Materials: Billy bookcases, Besta TV stand, Framsta panels
Description: We converted our guest bedroom into a TV viewing area and needed a wall unit that would hold a 42 inch TV as well as a boatload of books. Because the unit was being placed on the wall where the door opens, we only had about 8.5 feet of clearance. Most entertainment systems were either too long to clear the door or too short and would not fit all our books. Even at IKEA the majority of options were 15 or 30 inch wide bookshelves and 47 inch TV stand.
We decided to use our existing Billy bookcases and hack it to what we needed. We were staring with 2 24 inch bookcases (no longer available), 1 30 inch bookcase and 1 end unit (also no longer available). We gave away the 30 inch bookcase and used the rest for our hack. The length was exactly what we needed when combined with the Besta TV stand, but we ran into an issue with color. Since our Billy bookcases were years old, they were in a color no longer offered. We decided beech would be close enough considering most of it would be covered.
We assembled the TV stand with doors, casters and the Framsta panels and placed it in between the bookcases. We took apart the Billy end piece and had the 2 sides cut down to the same length as the Besta cart to create the overhead shelf. We also had one extra piece cut to create a divider in the middle. We usually take these to Home Depot or Ace Hardware - they will cut materials you didn't purchase in store. The bottom shelf we screwed directly into the sides of the bookcases. The Framsta underneath provides extra support to keep it from drooping in the middle with the weight of the books. The top shelf was attached with flat metal brackets.
To create a more finished look, we took the back panel from the left side of the Besta TV stand (which we wanted open to run cords anyway) and cut it in half along the seam. It fit perfectly into the overhead shelf once the divider was put in. These are not attached in any way but have managed to stay put on their own.
For the glass top, we could not purchase the standard ones because they are the full depth of the Besta, but the Framsta takes up a few inches. We needed the top due to the color variation so we purchased an extra set of Framsta glass panels and layered them to cover the surface.
Lastly, we reused the 12 inch square shelves from the end unit in a dead corner in our living room using shelf brackets purchased at The Container Store.
~ Stephanie, Atlanta
Materials: Ikea Enudden, screws, bicycle
Description: I needed a way to keep my bike upright in my apartment, before it was just leaning against the wall or my jackets. Basically for this super easy Ikea hack, I took the Ikea Enudden towel rack and screwed it to the wall.
By placing the rods side by side and tilting them til they reach the floor, I created a perfect place to store my bike! This works perfect for bikes with thinner tires (ie road bikes, fixed gears etc.) If you have a bike with thicker tires you can try with one of the other towel racks which has more arms. When not in use you can always flip the rods up and out of the way! Simple, easy to install, and VERY practical!
~ Fixator, Vienna
Materials: 2x EXPEDIT 4x2, optional PERFEKT plinth, optional GULLIVER or other junior bed
Description: Here is my latest Ikea hack, where I'm using a pair of 4x2 EXPEDITs to make a single loft bed. It seems that the 79cm width of EXPEDIT is a perfect match for a UK 'small single' mattress which is 2'6 wide by 6'3 long, or any of IKEA's junior beds that are around 77cmx168cm long.
Note - I'm fully aware of the fact I'm mixing feet/inches and mm - just go with it!
Ingredients
2x EXPEDIT 4x2
Either: 1x junior bed e.g GULLIVER
OR Small single bed frame (2'6x6'3) made by me from timber, or alternatively:
4x CLS timber 63x38mm
6x Planed Smooth Timber 38x18mm
2x Planed Smooth timber 144x18mm
+ Optional: 2x PERFEKT ABSTRAKT plinth (or 2 more 144x18 timber)
Big bit of 6mm Perspex and some aluminium profile that I had lying around
Recipe
Build both EXPEDITs as per instructions
EITHER Build a bed frame using the following cuts:
2x CLS timber to 6'3 (structural sides)
2x CLS timber to 2'6 (structural ends)
2x PS timber 144x18 (or PERFEKT plinth) to 6'4.1/2" (containing sides)
2x PS timber 144x18 (or PERFEKT plinth) to 2'6 (containing ends)
12x PS timber 38x18 to 2'6 (slatted bed base)
OR: Build the junior bed (GULLIVER), cut the legs off, and use either PS timber or PERFEKT plinth to make up a solid side guard, bolted at each end to the side.
Bolt everything together, and to as many walls as are available. I actually used 4x wall fixing brackets from PAX wardrobes, opened up the holes in the short part of the "L" to marry up to the fixing bolts in the top of each EXPEDIT, and screwing the long part into the sides of the bed, from the inside.
Outcome
I've built the bed frame myself so as to fit a small single and to make the best use of the available space in my boy's room. I didn't have PERFEKT plinth available and didn't have time to go back to the shop, but would have used it on the front fascia had I had it since its one less thing to paint and would be a gloss finish to match the gloss turquoise & white EXPEDIT units. I also built the ladder using CLS timber that will need painting too. Finally, the entrance to the bed at the top of the ladder in this case definitely needs another grab rail on the wall so as to make it easier to get in & out so I'll be adding a couple of long LANSA handles later; in the mean time I've added a spare IKEA handle (now discontinued).
See more of the Expedit Loft bed.
~ Theo Gough, London
Materials: Gorm Shelving Unit
Description: This was a very simple project to make. I put a Gorm Shelving Unit together as directed. I added two 1 by 4's to each side and four 1 by 2's to the front. I used a brad nailer and a small amount of wood glue to attach all.
All 1 by 2's and 1 by 4's were cut to the same length as the Gorm supports. Add a cute sign to name your zoo and you are finished.
~ Stacy Davis, Orlando, FLorida
Materials: Trofast (x3), Wood Shelf, 2.5" Hex Screws
Description: My Adjustable Height Lego Play Table and Storage Unit combines the Lego storage ideas you may have seen on Pinterest using the Ikea Trofast storage systems, with an adjustable shelf that serves as a surface for building. We covered one side of the shelf with green Lego baseplates, and left the other smooth for the option of building without baseplates.
To make it:
Step One: Get Your Supplies
3 Trofast Frames. I am sure if you are a carpenter or are married to one, there is a cheaper way to go about this, but for me, purchasing 3 frames was the simplest way to go. You will also need a shelf. I used 1/2" lumber, cut to 11 and 3/4" deep and 40" wide. Obviously, your shelf will need to fit your space. I have found that 40" is very sturdy, and at this thickness it could perhaps be a bit longer but I wouldn't go crazy with the length or it may start to bow in the middle. You also need to purchase twelve 2.5" long Hex Socket Head Screws. These will replace 12 of the shorter screws included with the units.
Step Two: Assemble Your Units
Follow Ikea's famously simple directions, with this modification: before attaching the inner wall (the wall that will ultimately face inward toward your shelf) of your shelving unit, place another wall (taken from your third unit you purchased in Step One) on top of it, with the grooves aligned but facing outwards, like you see in the picture. Now, attach both walls to the frame simultaneously using the 2.5" Hex Screws you purchased in Step One. You will use these instead of the screws included with the Trofast, to accommodate for the additional width introduced by attaching two walls instead of just one.
Step Three: Measure Carefully and Install
You will be latching your units to the wall, so it is essentially to measure carefully so that your units are precisely the same distance apart from each other as your shelf is wide. Please use the latches included with the units to latch them to the wall. They are surprisingly stable when standing on their own, but don't let that fool you into thinking you don't need latches...your kids will definitely climb on them at some point!
Step Four: Organize that Sucker!
Insert your pre-cut shelf into the grooves, and enjoy your awesome play surface! We waited a good six weeks while green baseplates were on back-order, and just played with the shelf like this. In fact, the back-ordered baseplates are what delayed this post so long! But of course we wanted baseplates, so when we finally got them, I glued them on with E-6000 adhesive, making sure to space them with LEGOs.
I used my Silhouette to make labels for Trofast bins. I chose to organize my son's Legos by themes, and it has worked extremely well. He has no problem finding anything or putting things away. Gone are the days of Lego explosions all over the place!
See more of the Trofast LEGO table and storage.
~ Michelle, United States
Materials: Billy Birch Veneer Shelves, Benno DVD tower
Description: I am attempting a built in Billy project, with 7 shelves in total (2 wide Billys, 3 narrow Billys, and 2 Benno DVD towers). Because of the room the shelves are going in, I've opted for a wood veneer finish, rather than the white (or white primer then colours) favoured by most of the hacks I've seen here.
In addition to adding some wood (which will likely be painted the same colour as the wall), I'd like to add some mouldings, like a baseboard at the bottom, to make the units look more built-in.
So I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations on matching the billy birch veneer from IKEA? Stains, or woods that typically look similar? Most mouldings from my local DIY stores seem to be untreated pine. This is the first bit of significant DIY I've done myself in my house, and I'm planning on leaving those shelves up for a very long time, so any suggestions would be gratefully received.
I've attached a picture of one of my Benno towers, with the first part of the hack (painting those backboards) complete.
~ Jennifer Keane
Materials: Besta TV Bench
Description: I stumbled across a bargain in the scratch and dent room at Ikea. It was a Besta TV Bench with a small scratch on the top. I placed it in our foyer and topped it with one long piece of lumber. I removed one of the shelves and used it for a leg on the opposite end of the bench. Then, I built four simple lockers above. I painted the wall behind the lockers with chalkboard paint. In hindsight, I wish that I had painted the wall and then built the lockers.
~ Stacy Davis, Orlando, FL
