I wouldn't waste my money or time painting Ikea furniture. For longevity, your best bet is to buy an unfinished dresser and paint from scratch. Alternatively, check out http://www.panyl.com/ to get vinyl panels to turn your Ikea furniture into something funky.

Thanks for that but as you can see from the picture, the Ikea vanity is already purchased and assembled. The crew plans to paint it today so I'll post a pic of the finished product when it's done.

I've never attempted this. I wouldn't even think it possible (I've owned plenty of Ikea...these foil finished products are not the one's designed for personalization of colour...there are other lines for that). In theory there is a finish for everything. Have you sanded and primed the product? There are several paints on the market which will stick to almost anything...but a finished product (particle board with foil...no veneer) like the Ikea you've chosen may not be happy with paint.

Here is what the surface you are working with (straight off the ikea website):
Frame: Particleboard, Foil, ABS plastic

You will be painting the "foil". With this in mind...you probably need a paint that will adhere to melamine foil. In essence, you have purchased a product that may not be easily 'changed' with paint. I suggest you purchase a cousin of this cabinet (check the as-is isle...they often have something going on there...or see if you can purchase the "extra shelf" if there is an option = $20) and sand/prime that one FIRST. Wait a few days. If all goes well = paint the big one using the same technique. If it goes to he!! in a hand basket...you will still have a fully functional assembly...in the original colour.

If you paint this without doing a test, you run the risk of throwing $600+ down the drain...'cause that foil may bubble and peel; the paint may bubble and peel; or the particle board underneath will get wet and crumble. Any way you slice it you would need to purchase another sink cabinet.

Take the time and do the test. It will cost $20 + paint...but it could save you $600 + replacement product.

I guess I posted my question way too late because the crew was off and painting today. There's no going back! I think this cabinet was only $200 or so so it's not a huge risk. Anyway, I appreciate the input. Thank you!

This person did it so hopefully you'll be fine!
http://www.tealandgray.com/?p=218

Cancork Floor Inc, I bought the wood vanity that's not foil wrapped. I wouldn't even attempt to paint the foil wrapped one. I guess it's not clear in the picture that this is a wood veneer. The crew did lightly sand it, primed it, and then sprayed it with lacquer.

Shellcontest, thanks for introducing me to panel.com. Cool products that I'm sure I'll try on other projects. I have small, destructive boys so I've sold all the antiques and Ikeasized the entire house.

Thanks intown123, that's exactly what I was looking for. Im feeling more confident about the decision to paint. Now if I only felt as confident about the pumpkin orange color I chose...it's looking a bit Home Depot Apron to my eye.

Ultimately, this is going into a bathroom shared by two little boys who manage to damage everything they lay their eyes on. I figure it's a good place to experiment because I anticipate walking into the bathroom within a week of completion and seeing a drawing of a spaceship in permanent marker on the newly painted vanity.

@mamaboss...I like your attitude to things that will feel the full wrath of little boys ;-) Now that this is done...lets see how long it takes before space ships appear. So many people expect products to "look new" for the entire 25 year warranty. A healthy perspective keeps us smiling/laughing and keeps us young looking (gray hair doesn't count)!

Keep us posted as to how well the finish works on this piece. Chipping is to be expected. The bubbling/peeling is what you are looking for if the paint is going to fail.

I was going to suggest chalk paint. Orange sounds fun! Good luck!

Yes it looks amazing!

hi! I want to do the same thing-- paint ours blue. what kind of paint did you use (brand? finish?) and did your contractors have to sand the finish down quite a bit? which finish did you originally buy? we have the black/brown one but i'm wondering if birch would be easier to get off...

Hi falu83. I bought one of the only Ikea vanities that comes in natural wood so there was no finish to sand off. Ikea calls it White Stained Oak Effect. (by the way, this exact cabinet is 15% off right now) My contractor bought the lacquer. I just looked at the can and I'm confused. The can has a label that says Valspar Premium Lacquer but the sticker on top of the can is Benjamin Moore. The color is Indian Clay by BM. I don't know where they got it but I know they had to do a little searching to find a paint store that could tine the lacquer this dark. I hope that helps you. The cabinet still looks exactly as pictured so I'm glad I did it. Good luck to you!

Why do you want to paint it? I would leave as is. Looks good. Add color on walls. And fun mirrors. Veneer. Doesn't paint well.

Sorry didn't notice this is old post.

It turned out great. You had good contractor.

Hey mommaboss, how's the vanity holding up?

So far so good. It looks exactly the same as pictured above except with my kid's messy toothpaste all over the vanity.

mamabossinthelbc - LOVE this bathroom. Where did you get the mirrors?

To Dreamhouse26, the mirrors are also from Ikea.

Looks great!! Did you have your contractor install additional studs or crossbraces to match the vanity's mounting brackets? And did your plumber have to do any special/unusual prep because of the ikea flat drain? I'm thinking of ordering and assembling my vanities before we even frame interior walls to make sure the walls are prepped right--the IKEA instructions are lacking. Thanks!

To houselover22, yes the framer installed a cross brace just to make sure that the vanity is super strong. I don't recall any special plumbing considerations. The genius of the Ikea sinks are the flat drains. I looked for something similar before I broke down and bought an Ikea product but I just couldn't find anything that used the space as efficiently. Good luck on your project!

Thank you! The love the tile and colors you chose, too!

If it doesn't hold up I would redo it, keeping in mind it's Veneer. BM Advance + BIN primer is one of the best options for veneer. You also should let it cure before allowing to be used or getting wet. Curing takes more than a week, sometimes 2 months.

I just painted my cheap veneer bath vanity and it looks awesome. It's a bit tricky but doable.

Kim, curious to know how this has held up for the past 2 years?

Thanks for asking! It's held up pretty well. My boys are 6 and 10. They are not kind to fixtures or furniture! There's one nick and a pen mark but otherwise it remains unscathed. The key was using lacquer. I just snapped this picture.

A spaceship did land! Great bathroom!

Great, thanks for your quick response—decision made! These are so nice looking, and can't beat the cost.

Really cute bathroom. I love the orange, I've got touches of orange through my house. It all started with the star on a Pellegrino label.

A bit late commenting, but I wanted to add. I painted Ikea white stained oak Malm bed for my daughter in 2014. No nicks, no scratches today in 2017 even after a move across the country. It was EASY. Bin 123 Primer, Proclassic interior paint from SW in High Gloss white (cabinet paint). Took one coat of primer, two of paint in same day waiting a couple of hours between the paint coats. Turned out as a fancier looking product. (I didn't do it, but I suggest painting all the parts first, assembling second and letting it cure for a couple of days before re-assembling). The finish is way nicer than the original white Malm bed, with a surface that is easy to wipe and is hardier. Good luck to everyone!

Well, I'm asking myself if i can paint a godmorgon cabinet too...

How does time treated this beutiful orange cabinet AnnaK.?

Greatings from Spain!

Gue He, I’m actually the one who painted a white bed. It’s still great! Just a couple of marks on the edge of the footboard and what’s great is that I touched them up this past summer and you can’t tell. It’s a beautiful finish.

The orange cabinet is done by the author and if you look at dates of her replies, you’ll see she made it in 2014 and commented again in 2017. You’re in Spain, so not sure what the product would be available to you there that is equivalent to US product. Better consult with paint shop. Vanity painting is tricky because of all the edges. I recommend spraying with the gun or paying a contractor.

Hi Gue He, I’m the one with the orange cabinet. I’m happy to say that it’s held up really well. I had it lacquered, not painted, by a professional and it was probably 3 to 4 times the cost of the vanity itself. I could easily have afforded a non-IKEA vanity for what I paid but that said, I’m really happy with the custom color and the storage that this cabinet provides for my now 10 and 14 year old sons that share the bathroom.

@Boss Interior Design 6 years later and that bathroom is still gorgeous! :)

Thank you, mscsangel!