Turn the EKET cube into a Hairpin Leg Nightstand

IKEA EKET Hairpin leg nightstand

This is a relatively simple hack. I turned the EKET cube into a Hairpin Leg Nightstand.

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Photo: IKEA.com

1. I used a large EKET cube and assembled it.

2. I measured how high I wanted the stand to be next to my bed.

3. I ordered 11″ hairpin legs from Etsy.

4. I aligned the legs with the base of the EKET, upside-down and drilled starter holes for wood screws.

5. I attached the 4 legs with two wood screws each, in the “thick” part of the EKET (outer edge).

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6. Voilà!

IKEA EKET Hairpin leg nightstand

IKEA EKET Hairpin leg nightstand

~ by Todd


How to assemble the EKET

While browsing the IKEA site, I noticed a review stating the EKET cabinet is hard to put together. The EKET uses a wedge dowel system, which means, no round nuts and screws, like those we’re familiar with in a BILLY bookshelf. The wedge dowel system started with the LISABO and boasts fewer screws. You won’t find a hex key with this flat pack. This means fewer parts for IKEA, which leads to better cost savings, etc. The wedge dowel assembly method seems to be the direction IKEA will be pursuing. So, we better get familiar with it.

It is pretty simple and is a matter of “click and snap”. With the EKET, the crucial step is locating the first piece, labelled “1” (obviously) on the edge. If you don’t start with no 1, you’ll end up in assembly hell hole — fast — or need to trim panels, which shouldn’t be the case.

Don’t chuck the assembly manual and just go for it. I’ve been guilty of it and paid the price. I made assembly boos-boos because I didn’t follow it to a T. Besides the assembly instructions, the EKET also comes with a template for wall mounted installations. Mighty useful in getting the cabinets level. Take a look at this video to learn how the wedge dowel system works.