ᐅ Is it possible to change the color of IKEA Brimnes furniture after purchase?

Hello everyone,

I am currently considering changing the color of my IKEA Brimnes furniture and wanted to ask if this is generally possible without damaging the stability or the surface.

Specifically, I am referring to the white carcass of the cabinet. I have already thought about painting it or covering it with adhesive film, but I am unsure whether the surface treatment allows this or if the MDF board underneath might be affected.

Does anyone have experience with this material or has perhaps even tried it themselves? What steps should be followed when changing the color afterwards?

I definitely want to avoid any damage to the furniture caused by moisture after painting or the paint peeling off.

I would appreciate all tips and personal experiences!

Yes, you can basically repaint IKEA Brimnes, but the surface must be sanded and primed thoroughly beforehand. Without this preparation, the paint will not adhere properly.

Veneer can work, but it is challenging because of the edges. Liquid paints are best used water-based for MDF.

Briefly about the material structure: The Brimnes is made of particleboard or MDF with a melamine-coated surface. This surface is smooth and has low absorbency, which makes painting difficult without proper pretreatment.

For a durable color change, I recommend the following steps:
- Sand the surface with fine sandpaper to partially remove the sealant.
- Apply a primer specifically designed for melamine-coated surfaces.
- Use a high-quality, water-based acrylic paint in several thin layers.

Without the primer, the paint may easily peel off. Alternatively, special adhesive films can be used, but these require precise cutting and bubble-free application, which is challenging on Brimnes due to edges and fittings.

Paxton38 schrieb:
The Brimnes is made of particleboard or MDF with a melamine-coated surface. This surface is smooth and not very absorbent, which makes painting difficult without proper pretreatment.

I consider this a crucial piece of information.

However, I would also question how durable the result really is. Especially with furniture that is used regularly, wear and tear can cause chipping at edges and corners. The melamine-coated surface is particularly smooth, so the choice of primer is important.

Does anyone have direct experience with how long such a paint job lasts without noticeable wear?

And what about moisture resistance? Does the paint make the furniture surface more resistant, or can the treatment create new weak points?

BAUEVA schrieb:
Does anyone have concrete experience with how long such a paint finish lasts without visible wear?

I painted my Brimnes dresser last year with a matte white finish and can say it has held up very well so far. The key is to sand carefully (I used 240 grit), apply a primer, and then put on three thin coats of high-quality acrylic paint.

I use the piece daily and have seen hardly any wear on the edges. Small touch-ups have not been necessary so far.

Patience during drying is important — I waited 12 hours between each coat.

Moisture has not been an issue for me, though I don’t store any wet items on it.

I really appreciate you sharing tips like these!

I once painted an entire Brimnes chest of drawers in a dark blue shade and was really impressed with the result!

Important: avoid sanding off the entire melamine surface; it’s enough to just lightly roughen it. Otherwise, the MDF underneath becomes vulnerable. Immediately apply a suitable primer and then paint with acrylic paint.

The furniture now looks like new and custom-made – all at a low cost! Just stay consistent and work carefully, and it will turn out great!