Rubrik Cabinet Door Storage Solution

Materials: Rubrik glass cabinet door, Akurum wall cabinet frame, Besta media cabinet

Description: I found these Rubrik glass cabinet doors on clearance at Ikea for $5 each, while in the midst of a basement renovation. We were looking to add built in storage as well as hide an ugly gas meter, and these doors were perfect. They were 39", so they could only be used as wall cabinets. We ended up hanging 4 30x39" Akurum wall cabinet frames 1" off the floor against the back of the room.

The cabinet tops themselves were not meant to be seen, so we created a waterfall counter by joining a 1" x 12" piece of pine board (which is actually 11 1/4") with a 1" x 3" (which is actually 2 3/4"), by screwing the pieces together from the back with decking screws, thus enabling the counter to reach the depth of 13" of the Akurum frame and Rubrik door. This allowed for a slight overhang, and then we screwed the same things into the side of the cabinets. Before attaching the counter I stained it with Minwax Kona stain, and then sealed it with Minwax Paste Finishing Wax, to make the counter water-proof.

Hiding the gas meter was a bit trickier, and was accomplished by our contractor, who complained and threatened to charge us double the quote for the labor, but in the end he even agreed that it came out very nicely. He hung one Akurum 36" x 39" frame and built a wood frame around the gas meter next to it. He then sheet-rocked in the frames, and hung the doors. He had to use sheetrock rather than just hanging the cabinets because of the size of the gas meter. Beneath it we hung a Besta media cabinet.

~ Michelle Servary

Bathroom vanity hack: Optical illusion with secret storage space

before

Materials: Akurum kitchen cabinets, Nexus doors, Bastig knobs

Description: We turned our powder room into a full bath by adding a shower. Since our room is only about 6x6.5 ft, we had to get creative when it came time to build a vanity.

1. I wanted the vanity to have BIG impact to off-set the new shower. I wanted you to not really notice the shower that much.

2. I needed clearance for the toilet.

3. I wanted storage in my small space. Lots of storage.


To create a big impact I wanted the vanity to span the entire wall, but I knew that with the clearance issues for the toilet, I could not make it very deep.

Our solution was to use two AKURUM wall cabinets, which are 12 inches deep. We went with the ones that are 24 inches tall.

We chose a vessel sink that would over hang the cabinets for a more modern look.

After hanging the first cabinet for the sink, we needed the second cabinet to be much less deep. I measured a toilet roll and settled on a 6 inch depth for this cabinet.

The cabinet was cut all the way around and we attached the back to the more shallow cabinet before hanging it.

The table top we made out of 3/4 solid oak flooring with 1x2 oak trim. Then I stained it (4 layers) of ebony stain, then gave it three coats of satin poly.

You can read more about our powder room turned full bath here.

~ Katja @ Shift Ctrl ART, California

MALM meets NUMERAR Kitchen Island

Materials: MALM, NUMERAR, AKURUM

Description: My wife and I recently bought our first house. Yay! As you can imagine, living in L.A. means housing is very expensive, and we didn't have very much left in our budget to renovate the new house as much as we would have liked to.

One of the things we knew we wanted to concentrate on was creating as nice a kitchen as our dollars would let us. So that meant the usual suspects: IKEA cabinets, cheaper countertops (we wanted Ceaserstone), and less cabinetry. We also kept the stove that came with the home as we did not have the Benjamins to splurge on a new one. We also kept our old refrigerator. The only appliance we bought new was the dishwasher, also from IKEA.

I'd like to show you how we took $559 and made ourselves a pretty cool island that we love.


1. First, we outlined the footprint of the island, 3'x6' with Blue painters tape. FYI, the kitchen is not finished in these photos.

2. The next step was to build a frame base. Here we used 2x4s that are held down with angle brackets. Do you see the dresser under the window? That is an IKEA MALM bedroom dresser that we will be using as part of our island.

3. Once the base was built, we attached the MALM dresser. To the left of the dresser (as seen in this view) is an IKEA base cabinet. We found it in AS IS at IKEA and it was in rough shape as you can see. We snatched it up for $10!!

4. With both bases in, we can now move on the next step: the sides and top.

5. For the sides and the top we decide to use IKEA wood countertops. We purchased two; each one is 3'x6' basically. We cut one right in half, and voila, the sides of the island!

6. The top is, you guessed, a full sheet of the IKEA wood countertop. This is so heavy, we barely had to fasten it in place much, we just used two brackets on either end, tucked away inside so you can't see them.

7. For the face of the island, we attached a piece of 1/2" plywood to the 2x4 base and the back of the cabinets. We then used a sheet of vinyl wall panel (called Plas-Tex) that we picked up at Lowe's. It is attached with Liquid Nails, that's it. So far, its held up well. Easy to clean kick marks too!

8. This is what the other side looks like. the MALM drawer gives it a very refined look we think. The only thing left to do is to add some shelving on the right and a toekick.

9. Yes we would have liked to have some doors here instead of exposing the pots and pans, but the budget wouldn't allow it. Nobody sees this side as much anyway so we're ok with it.

Well, there you have it, our $559 kitchen island. Hopefully, it will inspire you to do something you're happy with, and not spend too much money doing it. I did sand it and seal it when it was all put together of course.

Here is a list of the items we bought (with prices, rounded to the nearest dollar) with links, if available:

(3) 2x4s (10'), Lowe's, $8.40 + tax = $9
(2) Countertops, IKEA Numerar $390 + tax = $424.
(1) IKEA Malm dresser, $69.99 + tax = $76
(1) IKEA Base Cabinet, (AS IS), $9.99 + tax = $11
(2) Shelves and back of island, Lowe's, made from (1) 4'x8' sheet of 1/2" plywood, $15.97 + tax = $17
Plas-Tex Vinyl Sheet, Lowe's, $19.98 + tax = $22
Total: $559

See more of the customised kitchen island.

~ Danny Cerezo, Los Angeles, CA

With FAKTUM/AKURUM in the Bathroom

Materials: FAKTUM/AKURUM cabinet, H�RLIG fronts, PR�GEL Countertop, CAPITA Leg, sink (TOOM hardware Store)

Description: I used 3 FAKTUM/AKURUM cabinets 60x57x37cm (for extractor fan) with shortened and cut PR�GEL countertop (186cm), H�RLIG fronts and ATTEST handles. I screwed the rest of the countertop vertical on the backside and mounted the sink in the middle. The legs are CAPITA 4''. The water pipe installation is located in the middle cabinet.

On the wall I used 2 horizontal FAKTUM/AKURUM cabinets 92x40x37cm also with H�RLIG fronts and ATTEST handles. Underneath I screwed another cut PR�GEL countertop (186cm) with the wiring for the lights and socket inside.

Clean look and a lot of space inside for only 300,- EUR.

~ G. B�hm Erfurt, Germany

NUMERAR + AKURUM + DIY = Chic Wine Bar

Materials: Akurum Oak Butcher Block Counter Tops, Numerar Base Cabinets, Rationell Drawer Fronts

Description: For our IKEA Hack we used several standard kitchen elements and a significant modification to one to transform an underutilized section of our house's kitchen into a chic wine bar and storage area.

Since our house is an 1885 Victorian Row House, we didn't feel the standard IKEA butcher block counters really "went" with the home's style. To remedy this, we used our router to put a more decorative edge on the butcher block.

We assembled the cabinets, placed our wine fridge between two Akurum base cabinets, and placed the counter top on the cabinets.

We also constructed a few DIY shelves, one with integrated LED lighting and hanging wine glass storage, to balance the whole area and accessorize.

The end result is a functional and stylish wine bar/food prep area that greatly expanded the storage capabilities of our kitchen, all while keeping with the style and feel of our antique house.

See more of the wine bar.

~ Alex & Wendy - Old Town Home, Alexandria, VA

Ikea Kitchen made into 'custom' Bathroom Vanity

Materials: AKRURUM Base Cabinet for Single Sink Bowl AKRURUM Base Cabinet with 4 Drawers AKRURUM High Cabinet with 2 Doors

Description: I have been meaning to share this Ikea hack that I did for my parents over a year ago. They had a problem with their shower leaking and had to have all of the shower and pan ripped out and redone. The bathroom was original to the house so it had a 80's style to it. The shower tiles matched the bathroom floor, so everything needed to be replaced.

My parents decided to also do a new bathroom vanity. They looked at the local hardware store for a vanity that was premade and didn't find anything that would fit the space nicely. There used to be one cabinet under the sink and then a counter top that continued all the way to the wall.

I had the idea to look for a kitchen cabinet so that you could also use a larger pantry on the side of the vanity and have a custom built in look. I convinced my Mom to go to Ikea and she loved the cabinets that they had there, so we designed the entire vanity on a tight budget.

What we used from the Kitchen Cabinets section at Ikea
AKRURUM Base Cabinet for Single Sink Bowl

AKRURUM Base Cabinet with 4 Drawers

AKRURUM High Cabinet with 2 Doors

We had a custom Granite top cut and put the same sink bowl and faucet that we had from before and purchased the handles from Home Depot. I chose a rectangle shape to mimic the shape of the cabinets since I knew that the mirror, light fixture and faucet would be round.

See more of the Akurum bathroom vanity.

~ brooke leiberman, United States

Quilt Extension Table

Materials: Akurum 18"x22" kitchen cabinet shelf

Description: I needed a quilt extension table for my sewing machine. Being that these can be very expensive and I can be very frugal. I figured I better just Ikea hack my way through this project.

I found in the Ikea As Is department a Akurum shelf that would serve as the top, next I needed some adjustable legs (Home Depot) and a few scrap blocks of wood found in my garage.

I measured the throat of my sewing machine to cut out with my jigsaw, mounted the 3x3" blocks of wood on the underside, drill pressed the hardware mount for the legs, screwed the legs into position, and voila! Only about an hours worth of work and saved myself nearly $200. Thanks Ikea! This project was completed for $11 (shelf-$7, legs-$4)

~ Sarah

Extractor Hood for horizontal cabinet

Materials: Akurum - luftig - rubrik

Description: Hi, we just assembled our kitchen for the beach house. We really liked horizontal cabinets but since Ikea do not provide an extractor hood for them we had to improvise.

We bought a Luftig BF325 hood and found a way to accommodate it into a horizontal cabinet.

We cut part of the bottom of the cabinet (the exact width of the hood. With a spare shelf we made a vertical reinforcement for the cabinet and a fixing point to attach the hood.

The trick worked fine and the result is great.

~ Roberto, Venezia - Italy

DIY Cabinet Doors

Materials: AKURUM wall cabinets, pine boards, Kreg Jigg, self tapping screws, forstner bit, circular saw, cordless drill, assorted drill bits

Description: Hi! I'm Nikki. I recently installed some AKURUM cabinets in my studio to use as storage. Wanting to increase my work surface I mounted them lower so I could eventually top them with a counter top. One of the main problems that I encountered was that the wall I was installing my cabinets on was the same wall where our water shut off valve was located. Needing to keep the valve accessible at a moments notice I was forced to leave a large gap in my wall of cabinets.

The other problem I encountered with the cabinet doors was the price. Since this room is not essential my budget must be kept to a minimum, and well who wants to buy the cheapest doors available? No one, that's who. So the only option that was left was to do something custom. I purchased pine boards and used my Kreg Jigg to create one giant slab of wood. Then I marked the widths I would need for each door and cut the slab.

Once I had my doors I used an Ikea cabinet door from our bar to make a template for the forstner bit. Using the template I drilled the openings for the hinges in the back of the doors.

To cover the gap that allows access to the water valve I made a door that would cover both the opening and the cabinet and mounted the door to the wall instead of the cabinet.

If you need a little more detail, or perhaps want to know how I finished my doors, come visit my blog, The Ambitious Procrastinator.

~ Nikki Kelly, Denver, CO

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

Tile sideboard

Materials: Akurum, Vika Byske, Stickers

Description: We need a small sideboard for our home entrance. Most of plain sideboards that we like are very expensive.

I have an old Ikea Vika Byske oak table top.

I bought two Akurum wall cabinet with Applad doors from Ikea and tile pattern stickers from local shop.

I cut Vika oak table top two equal pieces.

Then install Akurum cabinets to table top with screws.

Last step apply tile pattern stickers to the Applad doors.

I like it to much!!!!

~ Yunus E., Turkey

Dining Room Hutch

Materials: AKURUM base and wall cabinets with Liljestad dark brown drawers, doors, and cover panels. The counter surface is a PRAGEL white counter. Tools required include a jig saw, and a table or skill saw in addition to the usual IKEA recommended tools.

Description: The hutch consists of two 30" base 2 + 2 drawer cabinets fastened together and covered with the countertop (cut to desired length), two high 30" wall cabinets which rest on the counter and are fastened together and to the wall,and two horizontal cabinets resting on the high cabinets also fastened together and to the wall.

All cabinets have cover panels on the ends and the counter is notched to accommodate the high cabinet cover panels. A toe kick is added under the base cabinets as is normally done in a kitchen application.

~ David Ahrens

Kitchen Peninsula

Materials: Akurum base & wall cabinets, high gloss Abstrakt doors & panels

Description: IKEA HACK 1: Changing an underused bar area into a multi-functional peninsula: Now this place serves as a prep-area for cooking (we only have a little pantry-style kitchen), and a food serving station (breakfast/happy hour/ buffet style dining).

That's Bobby with our bar area in the background. Tiles are already removed. Photo below gives you an idea about the size of the area. We wanted to use all the area for cabinets. No more bar stools sitting at the edge & more space for my linens.

However, we could not place base cabinets back-to-back because of lack of space. Therefore we used upper cabinets back to the base cabinets the front side of our peninsula. Cabinets were screwed together back to back, side to side & to the wall.

To hide the cabinet seems we got the high gloss finish panel ( it also matched our high gloss finished doors) & saw it to match. Same with toe kicks. Topped the peninsula with granite. Looks great.

Cabinets used: Base cabinets :4 Akurum/ 3 drawers: wall cabinets: 4 wall cabinets. All doors. Sides & toe kicks Abstrakt high gloss white. Strecket handles.

~ Robert, Jerry, & Liane