The IKEA Hack That'll Turn A Stool Into A Cool Side Table

IKEA furniture is incredibly versatile and there are a number of great hacks that will help you create new or repurposed items from the things they sell. If you're looking for an easy and inexpensive DIY, you could try your hand at creating a side table out of an IKEA stool. Besides the seat, all you'll need for this hack is something flat and roughly the same size as the base of the stool and glue or screws to attach these two items together. One of the best stools to use from IKEA is the Marius. Not only is it one of the cheapest options, but it comes in either black or white, and if you wanted another color it would be easy to spray paint as well.

Once you've put together your stool, you'll then need something to place on top to create the flat surface of the side table. One option is to use a cement stepping stone, which can be purchased from stores like Home Depot or Lowe's for less than $2. This also comes with the added benefit that it can be used either inside or outside the home, and will also give your side table an organic and earthy appearance that could match a number of different design styles.

The great thing about this hack is that it can be personalized to suit your tastes and needs, and if you'd rather use something different, there are plenty of options. If you're on a tight budget, you could use a plastic plate from Target which costs just $0.50 and comes in a range of color options. Because this plate is extremely lightweight, it will stay on top of your stool with just a small amount of glue. To create an organic look, you could glue on a wooden tray, or for a boho look the IKEA Sommarflox would be the perfect addition.

You can also make your piece unique to your tastes by using a different IKEA stool, which will change the look of the legs on your new side table. For instance, you could use IKEA's Kyrre wooden stool which has three curved legs instead of four metal ones. Another choice is the Domsten which has four legs and comes in bright colors like green, orange, and purple to match or contrast with your home décor.

The IKEA side table hacks don't just stop at the stools: There are plenty of other unique ideas on how to transform their existing items into a side table. Instead of gluing a tray to the top of a stool, you could flip the stool over and place a round tray between the legs. This comes with the added benefit that it can be easily taken apart, but it also may not be as sturdy as other options and you would need to find the perfect sized tray to fit.

Another interesting DIY you could complete with items from IKEA is turning two of their Magasin bread boxes into a side table. Unfortunately, these aren't available to purchase in the U.S. but a similar option is available on Amazon for $25.95. To turn these kitchen items into a side table, first, remove the bottom panel of each bread box so that the storage compartment is completely open. Then, paint them any color you desire and glue them together from the base. You can also add brackets to the bottom to ensure they stay put. Use a cloth to coat the piece in furniture wax, and once everything has dried, attach four legs to the bottom.