How You Can Transform A Basic IKEA Stool Into An Adorable Statement Piece

The TikTok-popular dopamine decor trend doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon — in fact, we're still swooning over all the great ideas that came out of it. Exhibit A: TikToker @chelseazeferina's stool makeover. With paint in one hand and a brush in another, she took an IKEA stool from ho-hum to eye candy (it's so pretty it literally looks like candy!). Her trick? Hand-paint the top of the stool in a playful design — white and yellow daisies in this case.

You don't have to be super artsy to try this DIY. Besides, you can always customize the drawing and colors to fit your style. Bonus points if you already have a feel-good aesthetic going on in your space, as this upgraded stool will fit right in. If not, consider it a fun way to dip your toes in the world of decorating with mismatched furniture. Just imagine the stool serving as a one-off showpiece among neutral and matchy-matchy decor — that's dopamine-inducing right there. Read on to get your creative juices bubbling, plus how to achieve the look yourself.

To begin, you'll need IKEA's $30 DOMSTEN stool (side note: the funky-colored bases are right on par with the dopamine decor trend). Use a glass to draw a circle in the middle of the seat. Then, cut out one petal from a piece of paper and use it as a stencil to trace the other petals. Drop a dollop of yellow acrylic paint in the circle, white in the traced petals, and get painting.

Don't skimp on the last and most essential step after painting your furniture: sealing it. This ensures the painted surface doesn't chip from wear and tear, get grimy fast, or fade over time. @chelseazeferina went with a water-based polycrylic protective finish (available on Amazon for $22.97) for a crystal-clear effect. Another alternative is the $14 Rust-Oleum 2X Ultra Cover Spray Paint, though this one has a semi-gloss finish to it. Let the sealant dry and that's about it for this easy project.

Again, the whole point of this DIY is that you can personalize it and show off your creativity however you like. You could paint a checkered pattern, convert the seat into a fruit, or try wavy lines for a cool retro vibe. And if drawing isn't your strong suit, hack your way to a custom stool using pre-made stencils. Also, more stools mean more fun. Feeling extra bold? Go ahead and create an eclectic stool set, where each seat showcases a different design. Play with joyous colors, like light pink, baby blue, yellow, and green.

Once you're satisfied with the results, put the stools to work. We love the idea of using them in the kitchen or living room to bring personality while also providing extra seating. Maybe even use your IKEA stool as a side table, bedroom nightstand, or plant stand. The good news is, there are plenty of ways to decorate with stools in your home, and the fact that these stools are both pretty and functional makes everything ten times better.