Ledswax

Materials: 100% IKEA

Description: This is the first try out of a new combination of Leds and a candle light all based on Ikea materials.

Hi-Fi Stand for little monitors

Materials: Capita, Lack (X2)

Description: This is a slight variation to this hack.

I bought a couple of Lack shelf, and used a couple of Capita legs, but the 16cm version (in that hack they are smaller). Total: 12€ per stand.

~ Andrea Maschio, Italy

Minecraft-inspired window seat/stools

Materials: Solsta Pallbo stools, Hampen Rug

Description: I wanted a window seat in my spare room that could double as spare stools for when visitors come around.

With limited space, the Solsta Pallbo stools were small enough to do the trick. I realised their shape and colours (2 dark grey and 3 natural) made them ideal for turning them into Minecraft (computer game) blocks for added interest.

Ideas: An Organized Micke Desk

Materials: Almhult cutlery tray

Description: I bought a micke desk (width 55 7/8; depth 19 5/8; height 29 1/2). However, the drawers became cluttered. While walking through Ikea to get some inspiration and pick up a few items I found the Almhult cutlery tray ($2.99). I pick up two of these and trace my steps back to the work station exhibit to find a Micke desk to see if these trays would fit, and they did with space at the side. As you can see from my photo they are five compartments that allow you to store all your needs to have an effective work station.

~ Liza, New York

Ikea Rolling Dog Bed v2

Materials: Ikea chair (Solsta Olarp), Poang footstool lambswool cushion, Ikea large wheels

Description: I purchased the Solsta Olarp chair and the Poang lambswool footstool cushion in the "As Is" department (about $25.00 and $19.99). Any small chair will do (depending on the size of your pet!)

This is a pretty easy hack...

Rolling Dog Beds

Materials: Ikea Ektorp Bromma Ottoman, Ikea wheel kit (2), Poang sheepskin stool cover

Description: I made 2 of these. The ottomans were without covers (except the base of one of them) as they were purchased in the "As is" department (about $45.00 @), so were the Poang footstool lambswool cushions ($19.99@).

NOTE: PLEASE MEASURE, MEASURE, MEASURE! These instructions are what worked for me (twice), but I can also "adjust on the fly". Please read through thoroughly before you start. It's worth it!

TOOLS: Sewing machine, Scissors, Staple gun (1/4" staples), hammer (to finish staples), saw to cut feet off ottoman.

MATERIALS: You will need about 94" of Velcro (fuzzy side only, no hook side) and 2' of both hook and loop Velcro, 3/4" wide is fine. Also, 3 yards of 55" wide upholstery fabric, thread to match. 2 Packages of Ikea large wheels. Wide tape to temporarily hold fabric in place (optional).

Hang more than curtains with a Kvartal Curtain Rail

Materials: Kvartal curtain rail, saw, drill, hammer, desk

Description: Vintage desks are beautiful, but not always functional & standard "add your own hanging file folder kits" didn't fit my desk. I had a Kvartal rail piece left over & it was a perfect fit!

1) Measure the width of the drawer, add 1" to that measurement, & cut 2 pieces of the Kvartal rail to that size. (I used a chop saw, but a hand saw or tin snips should also work.)

2) Drill a hole in each side of the drawer for the rail to sit in. Make sure the hole isn't too big or the rail will be loose. I used a drill to start the hole & then my Dremel to finish it, but you could continue with larger drill bits until you have the right size hole.

3) Insert the rail into the holes & use a hammer to gently knock it into place (it should be a snug fit).

4) Repeat this process to add a rail to the back of the drawer. (Use your hanging file folder to decide where to position the back rail).

5) Hang your file folders & enjoy! Notice that the file folders hang length wise (instead of the traditional across) in a vintage desk drawer.

~ Sissy J, Chicago

Fast & Easy Ribbon Ruffle Lampshades to match Ofelia Blanket

Materials: Ikea Jära Lampshade (diameter 34cm), Satin ribbon (double sided, for example 75mm wide ribbon appr. 15metres), hot glue gun, hot glue (reserve more than 12 stick so you won't run out in the middle of project)

Description: Time needed, about 1 hour.

One of the most beautiful items I have seen in Ikea is Ofelia ruffle blanket. I wanted to have some lampshades to match Ofelia blanket, so I decided to try making them by myself.

The first edition, "try out", I did for my living room in purple with Ikea Ollsta (diameter 38cm) and 20 meters of 38mm wide satin ribbon. It was surprising how easy and fast it was!

Kid's Bench

Materials: Molger Bench

Description: I purchased the Molger Bench thinking it would be perfect for my young boys to use for putting their shoes on, however once I assembled it, I realized that the seat was way too high for them. So instead of returning it, I took the top seat off and attached it to the back. The lower shelf of the bench turned out to be the perfect height for them. The beauty of this is that when they get bigger it can be converted to the original bench!

~ Aya, Bellevue

LEKMAN Windows home server

Materials: LEKMAN Box x2 - Normal computer build items

Description: I was needing some place to put my windows home server that was out of the way, and just putting the case on the EXPEDIT shelf I had did not look good plus there are very few computer cases, if any that will fit in the space. So one day I decided to gut my home server and mount everything in the LEKMAN box.

I mounted the hard drives on the left side and the power supply and DVD drive in the bottom for stability. Since I am not using a high power CPU hence no need of a real heavy CPU cooler I mounted the Main Board on the right. Still need to add some LED's but the holes are already there so I will do that later.

Grundtal Wine Rack

Materials: Grundtal double towel bar

Description: Stainless steel wine rack made from Grundtal 80cm double towel racks. Racks are screwed to a welded metal frame made from 1" x 1/8" steel strip. The base width of the Grundtal towel racks is inconsistent, to conceal this there is a 1" wide steel strip on top of the towel rack bases - the screws go through this cover strip, through the Grundtal mounting holes, and into the steel frame underneath. The screws are 10-32 machine screws, they thread into tapped holes in the steel frame. The frame and cover strip are finished with an 80 grit flap wheel on a grinder and then clear coated. You could also finish with a hand sander or paint the steel.

Robust changing table

Materials: BEKVAM kitchen trolley, wood boards

Description: We needed a small changing table for our newborn. Since both of us are students with limited income, we decided IKEA was the place to find a suitable changing table. The only one small enough to fit in our bathroom was SNIGLAR, but I thought it looked weak and rickety. Another piece of furniture caught my eye - the BEKVAM kitchen trolley. It's really robust!

Split Level Jerker Desk

Materials: Jerker table, Grundtal lamp

Description: How do you make the best desk in the world better? Buy a second hand one from the internet as a parts desk and add it on to yours. I took the top of a Jerker table and made a split level for my 24" monitor and bookshelf speakers.

LAMPAN shade drilling

Materials: LAMPAN lamps

Description: I do the lighting at a local contra dance (a type of American folk dance). To avoid the use of the hall's ugly fluorescent lighting I use a number of incandescent lights, including IKEA LAMPAN and torchieres.

It's evolved over the years, but currently I attach the LAMPAN to some pillars using bungee cords. These lamps have to be put up and taken down before/after each evening's festivities. The lamps extend horizontally from the pillars, so the tops of the shades point out into the hall, towards the dancers.

RIBBA Digital Photo Frame

Materials: RIBBA photo frame, old digital photo frame, screwdriver, sticky tape

Description: I had an old, ugly digital photo frame lying around - It surely wasn't cheap and had been given to me as a present. But it was just too ugly to have it in my living room. Time to change that.