Materials: 1 – STUVA Storage combination with shelf [098.778.02], 1 – STUVA Storage combination with drawers [498.887.09], hammer, hand saw, plasterboard saw, 3" nails, 2"x2" angle brackets, 4" straight straps, 2"x3" framing studs
Description: This project builds upon approach used in this IKEA hack posted earlier using HEMNES units. The objective was to utilize space behind the knee walls which abound in our Cape Cod–style house. Destination of STUVA units was knee wall beside each of our daughters’ beds. Units we chose were two STUVA units of same height which we planned to stack on top of each other. We configured bottom unit to have 2 small top drawers and larger bottom drawer. Top unit was skinnier and only had shelves with no doors.
Wall Preparation
Stacked STUVA unit was 50.5" high. The knee wall can only accommodate a 46" high unit. Opening of appropriate size was cut out of the wall using plasterboard saw and hand saw. Simple inverted-C platform using 2"x3" studs was provided to support the bottom of unit. Nailers were attached to wall studs to provide mounting points for STUVA system.
STUVA Unit Preparation
Bottom of skinnier unit only had shelves so we decided to cut off the bottom by 4". The total height of stacked unit now became 45.5" which fitted in 46" high wall opening. STUVA units had flimsy cardboard backs so ¼" MDF boards were nailed to backs. Some old newspaper was stuffed into the cavity between these 2 boards. Two 2"x2" steel straps were screwed into backs of STUVA top and bottom units. Additional 4" steel straps were screwed on each side where units met.
Unit Installation
System was eased into wall opening and leveled. Holes were pre-drilled at the back bottom of lower unit. Bottom was anchored to inverted-C platform under it using 3-3" nails. Additional holes were pre-drilled on each side and anchored to wood blocks installed earlier using 3" nails. Molding was installed around each unit to cover gaps between wall and closet system. All moldings were caulked, spackled and sanded before applying two coats of paint same color as walls. Drawers and shelves were assembled and installed.
~ Mac Flores, Oak Lawn, IL
Cute idea! I love the bed sheets with the horses! Where can they be found?
ReplyDeleteThat looks awesome! I'm a bit jealous of your girls!
ReplyDeleteFabulous!
ReplyDeleteDang, I'm wondering why the house was built with so much room in the walls! Good job though!
ReplyDeleteSheets were purchased online from Garnet Hill ...
ReplyDelete@MyFuZZyButtZ: It's a Cape Cod style house where the second floor is part of the pitched roof. And I agree - it's really a pity to waste that much room when it can be used for good out-of-the-way storage and/or shelving spaces.
ReplyDeleteThis wall-storage is so cool! Please more ikeahacks, please :)
ReplyDeleteNeat hack but what did you do about the stud that was in the middle of that section of wall that was removed? Surely people trying this at home will find it disconcerting 1) to encounter it and 2) to leave it flopping in the breeze, so to speak.
ReplyDelete"Knee walls" generally just "square off" the sides of an attic room so the angled part doesn't continue all the way to the floor- they typically aren't structural walls, so removing studs isn't as an engineering issue (all they would be holding up is the drywall attached to them).
ReplyDeleteThis is a very creative and nice-looking solution to storage needs. Great job!
ReplyDeleteLaurel
www.abundantempress.blogspot.com
What is an "inverted-c platform" that was used to support the unit behind the wall? I'm also wondering where and how the wood block were installed that the sides of the unit were anchored too.I know, my inexperience is showing.
ReplyDeleteThe "inverted-c platform" is basically just a piece of 2"x3" piece of studding with length a little bit longer than the length of the unit's base. To this piece's ends are nailed smaller 2"x3" of wood the height of which depends on how much more the unit needs to come up or down in order to get the unit's base level with the bottom of the wall opening.
ReplyDeleteThe small pieces of wood blocks were nailed to vertical studs that are present about 1.5" from each side of the wall opening.