Transform Your Thrift Store Find: A Retro IKEA Fira Makeover

Casey Starks

IKEA furniture is a staple in many homes, prized for its affordability and
potential for customization. But let’s face it, sometimes DIY projects don’t
go as planned. That’s exactly what I encountered when I stumbled upon a
distressed IKEA Fira unit at my local thrift store. The previous owner had
certainly gotten creative, but the end result—a chaotic mix of paint, glue,
and origami paper—was far from desirable. Most people would have passed it
by, but I saw a challenge and an opportunity.

As a passionate enthusiast of useful storage solutions, I decided to rescue
this forlorn Fira unit and give it a new lease on life. My mission: to
transform it into a stylish, retro-inspired piece that would seamlessly
integrate into my 1950s apartment decor. With a handful of basic tools and
materials, I set about turning this thrift store reject into a stunning
statement piece.

Casey Starks

Project Overview: Revamping Your IKEA Fira Unit

Ready to give your own IKEA Fira unit a stylish makeover? Here’s a quick
overview of what you’ll need and what to expect:

Difficulty Level: Moderately Easy. This project is perfect
for beginners with some basic painting skills and familiarity with a power
drill.
Time Required: Approximately 4 hours, spread out over a
couple of days to allow for adequate paint drying time.
Cost: Budget-friendly! I already had most of the materials
on hand. The only expenses were the thrifted Fira unit ($5), paint ($15),
and a hole saw attachment ($6), bringing the total cost to a mere $26.

Materials and Tools for Your DIY Project

Before you dive in, make sure you have all the necessary tools and materials
at your disposal. Here’s a comprehensive list:

Sandpaper (various grits)
Scraper or putty knife
Paint brushes (assorted sizes)
Painter’s tape
Power drill
Clamps
Scrap piece of wood
1″ hole saw drill attachment
Four test jars of paint: one white and three coordinating colors of your
choice. I used Martha Stewart craft paints in Sultana, Rattan, and Yucca
Plant.
Water-based polyurethane
Four 4″ hairpin legs (available on Etsy or eBay).
Foam adhesive tape

Step-by-Step Guide: Transforming Your Fira Unit

Now for the fun part! Follow these detailed steps to breathe new life into
your thrift store find and create a one-of-a-kind storage solution.

Prepare the Surface: Start by thoroughly sanding the entire
Fira unit, including the drawers. This will create a smooth surface for
the paint to adhere to. If your unit has decoupage paper like mine did,
remove as much as possible by peeling it off. For stubborn pieces, lay a
damp cloth over the paper to soften the glue, then gently scrape it away
with a scraper, being careful not to damage the wood. Continue sanding
until the surface is as smooth as possible.
Prime and Paint: Apply two to three coats of white paint to
the entire unit and the drawer fronts. This will provide a clean base for
your chosen colors. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the
next.

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Create Unique Finger Pulls: To add a touch of originality,
we’ll create custom finger pulls. Turn each drawer around to the plain
side (the original backs will now be the front). Apply a strip of painter’s
tape to the top third of each drawer front.
Mark the Drill Points: On the tape, draw a horizontal line
approximately one-third of the way down from the top edge, and a vertical
line that bisects the drawer front. The intersection of these lines will
be the center point for your finger pull.

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Drill the Finger Pulls: Using the 1″ hole saw attachment,
trace a circle with its center at the intersection you marked. Clamp a
piece of scrap wood to the inside of the drawer front to prevent splintering.
Drill a pilot hole at the center of the circle, then carefully drill out
the finger pull using the hole saw. Repeat this process for each drawer.
Remove the tape and gently sand the edges of the finger pulls to smooth
them out.

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Paint the Drawers: Now comes the color! Paint one drawer
with each of your three chosen paint colors in their full, undiluted form.
To create a tonal effect, mix some white paint into each of the original
colors to create lighter shades. Paint the remaining three drawers with
these lighter hues.

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Seal and Protect: Once the paint is completely dry, apply
one or two coats of water-based polyurethane to all painted surfaces. This
will protect the paint and give your Fira unit a durable, long-lasting
finish. Allow the polyurethane to dry thoroughly between coats.
Attach the Hairpin Legs: Since the drawers slide directly
onto the base of the unit, it’s difficult to use screws to attach the legs.
Instead, I opted for strong foam adhesive tape, and it worked beautifully.
Cut pieces of tape to fit the brackets of the hairpin legs. Attach the legs
to the bottom of the unit, positioning them approximately 1/8″ in from the
sides and front/back edges.

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Arrange and Enjoy: Replace the drawers in any color
arrangement that appeals to you. Step back and admire your stunning new
storage piece!

Casey Starks

More DIY Inspiration

This IKEA Fira makeover is just one example of the endless possibilities
when it comes to upcycling and customizing furniture. With a little creativity
and effort, you can transform ordinary pieces into extraordinary treasures
that reflect your unique style. So, the next time you spot a diamond in the
rough at a thrift store, don’t hesitate to bring it home and unleash your
inner DIY artist!

Casey Starks is a craft and DIY enthusiast and small business owner. When
she’s not dreaming up projects for her blog
Vitamini Handmade
or designing new products for her line
Vitamini, she’s zipping around Silicon Valley in her yellow MINI Cooper. You can
also find her on
Instagram.