Ikea Hack Dining Room Table: My Personal Experience

When my husband and I moved into our new home, we quickly realized that our old dining room table just didn’t fit the space. We didn’t want to spend a fortune on a new one, so we turned to the popular trend of “Ikea hacking” to create our own unique dining room table. Here’s how we did it.

What is Ikea Hacking?

Ikea hacking is the practice of taking basic Ikea furniture pieces and customizing them to create something new and unique. With a little creativity and some DIY skills, you can turn an affordable Ikea piece into a one-of-a-kind item that perfectly fits your style and needs.

Why Ikea Hacking is Popular for Dining Room Tables

Dining room tables can be expensive, and it can be difficult to find one that matches your style and fits your space perfectly. Ikea hacking allows you to create a table that is customized to your exact specifications, while still keeping costs low.

Step-by-Step Guide for Ikea Hack Dining Room Table

Here is a step-by-step guide for creating your own Ikea hack dining room table:

Choose your base: We chose the Ikea Kallax shelf as our base, but you can choose any sturdy and stable Ikea piece as your base.
Measure and cut your tabletop: We purchased a large piece of wood from a home improvement store and had it cut to the exact dimensions we needed.
Sand and stain your tabletop: We sanded our tabletop to smooth out any rough spots and then stained it with a dark walnut finish.
Attach the tabletop to the base: We used L-brackets to attach our tabletop to the Kallax base.
Customize your table: We added hairpin legs to the bottom of our Kallax base to give our table a mid-century modern look. You can add any customizations that fit your style and needs.

Top 10 Tips and Ideas for Ikea Hack Dining Room Tables

Here are some tips and ideas to help you create your own unique Ikea hack dining room table:

Choose a sturdy and stable Ikea piece as your base.
Measure and cut your tabletop to fit your space perfectly.
Choose a stain or paint color that matches your style and other decor in the room.
Add custom legs or hardware to make your table unique.
Consider adding a glass top to protect your table from spills and scratches.
Use a router to add decorative edges to your tabletop.
Experiment with different finishes, such as a distressed look or a high-gloss finish.
Use Ikea cabinet doors as tabletops for a sleek and modern look.
Add a built-in bench or seating to your table for a cohesive look.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match different Ikea pieces to create your ideal table.

Pros and Cons of Ikea Hack Dining Room Tables

As with any DIY project, there are pros and cons to creating your own Ikea hack dining room table.

Pros:

Low cost: Ikea pieces are affordable, making this a budget-friendly option for a new dining room table.
Customization: You can create a table that perfectly fits your style and needs.
Unique: Your table will be one-of-a-kind and not like any other table on the market.

Cons:

DIY skills required: This project requires some DIY skills and tools, so it may not be ideal for beginners.
Time-consuming: Creating a custom table will take more time than purchasing one already assembled.
No warranty: Since you are modifying an Ikea piece, you may not have the same warranty or return policy as you would with a regular Ikea purchase.

My Personal Review and Suggestion on Ikea Hack Dining Room Tables

Overall, I highly recommend Ikea hack dining room tables for anyone looking for a unique and budget-friendly option for their home. While it does require some DIY skills and time, the end result is a one-of-a-kind piece that perfectly fits your style and needs. However, it’s important to consider the cons as well and make sure that this project is right for you before starting.

Question & Answer and FAQs

Q: Can you use any Ikea piece as a base for a dining room table?

A: It’s important to choose a sturdy and stable Ikea piece as your base, such as the Kallax shelf or the Hemnes dresser. Make sure that the piece can support the weight of a tabletop and any customizations you may add.

Q: How long does it take to create an Ikea hack dining room table?

A: The time it takes to create an Ikea hack dining room table will vary depending on the complexity of the project and your DIY skills. It could take anywhere from a few hours to a few days.

Q: Can you still return an Ikea piece after modifying it?

A: It’s important to read Ikea’s return policy before modifying any of their pieces. You may not be able to return an item that has been modified.