PMQ for two

Bold, Bright and Colourful Home Decor & DIYs

  • HOME
  • ABOUT ME
    • POLICIES
  • BUSINESS BABES
  • PROJECT GALLERY
  • PRESS
  • WHAT IS A PMQ?
    • THE DUPLEX
    • The Row House Tour

IKEA RAST Desk Hack with Minwax

January 12, 2018~ Furniture DIY, office

New Year, new me, new desk! I’m in a new work space this year (more on that next week with the studio tour), but in the meantime I can show you the amazing desks I built. See, our new studio space is a classroom in a converted school, so we have a lot of room and no natural divide, which means we need big pieces that create symmetry to help define things. I spotted a picture of this project on Good Housekeeping // here // and set about making my own version. This IKEA RAST Desk Hack is super affordable and very dooable, so you should definitely consider it next time you’re in the market for a desk.

*MinWax sponsored this post, but all thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make PMQ for two possible.

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

This project took me about 2 days to complete, but that’s a pretty loose timeline with lots of wiggle room. It too so long mainly because I was making two of them – one for myself and one for my partner.

In our case, the back of the desks will be exposed to the entire room (because we’re backing them on the chalk board – they’re photographed in reverse here), so we needed to find a work around that was aestheticaly pleasing. If you’re just backing the desk agaisnt a wall, you can disregard anything after step 3, and then just add the desktop using L brackets on the underside.

*The following product links contain affiliate links. Thank you for supporting the brands that make PMQ for two possible. For my full policies click // here //

Materials:

  • IKEA Rast x 2
  • IKEA Linnmon
  • MinWax Wood Stain – I used Special Walnut 224
  • Latex Gloves – to keep your hands safe from the stain
  • Cotton Staining Rags
  • White Paint
  • Drill & bits – I like the Ryobi Drill
  • Nail Gun – I used the Ryobi Air Strike
  • 1x8x6 knotty pine x3
  • 1x3x6 knotty pine x2

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

Step 1: Assemble the Rast dressers per specifications. Don’t add the knobs to the drawers, but use a piece of painters tape to be able to open the drawers even when they’re closed.

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

Step 2: Stain the drawer fronts using your MinWax stain. Use the latex gloves and cotton rags to do so. Be sure to follow the instructions exactly as stated on the cans, and ensure proper ventilation.

I applied two coats to get this colours, so if you’re going to as well, make sure you account for the dry time in between coats.

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

Step 3: Paint the knobs white and then put them back on the drawer fronts once the stain has dried.

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

To make the back of the desks match the front, you’ll make a small panel to cover it and stain it to match.

Step 4: Measure the width of the rast dresser, and make the appropriate cuts in the lumber. You’ll want 3 pieces of the 1×8 and 2 of the 1×3.

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

Step 5: Using a nail gun, add the wood pieces to the back of the dresser, alternating between the 1×8 and 1×3 pieces. It should cover the entirety of the back of the dresser.

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

Step 6: Give the wood a quick sand to erase any gritty parts, and then stain it! I found it easier to stain the wood once it was in place.

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

Step 7: Attach the desktop to the rast dressers. I laid the desktop flat on the ground and then inverted the dressers. I centered them along the sides and then traced where I needed them to go.

I used L brackets to secure the desktop to the dressers, so I drilled pilot holes before flipping everything back over and securing it all with screws.

Step 8: Complete! I then added an IKEA table top work lamp, and brought in everything from my home office to make the transition complete.

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

An IKEA RAST Desk Hack that creates a custom desk for just under 150$. Using Minwax's line of wood stains you can get a custom finish on the wood too. It's the perfect work desk and comes with lots of storage. #minwax #ikeahack #ikearast

 

✨Are you signed-up for my new post updates? ✨

* indicates required

Email Format

18 Comments

✌???? Out Till The New Year »
« Bone Inlay IKEA Moppe

Comments

  1. Angie says

    January 12, 2018 at 6:57 am

    Looks awesome! Cant wait to here about everything…..

    Reply
  2. Gillian Garneau says

    January 12, 2018 at 7:45 am

    What an amazing work space! I love the scarlet sheepskin.

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      January 19, 2018 at 2:34 pm

      I am totally in love with that sheepskin. I’m going to do a tutorial about dying one soon.

      Reply
  3. Meagan says

    January 12, 2018 at 4:06 pm

    Love it!

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      January 19, 2018 at 2:30 pm

      Thank you! <3

      Reply
  4. Lesley Metcalfe says

    January 15, 2018 at 10:43 am

    Looks amazing! And you’ve styled the desks so beautifully.

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      January 19, 2018 at 2:28 pm

      Thank you Lesley! I was super impressed with my first shoot here <3

      Reply
  5. Melanie says

    March 3, 2021 at 11:27 am

    Love this – and perfect timing as I need to update my WFH situation.

    Question – is the yellow bust also a DIY??

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      March 6, 2021 at 8:40 am

      thank you! That bust was a Homesense find forever ago! it’s fab eh?

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Have you tried Salt Spring Island Candles? • PMQ for two says:
    January 18, 2018 at 5:59 am

    […] P.s don’t forget to check out my IKEA Hack Desks […]

    Reply
  2. Blush & Brass Studios • PMQ for two says:
    February 21, 2018 at 7:31 pm

    […] to provide a few of the key pieces, and we were able to DIY the rest, like DIY IKEA Hack Desks // here […]

    Reply
  3. Easy to Install Furniture Power Units • PMQ for two says:
    March 2, 2018 at 6:00 am

    […] on or get left behind. Kidding, not kidding. In this case, I had originally planned our desks // here // with in-furniture power units, but I just needed to find the right ones. This is where Radiant […]

    Reply
  4. Pink & Gold Office Revamp • PMQ for two says:
    July 31, 2018 at 2:46 pm

    […] IKEA Rast Desk // The Studio // Easy to Install Furniture Power Units […]

    Reply
  5. 24 Best IKEA Desk Hacks To Need To Try | ComfyDwelling.com says:
    May 16, 2019 at 4:38 pm

    […] with Trestle Legs Ikea Hack: Modern Desk IKEA Hack: White and Gold DIY Ikea Desk Alex Numerar Desk IKEA RAST Desk Hack with Minwax Hairpin-Leg and Stainless-Top […]

    Reply
  6. Looking for some Ikea Rast Hacks? Check out these 31 hacks you can do! says:
    November 10, 2019 at 8:28 am

    […] Source […]

    Reply
  7. 10 DIY Desk Ideas + Favorite Desk Chairs and Accessories - Erin Spain says:
    February 11, 2020 at 8:49 pm

    […] IKEA RAST desk hack by Ariel at PMQ for Two is absolutely stunning! I love this idea. I always love seeing new and […]

    Reply
  8. 12 Desks You Can Make This Weekend - Crafted by the Hunts says:
    April 23, 2020 at 2:51 pm

    […] by The Sawdust SistersDIY Farmhouse Desk by Handmade HavenA Frame Desk by Anika’s DIY Life IKEA Hack Desk by PMQ for TwoDIY Farmhouse Desk by Handmade HavenDIY Built-In Desk by Charleston CraftedDIY Desk in a Closet by […]

    Reply
  9. 19 Creative Workspace Ideas for Couples – Brit + Co – The Home Office Channel says:
    August 7, 2020 at 12:54 am

    […] 5. Ikea Hack: Hack a large Ikea desk or table by adding two RAST dressers underneath a countertop to create a long desk with tons of storage —one dresser for each of you. (via PMQ for two) […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

woman in red dress on counter

Hi! My name is Ariel and I'm the voice behind PMQ for two. I create bright, bold, colourful, and eclectic home decor, DIYs and lifestyle content.

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

PMQ for three

Time For A Cocktail

pmqfortwo

Ariel - PMQ for two
The future is female ❤️ On this #international The future is female ❤️ On this #internationalwomensday I am reminded of how far we still have to go. I fight for workplace equality, and the freedom to not have to use an emoji or exclamation point in work emails, for fear of sounding “angry.” COVID has laid bare the fragility of women’s place in the workforce, and set back women of colour in the workplace (who are more likely to have been laid off due to the pandemic.) I’m not entirely sure this is a year to celebrate. it’s a year to look at the situation we’re in collectively, and make sure we’re not leaving women behind as we *hopefully* eye a return to some normalcy. Access to affordable childcare and agency in households dynamics, are key to making sure women don’t get left behind. What are you fighting for on this #internationalwomensday ? 
•
•
•
#futureisfemale #womeninbusiness #womenintheworkplace #womensupportingwomen #womensworkwednesday
Spot the difference between these two pictures 📸 Aside from the fact that the living room no longer looks like this lol How many iterations has YOUR living room gone through? 
•
•
•
#livingroomdesign #livingroomdecor #livingroominspiration #eclectichome #eclectichomemix #gallerywalldecor #oneroomchallenge #houseandhomemag #sodomino  #behrpaint #midcenturymodern #midcenturystyle #midcenturyhome
You know what I love? People who dress as colourfu You know what I love? People who dress as colourfully, as I design ✨ My friend Tabitha @tabithasewer  makes the most amazing clothes, many of which I’d gladly wear if I knew how to use a clothing pattern. She sells her own line of buttons and patterns, so if you’re in the market to make your own bold and beautiful clothing items, she’s your girl. Have you had a chance to follow her yet?
•
•
•
#tabithasewer #tabithasewerbuttons #blackownedbusiness #colourfulclothes #diyclothes #clothingpattern #sewingproject #sewingismytherapy
That one time I made a desk 📌 This #ikeahack is That one time I made a desk 📌 This #ikeahack is one of my faves. It uses two RAST dressers and a desk top, as well as a few other pieces (all listed on the blog - link in stories). Being without a desk at the moment means that I’m daydreaming about my next one. 
•
•
•
#ikeahacks #ikeahackers #ikeahacking #diydesign #diydesk #woodworking #eclecticdecor #abmlifeiscolorful #bhghome #anthropologiehome #behrpaint #officedecor #officeinspiration
Sitting pretty after a great weekend staycation he Sitting pretty after a great weekend staycation here in Freddy. JB had a blast, we got to unwind a little, and now I’m sitting in the bath eating a McFlurry and watching the Britney documentary on my phone. Happy Sunday night! 
•
•
•
#retrokitchen #kitschycute #oneroomchallenge #behrpaint #retroaesthetic #retrostyle #wallpaperdecor #wallpaperwednesday #kitchensink #kitchenrenovation #vintagekitchen #bhgstylemaker #bhghome #southernliving #countrylivingmag
Literally a year later 📆 these two are still cu Literally a year later 📆 these two are still cute as heck. Time has been a fickle beast this past year, but at least we’re all still together and in good health. It’s the little things ❤️
•
•
•
#livingroomdecor #babyplayideas #babyplay #eclectichome #eclectichomemix #tummytime #spoonflower #spoonflowerfabric #bhgstylemaker #bhghome #abmlifeissweet #toddlermomlife #toddlermom #colorfulhome
Raise your hand if you’ve been following me sinc Raise your hand if you’ve been following me since our last PMQ 🙋🏼‍♀️ okay now raise both hands if you’ve been following me our first PMQ 🙆🏼‍♀️ even better, tell me when you started following me! I’m diving back into my project archives and want to share some good old ones, but I’m not sure who remembers what! 
•
•
•
#livingroomdecor #livingroomdesign #livingroomstyle #smallspaces #smallspaceliving #smallspacesquad #ikeahack #behrpaint #eclectichome #eclectichomedecor #southernlivingmag #anthropologiehome #thriftedhomedecor #retrohomedecor
Load More... Follow on Instagram

- THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS -

Cookies ????

This site uses cookies: Find out more.