Boots and clogs were always on the floor, taking up too much space. Underneath the window sill we had some space so I assembled the Vurm winerack sideways. The boots, even the small ones, and clogs will hang by the selves. No more search for pairs and more room to walk.
Materials: Expedit 2×4 and Expedit 1×1
Description: I’ve been wanting to better utilize some of the space occupied by our table and chairs. Along with a switch from chairs to benches along two walls, I wanted something that also had extra storage. I decided an Expedit unit would be the best option. Many people have used the 5 shelf Expedit tipped on it’s side as a bench, but unfortunately we had only 68 inches of space to work with. After browsing Ikea’s website for a bit, I determined that it would be entirely possible to hack two Expedit units together to create perfect sized benches for our space: the single and the eight shelf Expedits.
Once all the pieces are out of the box, combining them into two benches is rather intuitive. The top and bottom of the single unit become the new sides of the 58 5/8″ long bench (the sides of the eight unit becoming the top and bottom). The sides of the single unit are now the sides of a 31 1/8″ short bench (the top and bottom coming from the eight unit). The eight unit Expedit gives you four short shelves and three long shelves. One short piece goes into the 31 3/8″ bench, the other three go into the 58 5/8″ bench. Once the two benches were assembled, I put inserts with doors into them (minus the space where the benches would overlap) to create storage cabinets. I then used the long shelves that were left over and, using foam and fabric from the craft store, created cushioned seats to go on top of the benches. No pieces are wasted, and the benches are sturdy enough to hold several kids, or an adult and kids.
I just can’t wait any longer to share this project with you. Since I found out I am co-leading a Do-It-Herself Workshop at Home Depot (find out all about it here), I have worked on my version of the monogram wreath project. I won’t be sharing the full tutorial until the week of Thanksgiving, so I wanted to pop in and share a sneak peek.
I am not a big wreath person, so I went a little off-book on the basic idea of a monogram wreath. Instead of a garland wrapped letter, I made a marquee light “wreath”!
It glimmers, it twinkles, it glows…all perfect qualities for the most festive time of year.
It also looks smashing leaning on a shelf or mantel.
I will be back soon with the full E-A-S-Y tutorial to make your own marquee letter wreath!
Disclosure: The Home Depot partnered with bloggers such as me for their DIH Workshop program. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any product mentioned in these posts. The Home Depot believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
Materials: LACK side table, Rationel drawer insert
Description: I needed a storage area for multiple remotes and with a cat, flat surface was a no go. Cut into a lack table and inserted a Rationel drawer insert. Added wood to the side to hold small items. Installed 4 wheels on the legs to move easily.
Materials: IVAR
Description: The hubby and I’ve been looking for a buffet for extra storage in our kitchen for a while, but we’ve been unable to find something thin enough for our small kitchen. Hubby really wanted a project, but not too much of a project, which is while we thought an ikea hack might just work. For this project we liked how sturdy the IVAR units were, but thought it needed some changes. It seemed easy. Add two pieces of wood (one for the top and one for the bottom), add some legs, some trim for the doors to add a little interest.
You can see more pictures and descriptions of our project here.
A while back I shared the rolling storage crates I made for the playroom, along with instructions on how to build them. The crates are awesome for toy storage in our playroom and I love the industrial look. Don’t even get me started on how much I adore the teal wheels.
The crates are so awesome, I am toying with the idea of making more for other areas of the house. Just for fun I moved a few of them around and tried using them for everything from storing pantry supplies to kids books. They were perfect for holding everything I tried.
I am over on Wayfair today showing all my ideas for where to use rolling storage crates in your home. Click here to see pretty pictures and some fun storage crate organization ideas!
Materials: BENNO DVD tower
Description: My bedroom is so small there is only 45 cm free space surrounding the three sides of the bed. Mounting the Benno DVD tower as a headboard behind the bed provided me with some much needed space for lights, alarm clock, books etc.
First I cut off the base of the tower with a saw to make both ends match.
Next I drilled 6 holes in the back of the unit. The holes are needed for the hooks that holds the tower on the wall.
The hooks fit perfectly in the already existing holes that were originally designed to hold the shelves.
Finally I mounted two Ledberg LED light strips underneath the unit and hung a Fabrina Bedspread on the wall behind the bed.
I had a Expedit Insert laying around, and decided to turn the door into a small table.
It has 3 awkwardly placed hole (for hinges and a handle) but I was determined to use it in a small table, turning a design constraint into a feature.
Files for printing can be downloaded from Thingiverse.
Materials: TRENDIG
Description: Here comes a (comparatively) small IKEA Hack.
I converted my new pink shallow bowl named TRENDIG: it’s a wall clock now.
Might be nothing exceptional, but I kinda like it.
Almost every shallow plate or other round and flat objects (even records) can be transformed into a wall clock.
You should definitely try to create your own one someday 
More information about the hack here (German).
Materials: KNUFF magazine holder
Description: We were tired of having our bottles cooking oils, vinegars, etc. up on the counter-top where they were occupying valuable prep space, so I took a set of KNUFF Magazine Files that I had laying around and made them into bins to hold the bottles. They’re screwed into the back of the cabinet doors adjacent to the stove for easy access.
I sawed about half-way around so that they would be lower in the front (for easier access to their contents). I also added the (odd-sized due to some trial-and-error with my drill bits) holes in the front partly for airflow and style but mainly so that I could get a driver in there to screw the bins onto the back of the cabinet doors. I mounted them high on the doors for easier reach and also so they would impact the space inside of the cabinets less. I finished them minimally with Varathane.
I realize that there are plenty of ready-made options for this same purpose, but I couldn’t bring myself to buy something when I knew that I had these surplus parts. Plus, I like the personal touch and the look of the dovetailed plywood, something that is difficult to find off-the-shelf.
3x IKEA Faktum pimped up!!
Please look at my YouTube Video to see more:
Materials: Asker container & Ikea plants
Description: On a design website I saw these amazing hanging planters, but at $100 a piece they were way too expensive. So when I visited Ikea and saw the Asker container I knew what I had to do.
Materials:
- Asker containers (they two sizes, choose the one you like, although the bigger size fits larger plants)
- Any plant that fits into a small pot. Ikea has a variety of good sized plants.
- Thrift store leather belts in varying colors (mine were 50 cents a piece)
Instructions:
- Put the plant in the Asker container
- Feed the belt through the hole
- Put a nail in the wall
- Hang the planter in your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom or study.
Note: The big Asker containers have a hole in the bottom, so I taped it with duct tape from the inside out to prevent leaking when I water the plants.
They actually look better than the design planters I saw!
~ Liesbeth Smit, Amsterdam
