How to Upgrade the IKEA Rast Chest into a Gorgeous Woodland Nursery Dresser

Before we pick up a paintbrush, let’s talk about the ‘Woodland’ aesthetic. Think of mossy greens, warm mushroom tones, natural wood grains, and the gentle presence of forest friends like foxes, deer, and owls. The IKEA Rast is perfect for this because it is made of real wood, which takes stain and paint beautifully. Unlike particle board furniture, the Rast can be sanded and refinished multiple times as your child grows.

Budget and Materials Breakdown

To keep things organized, I’ve put together a list of everything you’ll need. I always recommend choosing Low-VOC or Zero-VOC paints and finishes. During pregnancy and early postpartum, your sense of smell is heightened, and we want to keep the air in your nursery as pure as possible for those tiny newborn lungs.

The secret to a high-end look is all in the prep work. If you are currently pregnant, please make sure you are working in a well-ventilated area—perhaps a garage with the door open or a patio on a beautiful spring day. If you can, ask a partner or a friend to help with the heavy lifting and the initial sanding.

1. Assemble the Frame (Partially): Start by assembling the main frame of the Rast according to the IKEA instructions, but do not put the drawers in yet. Use a little bit of wood glue in the dowel holes for extra stability. A sturdy dresser is a safe dresser!
2. The Gentle Sand: Even though the Rast comes unfinished, it can have rough patches. Use your 220-grit sandpaper to lightly sand the entire surface. You aren’t trying to remove wood; you are just making it as soft as a baby’s cheek.
3. Wipe it Down: Use a tack cloth or a slightly damp microfiber towel to remove every speck of dust. If paint hits dust, it creates a gritty texture that we want to avoid.
4. Fill the Holes (Optional): The Rast comes with pre-drilled holes for the standard knobs. If you’ve bought oversized woodland knobs or handles that require different spacing, use wood filler to plug the old holes, let it dry, and sand it flush before painting.

“Take your time with the prep, mama. Just like pregnancy, the foundation you build now determines the strength of what comes later.”

Now comes the soul of the project: the color. For a woodland theme, we want colors that evoke a sense of biophilia—our innate human connection to nature. This has been shown to lower cortisol levels and promote better sleep for both mama and baby.

Color Palette Inspiration

• Deep Forest Green: Bold, grounding, and looks incredible with brass hardware.
• Misty Sage: A soft, neutral green that feels airy and calming.
• Toasted Mushroom: A warm taupe that mimics the forest floor and hides dust well.
• Natural Pine with White Accents: If you love the wood grain, consider staining the frame and painting only the drawer fronts white.

Apply your paint in thin, even coats. It is much better to do three thin coats than one thick, gloppy one. Between coats, give it at least 2 to 4 hours to dry. This is a great time to put your feet up, hydrate with some red raspberry leaf tea, and feel those sweet baby kicks.

This is where the ‘gorgeous’ part of the title really shines. We are going to elevate this $60 chest into something that looks like it cost $600. The hardware is the most impactful change you can make. Look for knobs shaped like acorns, pinecones, bears, or little foxes. If you prefer a more modern woodland look, simple leather pulls in a cognac brown are stunning.

Adding Woodland Decals

If you aren’t an artist, don’t worry! High-quality vinyl wall decals work beautifully on furniture. You can apply a large watercolor pine tree across the front of all three drawers, or place tiny birds near the corners. To ensure they stay put:

• Apply the decal only after the paint has cured for at least 48 hours.
• Smooth out any air bubbles with a credit card.
• Apply a coat of water-based polycrylic over the decal to ‘lock’ it in and prevent little fingers from peeling it off later.

As a doula and a nursery organizer, I know that a beautiful dresser is useless if it doesn’t function well during a 3:00 AM diaper change. The IKEA Rast is compact, so we have to be strategic with the space. Because it is a shorter dresser, it often doubles as a changing table for petite mamas, or a side table next to your nursing glider.

Pro-Tip: Line the inside of the drawers with woodland-patterned contact paper. It’s a sweet little surprise every time you reach for a fresh onesie!

Mama, I need to put on my ‘Postpartum Nurse’ hat for a moment. This is the most important step of the entire project. Once your baby starts crawling and pulling themselves up, every piece of furniture becomes a climbing gym. The IKEA Rast is lightweight and must be anchored to the wall to prevent tip-over accidents.

• Use the Included Anchor Kit: IKEA provides hardware to secure the chest to the wall. Do not skip this!
• Find a Stud: For the most secure hold, screw the anchor directly into a wall stud. If a stud isn’t available, use heavy-duty toggle bolts.
• Smooth Edges: Ensure there are no sharp edges or splinters. If the corners feel too sharp, you can lightly round them off with your sandpaper before the final coat of paint.
• Curing Time: Allow the dresser to ‘off-gas’ and the paint to fully cure for at least two weeks before placing it in a room where a newborn will sleep. This ensures the hardest finish and the cleanest air.