Materials: Lack shelf, antique ironing board top, ironing board cover, 2 shelves from "as is" department, 2 bookends, graduated blocks of wood, black lacquer paint, L brackets
Description: I don't like setting up an ironing board and don't like the pull-down models, yet didn't have more than 10 inches clearance on the wall next to my small laundry center.
I found a Lack shelf still in plastic at the PTA thrift shop and, as it was the right size to fit in the space, decided to use it to hide an ironing board.
I found an antique wooden ironing board top made with one center board and two narrow side pieces. I pried off one of the side pieces and cut off the end to yield an ironing board top that would fit under the Lack shelf. I trimmed an ironing board cover and stapled it on the ironing board.
To make legs for the ironing board, I used L brackets to attach shelves to the bottom of the board at an angle. The shelves were from the "as is" department and originally from an unidentified Ikea item. The item is apparently graduated because the shelves' fronts are on a slant, which though not something I planned for works well with the design. I then mounted the Lack shelf to the wall just above the top of the ironing board.
To stabilize the legs I attached wooden bookends to the back of the legs at the bottom and graduated blocks of wood to the front, all painted with black lacquer.
When I need to iron, I pull the board out from under the Lack shelf and slide it over next to the dryer. I keep my iron on top of the dryer to make the set-up all the more handy.
~ Bess, Chapel Hill, NC
Materials: Lack TV bench
Description: We are baby-proofing our living room, and the baby gates are high enough that they block the line of sight to our television, which was on a plain Lack TV bench.
I loved the Lack-On-Lack TV benches, but we needed something at least 30 inches tall. I bought 2 additional Lack TV benches. I kept the legs on our existing unit, and added on top of it the 'box' to one Lack bench and the slap top of the third. Shelves between the pieces provided spacing. I used double sided foam tape to stick everything together.
Now the TV is hoisted up high enough that the baby gate doesn't block it, and it's a nice clean look.
~ Beth Quittman, Seattle
Materials: Lack coffee table, Mala roll art paper, painter's tape, sandpaper, spray on primer, gray or black chalkboard spray paint, length of scrap wood for paper tearing edge, 6 washers, 2 wood screws, 7/8 in dowel rod, roll of art paper (picked up a few at Ikea), Levolor universal drapery mount
(cheapest I found was at Amazon) Description: I was inspired by this project on Martha Stewart's website to make a kids art table. On my recent trip to Ikea to get materials for the Lego table I made, I began eyeing the Lack coffee table. Using that as my base table, I wanted to refinish the top with chalkboard paint to make the art table even more useful.
Click to read more>>
Materials: Lack Bookcase, Capita Legs, Iris Chair Pad, Signe Rug
Description: We initially made this bench to go with our dining room table, but after a few IKEAhackers' readers were worried about the weight restrictions, and we had relatives complain about having to sit on a bench for Thanksgiving dinner, we found ourselves some lovely dining chairs and found a new use for the bench. Weight restriction still applies, though these days its mostly a toddler who is enjoying the view!
How to:
Turn bookcase on its side
Attach 6-8 Capita legs (they come in 3 heights)
Attach 5 Iris Chair pads (they fit almost perfectly)
Braid ends of fringe of 2 Signe Rugs
Attach rugs with a staple gun
Add decorative pillows
The baskets are old IKEA, that I actually found at a salvage store. I spray painted them white and made tags so our little one knows what goes where.
See more of the window bench.
~ Alex T, San Francisco Bay Area
Materials: Lack coffee table, Mod Podge
, gift wrap, 1-2" foam brush, high density foam roller, polyurethaneDescription: The finish on this coffee table had a way of collecting and showing off dust, fingerprints, and crumbs like you wouldn't believe. It was driving me nuts so I decided to decoupage the top to add color, texture, and dimension to an otherwise boring table.
1. Use heavy-weight gift wrap,the non-shiny kind you buy by the sheet works really best for this project. Measure and cut to cover the surface of the table.
2. Gather your mod podge supplies. You will need a foam brush, a high-density, ultra smooth roller, a container to pour your mod podge into, and a damp cloth for wiping away extra glue.
3. Carefully roll on a thick coat of mod podge with the roller. Working quickly, start at one corner and line up your paper with the edge of the coffee table and carefully unroll it on to the layer of glue. Using your hands, smooth away any wrinkles or bubbles that appear on the surface. If you notice your glue is drying before your paper goes down, try working in smaller sections using the foam brush to get between the paper and the table as you unroll it and press it down.
4. Wipe away any excess glue and let dry for 30 min. Add 2 more coats of mod podge letting it dry completely between coats.
5. Finish off the table with a coat or two of polyurethane using another high density foam roller and you're done!
See more of the decoupaged coffee table.
~ Jennifer, Seattle, WA
Materials:
-LACK table: 1 white and 1 black
-adhesive paper, black and white
design and model-cutter
-hook
Description:
Cut the different parts of the design and position on the floor, mount one leg of a different color to the table at the drawing.
If you remove the legs and fix a hook, you get two decorative panels to be put on the wall.
~ Irene Vergnano, Roma Italy
I thought we'll go arty today and feature some "art" accomplished through IKEA pieces. I don't fully understand them (because I am a really practical person?) but maybe some of you out there will. That said, I do appreciate the kind of extreme thinking IKEA inspires. It's also fun to see how far out IKEA can go. So, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you a series of Lack side tables that transforms into floors and shelter and a modular art piece from SODA straws. ~ Jules
Transformer floor
Materials: 10 Ikea Lack side-tables, plastic foam, textile rope, glue gun, glossy paint, drills and needles
Description:
1. Paint and drill:
Take 10 (or moore) Ikea LACK side-
tables. Paint the underside with a glossy black paint. It should be a Specular gloss and almost work as a mirror. Paint two of each sides of the legs.
Drill holes from the side. Place plastic foam inside the cavaties to make them more confortable.
2. Hinge them together:
Use the legs as a hinge. Drill holes (3mm) diagonally through the legs as shown in the drawing. Drill holes on the sides of the table tops.
Buy a long thin needle and stitch the legs and the table tops together with one continuous thread for each hinge. This hinge makes it possible to bend it in two directions.
You can connect the table-tops as you wish. In my example they are connected like a coiling snake.
3.Plastic foam:
use a glue-gun to glue the plastic foam on upside of the new floor. Make cuts in the foam to create openings where you can hide, store or hang things in.
Finished!
This is a floor that can flip or unfold in various ways. You can build a new table, a bed, a shelter, a hiding place, a wall etc ..., ...
~ Kristina Sundin, Stockholm
Intrinsic Formal Value of 5000 IKEA SODA Straws
Materials: SODA Straws
Description: A work of modular art consisting of 5000 units; in this case IKEA straws.
The work was created simply by connecting the end of one straw to the other by friction. Pinching one end would allow the straw to fit tightly into the next.
The entire process was meticulously documented and recorded, over 25 hours of footage captured.
It was imperative to the concept that I stood in the exact same spot while I produced it, in order to achieve the most natural form. I am studying the Intrinsic formal value of the single unit. Where most modular artists arrange their units in arbitrary ways, I am compelled by the material to interfere with its inherent form as little as possible.
~ Adam Frank, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Transformer floor
Materials: 10 Ikea Lack side-tables, plastic foam, textile rope, glue gun, glossy paint, drills and needles
Description:
1. Paint and drill:
Take 10 (or moore) Ikea LACK side-
tables. Paint the underside with a glossy black paint. It should be a Specular gloss and almost work as a mirror. Paint two of each sides of the legs.
Drill holes from the side. Place plastic foam inside the cavaties to make them more confortable.
2. Hinge them together:
Use the legs as a hinge. Drill holes (3mm) diagonally through the legs as shown in the drawing. Drill holes on the sides of the table tops.
Buy a long thin needle and stitch the legs and the table tops together with one continuous thread for each hinge. This hinge makes it possible to bend it in two directions.
You can connect the table-tops as you wish. In my example they are connected like a coiling snake.
3.Plastic foam:
use a glue-gun to glue the plastic foam on upside of the new floor. Make cuts in the foam to create openings where you can hide, store or hang things in.
Finished!
This is a floor that can flip or unfold in various ways. You can build a new table, a bed, a shelter, a hiding place, a wall etc ..., ...
~ Kristina Sundin, Stockholm
Intrinsic Formal Value of 5000 IKEA SODA Straws
Materials: SODA Straws
Description: A work of modular art consisting of 5000 units; in this case IKEA straws.
The work was created simply by connecting the end of one straw to the other by friction. Pinching one end would allow the straw to fit tightly into the next.
The entire process was meticulously documented and recorded, over 25 hours of footage captured.
It was imperative to the concept that I stood in the exact same spot while I produced it, in order to achieve the most natural form. I am studying the Intrinsic formal value of the single unit. Where most modular artists arrange their units in arbitrary ways, I am compelled by the material to interfere with its inherent form as little as possible.
~ Adam Frank, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Materials: 1/2 Ikea Lack (small), 2 Ikea Lack (medium), 1 box Ikea Capita (16cm, 4 pcs), glue
Description:
Mount Lack one over the other (start with medium Lack). Use little shelves as base, and the other using capita legs as in photo.
You can also use a small Lack under the shelf on the floor to enforce it. (but it's not necessary if you don't plan to use it with heavy items).
Use glue or similar between legs and the respective base (and so for capita legs)
if you need more space, you can add another lack (medium or small, depends on your needs).
~ Enrico, Italy
Materials: Lack shelving units, Tjusig shoe racks, Malm dresser, Grono table lamps, Legitim chopping boards, and hardware store "L" brackets
Description: As my collection of Adidas Originals
shoes grew, I was looking for an efficient and stylish way to organize and display them. Eventually 10 Tsujig shoe racks, 5 Lack shelves, and my Malm dresser combined to form this mighty wall display. The Lack shelves frame the whole thing, and were sized perfectly for this application. On the left, two vertical Lack shelves support one horizontal one, with the Malm dresser in the center. On the right, one Lack shelf lies horizontally as a base for the Tsujig racks, and another vertical Lack goes up the right side. Together they form the shape of an backwards letter "S" on it's side, if that makes sense. From left to right they go up, across the top, down, across the bottom, and back up.
The shoe shelves inside the Lack shelving units are made by first spacing "L" brackets inside the Lacks, and then inserting the Legitim chopping boards which are the perfect size. I'd originally planned to cut wooden inserts, but those cutting boards are exactly the right size and work great.
On the right side I have the Tsujig shoe racks, two across and five tall, and everything is held together with brackets (on the non-visible side) for strength and security. Toss a couple Grono table lamps into the cubbies for some illumination, and you're good to go. The end result is a wall of shelving that looks good and matches the same black-brown finish of the rest of my Malm bedroom set. It easily holds my books, lamps, Timbers MLS fan gear...and 97 pairs of Adidas Originals. Once past 100 pair, I guess I'll have to start on another wall. :-)
~ Randy Mueller, Ridgefield, WA USA
Materials: Lack Shelving Unit, Power Drill, 2-1/2 in. Hole Saw, Key Hole Saw, 1/4" brushed nickel aluminum channel, BIN shellac based primer by Zinsser, satin white spray paint, translucent white plexi-glass, plastic oval grommet, Loctite super glue
Description: I was inspired by an Ikea hack done by Matt in Portland. Ever since I saw this I wanted to do this to our birch Lack shelf purchased in 2005.
When we moved into our new home, I took the opportunity to follow thru and transformed the old shelf (first picture) with white spray paint, 1/4" aluminum channels in a brushed nickel finish and custom cut white translucent plexiglass doors and top. This semi-home made 'LACKured' (lacquered) finish gives the cabinet a more high-end look that matches the aesthetic in our new home. I modified Matt's hack by adding a grommet hole behind the TV so I could hide all the cables. Also only one side of the shelf has doors so we could still use the open side to display objects and see the brick wall behind the cabinet.
Link to slide show and more pictures.
Step by step instructions after the jump.
Click to read more>>
Materials: 2 lack table
Description: For the first table, cut the four legs (about 10cm less), for the second one, cut just one leg. That's all, you can nest them as you wish.
~ dunoon, brittany
Materials: 2x Lack side tables, 1x Lack coffee table, Loctite construction adhesive, Polycrylic
Description: We had a tiny "breakfast nook" in our newly remodeled (Ikea Adel MB!) kitchen and wanted an affordable way to add a small table for two. The space available was *very* narrow (we had to be able to open the pantry and access the window/trash can), and we wanted something pub-height so we could use the same stools that are at our breakfast bar. I had been wanting to hack-a-lack for a while, and when I saw the $19.99 coffee table, I was sold!
Step 1: Purchase 2 Lack side tables, 1 Lack coffee table, construction adhesive, and poly (for the table top, we used water-based). Cost: approximately $40-45.
Step 2: Set one side table top on the floor, shiny (paint) side up. Glue four legs to the corners of the top surface. It can be tricky to get these square and/or level, so be aware you may need to adjust a bit as the adhesive sets. Try to wait until almost completely dry before proceeding.
Step 3: Glue the tops of the four 'first-tier' legs to the bottom (not finished side) of the second side-table top. Weight and wait for it to dry.
Step 4: Repeat step 1 on the top of your new "box" to create the second-tier legs.
Step 5: Measure carefully on the coffee table top to center the table base/legs so overhang is the same on both ends. Glue the tops of the second-tier legs to the bottom of the coffee table top, add weight, and wait for it to dry completely.
Step 6: Apply 2-3 coats of poly to the table top. We only did this on the very top (the coffee-table piece), since that's where beverages, etc would be set, but you could apply it to the entire structure if you were ambitious. Use very very fine sandpaper between coats to remove bubbles.
Step 7: Voila! Bistro table for 2 that fits in a very narrow space. We added felt pads on the corners of the bottom layer to protect the floor.
Leftovers for other hacks: coffee table shelf (same size as top but thinner), set of 4 Lack legs.
~ Blair, Knoxville, TN
Materials: 3 LACK side tables, at least 3 yards of fabric
Description: My roommate and I were perusing IKEA and saw a nice wall art display at IKEA. The store display used actual frames of some kind. Problem was, IKEA didn't sell those types of frames in their store (I don't even know why they displayed those frames in the first place). They did have fabric though, so we picked out a pattern that we liked.
On the way out we saw the LACK side tables on clearance for $5 each, so we decided that it would probably be less expensive to just wrap fabric around the tables rather than trying to find actual frames at a craft store.
We used a staple gun, clamps, at least 50 staples, at least 6 small nails, and at least 3 yards of a medium density wire.
To staple the cloth to the back of the table we stretched the cloth and clamped it on opposing sides. Using the staple gun we spaced the staples in the back about an inch apart. We repeated the process for the other opposing sides. Don't forget to cut off any excess fabric. To not have lumpy corners of fabric, cut the fabric at a 45 degree angle on the corner you're working with. Then pound in two nails two-thirds up the way on the back. Wrap some wire between the two nails and make sure the middle of the wire can extend to the top (or about the top 1/3) of the frame, to ensure it will hang properly.
And voila, art for the wall.
~ Dave T., Santa Monica, CA
Materials: A lack table, a Vyssa Slummer kids mattress, some wheels, wood and a board from the hardware store, a little Velcro
and some synthetic leatherDescription: This first step is optional: I shortened the legs of the table, inserted wood in the hole that it created and screwed some wheels onto that.
I took the mattress out of its shell, cut it to the right size and put it on a board I had cut to the right size at the hardware store. With the help of a staplegun I wraped it with the synthetic leather. I used Velcro to attach this to the table.
The result: an unpholstered table that is really comfortable to put your feet on but is firm enough serve as a table (even glasses aren't a problem)
See more of the upholstered Lack coffee table.
~ Jenn(ifer), Kiel, Germany
Materials: F18 PU, Silicone Rubber
Description: The Ikea Lack table is a symbol of mass production.
It is cheap, efficient and easy to transport.
Because of the success of the table it has become unpersonal.
Masha Willemsen and Wil van Twuijver re-designed this symbol.
By using a different technique we created a concept in which the table would have a different outcome every time it is produced.
By making flexible molds of the original Lack table, and putting F18 in it, we were able to knead and stretch the shape of the table.
Resulting in a unique and personal piece of furniture.
See more of the Lack 2.0.
~ Wil van Twuijver, Masha Willemsen, Rotterdam