Escher Lizard Lack Hack By: Martin Raynsford

One day, I rested my lizard spiral pattern on my Lack side table and an idea was born. The pattern is laser cut from 3mm plywood and is based on the Escher image “Development II”

I stained 3 sheets of laser plywood with wood dye, Mahogany, Jacobean Oak and Antique Pine. I decided a plain/white border around the edge of the table would look best. Three different sets of lizards were cut, one in each colour and then I mixed and matched the appropriate parts while gluing them onto the top of the table. This does mean I now have three Escher side tables kicking round my house.

I sanded the top of the Lack table to key the surface of the table and help the glue stick to it.

The border was split into four parts, one for each side of the table. The largest lizards interlock nicely with the border and hold it in place while the glue sets.

It’s easiest to build up the lizards in rings working towards the centre. Once you’re at the middle you can fit the centre piece with a little bit of wiggling.

More images and information can be found on my blog.

via IKEA Hackers http://ift.tt/1nJwv1k From Martin Raynsford

Expandable Bar Table By: Karl W

My BF and I signed up for a large group cooking party (it rotates through the community) and realized that we didn’t have nearly enough counter space. Our kitchen is all on the small side, and we wouldn’t need the extra horizontals forever; here’s our solution.

The Bjorkudden table was the right height for me (I’m 6’4″) so that’s where things started. I cut the larger Gerton tabletop into three pieces – the middle cut to the same size as the Bjorkudden top – with the metal stabilizers ending up almost in the middle of the two smaller sides.

Hinges from a local hardware store were integral to the project. I attached piano hinges to the underside (flat) where I had cut the Gerton. Then I cut the brackets to 90 degrees. The hinges were attached near the top and bottom of the brackets with the screws included in the package.

The tabletop was attached to the standard assembly of the Bjorkudden. (I drilled holes into the tabletop before using the included screws.) Then while the table was upside-down I attached the brackets making sure to keep them perpendicular on the tapering legs.

The final step was to cutout the original Bjorkudden top to fit as an additional shelf at the braces. I thought it would be good for stability, but it may not be necessary. I didn’t attach it permanently, but will likely keep it as it works a a good foot rest for the shorter member of the household.

via IKEA Hackers http://ift.tt/1kG1ybQ From Karl W

ORDNING cufflink storage By: Christian Karcher

A simple cufflink storage solution.

via IKEA Hackers http://ift.tt/1nIBPSD From Christian Karcher

Ikea SNIGLAR change table tricked-out to the max! By: Nat

We needed a small change table for our small apartment. The Ikea SNIGLAR change table was the right size, but it didn’t have a good place to put wipes, creams, diapers, etc. So we assembled…

SNIGLAR beech wood change table w/ storage shelf

+ GULLUNGE mat to put on the table

+ 2 fitted Covers for the mat

+ BEKVAM beech wood spice rack… this makes a shelf to put the wipes, cream, etc. right at changing level, and matches table perfectly!

+ KUSINER wall pockets, hanging on the table… this makes a handy place to put diapers!

The Bekvam is mounted on two screws on the side of the table and looks like it was built in.

The Kusiner pocket is mounted on one of the table nuts + 2 hooks added to the side of the table.

Result, a super-handy small change table!

via IKEA Hackers http://ift.tt/1ilZGnK From Nat

Table top kitchen island By: Cathy

I wanted a kitchen island but my kitchen is too small to have both an eat-in dining table and an island. I searched for a combination table and island. I didn’t find anything suitable.

My “hack” was to take an Ikea Forhoja kitchen cart (cost=$99.99) and make it into a portable table-top island.

I did NOT make the table part of my combo table/island with Ikea pieces (perhaps you could!). I only made the table top island.

The table has two standard legs on one end, but it has a sturdy shelving unit under the other end instead of legs. I had the table made this way to have enough support under the island top. I am not sure the extra support is necessary, but the added shelving space is useful in the kitchen anyway.

The only “hacking” I needed to do was to cut the legs of the Forhoja kitchen cart to the desired length. Prior to any assembly of the cart according to the standard Forhoja instructions, I cut the leg pieces that were provided to 8”. Given the height of my table, the butcher block island top is at the desired height for me to use the island as a prep area. I cut the legs with a power saw. I put masking tape around the legs where I made the cut so I did not damage the legs.

I assembled the top of the unit according to the Forhoja instructions and the rest of the hack was cosmetic. I primed the base, drawers and legs and painted them a high-gloss cream. I added drawer pulls on both sides of the drawers. I added felt pads to the bottom of the legs. I considered adding handles to the sides (and that is possible). But we do not move the island top very often so I decided the handles were unnecessary.

The island top is useful as a prep area (as I expected) but it is also extremely practical while we eat at the table. The drawers are accessible from both sides, so I keep trivets and serving spoons in the drawers. I can keep some hot food items on the island top while we eat instead of having them on the table.

Finally, I also assembled the bottom portion of the kitchen cart with the shorter leg pieces and made it into a computer cart. I bought a piece of ¾” thick hardwood with the same dimensions as the butcher block top that comes with Forhoja cart (approximately $8 at the local hardware store). I used double-sided 3M tape (the thick white kind) to attach the new top to the four legs on the bottom of the cart. I primed and painted the top (high gloss paint). In total, for approximately $110, I have a table top island and a computer cart!

via IKEA Hackers http://ift.tt/1j4AMMk From Cathy

Speaker Stands / Record Storage Combo By: Joelito

This hack turns three “single-square” EXPEDIT shelving units (and 2 doors) into stands for bookshelf speakers, while also providing storage for a vinyl record collection; perfect for hipsters of all ages! The purpose is to add the extra height to EXPEDIT shelving units to produce the proper speaker listening height.

1. Put together two complete EXPEDIT shelving units

2. Insert the two EXPEDIT inserts with door into the shelving units from step 1.

3. Split the pieces of the remaining 3rd EXPEDIT Shelving unit into two, so that you have two groups of panels; wherein each group comprises: 1 large panel and 1 small panel.

4. Paint the exposed light-coloured pressed wood sides on the small panels with black spray paint.

5. Turn each of the completed shelving units from step 1 upside down (well they don’t really have an up or down, but whatevs), and place a few dabs of wood glue on the bottom of each one.

6. Lay down one of the large panels from each group of panel (from step 3) on top the bottom of the shelving units so that they start gluing together. Then, you can even screw in a few wood screws that are at least 2″ to secure these glued panels together.

7. Place some more wood glue on the bottom of each one newly fastened large panel from step 5.

8. Lay down one of the small panels from each group of panel (from step 3) on top of each of the recently fastened large panel from step 5 so that this new small panel will glue to the large panel. This will create a slight 1″ in-cut that can be seen from the from or back of the EXPEDIT shelves. Once again, you can even screw in a few wood screws that are at least 2″ to secure these glued panels together. You are layering these extra panels underneath the completed EXPEDIT Shelving units to raise them to a proper bookshelf speaker height.

9. BOOM, they’re done.

via IKEA Hackers http://ift.tt/1blRlOT From Joelito

Metod laundry cupboard By: Heidi Pedersen

We wanted to use the 23 cm we had between our shower wall and our washing machine and dryer for something useful. We needed a solution for storing our laundry so we decided to do our very own hack.

We bought two METOD Base Cabinets as they were just 20 cm wide and thus slim enough to fit in the room available yet making it possible to enter the shower.

We put the cabinets on top of each other and fastened them with screws. As these cabinets are supposed to be used with a table top we mounted one of the shelves in the top to close the cabinets from above.

We then mounted the 4 RiLLs in the bottom and the two BESTÅ Push Openers inside the cabinets.

What’s great about this solution is that you can place the shelves according to how much laundry you produce divided in colours, temperature etc.

via IKEA Hackers http://ift.tt/1ibk1eW From Heidi Pedersen