Materials: Two Trofast storage units, Trofast storage boxes, Numerar countertop
Description: About 12 years ago, when my child was young, we bought two Trofast storage units to hold all the toddler toys. Time passed, and the toys got put away in the attic -- but what to do with the Trofasts? They were super sturdy -- we could see their potential for other uses.
Our idea: Butt them short end to short end, add a 72" countertop, and use the new "unit" as a tool bench in our basement. We used a countertop ordered from Home Depot, because we no longer live close to an Ikea. But if you are close to Ikea, you can easily top these with a 73" Numerar countertop.
Note, while the Trofast is about 18" deep front-to-back and kitchen countertops are 25-25" deep front-to-back, we just adjusted the Trofast toward the front of the cabinet so we could get to the drawers and then added some support to the wall to hold the back of the countertop in place so it wasn't tippy. It's worked just fine.
Another note: You can buy the Trofasts complete with bins -- if the bin colors are okay with you -- and probably save a little bit more.
While this is not a true hack -- we didn't rip anything apart! -- it does show how an Ikea piece designed for one use -- in this case, children's toy storage -- for an altogether different purpose -- in this case, a very functional tool bench. I am now designing a craft room -- and I may use this same idea there.
See more of the Trofast work bench.
~ Pam Kueber, United States
Nice one! I always give the kids' department a thorough look-over when i'm in Ikea because there are so many things designed for little people that are actually very useful for grownups. (I love the colorful cups and bowls, personally)
ReplyDeleteI wonder how much weight each Trofast tub/bin can hold? Seems like that might come into play in the basement/garage as you load tools or materials into each bin.
ReplyDeleteMoontree I'm with you. I cruise the kids' section trying to find something for a home office...because the colors are fabulous.
ReplyDeleteWow! Simple yet brilliant. You may have just solved my garage workbench issue.
ReplyDeleteCome on, this Blog is boring now. All boring ideas. Nothing new.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how much weight each Trofast tub/bin can hold? Seems like that might come into play in the basement/garage as you load tools or materials into each bin.
ReplyDeleteI love what you did! I have a very small house with two bedrooms and an open floor plan (the living room and kitchen are one room and the bathroom and two bedrooms are simply doors of the main room). This means I have no hallway and thus no hall closet. Our only real storage is in the garage but we still need to fit the cars in it so that space is limited also. I am always looking for multi-functional furniture, collapsible or folding items. Both bedrooms are small and I need the second one to function as a spare room (we have a futon), a home office selling items on eBay which requires space for inventory and shipping supplies, a craft room and a place for my huge Barbie scale dollhouse (I make and sell Barbie furniture). We also have a lot of collectibles-I'm hoping you'll share with me the ideas you have for your craft room as I see how innovative your ideas are. Anyone else with ideas On space saving storage ideas for any part of the house I'd love to hear them too. Please email me at thezieglerzoo@yahoo.com with your suggestions. Also note- our living room ceilings are high-maybe vertical storage would work? Please, I'd love any help anyone can give on maximizing storage and display space for our collectibles in our small home.
ReplyDeleteVery good idea. Way easier than what I had to do for my workbench...
ReplyDeleteI used a white "PRÄGEL" counter top (considerably cheaper) and it worked out really fine. This is the best ikea hack ever!!!
ReplyDelete