The IKEA Tarva range is popular not just because it's budget-friendly but because it offers so much potential for hacking. Crafted from unfinished pine with no varnish or stain, the pieces are DIY ...

You'll start by removing any accessories, such as handles. Then you should sand the surface and paint, or stain, the color you'd like. The trick to painting IKEA furniture's difficult surfaces is ...

The TARVA's product details mention that the nightstand will be "more durable and easy to care for" if the wood surface is treated with oil, lacquer, or stain.

Melanie Brown, owner of Oak House Design Co., hacked her cheap IKEA tarva dresser ($79) ... This not only ensures even coating, but also brings out a truer color of the stain.