Changing table a la Vika Amon

Materials: Ikea desk Vika Amon, 2 foambars, 3 masonite boards, 8 screws, 4 wooden leg extensions, 4 m6 nuts and bolts, optional pads for wooden legs

Description: 1. Fasten masonite boards on three sides of the table with screws.
2. place the mat snugly in the middle.
3. Start changing diapers.

4. After 2 weeks or whenever your back say no to the awkward back position. Get the leg extensions from somewhere, mount it carefully using a size 6 metal drill and a wrench or size 10 key and polygrip.
5. Most important, keep smiling!

~ jonas, Zug, Switzerland

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A Twin Size Headboard for Less than $10

Materials: Vika Amon (Article No 500.711.70)

Description: I was looking to buy a simple headboard for a twin bed for use with a standard metal frame. However, it was difficult to find one without having to buy an entire bed and footboard. I wanted to avoid the footboard especially since the room I was working in was very small and didn'€™t want to spend a lot.

The Vika Amon table top measures 39 3/8"€ by 23 5/8"€ by 1 3/8"€ thick. The 39 3/8"€ table top is almost exactly the width of a twin bed, so I turned the table top sideways and used it as a headboard. I used the Vika Amon in white (Article No 500.711.70) which lists for only $5.99. It is also available in the same size in the black/brown finish for $10.99 as Article No. 002.098.39.

I bought the nuts, washers and bolts at Lowes for less than $3.00. It worked great and with the hardware cost less than $10.00 for everything.

The headboard is not very high (only about 6"€-8"€ above the surface of the mattress but it is enough to keep the pillows from sliding down. It also provides a good place to mount one of IKEA's flexible reading lamps like the Tived LED flexible stalk light for reading in bed.

Materials:
- Vika Amon: White (Article No. 500.711.70, $5.99) or Black/Brown(No. 002.098.39, $10.99)
- Four 1/4 by 2"€ long hex head bolts (cap screws)
- Eight 1/4" fender washers (large diameter w/small hole)
- Four 1/4" nuts (I used nylon insert lock nuts for vibration resistance)
Tools:
- 1/4" drill bit and drill
- Two wrenches, 7/16"€

Directions:

1. Trace Holes: You will need to drill four holes in the Vika Amon for the bolts to pass through. In order to place the holes appropriately, I placed the Vika Amon flat on the floor and stood the metal bed frame up on it. Place the bottom edge of the bedframe near the bottom edge of the Vika Amon so that the lower hole is about 1/2 - 3/4"€ away from the edge. I traced the openings in the metal bedframe onto the Vika Amon with a Sharpie so that I would be sure the drill in the right places.

2. Drill: Remove the bedframe, put the Vika Amon on a work surface and drill the four 1/4" holes in the appropriate places. I drilled fairly close to the edge to take maximum advantage of the internal frame near the edges in the otherwise hollow tabletop.

3. Bolt: Put the bolts in from the back of the Vika Amon (wall side) using a large diameter fender washer to spread the load across the relatively thin surface material of the Vika Amon. Putting the bolts in from the wall side will also prevent the bolts from protruding and perhaps damaging the wall surface. Slide the bolts through the openings in the metal bed frame and again using a large diameter fender washer, put on the nuts and tighten. Be careful not to overtighten and crush the surface. This is another advantage to using the nylon insert lock nuts.

~ Rich M, San Diego

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Work desk made out of 3 Expedit shelving units

Materials: 2 x Expedit 2x2 unit, 1 x Expedit 4x2 unit, 1 x Vika Amon 150x74cm tabletop

Description: Before this hack, my Ikea dining table was my work desk and littered with papers and stuff.

To start fresh in 2013, I decided to put a dedicated work desk in my home.

However I also needed enough storage space for my papers, printers and other stuff.

When I had a look at the desks with storage which Ikea sold, they were just not practical enough for me.


The Vika Amon tabletop which Ikea sells was 150cm wide and 74cm deep, perfect for what I needed!

As legs I have used the Expedit 2x2 units, however without the thick top shelf of them. Otherwise the table top surface would be to high, approx 82,5cm.

Without the thick top shelve it was only 77,5cm high in total. Perfect height for a desk.

The big problem with using the tabletop on the Expedit was that the units are 79cm deep and the desk only 74cm. So this would leave less then 1 cm on the back for the tabletop to rest on the Expedit vertical shelf. This was solved by mounting L brackets to support the tabletop (and painted the brackets black), and wooden pegs for the thin vertical shelf.

Please note that when you do remove the thick top shelf of the Expedit, paint the top surface black to not see the wood when you mount the table top to it (I did not do this yet when I took the photos).

To provide even more storage, an Expedit 4x2 unit was placed on the right side of the desk. And here also the bottom thick shelf was left out for a cleaner look.

To make place for my 2 printers, I have moved 2 vertical boards a bit and all was secured with wooden pegs

The unit is mounted with long brackets on the back (no L brackets used here), and drilled some holes for wooden pegs so that the sides of the unit cannot move.

All cables for the printers are fed through the hollow side walls of the large unit, as we all love invisible cables! Also a mountable power outlet was placed out of view.

It all looks very clean now, and almost as it is a standard package which you can buy.

(I still have to mount the doors on my Besta tv unit, please ignore those ;) )

~ Jeroen Zelle, Aalsmeer, The Netherlands

Vika Desk with Billy Surround

Materials: Vika Amon desk with Adils legs and Alex drawers, with 2x Billy Height Extensions, Billy Wall Shelf & Capita legs

Description: My old desk had been falling apart for quite some time, and I had been looking for a new one for just as long. I like my desks to have plenty of storage, making good use of the wasted space above the monitor. Sadly I couldn't find a desk that met my needs, so I decided to take matters in to my own hand.

I had seen desks that had been hacked, and looked in to creating my first hack to replace the old desk. I bought the boxes and put them together to create my new desk with more than enough storage, even for a horder like me.


I first created an unhacked Vika Amons desk using three legs and an Alex Drawer unit. I then made the two Billy Height extension units, and fixed them securely using the provided screws to the top of the desk, drilling holes as needed. I left a 1cm gap between the table edge and the height extenders, for looks.

I then made the Billy Wall Shelf, being sure not to use the wallmounts provided, and attached Capita 21cm legs in all four corners. An alternative is to use the Capita Brackets instead of the legs, but the weight of the wallshelf is more than enough to keep it secure and steady when standing on top of the Billy Towers.

For a first time hacker, this is a simple hack which is just a matter of drilling a few holes where needed. It gives plenty of room between the billy units for a monitor and speakers can be housed atop them.

~ Fudce, Birmingham, UK

Toddler desks

Materials: Vika Amon, Molger

Description: We needed two desks for our toddler girls -- they were 2 and 4 at the time -- but no one makes anything simple at the right height. I didn't want anything with too much bulk to it.

This hack is really simple -- just use the Vika Amon top. It's $5.99, easy to clean, and cheap enough to even be disposable. Ours have been great for 2 years, the kids even climb on them.

After searching the entire web site for hours, I finally found a great option for legs -- the Molger sink base. These are typically used to support a porcelain sink. They are the right height. They were about $20 for a set of 2. I mounted them with simple wood screws. Unfortunately, Ikea no longer sells these legs. Instead they offer the Godmorgon steel post leg, which is a good alternative. These legs are $10 each, which is a little more pricey.

We added storage below with Trofast - the wall storage frame for $24.99.

The best part about these desks is that they are at a great toddler height, and they work well with the Mammut stools shown.

~ AdamB

Spicing up the bedroom with a killer headboard

Materials: 4 x VIKA AMON high gloss RED (150 x 75 cm), 2 x wall shelf (similar to LACK, but from local HW supply since I wanted them in high gloss), battens from local HW supply, LED light strips (not IKEA since sold out on day of my visit), 4 x wall outlets, 2 x light switches, various screws and hinges

Description: My wife and I wanted to spice up our fairly boring bedroom in our newly built house and after long considerations chose to create a killer headboard from IKEA parts.

Here is how we did it:

1) Lay down all 4 VIKA AMON table tops on the floor next to each others. Be careful not to scratch the high gloss surface. We used the wrapping material as support.

2) Attach each VIKA AMON table top to the next using flat hinges. Use the wall as support, so the end of the table tops align perfectly (will be the top of the headboard)

3) Create a frame of the battens and mount it to the VIKA AMON table tops using bracketing hinges. We allowed 25 cm free space around, so the battens wouldn't be visible after being attached to the wall.

4) Create a wall support mechanism by using 2 short pieces of batten on each side. The final headboard will be resting on the floor, so this is only to keep it flat against the wall in the upper part.

5) Month the either pieces on the wall accordingly. Use a measure to ensure right positioning.

6) Drill holes in the VIKA AMONs to allow the wall outlets to be fed from the back (WARNING! If you're not a trained electrician, don't do this on your own). We created 4 holes, since we have elevation beds that needs power too and we wanted those wire not to be too visible. Careful when drilling, so you don't scratch the high gloss surface. We used tape to support this, which could easily be removed afterwards.

7) Connect all wall outlets and light switches.
8) Attached the LED stripes directly on the batten frame at the back. The version we got glued directly on.

9) Attach the shelves on each side as described in the instructions (no hacking here).

10) Mount the headboard on the wall and enjoy ;-)

~ Soeren Juul Schroeder, Denmark

Vika Amon, Hacked

Materials: Vika Amon and Capita Legs

Description: Step 1: Search tirelessly over the internet for a coffee table that will be just right for your space.

Step 2:Fail at step 1

Step 3:Browse Ikea countertops looking for a nice wood selection.

Step 4: Browse legs and determine that straight legs are boring.

Step 5: Notice the Vika Amon table top is 1/4 the price of the counter tops.

Step 6: Uniquely marry the Viko Amon Table top and the slanted Capita legs into a unique coffee table.

When joining the legs, drill a hole straight through the bottom table top.

The thickness of the table pairs perfectly with the length of the "ready-rod" which allows you to sandwich the bottom shelf by joining the legs together through the shelf. Don't over tighten as you might scratch the table top, or if you drilled in an area without backing, crack it even.

I recommend drilling where there is backing, but in order to get a funky look you may have to offset it a bit.

~ Shane, Vancouver Canada

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

Budget King-sized headboard with luggage storage

Materials: 
2 - 39" Vika Amon table tops (black-brown)
1 - 74" Lack wall shelf with hidden hardware (black-brown
4 - metal "patching" brackets
1 to 3 - 8" X 10" L-shaped wall brackets
2 - 1.5" X 1.5" wood posts
1 - 1" X 4" board

Assorted Screws:
lathe screws
wood screws
screws with drywall anchors

Tools:
Drill with drill bits and screwdriver bits
level
hammer
saw

Description: This hack was inspired by post "headboard fit for a King-sized bed."


1. Lay the two table-tops face down and align them side-by-side, creating a 78" long table-top.

2. Use the metal patching brackets to fasten the two table-tops together. Space the brackets over the lower 4/5 of the seam. Use the lathe screws to connect the brackets to the table-tops.
3. Center the hardware for the Lack Shelf on the seam along the top edge of the back of the table-top. The lower screw-holes will be above the hollow- cardboard filled center of the table-tops so use drywall anchor screws for those fastenings. Some of the holes will be on the solid outer border of the table-top and wood screws will work there.

4. Place the Lack shelf on its hardware and secure in place with the provided screws.
5. Cut the two 1.5" X 1.5" posts to the length necessary to achieve the desired height. I needed a 50" high headboard, so my posts were about 26" long.
6. Cut the 1" X 4" to a length that is about 12" longer than the posts.
7. Aligning the bottom of the posts with the bottom of the 1" X 4" board and centering the posts on the 1" X 4" board, fasten together using wood screws or deck screws. This will create a t-shaped leg to support most of the headboard's weight.

8. Fasten the legs to the headboard. Anchor screws will be needed for some of the fastening and wood screws will be need for the rest of the fastening.
9. Install the L-brackets on the wall to support the the Lack shelf and the rest of the headboard's weight.

10. Place headboard and attach to wall-bracket.

~ Chelsea, Oklahoma City, OK

VIKA does a handstand

Materials: one VIKA ADLIS leg, orphaned umbrella base, nut, washer, adhesive cement, small screw bit, small jig saw blade or heavy duty knife that cuts thick plastic

Description: I was resigned that until James Dyson consulted with the outdoor furnishings industry, there would never be stable, aesthetically decent, tall-enough, well-fitting and long-lasting umbrella stand. And even if he did, it would take a decade to come to market and be priced at $400.

Found a $40 pole and base combo at a drug store that was 1/2 OK = base of solid granite. But the pole was wobbly, short, too large in diameter and with too anemic a screw to tighten the umbrella properly and permanently.

Then I remembered my $3.50 VIKA table legs from IKEA!


1. Vika table legs come with a removable rubber/plastic "stopper" on the bottom.

2. Remove stopper; place on a drill-able work surface with flat side down. Slowly drill a hole through center of stopper to gain access for saw or knife blade. Carefully cut out (so as not to split the stopper) a hole a tiny bit larger than your umbrella's pole.

3. Glue stopper back into pole.

4. Match a nut and washer sized to VIKA's screw-in top, which will be the bottom of the pole. Screw pole into stand. I lucked out, but you may have to add an intermediary disc or washer on top of the base, if its hole is larger than VIKA's diameter.

5. Donate VIKA's screw plate to a Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

~ John, Left Coast USA

Kitchen Storage and Seating

Materials: Ikea Stolmen Chests, Vika Amon Table & legs,Ikea Stockholm Blad Fabric in Beige

Description: I needed extra storage space in my kitchen and I had this little 7ft X 5ft L shaped space so I purchased 2 Stolmen Chests with 2 drawers $120.00 each. I then purchased some foam and covered the foam in Ikea Stokholm Blad Fabric. I used 4 metres @ $7.99 per metre.

I finished off the space with the Ikea Vika Amon table top and legs $25.00

Not only did I get tons of extra storage space I also have a classy looking kitchen nook to eat at.

I am a 57 yr old lady and this is my Ikea hack!

Thanks a million, Ikea!

~ Vicki McPhail, Cambridge, ON

Creative IKEA desk

Materials: Stolmen, Capita, Vika Amon

Description: Use two Stolmen chests, with Capita legs, and four Capita bracket and one Vika Amon.

~ Pasquier Nicholas, Nantes - France

There's a leg in my wall

Materials: Vika Amon screw-able table leg

Description: My son wouldn't sleep in his bed. Nothing helped. Every night he would crawl into our bed, and as charming as that may be, I would often find myself cramped in his toddler bed back aching and head busy with finding a solution to these ongoing sleeping arrangement... Well one night an idea came up! Instead of shouting Eureka, I screamed Ikea....

The next day I went to the store and bought a simple office table leg (the one that has a screw-able leg Vika Amon), I screwed the plate onto the wall right above my son's bed, bolted the leg, and stretched a yellow cotton fabric over his bed (I tied the fabric onto the sides of his Ikea toddler bed). My son now has a tent he refuses to leave.... needless to say I got my bed back!

p.s. The leg can be easily removed when not in use, the plate, however remains on the wall and can be painted on - or covered see photos below.

See more of the over bed tent.

~ Miki Steiner, Tel Aviv

Monster Desk for Med Student & Programmer

Materials: 5xVika Amon (black-brown, 29.5x59), 1xGalant Drawer Unit on Casters, 3xblack-brown rails (as-is), framing 2x4's, 3 & 4 inch construction screws, L brackets, straight brackets, drywall screw anchors

Description: When reading the book "Med School Confidential," my girlfriend came across their number one piece of advice for setting up a study area: a huge desk for all the books and papers that you'll inevitably need to reference. So when we moved into a new house, we know our old Office Depot-bought small glass desks would no longer cut it. As a programmer, I wanted space for multiple large monitors as well as room for books and papers when designing out new code.

We knew we wanted a floating-desk style design, or at least as close as possible to it, which meant no legs, and some tricky engineering to get support at seams where the 4 tabletops met. I knew I wanted plenty of leg room under my desk, which made us opt for the wider (29.5") Vika Amon tabletops. We also each wanted an L-shaped desk, which meant a U when put together.

We operated under a few constraints like the size of our room, the height of our windows, and the fact that neither our walls nor corners were straight, but here's what we did.

Decide on a desk height - in our case, they had to fit below our windows. Cut and mount 2x4 framing studs along the walls so that the top of the desk will be at the desired height when laid on top of it. Use at least 2 construction screws at each stud for a firm hold. Make sure to keep everything level as you work around your perimeter.

Cut 1 Vika Amon table top in half (approximately) to use as end pieces at the tops of the U. Keep in mind that depending on how cushy your carpet is, with the weight of the table top, the end piece might sink down a little bit, so cut slightly higher than the top of the framing board you put up in step 1.

Assemble a triangular support system in the two corners of the room, spanning the seam where the tables will connect. It's hard to give exact instructions here, as it was a lot of trial and error getting the angle cuts and L-brackets set properly.

Assemble the Galant unit and place at the midpoint where the desks will meet. Wood-glue the as-is rails to the top to provide extra support. Use a hole saw to drill holes in the rear corner of one table top.

Flip the two tables that will make the L over, being careful to orient the holes and seams correctly. Screw the straight braces across the seam where the two tabletops meet. You'll want a lot here, because this is a weak point in the design. While it's upside down, use L-brackets to join the end piece to the table.

Carefully, and with help, flip the whole assembly over onto the 2x4's fastened to the wall. Attach plenty more L-brackets underneath to keep the desk from coming off the 2x4. Repeat for the other side, and voila, a monster desk is born!

~ Adam S, East Coast