The IKEA Hack That'll Turn A Cute Basket Into An Outdoor Coffee Table

Shopping for new homeware can get expensive, and when you're buying outdoor furniture pieces that you likely won't use year-round, justifying a large price tag can seem even more difficult. Instead of shelling out over $100 on a trendy wicker coffee table, however, this viral TikTok hack allows you to create your own using just a piece of wood and a basket from IKEA. When you take a look at the price tag on all of the components, the grand total comes out to less than $60 — a major savings if you're trying to stick to a budget.

IKEA hacks have been popping up everywhere lately, as evidenced by the tag's almost 3 billion views on TikTok, but this hack is one of the simplest and most cost-effective out there. As an added bonus, this hack is easily customizable to your needs and requires very little construction, making it a great project for beginners and DIY experts alike.

In order to create your own coffee table, you'll need two main components: a SNIDAD rattan basket from IKEA and a round piece of wood to act as your tabletop. To begin, remove the handles from the basket by trimming back the wrapping. In her popular TikTok, creator @everythingeryn is able to achieve this fairly easily using a pair of scissors and the end of a hammer to gently pry the handle away from the frame. From there, place your basket with the bottom to the tabletop and glue it down with E6000 adhesive. Make sure it's centered, allow it to cure, and you'll be left with a functional table in just a few hours.

The exact specifications for your piece of wood are entirely dependent on how large you want the surface of your table to be, but as long as you ensure the table is properly balanced and the basket is able to support the necessary weight, you can cater your selection to your personal needs. Larger tabletops will obviously cost a bit more, but a 2-foot diameter round from Home Depot is only about $17, leaving you with a grand total of about $53 for materials.

Because this hack is so simple, you have plenty of room to get creative with your materials and their placement. Swap the board used as a tabletop for something metal or acrylic to contrast with the rustic texture of the basket, or repaint the wicker to better match your existing décor. Some creators, like TikToker @mybohemiannest, even flipped the basket right side up and added a hinge on the tabletop to create some extra storage space.

If you're feeling lucky, you can also try to find materials for this project secondhand. Thrift stores often have a large selection of wicker baskets for an even lower price than what's available at IKEA, and, as long as you find one in good condition that sits flush to the ground, you can easily build this table out of a thrift store or estate sale find. Either way, this hack is a great way to save some money while easily creating a functional and fashionable piece.