Oscar Cederwall from Bålsta, Sweden converts the Bonde TV Add-on into a handsome sideboard.

Oscar says, “I did this hack a couple of years ago. The color of my Bonde side board is not available any more as far as I know. The main reason for why I decided to build my own side board from Bonde is because I liked the frosted glass doors and I really like the CD drawers for the Bonde series. I don’t think there is anything like them in any other Ikea series. There are several side boards out there but I really liked the aesthetics of Bonde.

So, I soon found out that there are no single cabinets in the Bonde series. There are only double cabinets in the form of bookcases or add-on units for the TV bench. So, should I split the bookcase in two halves or cut of the bottom of the TV bench add-on? My decision was to modify the TV Bench Add-on. If I had decided to cut the bookcase in two, I would have needed to buy an extra top. This way I could get a nice top for my furniture in the same color and material. The picture below shows the original piece of furniture and where I made my cut. (the add-on is enclosed by the red rectangle, the TV Bench is not part of the add-on)

I was very fortunate to be able to do this hack at my father’s friend’s place. He has his own carpentry workshop with loads of tools and materials. So we made the cut very slowly in a circular saw which made the cut very clean. I also had to fit a wooden beam in the bottom to attach the legs to and to carry the entire construction. I had to save a few inches on the sides and in the front to hide the girder. Six legs were needed per side board. I can’t find the legs I used. They’re probably not available any more. The most similar legs I can find are the Besta legs. When I reached the last stages of my hack I realised the CD drawers are actually not made for the TV Bench add-on but for the Bookcase, ie there were no holes in the sides to attach the drawers to. But it wasn’t very hard to figure out where to drill. The frosted glass doors hides all your gadgets but you’re still able to use the remote with the doors closed. This is my Bonde sideboard in all it’s glory.”