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Big Changes From a Small Dresser

IKEA Bjorksnas dresser // bedroom makeover via Yellow Brick Home

kitchen | dresser | basket | mirror | lamp | planter | curtains

After wrapping up the TreeHouse kitchen and mudroom over the course of the last few weeks, we were able to give some much needed attention to the barest-of-bare corners in our Michigan(dinavian) bedroom. Previously, this corner served no purpose, and the lack of storage in this room left us living out of suitcases whenever we visited. This resulted in one of us digging through piles of clothes every time we needed a fresh outfit for Lucy, who happens to be very demanding with her Mariah Carey on MTV cribs-level wardrobe changes. I digress.

We knew we needed a dresser to get organized, but we required something with very specific (and apparently challenging?) dimensions. In our search for the perfect furniture piece to act as the ‘command center’ for the room, we hit all of our favorite local thrift and vintage shops and looked around online, and we popped into a few brick and mortar furniture stores, but nothing felt right. Then Kim spotted the IKEA BJÖRKSNÄS dresser in The Sweet Beast’s bedroom reveal. She texted me a photo, we agreed it the fit could be just right, and I headed out to the ‘burbs to pick up some flat-packed goodies the very next day!

Below is a quick refresher on how we got to where we are today:

Bedroom | Before

Bedroom | Progress

Bedroom | Now

IKEA Bjorksnas dresser // bedroom makeover via Yellow Brick Home

dresser | toy basket | mirror | lamp | small planter | zz basket | flip clock | task lamp

The dresser was a touch narrower  than we thought we wanted, but all in all, it worked out perfectly! The blonde tone of the wood also plays off of the light maple tones of the kitchen peninsula, which we love.

IKEA Bjorksnas dresser // bedroom makeover via Yellow Brick HomeIKEA Bjorksnas dresser // bedroom makeover via Yellow Brick Home

The top two half-drawers remain fully stocked with Lucy supplies (diapers, wipes and lotions), and during longer stays, each of us has a dedicated drawer to unpack a few things and make us feel that much more at home:

IKEA Bjorksnas dresser // bedroom makeover via Yellow Brick Home

Although we were originally hunting for something wider, the slimmer width of the dresser gives us a landing spot for a tidy basket full of books, blankets, and toys.

IKEA Bjorksnas dresser // bedroom makeover via Yellow Brick Home

basket | rug

To add some additional interest and function up top, we picked up the Atlas jar from a local – like, right across the street from us – antique shop, and during our evening beach strolls, we’ve started a tradition of collecting a stone for Lucy’s jar.  The brass goose is from a Chicago vintage shop that was closing its doors. At first, we were certain it was a duck, but one of Lucy’s many (many!) nicknames is Goose, so all the better!  To round things out (punny?) we finally found a home for our vintage leather lamp and a small planter that had been in hiding for far too long! Everyone’s favorite round brass mirror plays off of the shape of the lamp, and the big mix of old and new adds a slightly “lived-in” vibe, we think.

IKEA Bjorksnas dresser // bedroom makeover via Yellow Brick HomeIKEA Bjorksnas dresser // bedroom makeover via Yellow Brick HomeIKEA Bjorksnas dresser // bedroom makeover via Yellow Brick Home

The leather loop pulls on the drawers were a point of contention. In true IKEA proprietary fashion, the pulls are attached through two vertically stacked holes, so although there were talks of swapping them for something else, we would have had to find a pull that would properly cover both holes. In the end, we agreed that they have a more casual feel that blends  better with the tone of the wood, so we’re happy.

IKEA Bjorksnas dresser // bedroom makeover via Yellow Brick HomeIKEA Bjorksnas dresser // bedroom makeover via Yellow Brick Home

To remind us all where we’ve come from (and because before and afters are the best), this is how the bedroom looked shortly after we purchased our little Tree House versus how it’s looking now!

Bedroom | Before

Bedroom | Now

IKEA Bjorksnas dresser // bedroom makeover via Yellow Brick Home

Our little-dresser-that-could may seem like a small victory, but from a functional perspective, this new corner setup has really changed the way we spend time at TreeHouse. Having a “landing zone” for clothes and baby necessities keeps our stuff up off the floor, within reach and organized so we can focus on cooking, spending time with family, and exploring everything Harbor Country has to see and do.

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  • Hannah8.24.18 - 7:57 AM

    I cannot believe that dresser is from Ikea. It’s gorgeous! The whole house is becoming so gorgeous!ReplyCancel

  • Caitlin Low8.24.18 - 8:22 AM

    I LOVE this!! And since you’re checking things off your list I can only hope you’re going to get to the dining area soon!!!!ReplyCancel

    • Kim8.24.18 - 9:29 AM

      We cannot WAIT to get to the dining room! We’re getting our big maple tree milled, and we’re thinking it will make a beautiful table. We’ve been brainstorming a banquette in that area, and we still have a lot of decisions to make, but it’s on the short list!ReplyCancel

      • Caitlin low8.24.18 - 7:47 PM

        We have a banquette in our condo with a Saarinen marble table and it’s our favorite spot in the house! You’ll love it! My only advice is to make sure it’s a pedestal otherwise it’ll be very annoying to climb into!ReplyCancel

        • Kim8.24.18 - 10:02 PM

          Oh yes, 100%! We have a few table styles in mind, but the one thing they all have in common is a pedestal base.ReplyCancel

  • Paige Cassandra Flamm8.24.18 - 10:10 AM

    I love those leather drawer pulls!

    Paige
    http://thehappyflammily.comReplyCancel

  • LMN8.24.18 - 10:52 AM

    Love the dresser. I, too, need something in an uncommon size. Is the surface unfinished–as in, able to be painted without a lot of prep? ;-)ReplyCancel

    • Kim8.24.18 - 11:01 AM

      There’s a matte poly finish on it, but I bet a gentle scuff with high grit (220 or more) sandpaper would rough it up enough to paint it just fine!ReplyCancel

  • Courtney8.24.18 - 1:00 PM

    My childhood nickname was Goose! :DReplyCancel

  • susan8.28.18 - 7:13 AM

    This room looks SO much better now. How long is the curtain rod over your double doors (the inside ones) and where is it from?ReplyCancel

    • Kim8.28.18 - 7:20 AM

      It’s an IKEA rod with curtains from Bali Blinds! The rod is about 90″ in width. We’ll be sharing more about that project and solution on the blog soon!ReplyCancel

  • Kat8.28.18 - 11:38 AM

    This looks great. What were your thoughts on removing and replacing the trim around the doors? Did you remove to insulate and then decide since it was off to go with another style? Or just wanted to switch it out? I’m currently in similar project and would love to know your thoughtsReplyCancel

  • Kat9.11.18 - 1:17 PM

    I’ve been scoping out that dresser to act as a guest room dresser that can become a changing table when we have kids – I read a few reviews that said that the drawers are shallow and small, and that they only open partially. I guess this is subjective, but how do you find the storage? Thanks! P.S. The room is lovely, and I die for that leather lamp!ReplyCancel

    • Kim9.11.18 - 1:25 PM

      It DOES have shallow drawers, but for this space, it works out great. I can imagine it might be frustrating if this was your main bedroom dresser, but for storing baby supplies and our sometimes-clothes, it’s pretty good! Definitely something to keep in mind though.ReplyCancel

  • Danny6.29.19 - 4:18 PM

    That dresser looks great in your bedroom. I’ve been eyeing it myself but was hoping it would be easier to switch the pulls.  I also can’t find the interior dimensions of the drawers.  Are they at least 30″ wide inside?  I’m trying to find drawers with at least 30″ wide interiors, which seems to not be very common.ReplyCancel

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