[JOL]

I am moving into a new apartment and was going to buy the MALM bed, dresser, and night stand in medium brown.

However, I can't seem to find an Ikea desk that I liked in medium brown. I liked the MIKAEL desk because it seems pretty wide and deep, but it only comes in birch and beech.

I've looked at some of the threads, and people have mentioned that you can buy some wood stain that matches Ikea's medium brown. However, I have never stained anything in my life and could use some step-by-step help on how to do it.

Assuming that I did get an Ikea desk such as the MIKAEL, can someone give me a detailed (and dumbed down) step-by step on how to stain the desk so that it will better match the MALM medium brown?

I'd also greatly appreciate a list of items that I will need to complete this project.

Thanks.

[fisheggs]

Hi JOL,

Just from looking at the description on IKEA's web page, it looks like the finishes there are all printed melamine, not wood. Since it's essentially a plastic, you wouldn't be able to stain it (although it'll be easier to clean!). They have a version in black-brown, which would probably play nicely in a room with some Medium-brown pieces.

You could also look into covering some of the surfaces with a contact paper of some sort. At least on my desk, you usually can't see much of the original surfaces through all the paper anyway!

Good luck,
Ro

[JOL]

Thanks for the info - I guess I'll have to either go with the black-brown or find another desk.

Thanks again.

[claysoul]

you can actually use a gel stain with decent results on something that has been veneered like your bed. minwax makes one. just don't put polyeurethane over the wood finish. try it!!