Floating Gallery Wall for Under $60

Materials: DIGNITET curtain wire, RIKTIG clips, Thin Gauge Wire, Screen Mold, Spray Paint, Grommets, Art Work

Description: 1. Screen Mold (1/4" x 3/4" x 8') was selected to make the frames.

2. After determining the size of the frames needed, screen mold was cut on a 45 degree angle with the chop saw.

3. Frames were glued with super glue.

4. After the glue dried, frames were primed and then given a top coat of spray paint.

5. To hang the art - a grommet kit was used to attach the wire between the paper and frame (follow directions on grommet kit).

7. Ikea's Dignitet curtain wire system was mounted and Ikea's Riktig curtain clips were attached at the top. Two eye screws were inserted at the top of each frame to hang the wire from.

8. Frames and art were hung with thin gauge wire, and attached to the curtain clips (wire was simply twisted at the end to secure.

Finally, we used a level to help get everything straight!

See more of the the floating gallery.

~ Sarah M. Dorsey, Central CA Coast

Small camping table

Materials: Item: Brada Laptop Support, hand saw.

Description: I have been in search for a small camping table to use on the ground. This table will be for having a flat surface to place beer & Chips, candle, drinks etc on when sitting on ground level.

I found the Brada lap top support to be both sturdy and of acceptable dimensions. Besides, since it is made from laminated wood, the only modification necessary was to chop all the legs to the same length. 5min, and ready to go!

This makes a nice little table to be used on picnics etc.

~ Hans Christian, Norway

Zoo storage for furry friends

Material: Ikea Gorm shelf, 4 elastic bands for fitness

Description: I took down 6 boards that made up the 3 shelves and then I painted the different elements that make up the shelf.

Then I set the top and the bottom shelf. I nailed the 6 boards on the front and back of the shelf (in purple in the picture) to attach the elastic.

I cut 2 of the 4 bands and I fixed them in place with a staple gun.

I kept the width of two other bands that I set on the sides of the shelf.

~ Carole, Switzerland

Bed in the air!

SAFETY WARNING: This hack is not proven to be safe. Do not attempt to replicate this unless you have a professional to ensure that it is structurally sound and safe for a child's use. ~ Jules

***

Materials: Kura bed - Sniglar changing table

Description: During last year's house renovation, we created a new room for our son. The problem we faced was that his IKEA Kura bed could not fit inside the new room. So I decided to modify the Kura bed.

The modification involved three stages:
Firstly the bed had to be raised high enough so that the door of the bedroom could open without issues.

Secondly the bed had to be shortened by 8cm in length so it could fit near the wardrobe. And finally the bed had to be made safer because of the new height.

For the first step I started by dismantling the bed from the old bedroom. Then I went to a local shop and bought 2 new wooden legs in order to provide to the bed the required height. Two of the old wooden legs of the bedroom were put together and formed the third led. Since I did not wanted the fourth leg to be in the middle of the bedroom I decided to hang the fourth corner of the bed by the ceiling. I used heavy duty chain, which was attached to the bed by three screws and from the ceiling by two heavy duty metal hooks.

The second step was performed in parallel with the first. As I said the bed had to be shortened by 8cm. In order to do that I used and electric saw to cut the wood and an electric drill in order to make the new holes for the existing screws that were originally used in the bed.

The last step was to attach a safety banister. For that part I used an old IKEA Sniglar changing table which was not useful anymore. Using parts from the changing table I constructed the safety banister which was attached to the bed as shown in the photos.

The final thing to do was the attachment of a new ladder in order to make climbing and descending easier.

All legs of the bed were secured firmly in the walls. It is impossible to move the bed at all.

For this project I have spent about 8 hours. The tricky part was to be able to lift the bed since I was did all the work by myself. The solution was to assemble each side of the bed separately and then attach all sides together.

This solution provided extra playing space for my son in his bedroom. He enjoys his new room and his modified bed for more than a year now. Friends and family have been impressed by the result, especially the younger children.

~ Ioannis, Athens, Greece

Der Schtandund Vorkin

Materials: PAX wardrobe door

Description: Ladies and gentlemen, this is Der Schtandund Vorkin: a highly mobile, ultra convertible standing desk. The table top is made from a red Ikea Pax wardrobe door and is supported by finely sanded and finished poplar.

The legs are Speed-Rail bars, mounted onto speedy castors. The desk is custom sized to the worker and suitable to those who would rather stand at a bar during their labor hours.

The upright standing orientation provides the worker with increased creative flow of ideas from brain to fingertips and is not intended for seat sitters (though it will accommodate a bar stool).

This particular model is equipped with a computer machine rail on top, a fire extinguisher below and a side mounted drummer's practice pad. (middle management options include crash cymbal)

The Speedy castors are for when the worker is asked to quickly vacate the office.
Execution was simple:
1. Measure worker (legs and arms).
2. Cut speedrail to spec.
3. drill (16) holes into work surface.
4. Mount and tighten bolts.
5. Roll in front of worker.

There is work!
Maybe by Whiskey Tango Creative

~ Whiskey Tango Jeremy, Times Square NYC

Ikea Rast Turned Campaign Chest

Materials: Ikea Rast 3 Drawer Chest, Behr High Gloss Paint in Sugar Plum, 3 Campaign Style Drawer Pulls, 3 Packages of 2" Brass Flat Corners, Paint Brush, Tube of Elmer's Wood Filler Max, Sanding Sponge, Drill

Description: I love campaign furniture but the antique pieces are so hard to come by! I decided to hack the Ikea Rast, giving it the campaign style with a modern, bright-colored twist! Follow the steps below to make your own.

Step One: Assemble Rast chest according to Ikea's instructions (do not install drawer pull knobs, you won't be using them)

Step Two: Fill in the pre-drilled holes (on the drawers) with wood filler. Once filler dries, sand it down so it's nice and smooth

Step Three: Paint the entire chest (I had to use 3 coats) and let it dry completely

Step Four: Install corner brackets using drill (one on each corner of each drawer)

Step Five: Install drawer pulls using drill (you will have to drill new holes with your 1/4" bit)

See more of the Rast campaign chest.

~ Louisa, Madison, AL

Dyed Ombre Lamp

Materials: HEMMA Base Lamp, IKEA shade (about 1 yr old) but any cloth IKEA shade could work

Description: I ombre dyed a lamp shade and painted the base for a lamp makeover! I started with a 5 gallon bucket (which is a must need for crafters) and filled it with a tiny amount of water.

I wanted a turquoise color so I mixed Blue and the Green Dye together in my bucket. Then I placed my lampshade into the dye bucket, moving it up and down in the dye a few times to get it good and saturated.

I left it there for about 30 minutes, then added a little water. I continued doing this same thing throughout the day. Diluting the water with each step is what created the ombre effect.I also taped off the base cord and top of the lamp and gave it a few coats of gold stray paint.

See more of the ombre dyed lamp shade.

~ Taylor Urban, Texas, US

Jara Lamp Shade Over Hanging Ceiling Light

Photo: IKEA.com

Materials: Jara Shade, Hacksaw, Gold Spray Paint

Description: We had an existing chandelier in our dining room that was ugly, so we stripped it down to the bulbs (removed the frame and some hanging glass).
Not wanting to deal with doing electrical work covering it up was the best - and cheapest - solution.

The Jara was the only shade that would fit over the existing chandelier. Here's what we did:



1) Taped the edges of the lamp shade
2) Spray painted the inside gold (comes white)
3) Used hacksaw to saw off the top of the lampshade frame so it could be slid over the chandelier.
4) Voila!

~ Meghan, Lakebay, WA

What's a kitchen without an island

Photo: IKEA.com

Materials: Norden Sideboard, Varde Countertop, Drill, Saw (table or circular)

Description: I have a decent sized kitchen with a poor countertop layout. I combined the Norden Sideboard with a Varde countertop that overhangs to give me a kitchen island with seating. This is something that is sorely lacking from the Ikea lineup.

Here's how:

Assemble the Norden Sideboard as the instructions say but skip the step instructing you to install the top.

Photo: Varde - IKEA.com

Cut the Varde countertop to approximately 48" length. Exact length is up to you depending on how much side overhang is desired. Option: If you can find it in stock, get the Lagan beech countertop instead which is less expensive and the perfect length.

From here there are two ways to mount the countertop. The easiest would be to simply use some L brackets from underneath and nobody will see them. Just be sure to drill pilot holes and don't drill too deep!

I chose the harder way: replicating the mounting holes from the sideboard top on the new countertop. I clamped the sideboard top to the countertop, with the bottoms of each facing up. Using properly sized drill bits with a stopper to not go too deep, I drilled through the sideboard top and into the countertop. This allowed me to utilize the wooden pegs and cam locks/screws to mount the countertop the same way the original top would be mounted. If you do choose this route be sure to do this in the climate that it will exist as to not have wood expansion/contraction issues. I did this in a workshop on a humid day with temperatures nearing 100 degrees. When I went to mount the top in my climate controlled kitchen the holes did not line up very well at all.

The final step would be to add some nice drawer handles, or perhaps some hooks for utensils... anything to make it work for you!

~ Brian Hunt, Richmond, VA

TriFecta Computer Desk

Materials: (2) VIKA AMON - Table top, white (Length: 39.3/8" x Width: 23.5/8"�) / (2) VIKA ADILS - Leg, white (non-adjustable) / (1) ANTONIUS - Shelf, white / (4) EKBY STÖDIS - Bracket, white / (1) LEDBERG -3-piece light strip set, white [optional added feature]

Description: This computer desk was completed using two table tops. One table top is used as the flat horizontal surface, the other as the back support, or "uni-leg"�, turned vertical length side upright.

In the front are 2 table legs. Next, fastening the two "table tops"� together are two brackets. Also, two more are used to support the smaller top shelf, which can be used for a Computer Monitor, Books or Software!

Lastly, and optional, a 3 piece LED light strip was added. This added lighting feature is secured to the small top shelf towards the front!

*Components:

(2) VIKA AMON - Table top, white (Length: 39.3/8" x Width: 23.5/8")

(2) VIKA ADILS - Leg, white (non-adjustable)

(1) ANTONIUS - Shelf, white

(4) EKBY STODIS - Bracket, white

(1) LEDBERG - 3-piece light strip set, white [optional added feature]

I hope you enjoyed this "trifecta computer table, and if you choose to make this or a variation thereof, have fun! Remember we're only limited by our imagination & budgets!

~ UNtamED �, Seattle, WA

Cubic Besta

before and after

Photo: IKEA.com

Materials: Besta shelf, Inreda hinge, drawers

Description: I had a Besta book shelf I wanted to close somewhat to hide a bit of mess but, due to the close heater, I could not install standard doors.

Finally I found a new inreda hinge (currently sold in Italy - Milan only - as part of the new TV system roll out).

This new hinge allows you to use Besta drawer panels without the inner drawer... brilliant!

Here is the link, hope this will hit your store soon as i think it might be pretty helpful for many hacks!

I have mixed us some drawers + a glass/alu door and it came out as a open/closed shelf, hiding the mess enough without having a final look too flat or heavy.

~ Fabrizio, Torino - Italy

The 2013 IKEA catalog is alive!

The IKEA catalog gets better. As of July 31st, the catalog itself will be an interactive product of the latest augmented-reality technology, with smart ideas, photo galleries and inspiration coming alive right before your eyes.

You'll need to download the IKEA Catalog App for your iOS or Android smartphone or tablet, and scan select pages to unlock the goodies. I can't wait to test it out.

Have you got the 2013 catalog yet? 

Double desk, light and full of storage space

Materials: Vika Alex, Capita, Micke

Description: My girlfriend needed to have her own space, but I needed to have a place for my Personal Computer.

I found the creative-ikea-desk on Ikeahackers, and it gave me inspiration.

So I used 2 MICKE drawer units for the both ends of the workstation, and VIKA ALEX in the middle to hide my personal computer.

Thanks to capita legs I have been able to add a table top above the 3 consoles.

The next steps are :

- A USB hub encased in the shelf
- Ventilate the console hosting the PC.

~ Guillaume, France, Rennes

Expedit unit for smaller TV

Materials: Expedit 5x5 white cupboard

Description: We wanted an entertainment unit that wasn't too deep, moved the TV higher off the ground and also had storage.

Nothing we saw really worked for us, and the standard Ikea Expedit TV unit had too big a space for our 81cm TV.

So we converted our existing Expedit cupboard by creating a 3x2 cube space for our TV.

It required 3 cuts:
1. 2 cuts for the horizontal shelf
2. one of the now redundant vertical dividers was cut to 10cm height to support the TV and create compartments for the DVD players.

The cuts were done at a woodwork shop, which took about 2 minutes on their table saw.

We drilled dowel holes and used shorter 2cm dowels to hold the TV shelf and 10cm vertical support, and bought some iron-on melamine edging tape to cover the sawed ends where needed.

We're very happy with this simple and very functional hack.

~ Kar-Soon, Sydney, Australia

Bathroom remodelled with Pax and Akurum

Materials: Ikea Pax Wardrobe and Akurum base cabinets

Description: We remodeled our bathroom with built-in Pax wardrobes (3) and Akurum (2) kitchen base cabinets cut down in height and depth to allow them to be used as a vanity. I had to cut the doors down as well (height 20" to allow for the vessel sinks).

Before

By cutting the edge tape of first and then cutting the door to size it allowed me to re-use the edge banding on the doors. I used a 4x8 nexus black/brown panel from the kitchen department for fillers on the Pax and Akurum to give it the "built in look".

~ Brian, Atlanta