IKEA is a go-to source for many home improvement and home decorating ideas. Here we’ll share tips and ideas on how to use IKEA products, which may not necessarily be made for laundry, to make a laundry room look great.

Mix and match IKEA storage systems

Kris blended two popular IKEA systems together with fabulous results. She used IKEA kitchen wall cabinets (SEKTION with AXSTAD doors) for the storage cabinets above the washing machine and dryer. On the other side, she made built-in storage with PAX frames, shelves, drawers and KOMPLEMENT pull-out rails. The final touch of these acrylic bar pulls completes the style.

Open shelving for laundry rooms

For Melissa, they wanted to refresh the laundry room quickly and affordably. And they wanted a shelving unit that will let them air dry and fold clothes, besides having shelves for baskets and bins. The solution was the IKEA ELVARLI shelving system. She chose the freestanding option of the ELVARLI and worked out a combination of open shelving and drawers. They added a clothes rail works for air drying. The drawer top doubles as a folding station. It’s a simple and easy DIY solution. And great option for renters too.

Set a laundry zone in the bathroom

If you don’t have a dedicated room for laundry, section out an area in your bathroom for this purpose. Install shelving systems like the IKEA JONAXEL or BOAXEL to create storage solutions for your laundry station. Then close up the area with bi-fold doors or curtains.

Use different textures and colors

Mable chose the winning combination of matte white and wood texture in her laundry room makeover. These are custom Semihandmade door fronts added on IKEA SEKTION cabinets. The combination of two different materials elevates this room from a regular laundry set up to gorgeous.

Raise the washer-dryer

Chris made this laundry pedestal hack from IKEA kitchen cabinets to minimise bending down to work the front loading washing machine and tumble dryer. That’s not all, it even hides a genius shelf. Pull the shelf out from above the drawers and you have a place to set the laundry basket. It makes loading and unloading quick, convenient and it saves your back.

Use open and closed storage

It’s a small laundry room, but that doesn’t stop jillgg from maximising every bit of space. From the stacked washer-dryer, to the IKEA LACK shelves on the right, rolling laundry bins and tall slim cabinet on the other — this little laundry room has everything going for it.

Turn a balcony into a laundry station

In small apartments, every little bit of space counts. And if you’re looking to fit in a small laundry area, I recommend the balcony (if you have one). It’s a great spot for laundry as it already gets lots of light! You can easily customise the BOAXEL shelving system for a small laundry space. Navigate to the BOAXEL planner to map out exactly how you want to organize your laundry zone. The BOAXEL is made out of powder coated steel and IKEA says it’s good for humid areas of the home.

Install a farmhouse kitchen sink

A sink is always a good idea for hand washing delicates, spot cleaning and just simply cleaning your hands after messing with chemicals. Mary’s laundry room is made with IKEA SEKTION cabinets with door and drawer fronts from Semihandmade. Unfortunately, she did not divulge the source for the gorgeous sink but I found one here that looks like it.

Add bamboo laundry storage

Looking at Rifaat’s photo, the NORDKISA bamboo sliding wardrobe is perfect for his laundry space. The NORDKISA has a clothes rail to hang up clothes for drying, shelves for detergents, towels, baskets and bins. The wood slat frame and doors keep things well-ventilated with mess inside stylishly obscured.

Add a pegboard for laundry essentials

Add the IKEA SKÅDIS pegboard to the wall for frequently reached items. With the many shelves, hooks and holders, the SKÅDIS is very versatile and can be easily tailored to your laundry needs.

Organize on walls

Use wall space for hooks and hang up your drying racks, ironing board and more. If there isn’t an empty wall, the back of a door is prime real estate for some storage organization.

Sort your laundry in a dozen ways

Andi and Laura take their laundry sorting very seriously. They stacked three TROFAST storage units, labelled the bins and turned them into a sorting station. They explained they sometimes have a lot of laundry with 3 children at home and a number of pets. With a large sorting area, the laundry room always looks neat, even if they don’t run the washer for a week.

For the less ambitious, the SORTERA bins are also fantastic laundry sorting bins.

If you have an IKEA hack in your laundry room, share it with us.

The post IKEA Laundry Room Ideas: How to Create a Functional and Stylish Space appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

The IKEA PLATSA system is one of the most important storage solutions IKEA introduced in recent years, featuring a winning formula of modularity and an improved assembly method. It uses the “click and snap” system first launched with the wooden LISABO table back in 2017, which promised to significantly reduce the time taken to assemble or disassemble furniture. With this method, you also don’t need tools to assemble a PLATSA frame. No more fiddling with Allen keys. (Doors, however, are a different story.)

How is the PLATSA wardrobe different from the PAX?

They serve different functions. PAX is clearly the winner when you’re looking to fit out your wardrobe with specialised storage like jewellery trays, trouser hangers and all types of storage organisation.

The PLATSA is simple, basic with no bells and whistles. The range feature shelves, drawers, open storage and a few hooks and rails. That’s it.

Where the PLATSA wins is flexibility. You can fit the PLATSA under the stairs or a sloped ceiling. You can make it into a low toy storage bench. So choose the PLATSA or PAX wardrobe depending on your storage needs.

The problem with PLATSA doors

It’s uninspiring.

The number one request is for more PLATSA door options. Unlike the PAX, the PLATSA door collection is tiny. But as we know, limitations often lead to brilliance like this IKEA PLATSA door hack.

And Meg’s fabulous discovery.

She found that ENHET doors work with the PLATSA. While the ENHET door range is not huge, at the very least, they let you have more options for the PLATSA. Like this lovely oak effect door.

Door options was not the only reason Meg decided to IKEA hack the PLATSA wardrobe. The narrow ENHET doors solved another problem. “I had quite a narrow walkway between the end of the bed and the front of the wardrobe frame. A full width 600mm wide door would have completely blocked the walkway when opened, making it difficult for another person to walk past.”

Her solution was to use the oak finish ENHET door as it was the same height (1800mm) as the PLATSA frame, but only 300mm wide, enabling two doors to be attached to each frame.

She adds, “I also liked the idea of a repeated tall linear design element, and the scale was better suited to the proportions of the space.”

Here’s a shot of how the space looked before the PLATSA wardrobe hack.

IKEA items used: 

• PLATSA frames (600mm x 1800mm) x 6
• ENHET oak effect doors (1800mm x 300mm) x 12
• HJÄLPA Hinges

IKEA PLATSA wardrobe with ENHET door hack

All steps in this hack followed traditional IKEA installation instructions, up until it came time to fit the doors.

To verify her instinct, Meg purchased a single ENHET door and HJÄLPA hinge and tested the fit in the IKEA car park prior to placing the rest of her order. Thankfully they did fit!

“Earlier in the showroom, I measured the hole distance and alignment of the PLATSA frame by taking a pencil rubbing using an IKEA pencil and a PLATSA brochure. I knew that the hinge was compatible with the doors, however I wasn’t 100% confident that the alignment of the hinge mounting holes would fit the frame. I was prepared to drill new holes, if required,” she says of her smart move.

Thankfully when it came time to fit the first door, everything went together perfectly. And voilà!

How long and how much did it cost?

I purchased everything apart from the legs/frame from IKEA.

What do you like most about the PLATSA wardrobe hack?

The overall aesthetic and functionality 

Looking back, would you have done it differently?

Nothing really. I have only chosen to attach two hinges per door at the moment, but additional hinges could be added if required.

~ by Meg

The post PLATSA wardrobe and ENHET doors are beautiful together appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

It’s the Christmas decor that gives most bang for your buck. It’s an activity for you (and your kids), it’s so very Instagrammable and it tastes good. The IKEA Gingerbread House, of course. Read on for more decorating ideas on transforming the IKEA Gingerbread house into your very own.

The IKEA VINTERSAGA Gingerbread house is a staple of IKEA Christmas. The limited edition item comes in two versions. One lets you build a large single house ($4.49) and the other is a pack of 6 mini gingerbread houses ($4.99.) The mini houses seem a lot of fun as it lets you build your own gingerbread town.

Easy to assemble IKEA gingerbread house

Reviewers comment that the houses are “pretty easy to do”, which may be a lot easier to assemble than many other IKEA furniture.

One reviewer says, “For many years now this is my go to for gingerbread houses. They smell great and are easy to fit together. There large size gives plenty of decorating space.”

Besides the size, the mini houses has a hole that allows them to be hung up on a string.

Fun festive activity for kids

A senior ranked the IKEA VINTERSAGA gingerbread house highly — “great for the grand kids”.

Another said “Nice one to play with family on holidays.”

And it tastes smooth and flavorful.

Cost effective gingerbread house

And like most things IKEA, you can’t beat the price.

“We usually do our ‘gingerbread’ houses as minis in our family of six, but we use Graham crackers because they are cheaper. BUT, this was less than $5 and has six homes in it! Perfect and fun! Can’t wait to use with my kids.”

But with the price it’s stripped down to the basics. The pack contains just a frame for the gingerbread house(s). You’ll need to make the icing aka “glue” to hold the pieces together. Then, it’s up to you to add decorations to create a Insta-worthy gingerbread house.

How to make gingerbread house icing

According to IKEA instructions you’ll need:

Ingredients:

9 ounces icing sugar
1 egg white
1 teaspoon lemon juice/ vinegar

Steps:

1. In a bowl, combine the icing sugar and 1 egg white.
2. Stir the two ingredients together and then mix in the lemon juice.
3. Combine until you get a smooth, thick white paste.
4. Scoop the icing into a pastry bag (which you can make out of parchment paper) and start assembling the gingerbread house.

How to assemble the IKEA gingerbread house

Assemble the gingerbread house 3 to 4 hours ahead of decorating to allow time to dry and icing to harden. However, if you’re going for intricate piping work, decorate the individual pieces before joining them together. That will be a lot easier to work with.

To complete your gingerbread house, get ready your decorations before assembly. Some suggested treats are lollies and candies, gum drops. Gingerbread decorating candy sets are also available to make things a little more convenient. Use candy decorating pens to add details like windows and doors.

Watch the video below for a quick how-to on gingerbread house construction.

Gingerbread house decorating ideas

And now for some design inspiration, I’ve rounded up 12 beautiful IKEA gingerbread houses that look too good to eat. Designs range from classic Scandinavian to modern colorful designs for the large house and mini houses. Whether you’re building your first gingerbread house or are an expert in this field, these tasty ideas will surely help you make a masterpiece this Christmas.

With intricate piped icing decorations

With winterscapes

Making it simple

Decorate with candies

Go plain with single color candies or go wild and let the colors pop.

Set your house on a cake

If the bread isn’t enough, place it on a cake. And eat it too.

Fully iced

The post This IKEA Christmas decor is fun, cute and yummy appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

The IKEA SUNDVIK is a sturdy wardrobe made out of solid pine. The style is traditional, timeless and just the right size for a hallway, next to our shoe rack.

We wanted to use it as a coat rack but needed it to look less like a wardrobe and more like a cabinet. Adding rattan to the wardrobe doors was the solution.

IKEA items used:  

• SUNDVIK wardrobe

Other materials and tools: 

• 6.5 meters of thin wooden trim about 1.5-2 cm wide
• Paint of your choosing
• Rattan 1 meter times 0.75 meter
• Sandpaper
• Brushes etc. for painting
• Normal tools for building the ikea furniture
• A drill and drill bit about 0.6 cm diameter
• Wood glue
• Saw
• Clamp, as many as you have

IKEA SUNDVIK wardrobe with DIY rattan doors 

1. Build the closet following the instructions EXCEPT the drawer and doors. Also if you want to move the coat hanger up as I did, also skip the steps about the shelf.  

2. I cut out the middle section of the doors and drawer front with a regular saw. You only need to cut the part that pops up, leaving about 1.5 cm left between the thick wood of the doors and the thin wood.

3. Cut the wooden trim to fit the holes of the door. A mitre box is very helpful for this.

4. Sandpaper, dry down and paint the wardrobe. I painted both the doors and the closet frame. Let the paint dry thoroughly.

5. Soak the rattan for half an hour, and dry it swiftly with a towel. Next, cut the rattan to fit on the doors and drawers closely. 

6. Use the glue and clamp to glue the rattan to the door, and the trim on top. Let it dry for about 24 hours. If you don’t have clamps enough for all 4 sides, you can spray water before stretching the rattan out for the next side. When the rattan dries, it becomes tighter. 

7. When all doors and drawer front have rattan and trim, put the doors on the wardrobe following the IKEA instruction. 

8.  If you wanted to move the coat-hanger drill two holes on the top of the wardrobe, with the same placement as the shelf would have.  

Tip! We watched DIY videos for attaching rattan to wardrobe doors, as it can be difficult. Our hack was inspired by this one from LustLiving. Her video (scroll down to view) was also a good instruction guide for the doors.

~ by Maria Goncalves Møller

You may also like these IKEA rattan cane hacks

IKEA BEKVÄM cart rustic with rattan

A unique combination of materials and color turns the BEKVÄM kitchen cart a rustic IKEA rattan cart.

IKEA rattan cabinet hack

Missed out on the STOCKHOLM IKEA rattan cabinet? You can DIY an IKEA rattan cabinet that’s similar in style using the IKEA IVAR cabinet and rolls of cane webbing.

DIY rattan doors for BILLY bookshelf

The BILLY bookcase looks absolutely elegant as an IKEA cane cabinet. Kathryn made this with custom MDF doors with cane. But there is an easier and cheaper way — glue the cane webbing onto glass BILLY OXBERG doors to hack your own cabinet cane doors.

IKEA rattan headboard

A chic DIY rattan headboard that takes only a few hours to make. Very easy and looks gorgeous paired with any bed.

The post IKEA wardrobe hack with romantic DIY rattan doors appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

We wanted to create the perfect playroom/snug for our growing boys, where they could easily find all of their toys and books, but also relax and watch movies together with their friends. But we were quoted over £3,500 for bespoke cabinets.

We couldn’t justify the cost, so decided to try an IKEA hack.

IKEA items used: 

• 3 x BILLY Bookcases (80cm wide x 40cm deep)
• 6 x OXBERG doors / Alternatively, bespoke doors made to measure

Other materials used:

• Spirit level
• Screwdriver
• 2 x B&Q heritage C-shaped coving (2m x 94mm) (come in pack of 4)
• 2.4m length strips of ply/wood x 4 (4.5cm wide) to cover gaps between cabinets
• 2.4m length strips of ply/wood x 3 (2.5cm wide) to cover front of shelving
• CT1 to glue strips and alcoving to cabinet
• Decorators Caulk for edges
• Sawpack of L-brackets to connect bookcases to walls
• 2.4 x 10cm mdf for kickboard
• Zinsser primer 
• Farrow & Ball Cornforth White paint (colour matched in Tikkurila Helmi10)
• Yesterhome antique brass door knobs x 6 (3cm wide)

Built-in BILLY bookcase hack for our boys room

1. Measure out the room.  I was extremely lucky, as the room measured just over 240cm wide.  Each bookcase is 80cm, so three bookshelves fitted into the space perfectly, with space for a frame around the edge for a bespoke look.  

2. Place BILLY bookcases side by side. Screw each bookcase to the wall using L-brackets to hold securely in place.

3. Buy ply/wood strips and cut to size (4.5cm wide for between each cabinet and to both sides of the wall, 2.5cm for face of all shelving).  Glue into place using CT1.

4. Connect MDF cut to size for kick-board.  Ensure doors sit correctly before fitting in place.

5. Check all doors fit correctly, then remove to prime.

6. Cut and glue alcoving into place.

7. Use decorators caulk around all edges.

8. Prime cabinet and doors in Zinsser 123 primer.

9. 2/3 x top coat of Farrow & Ball Cornforth White, colour matched with Tikkurila Helmi10 (great for hardwearing coverage).

10. Add doors.

Screw in door handles (Yesterhome aged brass mushroom knob 30mm) in centre of frame at circa 20cm from top of door.

How long and how much did it cost?

We originally used the IKEA OXBERG doors and painted the cabinets dark.  Unfortunately, the paint we used didn’t adhere particularly well to the doors or cabinets, so we decided to start again and buy better quality primer and top coat paint (this really has made a huge difference).  As the doors had seen better days with the old paint and a bit of a bashing from the boys, we asked our local cabinet maker friend to make replacement doors for us.  It took about 3 days, with many other jobs in between.

• IKEA BILLY Bookcases x 3 (£80 each) – £340
• Oxberg doors x 6 (£30 each) – £180 (these were perfectly fine – our replacement doors were free, as were through a local cabinet maker friend)
• Alcoving x 2 (comes in pack of 4) – £46
• CT1 x 2 (£13 each) – £26
• Decorators caulk – we had lots leftover 
• Strips of ply/wood and mdf for kickboard – £50
• Zinsser 123 primer – £30
• Tikkurila Helmi 10 paint (2.5l) – £50
• Door knobs (£8 each) – £48

TOTAL £770

What do you like most about the built-in BILLY bookcase hack?

It has created bundles of storage and a great tidy space for my children to play – at a fraction of the prices we were quoted.  The shelves behind the doors are surprisingly deceptive in terms of how much storage they create – and how big a box you can fit on the shelving.  We have huge boxes of LEGO, train sets, books, arts and crafts, animals and so much more.  The boys can easily find and take out their favourite toys to play with and put them back (sometimes!), as everything has a place.  I also love the open shelves above the doors for styling with their favourite books and toys.  It has made the cabinets a little more playful and fun, so our boys feel like its their own special space to enjoy!

What to pay special attention to?

For this BILLY bookcase hack to look bespoke, it really does need to be painted well, using a good quality primer and hard wearing paint.  We tried to save money here initially and the paint chipped and looked awful very quickly.  This made for more work with us having to start again with better quality paint.

Looking back, what would you have done differently?

If you can find someone to make made to measure replacement doors, it definitely gives a more bespoke look.  We were very lucky to get ours for free, but if we had found a reasonably priced carpenter, I think this is worth the money.  If not, I still think the OXBERG doors look really great.  

Friends and family visiting couldn’t believe it was an Ikea hack, as they really do look like bespoke cabinets.  On my instagram account @justonemorebuild, the feedback has been really lovely, with lots of people asking for more information, so they can create the built-in BILLY bookcase hack in their own homes.

~ by Jodi Peters @justonemorebuild

The post Built-in hack turns BILLY bookcase into a bespoke display cabinet appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

Two pine cabinets makes one awesome sunburst cabinet.

We had just moved into our new home and we needed nightstands for our bedroom. I had a vision of what I wanted and after looking for it for months I decided I would try to make it myself. So I bought two of IKEA IVAR cabinets which are made up of untreated solid pine, perfect for what I needed. Or so I thought.

Once I incorporated the height of the legs it turned out that the cabinets were much too high to be nightstands. So I found myself with two cabinets and this vision I wanted to create! That’s when I decided to connect the two cabinets to make a large dresser.

Even though my original idea didn’t work out, the vision of the starburst design still needed to be manifested so I decided to move forward with the project anyway. It actually all worked out because we needed a dresser in our bedroom to keep our two year old son’s clothing in. I never refinished or flipped any furniture before so this was a scary and exciting undertaking for me.

Here are the materials, tools I used and steps I took to make my DIY sunburst cabinet a reality.

IKEA items used:

• 2 IKEA IVAR Cabinet 12” depth ($99×2 = $198)

Other materials:

• 2 – 3/4 x 12 x 36” stain grade panels or one 12 x 62” wood of your choice ($22.79×2 = $45.58)
• 1 set of 4 Metallic Gold Legs or any substitute you wish ($38.98)
• 11 – 1/4 x 2 x 48” poplar ($2.65×11 = $29.15)
• 5 – small dowels 1/8 x 48” ($1.40 x 5 = $7)
• 4 – medium dowels 1/4 x 48” ($1.70 x 4 = $4)
• 5 – large dowels 5/16 x 48” ($1.70 x 5 = $8.50)
• 1 quart of paint – I used Woodrow Wilson Putty 6006-1A ($31.99)
• Alex Plus Silicone Dap
• Rust-Oleum Vintage Gold spray paint
• Gorilla Wood Glue
• Brad Nails or small nails if you don’t have a brad nailer
• 4 – screws

Tools

• X-Acto knife
• Miter saw or hand saw
• Brad nailer or hammer
• Drill

(All prices in CDN dollars.)

DIY sunburst cabinet with IKEA IVAR

Step 1: Paint the IVAR frame and doors

I painted the cabinets, the trim and the countertop all the same colour with some furniture and cabinet paint. Next, I spray painted the 3 different size dowels I bought for the starburst design in gold.

Step 2: Add dowels to doors

I added a single shaker to the cabinet doors by attaching ¼”x 2” of trim made of poplar. You’ll need at least 1/4″ depth so that the dowels can sit inside the trim flush and not stick out. I used my brad nailer and some wood glue but you could totally get the job done with just some glue.

Then I added my starburst design within the trim.

I found it important to use 3 different size dowels (1/8, 1/4, 5/16) and cut them to different lengths to give the starburst some dimension. I simply used an X-acto knife to cut the dowels and some wood glue to adhere them to the doors.

Step 3: Connect two IVARs

To combine the two cabinets I drilled 4 screws on the inside connecting walls.

Step 4: Add Countertop panels

I bought two stain grade panels for the top of the dresser that were 3/4 x 12 x 36”. I cut each down to 31” and caulked the seam in the middle of the dresser with some DAP. This was a cost savings choice, to buy one piece that was 62” long was really expensive.

Step 5. Attach legs and middle support

Lastly, I attached the 4 metallic legs I bought and placed a 2×4 that I wrapped in metallic paper in the middle of the dresser for support.

How long and how much did it cost?

With a little one at home and not being able to work on it all day, the project took me 1 week to complete but it could easily be done in a couple of days. I didn’t bring in any outside help, I did the project from start to finish on my own which was super rewarding! 

What do you like most about your DIY sunburst cabinet?

I love how elegant and unique the piece is. It is like nothing I had ever seen before. I also love how much extra storage space it gave us in our bedroom. But I mostly love that it was something I made with my own two hands. Whenever I walk by it in our bedroom I smile because I know that I made that. 

What was the hardest part about this hack?

I got a wonderful surprise when I hit a setback once I installed the legs on the cabinet. The design of the legs made it so I couldn’t place them under the dresser, they needed to be placed on the sides. I’m not sure if it would have made a difference or not if they could have been put under the dresser and placed more strategically closer to the center but the dresser started to cave in!

Ahhh! I really loved the legs and didn’t want to change them but I also needed to find a way to support the middle of the dresser with a leg that matched the ones I already had. I don’t know how the idea came to me but I had some metallic gold paper in my craft room that matched the legs and I decided to wrap a 2 by 4 piece of wood in the metallic paper and place it in the center of the dresser for support. It was definitely a proud MacGyver moment of mine. 

What to pay special attention to?

Because the IKEA cabinet is untreated wood you’ll need to properly prime it before painting it. Wood is porous so it will just absorb the paint if it’s not sealed properly. No matter how many coats you apply probably get uneven coverage and bleed-through, also the finish coats are more susceptible to peeling, chalking and other defects.

Looking back, would you have done it differently?

If you asked me during the project I would have said I wish I got different legs because I was really stumped and disappointed when the dresser started to cave. I was worried the legs wouldn’t match whatever I put in the middle to support it. But it ended up being a fun creative challenge that worked out really well and looks super awesome. 

Any new challenge can be intimidating, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it! This is a great beginner DIY. You don’t need any power tools, all the cuts can be made with a hand saw. That being said, a miter saw will make it easier but it’s not necessary.

See the details of the DIY sunburst cabinet on my blog. Follow me on Instagram @alanagennara as I go through the ups and downs of DIY and design.

~ by Alana Gennara 

The post IKEA IVAR shines in this Sunburst Cabinet hack appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

I decided to hack the EKET units as I’ve been desperate to use some pole wrap in an IKEA hack. Furthermore, I wanted to add some curved edges to the EKET units.

And pole wrap allows you to do that!

Here’s a before-after shot.

IKEA item used:

• IKEA EKET cabinet with 2 doors
• IKEA EKET unit with 3 drawers

(The units are attached together using two connecting plates)

Other materials:

• 5 sheets of Bamboo pole wrap (600x1200mm)
• 20mm birch plywood for the top of the unit (1.8m x 37cm)
• Plywood to make semicircles x 2 for each end of the unit
• Iron-on birch veneer strip for the cut edge of the plywood top
• Wood stain in light English oak

Tools:

• Jigsaw
• Mitre saw
• Adhesive
• Brad nails and gun
• Router if attaching units together

Combining the IKEA EKET cabinets into one

The first thing we did was to attach the already assembled EKET units together. We used a router to sink the connecting plates into the top of the units to allow the plywood top to sit flush.

Then, we measured pole wrap to fit the fronts of the unit. We cut to size for each door and drawer front and then a strip of pole wrap around the edges of the drawers and doors with mitred edges.

We attached pole wrap to unit with adhesive and brad nails as required.

DIY curved sides with pole wrap

Now on to the curved sides. We drew out 4 semi circles on plywood. How we did this: Measure the depth of the EKET unit and from the centre point used a pencil and piece of string to draw an arch. Then, we cut out the pieces using a jigsaw.

We attached 2 semi-circles to each end with L-shaped brackets.

Again, we measured pole wrap to sit around the semi-circles. We cut the pole wrap to size with a mitre saw.

Attached pole wrap to each end of the unit with adhesive and brad nails.

Finishing with a top panel

Moving on to the top panel, we cut curved edges on a plywood topper using a jigsaw. Sanded any uneven edges and attached to the top of EKET cabinets with adhesive.

Using an acrylic paint in a colour matching the pole wrap we touched up any little white gaps visible.

Next, we ironed on birch veneer around cut edge of plywood top.

And lastly stained the topper with wood dye to match.

See the step by step process in my IG reel below.

How long did it take you to complete this IKEA EKET DIY pole wrap project?

It took about a full day to complete in total, although I did a couple of hours a day over a few weekends due to work and family commitments.

What to pay special attention to?

It’s definitely worth taking the time to touch up any white areas with paint. In some places tiny edges of the EKET unit showed up and it didn’t look quite right until I’d touched those areas up with the paint.

I wouldn’t do anything differently with this IKEA hack but I am tempted to do another now I’m happy with the process and would consider adding a marble top to finish it off next time!

~ by Jen @crack_the_shutters

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The IKEA BRIMNES headboard with storage is a wonderful solution for small bedrooms. It’s like having a “nightstand” and storage unit all in one.

It also comes with adjustable shelves and a holes for table lamp cables. A thoughtfully designed piece of furniture.

The only downside is it requires the headboard to be fastened to the wall. In many situations, it may not be possible to make holes in the wall.

Hacking it into a freestanding unit is not all that difficult. Here are two ways to get it done.

Freestanding BRIMNES headboard hack with DIY legs

I live in a rental and didn’t want to attach the IKEA BRIMNES headboard to the wall or mark the wall. At the same time, I also wanted it to not move and make noise.

The solution was to add legs to the headboard and make it a freestanding unit.

IKEA item used:

• BRIMNES bed head with storage 902.287.15 (bookcase)
• BRIMNES queen bed frame 290.75.53

Other materials:

Prices in AUD

• 2 x Glide adjustable surface guard table feet 5/16” x 2 ($8.74 for a 4-pack) 
• 18 x 8-15 x 25mm wood screws (note it’d be great to have some 15mm also) ($4.60 for a pack) 
• 2 x Furniture leg T nuts 5/16” ($2.10 for pack of 4) 
• 2 x M8 x 60mm Hex bolts ($1.90) 
• 4 x M8 washers ($0.76) 
• 2 x Minigrips 1mm Oryda 57 x 35mm right angle metal braces ($1.04) 
• 2 x Multigrips 100 x 35mm right angle metal braces ($1.68) 
• 2 x 35x67x ~350mm pine for the legs (no cost, scrap wood)

Tools

• Screwdriver or drill with Phillips head
• Drill with 8mm drill bit
• Adjustable wrench x 2
• Saw
• Hammer
• Hot glue and/or tape (optional)
• Liquid nails (optional but recommended)

1. Making the support legs

Build the bed head entirely as per IKEA’s instructions, stopping before attaching it to the wall, obviously! Cut the 35×67 pine legs to approximately 310mm. If you want to save more money and not have the adjustable feet (risky, but doable), then cut to ~332mm. Drill holes in the bottom of both legs to 5/16”, and then widen. Take the two furniture leg T nuts and hammer them in.

2. Attaching support legs to the BRIMNES headboard

Use the two right-angled metal braces (per leg) and the wood screws to attach the pine leg to the bottom of the book case. If you have glue or Liquid Nails, I’d recommend using some here too as I don’t really trust the particle board over time. Screw in the adjustable table feet. The headboard will now stand up on its own.

3. Securing headboard to bed frame

To attach it to the BRIMNES bed so that it really doesn’t move, put the book case up against the bed as it is supposed to be, and drill 2 x 8mm holes through both the bookcase and bed.  Use the 8mm x 60mm bolts, combined with the 8mm washers and the metal braces that came with the BRIMNES bed head, and bolt the bed head to the bed.  This will make it nice and sturdy!

4. Protecting the wall

Finally, to protect the wall a little further, take a thick strip of material (I used the thick packing cardboard that came in the BRIMNES bed head box), and use 2 final wood screws to attach it to the top of the headboard, making sure to recess the screws in.  This will allow for a bit of extra cushioning.

Note, there might be some spiky screw points inside the storage shelves — I used a bit of hot glue and tape to cover them and make it safer.

How long and how much did it cost?

Prices included in the list above. Total cost (factoring out spares left over) was $13.85 Australian.  I had scrap wood – probably add another $2-5 if you don’t.

What do you like most about the BRIMNES headboard hack?

It is neat, sturdy, and silent, and I can easily disassemble it to take it with me when I move again.

What was the hardest part about this hack?

Figuring out how to attach the legs to the headboard in a sturdy way.  

What to pay special attention to?

Where you drill in the wood screws, to maximise the particle board you drill into. 

Looking back, would you have done it differently?

I used 25mm wood screws throughout because that’s what I had. But that meant that there were some sharp points sticking through into the storage shelves, and I’ve already scratched my hand. I covered them over with hot glue, but if you could also get 15mm screws that will solve the problem

My wife is also very happy!

~ by Rowley Cowper

BRIMNES headboard hack with IKEA table legs

Unfortunately it seems too many of IKEA headboards are designed to be wall-mounted. That complicates things for renters like myself (my landlords LOVE the wallpaper in the house). I came up with a very simple, easy way to make the BRIMNES headboard freestanding.

Materials:

• IKEA BRIMNES headboard
• 2 VIKA FURUSUND solid wood table legs (See FAQ below for FURUSUND alternatives)
• Hand saw
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Screwdriver
• Shorter screws or a Dremel

How to add IKEA legs to the BRIMNES headboard

All you do is screw VIKA FURUSUND table legs into the bottom/rear of the BRIMNES headboard.

I went with these legs because they are solid wood, and you need to cut them down. IKEA doesn’t offer table legs that are the right length.

After assembling the headboard, I figured out about where I wanted to put the legs (the only space for them to screw into is the bottom bookshelf on either side.) I placed my legs as far in and back as I could, to minimize their visibility.

Next I measured how much of the leg I needed to saw off to get it level with the front legs of the headboard.

I have a little Buck Bros hand saw kit I bought at Ace (you can get it at Home Depot, too). It’s cheap and comes with a block that steadies your cut. It does take some muscle, though.

I sawed off the few inches I measured, then screwed the legs into the headboard.

Looking back, would you have done it differently?

Here’s where you can do better than I did. I realized before I started that the screws that came with the FURUSUND were too long, and would break through the bottom of the shelves.

I could have just gone to the hardware store and bought shorter screws, but it was late, and I wanted to get it done.So, I went ahead and screwed through the bookshelves, and then used a Dremel (and eye protection!) to get the screws level with the shelves.

Dumb idea. It worked, but just go get the shorter screws.

Voilà! Renter-friendly, freestanding storage headboard.

~by Meredith, Austinite in Boston

More Questions on the BRIMNES headboard

• See more IKEA headboard hacks.
• See more IKEA BRIMNES hacks.

The post Freestanding BRIMNES Headboard Hack (no wall attachment required) appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

The IKEA GRANÅS chairs in metal are sturdy dining chairs that will probably last you a long long time. The only thing that fails is most likely the woven seat. The seats in straw lends to the rustic vibe but straw will fall apart in time.

What do you do then? An IKEA GRANÅS chair hack is the way to go. Replacing the seat is easy. Pick a durable material for the new seats, coupled with a simple dining chair hack, and the GRANÅS will last you for many more years.

1. Revisiting IKEA GRANÅS chairs in fine wood

I decided to change the straw seats of the GRANÅS to highlight the metal structure of the chair and give it a more essential and modern look.

This is how it looks before and after.

IKEA items used: 

• 4 GRANÅS chairs

Other materials and tools: 

• 4x plywood panels size 35.5 x 36 cm  
• Sandpaper
• Water-based paint for wood 
• Black paint for iron 
• Brushes 
• Straight plate x 16 (4 holes, 60mm) 
• Screws for metal x 16 (M4x20) 
• Nut x 16 
• Screw for fastening seat x 16 (M4x10) 
• Black plastic screw cover x 16 
• Screwdriver

Buy plywood panels from a shop that provides a cutting service. Have the panels cut to size (35.5 x 36 cm).

Next, prepare the wooden seats. Sand the panels and paint them. I chose to stain the top in medium chestnut wood color and the bottom is painted in grey. (At the beginning I was not sure about the colour to choose so this was a good way to test both colors).

Paint the 16x straight plates with black paint for iron. Wait for all the paint to dry.

Fix the plates to the chair structure with the screws for metal and nuts. Place the seat over the plates and turn the chair upside down.

Fix the seat to the plates using the short screws for wood and a screwdriver.

An optional step but you can add a cushion to the seat. I made cushions with an old fabric I bought during a vacation in Zanzibar. It would work also as a back cover.

How long and how much did it cost?

16€ for plywood panels (free cut) + 5€ hardware + 40€ paints, sandpaper and brush.

2 hours preparing the panels + 30 minutes to paint the plates + 24 hours paints drying + 1 hour to fix the seats to the chairs.

What do you like most about the hack?

The result is clean and modern.

What was the hardest part about this hack?

I could not find black painted hardware, so I decided to paint it but it was not easy because the parts are small. Probably a spray paint would work better.

What to pay special attention to?

The screws for wood used to fix the panels must be shorter than the thickness of the seat. Otherwise they will go through it and you’ll have to sit on the tip of them!

Looking back, would you have done it differently?

I think that L brackets would work better than simple straight metal plates and would probably give a better structure to the seat. Thicker plywood would probably work better too and allow the seat to be flush with the metal frame structure.

~ by Princess Leia 

2. IKEA GRANÅS chair hack — Dining chair to hallway bench

Hi I’m Ashli from Mini Manor Blog. We needed a bench, it had to have a back, and I knew that I wanted something with an industrial look!

I love the combination of metal and wood. I was searching Craigslist for benches when I came across some IKEA GRANÅS Chairs, they had great clean lines, and the cross backs made me very happy.

IKEA item used:

• 3 IKEA GRANÅS Chairs

We found 3 chairs for $25!
We bought 3 1×6 boards. Each board was 6 feet long.
Then, we stained them a medium walnut color.

On the GRANÅS, we removed the wicker seats from their metal frames, and were able to use the existing holes (for the screws to hold the wicker seats in place) to screw in and secure the boards to the chair.

And for the finishing touch we simply stenciled on a little instruction . . . SIT.

I think that an added shelf on the bottom would also be great if you were planning on using it as a hall bench, a quick place to stash your shoes or maybe a basket or two!

I hope you enjoyed our hack!

~ by Ashli, British Columbia, Canada

3. IKEA GRANÅS chair reupholster hack

Anna reupholstered the seat for a new look. The easiest way is to wrap a piece of fabric to the straw seat and pin it down with staples. Then simply reassemble the seat the way IKEA prescribed and you’re done!

If the seat is unsalvageable, this DIY tutorial may be helpful. You will need to cut a new wood panel. (Use the old woven seat as a template.) Then on the wood panel, stick on a layer of foam and wrap your fabric over the foam, pulling it taut and stapling the fabric into the wood panel. Then attach the foam seat to the metal frame using the original hardware. And you have a chair, like new.

The post IKEA GRANÅS chair hacks – breathe new life into old chairs appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

My daughter’s room is small and I wanted to keep the space tidy as well as make a small desk she can use for drawing and playing with her toys. I thought of installing a wall-mounted desk but we also needed storage for her small room.

As we already had the TROFAST unit, I decided to convert the IKEA TROFAST storage unit into a fold down desk. With this IKEA hack, we killed two birds with one stone.

With my daughter we personalized it with fun colors and chalkboard paint.

IKEA item used:

• IKEA TROFAST storage unit
• Wall storage unit

Other materials:

• Folding shelf bracket
• Wood plank or plywood
• Wood screws
• Chalkboard paint

How to DIY a fold down kids desk with storage

Firstly, I assembled the 2 IKEA TROFAST units. Ours was already used for toy storage in the room so we saved a step. I placed the TROFAST wall storage unit on top of the shelving unit to create a desk cubby. It also provides additional storage for stationery, craft materials, etc.

Step 1:

I got a pair of folding shelf brackets. Using a spare piece of wood with the same thickness as the desk, I marked the spots for the screws with a marker. This is to ensure the desk is flush with the surface of the TROFAST unit.

Step 2:

These are the spots to screw in the bracket. You may want to make pilot holes to minimise the risk of the wood splintering, as the TROFAST frame is not very thick.

Step 3:

Using a drill I screwed the bracket onto the side of the TROFAST frame with a Black & Decker screwdriver.

Step 4:

Once the brackets are done, I placed the wood plank over them and attached with screws to the bracket.

Next, I sanded the wood plank with fine sandpaper and removed the sawdust with a damp rag. Now we can paint. We used a black chalkboard paint so my daughter can have an extra surface to draw. You can use any stain or paint that you like and suits your kids room decor.

We did another thing which was add a wallpaper along the side of another TROFAST unit next to the desk to provide a pop of color.

The girls helped me to paint and perform the different steps for this DIY. It’s simple and fun to work with little kids! The bins in the TROFAST can still be used normally.

For security, I recommend securing the TROFAST unit to the wall to minimise tip over risk.

To see more of this DIY kids fold down desk tutorial, view the HomeLifestyle magazine (go to pages 106-111).

by Homelifestyle.es

Looking for more IKEA TROFAST Desk Hacks?

2-in-1 DIY Desk

A versatile build that truly makes full use of the TROFAST either as a wall desk or a T-shaped tabletop for playing together. This IKEA TROFAST desk hack has an additional table that lets kids play opposite one another.

TROFAST table with computer desk

Kids desk workstations for three kids and a place to accommodate a computer. With plenty of holders for pencils, crayons and toys.

The post DIY Fold Down Kids Desk. Great for small spaces! appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

Did you know you can DIY barn doors using IKEA doors or a kitchen countertop. These IKEA hacks show you how to make your own sliding barn door affordably.

Or if you have old IKEA wardrobe doors, you can upcycle them into a single door or a pair of barn doors.

You’ll need to get barn door tracks and hardware to complete the project. One thing to check, since you’re not using regular doors, is the thickness of your proposed “door”. Most hardware kits accept doors with a thickness of 1-3/8″ ~ 1-3/4″.

1. IKEA Countertop for double sliding barn doors

I used the IKEA EKBACKEN worktop as sliding double barn doors. Using the kitchen worktops as doors kept the cost low. And they have a good solid finish.

The barn door tracks were from Gerrit Homes.

The reason was cost, to get this sort of quality veneer finish using regular door suppliers was too expensive. At first, I looked at using IKEA table tops as they are thicker and lighter. But I needed the height. So it had to be the worktops.

IKEA item used:

• IKEA EKBACKEN worktop in brown walnut effect

Installation was straightforward. I installed the barn door hardware according to instructions. I screwed in the worktop to the hanger using the screws supplied, first drilling pilot holes in the countertop. The rest went like clockwork.

I was worried they may warp but so far as they hang vertically not a issue. I had to trim a bit of the worktop to fit but so far so good. 

You’ll see the existing doors behind the barn doors. I didn’t want to touch the existing doors as then all the fire rating etc comes into play. So this IKEA hack was a very cheap and effective way of covering up existing the doors. 

The IKEA hack can be easily adapted for one door panel.

~ by Rick Maund, Architect  

2. PAX Wardrobe Doors Get New Life as Barn Doors

For years, we had an IKEA PAX wardrobe with glass sliding doors. We used it as a closet, as a dining room storage unit and then again as a closet.

In our most recent move, our bedroom size did not allow for the armoire frame to be set up in the side by side configuration that allowed for the glass sliding doors. So we bought new doors for the closet and repurposed the PAX glass doors as barn doors for our two bedrooms.

This was achieved by drilling holes in the top of the door frames and screwing large bolts into the holes. Then the bolts were pushed through the track in the barn door hardware (purchased from King Architectural Metals for about $150 for two sets) and secured with a hardware nut. Voilà! Barn doors.

Note that the barn door track came longer than we needed so we cut it to size. Also, please disregard the trim that has not been repaired above the door frame. That is a project for another day.

Other IKEA Barn Door Hacks you may like

Barn doors to close up an entertainment center

I don’t like my TV as a focal point in my living space. So, I decided to take 2 IKEA BRIMNES bookshelves and make barn doors for them in order to hide the TV. I googled many, many “How-To’s” and combined various ideas other people had. And here is my DIY barn door tutorial.

Mirrored barn door to separate room from ensuite

I converted a MONGSTAD wall mirror into a ceiling mounted mirror barn door, with the aid of the back panel from an ASKVOLL wardrobe.

DIY Barn Doors for IKEA cabinet

I bought some plywood and pine craft board to make barn looking doors for the BORGSJO shelf. See how I made it.

The post How to DIY Single and Double sliding barn doors affordably appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

5% off anytime, every time you buy from an IKEA store in the US.

IKEA is known for its affordability. Starting September 1, IKEA prices will be even lower for IKEA Family members.

Beginning in September, new and existing IKEA Family members will enjoy a 5% discount benefit on eligible in-store purchases.

This is the first time IKEA USA is introducing a storewide discount (with some exclusions) since the start of the Family loyalty program in 2011. The new 5% discount makes it an IKEA Sale Everyday. There is no time-limit or frequency limit on this exciting perk.

So if you’re not an IKEA Family member yet, what are you waiting for.

How to get 5% off your next IKEA in-store purchase

1. Sign up for the IKEA Family loyalty program if you are not a member yet.

2. Go shopping at any IKEA store in the USA.

3. Scan your IKEA Family card

At check out, scan your IKEA Family card or present your IKEA Family number and the discount will be automatically deducted from the total before tax. The discount cannot be combined with other product offers and does not apply to tax, shipping and handling, delivery, installation and purchase of gift cards; or IKEA Swedish Restaurant, or for IKEA Bistro food products.

4. Cart your IKEA goodies home!

What if I’m a Family member and I made a purchase before September?

If the item you bought becomes eligible for the IKEA Family 5% in-store benefit within 90 days of your purchase, simply bring in your receipt and IKEA will refund the difference.

More perks for IKEA Family

Besides the in-store discount, Family members shopping online will enjoy additional savings on delivery for online purchases.

If that’s not enough to reel you in, then the free tea and coffee for every visit and annual birthday surprise may sweeten the deal. Your kids also get 30 minutes extra playtime in the supervised play area, Småland.

View their Loyalty program page here for the list of benefits, including a 90-day price protection, special offers on products and their Buy Back & Resell program.

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How to DIY a loft bed for adults from IKEA KURA kids beds.

We have a small apartment. We have a principle that every piece of furniture needs at least two functions. It’s a bed, storage, and reading corner.

Besides, we also wanted a bedroom free of any clutter.

So there’s just a bed in there.

IKEA items used:

• IKEA KURA Children’s bunk bed x 3
• MALM Chest of Drawers x 2
• LENART Storage x 3
• Other wire frame storage

Other materials and tools:

• Birch plywood
• Futon Mattress (160 cm width)

Tools:

• Japanese saw
• Electric drill
• 14mm carpenters flat drill bit
• Allen key (of course!)
• Zinc corner brackets
• Zinc flat brackets
• Screws
• Sanding paper
• Gorilla tape

Hacking the KURA bed into a loft bed for adults

1. Build the KURA beds as per IKEA instructions and rotate so that the slats are at the top.

2. Cut off the top part of the frame so that the KURA forms a rectangular cube. At this point it will be quite weak and wobbly. Ensure that that they can be supported by the wall.

3. Take the electric drill and 14 mm flat drill bit to drill about 2mm into all of the screw fittings holes where the KURA bed frames meet each other. They need to be flush (the screw heads stick out and prevent this otherwise).

4. To support the frame, I added two extra upright supports underneath each horizontal frame (so ten upright supports in total). I screwed them on with zinc brackets. The remaining wood from the top of the frame can be used for this.

Note that the frame is not made from a single piece of wood (multiple pieces pieces glued together and the horizontal frame will bend under adult weight without the upright supports.

Place the three beds together. I made the bed secure by wedging it in-between two walls using leftover wood. Brackets could also work if you have a solid brick wall.

I then obtained the birch ply. 152 x 210 (in three pieces). There’s also some overhang between the frame and the side wall. This will depend on your circumstances and the width of your bed. I screwed the birch ply onto frame and then used zinc flat brackets to screw the birch ply together.

I used some gorilla tape against the back wall to stop any potential forward wobble and to cushion the wood against the wall. It’s so secure though.

For the shelving, I used the MALM chest of drawers, they fit nicely.

The central part is empty so that we can get in.

One option would be to add doors to the frame (would probably require creating a column around the frame to give sufficient space for the hinges.

We’ll probably cover with linen eventually.

Overall, it feels very secure and it’s a nice height!

How long and how much did it cost?

The KURA beds were given away or thrown out. I only needed to pay for one (£20).
The birch ply cost £200 (currently in short supply due to war in Ukraine)
Osmo £30
Drill bit £10

Note that a carpenter quoted me £2500 + VAT for the same result. So it’s only 10% of that!

In total, it took me about two weekends with a big wait to move the radiator and for the birch ply to arrive.

What do you like most about the DIY adult loft bed?

I’m recycling wood and following by my principles.
It’s hilarious that I’m using some kids beds – but they were being thrown away!
It’s quite novel and it’s easy on the eyes. It doesn’t look like an IKEA hack.
I sleep like a baby on that platform bed.
There’s space for reading and a ton of storage.

What was the hardest part about this hack?

We had a radiator in the way. So we had to move it first which delayed us by a month!

What to pay special attention to?

The upright supports.
Tighten those screws as much as you can, you won’t be able to do it later.

I took my time and I was quite lucky that it worked out so well for us in our small room.

More details on my blog.

~ by Neal Taylor

Two single into one double DIY loft bed for adults

Malou felt like the living space was getting too cramped and wanted a loft bed to maximise storage under the bed. She still loved her ‘old’ 160 x 200cm IKEA mattress and wanted to continue using it. But there seemed to be no IKEA or even other affordable full-size loft bed options. Then, her boyfriend suggested getting two second hand IKEA loft beds and with a bit of DIY to turn them into one double loft bed.

An IKEA storage bed hack for optimum storage

To fit out a 29 m2 (312 sq feet) studio, Arnaud thought, “Why choose between storage and living space when we can have it all?” A sofa, a large bed and lots of storage space! An IKEA storage bed hack was the way to go. To make this possible he took advantage of the height of the apartment ceiling and built a platform storage bed.

The post DIY Loft Bed for Adults (Thanks for Those Bunk Beds, Kids!) appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

After IKEA hacking our two nurseries (plywood drawer front for the HEMNES chest, EXPEDIT plywood doors and a multi-tasking HEMNES nursery chest) it was time for a bit of a change!

Our toddler is growing up (and his little brother too) so it was time to give his toddler bed to his little brother. And sleep in a bigger bed.

I did like the warm grey colour of the toddler bed, so I decided to paint the KURA bed in the same colour. I decided to leave two of the headboards, so we could still see the wall painting, and also it would be fun to put some stuffed animals and the lights there. As an extra storage shelf, I also added a BEKVÄM spice rack.

IKEA items used:

• IKEA KURA reversible bed (we use it in “low” position for our toddler)
• BEKVÄM spice rack

Other materials and tools:

• Primer
• Silk gloss paint (0,75 liter, a warm grey colour “Cloudy State” from Sigma)
• Sandpaper
• Paint rollers
• Paint roller tray
• 2 screws

Painting the IKEA KURA bed

After taking out all the parts from the packaging, I must say I wasn’t sure it would be wise to start this project. There were a lot (a lot!) of beams that have to be treated, besides the white panels.

1. First I sanded everything with light sandpaper.

2. Then I had to take every part upstairs to start the painting process.

3. Next, I primed every piece. They were primed two times, because of the four sides.

4. And then painted (also with a minimum of two coats). Even then, the result was not as perfect.

I had some paint left, so I touched up a couple of sides that weren’t perfect in the painting process.

I also painted the two extra headboards, because if we would ever use it as a loft bed, we would probably be using those. By then, I was totally out of paint at the end, it was just enough. Be sure to also paint the inside slots of the beams, because they will be visible (especially when not using all the headboards).

Adding the BEKVÄM bookshelf

Besides the bed, I also painted two BEKVÄM spice racks but ended up using just one. We attached screws to the ladder which became a nice bracket at just the right width for the BEKVÄM bookshelf.

It took me one weekend to do the whole painting proces, and one day to assemble the bed (including all the mess that it made and cleaning that up, with two kids in a household). Assembling the bed was a bit of a tough job, best to be done by two persons. 

I’m really happy with the result of the colour of the paint job. And the styling in total. The process however was tougher than I thought it would be. I’m also not extremely happy with the paint job, but it would do.

Because you can use the bed in different ways, you do not need all the holes, and I did forgot to check exactly, so a couple of them still show wood. Not a big deal. You can still touch them up after assembly. On the other hand it may be a good idea to leave them untouched as you may use the reversible bed in the loft position later on.

To be honest looking back, it was a lot of work for, maybe not a really useful end result. But it is, at least, a pretty one. And I love hacking IKEA stuff, especially for my kids just to make it a bit more personal. But let’s be honest, my toddler probably doesn’t really mind if the bed was in the original wood finish.

Fine tuning our IKEA KURA bed hack

After our toddler has slept a couple of nights in his new bed, we made some adjustments to the bed. We ended up removing the longer beam that is not against the wall. Because it got mostly in our way when putting our toddler to bed. Also we added one headboard, because we thought he might be bumping his head to the beam that’s near his pillow. Or the one above that when he is getting up. 

Also to point out a small IKEA hack inside the right top DRÖNA box inside the EXPEDIT cubby. What you don’t see is behind the EXPEDIT are a lot of cables and an extension cord. At first, what I did was to place all of the cables behind the DRÖNA box, but then the box would protrude out of the EXPEDIT a bit.

Then it struck me that I can place them all inside the bin which was otherwise empty. I use the zipper at the bottom of the DRÖNA to allow the cables and extension cord to pass through. So now they are neatly (and safely) stored away.

Other than the painted KURA bed, we did a toddler closet hack to complete the room.

~ by Marleen K.

More tips on painting the IKEA KURA bed

Find more IKEA hacks for your kids room:

• Explore IKEA bunk bed hacks
• 23 Fun and Fabulous IKEA KURA bed hacks for your kids room

The post A painted KURA bed becomes the centerpiece of this toddler room appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

Get your secret room with a DIY murphy door that’s easy on the pocket.

I wanted to create an attractive door for my spare room/ office space because I often have the door closed. It’s a small space and it tends to look cluttered. My dream was to have a secret door.

Hidden bookcase doors can be very expensive but it dawned on me that I (meaning my father) could potentially DIY IKEA bookcases into a hidden murphy door for my spare room.

He turned my vision into a reality and when the door is closed, it isn’t obvious it hides a secret room. 

IKEA item used:

• BILLY bookcase x 1 (31 1/2 x 11 x 79 1/2″)
• BILLY bookcase x 1 (15 3/4 x 11 x 79 1/2″)
• OXBERG glass doors x 2

Other materials:

• Caster wheels
• Hinge

DIY murphy door hack instructions

I purchased two BILLY Bookcases — a single column case and a double column case with the two glass doors. I decided on these because they were attractive and affordable!

The single column case was cut to size to allow both bookcases to fill the full width of my door. The single column bookcase was anchored to a ‘bump out’ section of the wall which is to the immediate right of the door frame.

The double column bookcase acts as the rolling door, which we attached 4 rubber castors (Everbilt, 2 1/2″ soft rubber swivel plate casters with 100 lbs load rating) under the base of the bookcase. The single column remains stationary.

Dad reinforced the base of bookcase with a few pieces of offcuts from the single BILLY before screwing in the four 360-degree caster wheels.

We used a piano hinge (Everbilt, 72″ x 2″ black continuous hinge) to fasten the two bookcases together. This hinge is almost the full length of the bookcase. It is visible but the metal is almost the exact same colour as the bookcase, so it doesn’t stand out.

Here’s a short video of my husband opening the door from inside our spare room.  

I plan to cover the back of the bookcase but have not completed that yet.

How long did the project take?

The project took about 8 hours to complete and cost around $350.00.

What was the toughest part of the DIY Murphy Door hack?

The toughest part was mounting the unit to the ‘bump out’ wall. Although Dad makes everything look easy.

Would you change anything in the project?

I wouldn’t change anything! I store all of my dress shoes in the bookcase, so it is not just a murphy door but a great space saver and extra storage. It’s tough to identify that the ‘murphy door’ is actually a ‘door’ and it certainly just appears as though it is a bookcase filled with shoes! Strange, I know … but it looks great!

~ by Jen

The Storeroom with Secret Door Bookcase

We call it the Secret Storeroom because it allows me to hide my house cleaning and laundry stuff out the way. And we can hear when the kids sneak in there as they trip trap over the base of the BILLY frame.

It came about because we had a messy understairs cupboard and an oddly shaped living room, courtesy of a few house extensions.

We were also laying an oak floor and the end of that floor was at a different level.

With this IKEA hack, we were able to solve a few issues at once and get some extra storage for our living room.

IKEA item used:

• 2 BILLY bookcases (31 1/2″ wide)
• 1 BILLY bookcase (15 3/4″ wide)
• 5 OXBERG doors

How to hack a hidden door bookcase

We started by screeding. Then, tiled the floor in grey gloss tiles to reflect light.

After that, we built the two double width and one single width BILLY bookcases. We underpinned the base of one of the double width bookcase with wooden struts as one would be walked through. You can omit the base completely to avoid the step up but we left it in as we didn’t want light streaming through from under the bookshelf doors and spoil the illusion of the bookcase.

The placement of this double bookcase is at the far left and forms the doorway to our storeroom. We did not fit the backs on the false bookcase.

Related: Hack a BILLY hidden door bookshelf

A frame was then built out of scrap wood from a partition wall we demolished in another room. We added plasterboard panels to this. We’ve not quite finished this bit, we have to add the picture rail and paint the plaster.

Finally we used wallpaper featuring books pasted onto a 3mm ply to cover the walk through cupboard. We fastened the ply to the back of the glass door. This was important because otherwise light would spill through from the cupboard into the living room.

We’re really pleased with the results. It blends perfectly with the rest of the room, though I might change the knobs later.

~ by Rachel Hill

The post An affordable DIY murphy door bookcase hack appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

Toddlers are not quite ready for a full-sized kids wardrobe just yet but they are at the stage where they are increasingly aware of colours and textures. They are learning to choose (and throw everything out of a drawer).

A toddler closet where they can access their clothes (or a selection of them) is a wonderful addition to your child’s room or nursery.

These ideas for a toddler closet do not use regular IKEA kids wardrobes. Rather, IKEA storage units, toy storage frames and more are hacked into wardrobes for little ones.

You can even repurpose an old changing table into a small closet. The fun is in discovering what you can do with the IKEA furniture you may already have and turn them into something meaningful that grow with your child’s needs.

Use the links below to jump to these specific toddler closet ideas:

1. IKEA Storage Unit as a Toddler Closet
2. TROFAST Montessori-inspired kids closet
3. IKEA Kitchen Cabinets Kids wardrobe
4. KALLAX toddler wardrobe hack

1. Use an IKEA storage unit as a toddler closet

We decided our toddler no longer needed a nursery and that it would be great if he could choose his own clothes from his closet.

So we purchased the new IKEA VIHALS storage unit. He doesn’t really need hanging space, so we decided to use some hooks on the side. In the open space, we ended up storing all his books.

We also decided to personalize it a bit to suit our kid’s room decor.

IKEA items used:

• VIHALS storage unit
• HACKÅS set of handles (from the second change corner)
• HAVERN hook rack
• BESTÅ soft-closing/push-open

Other materials and tools:

• A piece of leftover cork (with the glue that came with it)
• Washers
• A piece of sticker paper and a printer

1. First I assembled the VIHALS. It was fairly simple to do by myself, even with my 1,5-year-old sleeping in the next room. We didn’t use the handles that came with it.

2. Then I added a HACKÅS set of handles to the drawers. I ended up putting some extra duct tape and washer rings at the back, to give some extra support. Because of drilling the holes, the woodwork was a bit damaged.

3. One door I covered with some leftover piece of cork.

4. And at the side, I glued an old HAVERN hook rack.

5. Because we now did not have any handles on the doors, I used a leftover BESTÅ soft-closing/push-open underneath one of the shelves. And put a label of a hand on the door (still have to print a left hand though) so my toddler would know exactly where to push.

This hack only took one trip to IKEA and an afternoon to assemble. I really like this simple, but personal hack and for now this is the perfect closet for him since he not yet needs a really big one. And in the future, the VIHALS can be easily used in a home office. 

~ by Marleen K

2. Hack a Montessori-inspired kids closet

Nicole hacked a Montessori inspired children’s clothes wardrobe out of the IKEA TROFAST storage units. To hang up the clothes she added a tension rod within the TROFAST frames. TROFAST shelves and woven baskets for smaller items complete the ensemble. Easy peasy! With the open frames, her boy can easily pick and choose his outfit of the day.

3. Repurpose kitchen cabinets into kids wardrobe

Using two IKEA kitchen cabinet Marthe added a clothes rail to each cabinet and turned them into a roomy wardrobe for children’s jackets and clothes. You can probably add a shelf at the bottom or bins at the back for more storage space. Squeeze in some space below for footwear storage too.

4. Hack a KALLAX into a toddler’s closet

Carolina takes the KALLAX 2×2 shelving and transforms it into a handy closet for the little one. She left a shelf out and clamped a tension rod at the top. This space is just right for sweaters. Onesies are in the top drawer, pants are in the bottom drawer. Socks and tights are in the basket. Et voilà! An organized closet.

Do you have more ideas for a toddler closet? Send them in to us.

See more:

• IKEA IVAR kids wardrobe hack
• 3 ways to hack kids dress up clothes storage
• 17 fabulous kids room decorating ideas
• Explore more IKEA children’s storage furniture hacks

The post Toddler Closet ideas and hacks: Grow with IKEA appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

We love Star Wars inspired IKEA hacks, the most famous of them being the Death Star lamp hack. Personal favorites are the R2D2 dresser and this hack for displaying Star War action figures.

But they may soon be overtaken by an IKEA desk hack by Glen Vivaris of Glen Makes.

Filmmaker/Lunar Landscaper Glen recycled an old desk from IKEA into a Star Wars inspired workbench. Probably just like one you’ll find in an old workshop on the planet of Hoth or Kamino.

He says, “I found an old IKEA table on FB Market that had a good shape so I turned it into a Hoth / Kamino inspired workbench /esd table.”

This is how the desk looks before the Star Wars hack. Recognise it?

Glen does not provide a name for the desk and I’ve not seen such a desk at IKEA. It’s highly possible the hairpin-like legs were a later addition. If you know the name of this single drawer desk, let me know. If you’re thinking of making your own Star Wars workbench, the ALEX desk is a possible candidate.

Origin aside, the hack is fabulous.

Star Wars Inspired Desk Hack

First, Glen moves the runner to recess the drawer. He then sands down the veneer on the drawer front and proceeds to arrange a whole lot of 3D printed greeblies on it. (Or should it be greebles? Star Wars experts, help me out here.)

Next, the detailing. After a few coats of spray paint, he ages the parts with darker shades of gray to produce a weathered, dusty hue. The color of Star Wars, seriously.

The hairpin legs were removed and a new set of metal legs attached. Glen spray painted the black legs and added a few extra details for effect. Glen also built in a power strip tower and installs a vaguely Kaminoan lamp, as he calls it, onto the table top.

Accessorize with, idk, a levitating Mandalorian ship and the Star Wars desk is complete. Watch a video of the build process.

The post How to make a Star Wars Inspired Desk appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

The reason for this IKEA hack was because my daughter suddenly wanted a lemonade stand and at the same moment she also wanted another wardrobe.

Rather than discarding the IKEA MAMMUT wardrobe, I repurposed it into a lemonade stand. 

In recent years, she has defrauded children in the neighborhood of thousands of kroner selling expensive lemonade and cookies. 

IKEA items used:

IKEA MAMMUT single door wardrobe

Other items used:

Wood planks
Lockable castor wheels
Inflatable pool float

How to make a lemonade stand: 

I just drew a sketch of which parts I planned to use for the stand.  

First I built a stable structure from wood planks as a foundation. Added wheels to easily push the lemonade cart to the best spot for business.

For the side panels of the lemonade stand, I used the two side panels from the wardrobe. I used a jigsaw to shorten them with a diagonal cut. Then, joined the two at the top with wood planks to create a frame.

Related: You may also like these IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen hacks.

The door of the old wardrobe is the now the front panel of the cafe. I adjusted the length of the door horizontally so that it matched the foundation.

Building the countertop for the lemonade stand

I used a thin countertop as the tabletop, which is fixed at the center of the structure. The countertop is supported by wood planks from the base.

I saved the old drawer from the MAMMUT as storage behind the counter.

As for the roof, I used masonite to add some stability. You can use other materials such as plywood too. The MAMMUT handles in red plastic then became perfect as handles on the side. The plastic from the inflatable pool float was glued to the masonite.

Finish with flag banners, canopy, menu boards, “cafe” signage and just like that, the IKEA hack DIY lemonade stand is open for business.

~ by Magnus

Rather not DIY a lemonade stand? You can also hack an IKEA Arcade Cabinet using the same MAMMUT wardrobe.

The post Do It Yourself Lemonade Stand: A homemade hack appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

A practical space-saving solution — a table with lamp attached. Lighting and end table in one.

These IKEA hacks feature coffee and bedside tables with built-in lamps to provide accent lighting. You can even add on task lighting if you choose a floor uplighter with a reading lamp.

Two easy DIY projects that require minimal tools for a beautiful multi-functional side table lamp.

2-in-1 convenient floor lamp with table

We did this because we were tired of the arc lamp in our living room. And we’ve always wanted direct light on the table. After some brainstorming, we came up with the idea for a built-in tabletop lamp.

IKEA item used:

IKEA LISABO coffee table, ash veneer (70×70 cm)
Leen Bakker Lamp Cape Town (149x25x25 cm) You can, of course, use other similar lamps for this DIY table lamp project.

DIY coffee table with built-in lamp

First, I painted the IKEA table black to match the lamp.

Then, drilled a hole in the middle, 25 mm.

The lamp is from Leen Bakker and it consists of 3 parts. I loosened the wiring. And then I turn the tube into the hole. Once through I fixed the rod to the plate of the floor lamp. I used a few screws to neatly secure the plate to the underside of the table. This makes the lamp stable and square.

To finish I rolled a rubber tube over the rod, so that the connection hole with tube is covered. Lastly I reconnected the wiring, placed the shade over the bulb and it’s done.

~ by Olaf Stubble

IKEA End table with lamp attached

This IKEA hack consists of 2 IKEA LACK side tables and one NOT Floor Lamp. You can use any of the IKEA standing floor lamps with a rod. In a small space it’s useful to have a table with an integrated lamp. It provides illumination for the entire room and we still have space on the 2- tier table for our mobile phones, books and other decor.

IKEA items used:   

LACK side table x 2
NOT Floor Lamp

Tools:

Drill

How to make your own table with lamp attached

Assemble the first LACK together as per the instructions then glue the top from the second LACK to the bottom. The good side faces up. Stick on four furniture felt pads to protect your floor if necessary.

Decide where you want the lamp attached at the table. I wanted it slightly off-center and not smack in the middle of the table which may reduce the use of the table surface.

After I marked the spot, I drilled a proper sized hole through the IKEA top table. The hole needs to go through both top and bottom layers of particleboard and the honeycomb filling in between. Once I cleaned up the hole, I passed the pole of the NOT lamp through the top table.

I shortened the lamp by one section to suit the dimensions of the table. But it’s optional and you can have the table lamp at full height.

~ by William Lefler

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Looking for a way to display your medals? Want ideas on how to make your own medal display stand?

Whether you want to fill a whole wall or a small corner, you’ll find an IKEA hack that will do just that.

Check out our five simple ideas for DIY medal display!

1. Long display wall shelf for trophies and medals

Just knocked up a long medal and trophy display wall shelf using 2 IKEA items. It was very affordable with total spend coming up to £16. Even had leftover parts for a bonus hack.

Supplies needed:

2 x MOSSLANDA picture ledges, white, 55 cm plus 155 cm
1 x IRJA curtain rod set, white, 140 cm
2 x cup hooks

The first step is to wall mount the MOSSLANDA picture ledges side by side. Install it according to IKEA instructions. Just make sure both ledges are level.

Measure where the IRJA curtain rods end on the MOSSLANDA and make a mark. Then drill small pilot holes on the underside of the MOSSLANDA picture ledges for the cup hooks. These cup hooks will hold up the ring finials at the end the IRJA curtain rod. Screw in the cup hooks on both ends of the MOSSLANDA and hang up the IRJA curtain rod.

Loop your medal ribbons over the curtain rod, set your trophies on the shelf and it’s done.

Bonus! The unused hook brackets from the IRJA curtain rod set came in handy to hang up the KAPKRUSBÄR hanging planter. These are normally up to £6 on Amazon!

~ by Gaynor

2. DIY trophy and medal display wall

IKEA items used: 

IKEA Picture Ledge
KALLRÖR handle

(You can use any wooden picture ledges from IKEA such as the MOSSLANDA or MÅLERÅS. If you want to repurpose older ones like the MARIETORP or RIBBA this IKEA hack will work too. The only thing to note is to get a straight handle bar that is slightly shorter than the length of your chosen picture ledge. For this DIY, I used the MARIETORP picture ledge.)

The problem was the base of the trophies could not fit inside the IKEA picture ledge, so I decided to turn the picture ledge over and let the base of the trophies stick out a bit.

First, I screwed one of the KALLRÖR handle onto the top of the IKEA picture ledge. Then, I turned the picture ledge upside down and mounted it to the wall. And that’s it — a trophies and medal rack! 

Absolutely optional but I added vinyl letters at the top of the display rack for a bit of motivation.

~ by Susan Lim

3. Medal hanger and race bib display

It doesn’t matter if you are a champion or an amateur athlete, if you have earned some medals it is great to put your accomplishments on display. There are several readymade medal hangers but I preferred to make one on my own.

Materials:

BYGEL grey/silver rail (discontinued. Similar on Amazon)
RIBBA Picture Ledge (discontinued, use the MOSSLANDA instead, 2 sizes available)
RIKTIG curtain hooks with clip

I used two IKEA products for this. The first one was the black RIBBA picture ledge and the second the grey/silver BYGEL rail.

First, I attached the rail on the underside of the picture ledge using four small screws (two on each side) and then I attached this assembly on the wall in the same manner as I would attach the picture ledge on its own.

Both items have a width of 55cm (21 3/4″) so combining them in this way was very easy. The rail is used to hang the medals and the picture ledge is used to place small cups, memorabilia and photographs from the races.

Furthermore, the RIKTIG curtain hook with clip can be used to hang the race bibs from the rail too. Note that the hooks will need to be widened slightly to be able to be hanged on the rail.

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4. Wooden race medal display holder

I’ve collected quite a few medals from my runs and triathlons over the past few years and wanted a way to display them. Medal holders can be bought, but we had this CD rack (and all digitized music) at home so I re-purposed it.

(If you don’t have an old IKEA CD rack lying around, you can do the same with the BEKVÄM spice rack. Mount the spice rack upside down and hang the medals from the rod.)

Materials and tools: 

CD Rack (such as the BENNO)
Long wood dowel
Drill

1. Take out all the divider shelves.
2. Find the center of each shelf by drawing a line from each corner making an X in the center.
3. Using a drill, make a hole in the center of each shelf.
4. On the frame, drill extra mounting holes through the back. Now the CD rack is a display shelf.
5. Reattach each end shelf and at least one middle shelf to the main CD unit. If you leave out the middle shelf, the dowel sags a bit.
6. Attach to wall and slide dowel through the drilled holes in the shelves.
7. Decorate!

Tips:
* Be sure to drill holes at least 1/8″ larger than your dowel or it won’t slide through easily.
* I think this same hack could be used in a craft room to hang ribbons and wrapping paper.

~ by Tracey

5. Swivelling Medal Display

Materials:

GRUNDTAL towel hanger (discontinued, use a BROGRUND instead. The BROGRUND is extendable to allow for even more display areas)

We was brainstorming medal display ideas when we come up with this. It’s more of a repurposing than a true hack. We used a GRUNDTAL towel hanger to hold our race medals. The towel bars swing out, allowing more depth in the display. It’s easy to add medals and rearrange by just slipping them on the towel bars, and the ribbons don’t get squished like a hook display.

~ by Melanie B.

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