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

Varde wall shelf cut down

Materials: VARDE

Description: I like the VARDE wall shelf. Unfortunately the high one was too high. So I cut it off in the middle and assembled the two parts with one board in the middle.

~ Gudrun, Germany

Varde island with stainless Vika Hyttan desktop hack

Materials: Drill, screwdriver

Description: This one is a relatively simple hack with a stylish final product. My wife and I were planning on using a Varde kitchen island in our kitchen, and decided on a four-door Varde base cabinet, which didn't come with a counter top.


Now for the hack: we had looked at the Varde counter tops, as well as the other kitchen counter tops, but didn't find one we liked that much. Our kitchen cabinets were wood coloured, and we also had a small older Varde island with wooden top so we were thinking of doing something different. A trip to the desk area landed our eye on the Vika Hyttan stainless steel desktop. It came in two sizes and luckily the longer one was big enough for our island. The Vika stainless desktops are stainless steel on top with wood on the inside so it was relatively easy to drill holes into the desktop where needed to finish the project, and screw it into place. The Varde base also has holes pre-drilled for where you're supposed to attach the counter top so it was easy to line up, and also came with screws of the proper length for a counter top.

I've only included one photo which shows the final product, as it seems easy enough for anyone to understand. The Vika desktop has pre-drilled holes to use with Vika legs but they are hidden underneath so it's not really a problem. One night of work and we've got ourselves a custom Ikea island!

~ Barron Chung, Markham, Ontario, Canada

Varde sink cabinet becomes breakfast bar

Materials: Varde Sink Cabinet, Vika Amon countertop

Description: I wanted to build a breakfast bar that also had storage inside it instead of just being hollow. We had a useless wall between our kitchen and family room that I decided would make a good spot for the bar. I took that wall down completely to start from scratch.

For reference, the dimensions of the bar were to match the dimensions of the Varde sink cabinet - 52" long, 23.5" wide. First, I framed out the base for the bar using 2x4' and other lumber. The very bottom layer is 2x4' nailed into the joists in the basement.

Next, immediately above those I placed 12" tall, 1" wide wood pieces for the outside frame. I used metal L-brackets, nails, screws, and wood glue to make sure this frame was very sturdy.

Third, I completely cut the legs off from the Varde sink cabinet because I wanted it to have a solid foundation instead of just four small legs holding it. I then installed the Varde cabinet on top of the 14" frame I had built, again secured with wood glue, nails, and screws.

Fourth, I covered the three sides in quarter-inch thick oak panels with a cut-out for the cabinet doors. I did this for a few reasons. First, the Ikea wood pieces are not real wood and would not take a stain. Second, I wanted the bar to look uniform from every angle and the Ikea cabinet was not like that - it is angular as you might see in the pictures.

Fifth, I installed a cheap Ikea countertop called Vika Amon. It came with screw holes already so it was very easy to install. Note: I would have greatly preferred to use the Vika Byske table top with the rounded corner to make it look more like a breakfast bar, but my local Ikea said that was a closeout item, they had none in stock, and would not be getting any more.

Sixth, I stained the three sides with a dark oil-based stain and polyurethane. Finally, I added white trim pieces to the bottom so that it matches the trim in the rest of the room.

Total cost: $35 for table top, $169 for sink cabinet, approximately $100 for lumber/nails/stain/polyurethane/trim.

Not pictured: The sink cabinet does not come with a middle shelf - it is just one big space inside. I bought a 10" white shelf and installed it to give the cabinet inside two levels.

~ Brian, Delaware

Varde counter drawer hacked by kitchen sink

Materials: varde counter, boholmen kitchen sink, atlant strainer, edsvik kitchen faucet

Description: When we were designing our first kitchen, I wanted to avoid chipboard as much as possible and have something sturdy.

That's why we decided to chose Varde kitchen. On the other hand our kitchen room wasn't too big, so we had to save the place. That's why we replaced one drawer in Varde counter with kitchen sink.

We have chosed Ikea kitchen sink, because we could do measurements in one place to make sure this replacement is possible.

The most critical part was to cut the hole in the counter top so that the sink will be functional and not messing with inner construction timbers.

Unfortunately I cannot provide pictures from this process, we were too busy with measuring so we completely left out documentation of the hacking process.

Varde counter we have and Boholmen sink is no longer in Ikea offer, but still this kind of hack could be still performed on other types of kitchen furniture and serve as a inspiration.

~ Jaja, Czech republic

Laundry folding station out of a dishwasher cabinet

Materials: Varde dishwasher cabinet & Pragel countertop

Description: I needed a countertop for my kitchen and found it on a Varde dishwasher cabinet. I decided to repurpose the remainder of the cabinet to use as a laundry folding station. I assembled per the instructions minus the countertop and the wood piece in front. I then put it in place and screwed on a Pragel countertop. Project total $69.00. Now I have a place to fold laundry, store our trash bins and our dirty laundry. It also fills a random gap that I had between our washer and dryer.

See more of the laundry folding table.

~ Monica, California

Base cabinet to island

Materials: Varde base cabinet, tile, brackets

Description: We wanted a kitchen island but they are so expensive so we headed to Ikea we found a Varde base cabinet, but it was not wide enough to sit comfortably so my husband added a board with a second piece to form a "L" shape attached the second piece to the end of the cabinet low enough to allow for the height of the tile then he tiled and grouted the top of the board and added three shelf brackets for support. The cost was way cheaper than any kitchen island.

~ April N Martin, Nazareth, PA

Retro Varde spice racks

Materials: 2 x Varde

Description: I snagged the last 2 Varde's in Toronto before they were discontinued. I only had room for 4 of the 6 shelves on each side of the stove, so first I cut them down.

My previous experience with all the Ikea connect-from-the-back shelves is they sag over time, no matter what you do. So I got square 1/4" moldings and screwed&glued rims on all the shelves so things won't slide off.

Then sand the finish off, prime, 2 coats of paint on the shelves to match the accent wall and struts the same color as the wall so the shelves look as if they float. Attach to the walls with high-weight toggles.

Looks great in what is almost an all-Ikea kitchen

~ Loren Hicks, earth, mostly

Varde Island with mosaic front panel

Materials: Varde, glass tile, grout

Description: My husband and I purchased a 1960's split level that recently had the kitchen revamped - but not in a style we liked. The original island was too small for the kitchen, looked out of place and didn't offer additional seating.

After purchasing new appliances, painting the cabinets and a trip to Ikea - our kitchen looks thoroughly modernized and we love our Ikea island!

The island is a VARDE base cabinet unit, which we topped with one of Ikea's oversized butcher blocks. Then I tiled and grouted its original melamine white front with the same glass mosaic tile we used as our backsplash.

You can't quite tell in the picture, but the butcher block top overhangs the base unit, which allows for three stools to fit perfectly underneath it.

Ikea products used in kitchen: VARDE cabinet, VARDE cabinet handles, NUMERAR countertop, GRUNDTAL shelving, and Ikea stools (that I can't find the name to).

~ K Lonnstrom

Kitchen Island Beauty

Materials: Varde free standing cabinet

Description:
1) Took the Varde cabinet (great organizer, looks tacky from the back).
2) Added a shoe organizer at the end (so when we come into the kitchen from the outside we leave boots at the door, and grab slippers from the shoe organizer)
3) Covered the whole thing in 1/4 ply and 1 x 3 MDF trim
4) Painted
5) Installed new Ikea wood counter on top (removing worn out thinner one that came with the unit)

~ Jenny Moye

Hacker Help: Varde Base Cabinet into an Breakfast Bar Island

Materials: Varde Base Cabinet, Countertop TBD

Description: I moved into a small apartment and am in need of more storage and counter space. I decided that a kitchen island with storage and 2 overhands would be best so it could double as my kitchen table and desk area.

I am planning on buying the Varde base cabinet: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30158391 and installing a counter on top.

My question is, since the Verde is not attached to the floor, do you think it could withstand a countertop with an overhang on the back and right side? My concern is that if you are sitting on the long side of the bar that if you put pressure on the overhang that the unit would tip.

Also, do you think the material would make a difference, a lighter formica verse a granite when it comes to tipping?

Above is a rendering, ignore dimensions and drawers. Assume the cabinet/ base is the Varde...it illusrates the overhangs.

Would love any help!

Thanks!

~ Keara, New York, NY

***

Hi Keara,
Here is a Varde kitchen island that may give you an idea of what is achieveable. Any input, anyone?

~ Jules

Bookend for V�rde Shelf

Materials: V�rde, Komplement clothes rail

Description: Do you wake up from books dropping from your V�rde , too?

I solved the problem by adding a 10 mm (rundholz - what's the english word?) to both ends of the shelf.

Buy 3 meter of these per shelf. Then drill 10,5 mm (at least) through all of the boards. If the holes are to narrow, it will take forever to get the log through...
I drilled the center of the hole 15 mm from the side, and 40 mm from the front.

The other mod? The clothes rail?
Ehm... was a little bit more complicated.
Use your imagination.
It was made from an Ikea clothes rail (Komplement?). But I cannot find it in the online shop any more.

~ JPT, Germany

Undersink Rubbish bin-like hanger thingy

Materials: EKBY BJ�RNUM shelf brackets, V�RDE knobs x4

Description: This is a pretty simple hack that I did so I could hang shopping bags to use for rubbish under my kitchen sink. The brackets were mounted onto the inside of the cabinet door upside down. This is important because there are two threaded holes on each bracket that are designed to hold the shelf tight. These holes are used for the four knobs that stick out of the top and hold the bag in place. When the knobs are in place (they should fit the threads) place a shopping bag on it and voil�! a place for your rubbish without taking up space or getting lost inside the cabinet.

(As you can see from the extra holes in the cabinet door, I had to experiment to get the distance correct.) Of course on the opposite cabinet door I have the RATIONELL VARIERA Plastic bag dispenser. So easy.

~ Xan Cassiel, Minneapolis, MN

Domestic Bliss Thanks to Varde/Domsjo Sink Hack

Materials: Varde workbench, Domsjo sink, scrap pieces of white melamine, scrap pieces of birch veneer, jigsaw, silicone sealant

Description: When it came time to sort out the kitchen for the new house, it seemed there'd be no cause for argument - we both loved the chunky trad/modern good looks of Ikea's Varde freestanding kitchen.

That said, there was a wee bit of tension brewing over sinks. While I was gushing over the pristine beauty of white porcelain, Phil was lobbying hard for the easy-clean practicality (and fewer wine glass fatalities) of stainless.

Finally though, even Phil had to admit that the Varde stainless steel sink unit was a little - well, ho hum. If only he could fit an elegant Domsjo porcelain sink into one those sturdy Varde workbenches. In the pursuit of domestic bliss, he decided to get hacking.

Step 1: Varde bench before - 3 drawers in a horizontal row. First decide on which side you want your sink. Right worked for us. Pull out two drawers and unscrew sliding mechanisms. Remove the centre panel of white melamine dividing the drawer cavity. Also remove the inner right side drawer mounting panel (see birch piece resting on drawers on the floor.) Cut another piece of birch (sourced from Ikea's bargain basement) to the same size.

Step 2: Reattach these two pieces of birch to the left side of the cabinet - one piece on the second shelf, one piece on the bottom. You'll also need to cut two more birch panels to frame the right side of the drawers. Screw these panels into place from beneath the shelf. (Phil also braced the panels at the top with a piece of aluminium angle.) Reattach sliding mechanisms. Insert drawers.

Step 3: Time for the sink. Cut two pieces of white melamine and attach as shown. These panels will support the sink on either side. They can be screwed in from underneath the drawer support rail, and dowelled into the back panel for extra strength. The two white metal brackets (resting on the middle shelf) come with the sink and can be used as a handy guide for measuring the spacing between the panels. (These brackets will be attached later to help support the sink.)

Step 4: Measure sink side and back, transfer measurements to bench top and cut out the cavity. Note: The back edge will need to be rebated so that the sink can sit far enough back without leaving a gap. So, after cutting out the cavity, lower the sink into place and mark guidelines for the rebate along the back edge. Remove sink and cut the rebate. (Take care to avoid slicing into the thin back panel of the cabinet.)

Step 5: Photo shows the underneath view of sink and the rebate. As you can see, the vertical rebate sections need to be cut fairly deeply into the chipboard backing. A chisel works fine if you're careful. Now attach the white metal sink support strips. Note: In the photo the sink is shown elevated above the supports so that you can see the rebate more clearly.

Step 6: Cut a panel from another piece of birch to fill in the space around the front of the sink. (The piece we found It isn't a perfect match, but should mellow/yellow out with time.) Once the plumbing's all sorted, set the sink permanently into place with clear silicone.

Voila! Domestic bliss. Now whose turn is it to do the dishes?

See more of Wendy and Phil's Domsjo sink hack.

~ Wendy Hincks Ward, Sunshine Coast, Australia