Painting a white Ikea desk to an oak colour?

Question

I’ve had a white desk for a year but it doesn’t match the oak furniture in my room, I want to paint it but I am unsure about the correct steps as I have come across conflicting advice? thanks

Answer 1

White Ikea is almost certainly white melamine. That surface will have to be sanded to have any hope of paint sticking.

It's possible to achieve an "Oak" faux finish by painting, (sometimes referred to as "graining" since you are literally painting the "wood grain" as art) but it's a high-skill process. Expect to spend some time practicing before you get results that are acceptable.

You can also achieve an "Oak" real finish by laminating Oak veneer (very thin slices of real wood) onto the surface of the furniture, using contact cement.

The "easy" solution is to put your white Ikea furniture up for sale or give it away, and buy an oak desk.