number of coats I needed to apply.
Believe it or not, I was able to paint the entire desk top with a sample size of color (did 2 coats). You might use every last drop of the sample, but if you’re careful with your paint, it should get you through the project.
The color used: Ultra Pure White by Behr Marquee
White paint for a high trafficked area is a risk, and dust will show easily, so just know it might be a bit more high maintenance than other colors. For me, it was worth the risk! Plus again, white is very easy to paint over if I should change my mind later on.
Once the paint was dry (I let it sit overnight), I sealed the desk top with two coats of Polycrylic. Again, this is another step you don’t want to skip because it helps with the longevity of your desk.
Lastly, to seal the raw edge of the desk top (you can see it before on the left), I used iron on veneer edging. This was relatively easy to do and it makes the desk feel so much more polished. It’s an extra step, but if you hate the roughness of the desk top, this will definitely help smooth it out.
So that’s it for the DIY portion of the Ikea Desk Hack! I can’t wait for you to see the final results!!
xo
Rachel