How I Turned a $75 IKEA EKET Into a Luxe Chrome Nightstand

New furniture can get pricey, and sometimes it feels like you’re doomed to settle for basic pieces.

But it’s time to ditch that feeling. When you have hacks like this mirrored nightstand, you can get the elegant style you’re dreaming about without giving up your groceries for a week.

Home by Nicky @homebynicky takes the simple IKEA EKET with drawers and turns it into a glam, sophisticated bedside table.

The brains behind the EKET hack shared, “As my DIYs go, this one’s officially a favorite!! Planned it almost a year ago, but I was so unsure if I could actually make it work that I never really dared to try.”

We’re glad she did, because now you can do it, too!

How to Make a Chrome Nightstand That Reflects Your Style

What You’ll Need:

EKET Cabinet with two drawers (13 3/4” x 13 ¾” x 13 ¾”)
MDF for base and bottom drawer front
Aluminum plates for front, sides, and top
Heavy-duty adhesive
Something heavy (to keep things in place while the glue dries)
Basics — saw, screw gun, drill, tape measure, pencil

1. Put Together the EKET

Assemble the EKET with two drawers according to IKEA instructions.

2. Make a Drawer Front

Cut a piece of MDF to match the size of the front of the bottom drawer. Nicky did this so that the push-to-open feature on the drawer would work. Use adhesive to glue it in place, and position something heavy on top to hold it while the adhesive sets.

3. Create a Riser Base

The hacker wanted the table to sit up a bit off the ground to add height and make sure the drawer would open and close smoothly. She crafted a base out of MDF, connecting two pieces with a smaller strip.

Make the side pieces slightly shallower than the depth of the EKET. For the height, it just depends on how much taller you want the finished table to be.

Alternatively, you could use furniture legs to add height or the EKET legs. But using the MDF was cheaper and allowed Nicky to customize the exact height she wanted.

Use adhesive to attach the EKET to the base, using something heavy to assist with drying.

4. Add the Aluminum Panels

Trim and cut three pieces of metal sheeting to fit the sides and front of the EKET and riser. You’ll have a continuous piece of metal to give it a polished, clean look.

Then, cut a piece to fit the top. Use the adhesive to attach the sheeting, and apply pressure to help it set. Allow everything to dry, and remove the protective film from the metal sheets.

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High-End Look, Low-Impact to Your Wallet

This bedside table has a glam style that looks like it could have come straight from a high-end furniture shop.

The EKET with the two drawers is $75, and you can get the metal sheeting for about $32 a panel. Add in basic supplies, and you’re looking at spending about $200 for one bedside table.

Considering a similar table would cost you $500 or more (at least), this hack is definitely worth it.

Plus, it doesn’t require a ton of advanced carpentry skills or specialized tools, which helps keep it more affordable and doable for eager DIYers.

What About Fingerprints?

My only concern with this hack is fingerprints. I feel like you’d end up with fingerprints showing up a lot on the front since it’s a push-to-open drawer. What do you think?

Just something to be aware of when you’re choosing the metal panels. Make sure to research the best way to clean fingerprints off the sheeting you choose so you don’t ruin the finish.

See the hack, and follow Home by Nicky @homebynicky to find more inspiring ideas and creative transformations.

What do you think of this luxe nightstand? Think you’ll try it in your house, or do you have a hack to share that shows off your unique sense of style?