Free-standing trellis with bench – IKEA ÄPPLARÖ hack

freestanding trellis with bench seating - IKEA APPLARO hack

I wanted to add a privacy screen to my patio and I like the ÄPPLARÖ line. Additionally, I wanted to use it as a plant trellis with bench seating.

However, I realized the ÄPPLARÖ wall panels are meant to be attached to a wall instead of a freestanding unit.

Some very nice folks at the local hardware store helped me with a solution.

ÄPPLARÖ free-standing trellis with bench seat hack
Materials:

Trellis with bench seating – instructions

For each unit, I bought a 4 foot long aluminum u-shaped channel which fit the sides of the ÄPPLARÖ panel perfectly.

The hardware store cut the channels in half so that I used a 2-foot piece on each side of the ÄPPLARÖ to keep it together and sturdy.

Using a standard power drill, I drilled 4 holes into the sides of the aluminum channel and then right into the sides of the ÄPPLARÖ panel.

I used a wider drill bit to route out a niche for the head of the screw so it would be flush with the aluminum channel.

Then I attached the panels to the back of the ÄPPLARÖ bench using 4 screws on each side. I drilled these from the inside of the bench so they would not be visible.

And that’s it! Just a simple tweak and I got my trellis with bench seating and privacy screen, all in one.

ÄPPLARÖ free-standing trellis with bench seat hack

~ Emily K


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