Add Storage And Style To Any Room In The House With This IKEA LACK Hack

If you have a cluttered table full of décor in your house and don't have space to display all of them neatly, then we have the perfect Ikea hack for you. It's going to sound a little strange, but it works like a charm. The hack consists of stacking Ikea's LACK tables to create a tall shelving unit. It's an excellent hack for maximizing storage and elevating a room's appearance without overspending on a new unit. Each table's surface works as a shelf to store plants, picture frames, books, and other trinkets. The hack was curated by TikTok user @cliftoncrumpdiy, who planned out the exact details to get pristine results and ended up with something stunning and functional.

You can set up the shelving column in any room, from the dining room to the kitchen to your kid's bedroom; it works for any type of storage needs you have. Plus, it's a budget-friendly hack since each Ikea table costs $12.99. A similar table will cost you so much more at Walmart or Amazon. Walmart sells the LACK table for $48.21, while Amazon sells one for $41. You can buy three tables at Ikea for about $40. However, for this hack, you'll need six Ikea lack tables, which will cost $78, but it's still more affordable than buying two from Walmart for $96. Of course, the number of tables will depend on how many will fit in your space, but ensure you add an extra. You'll also need E6000 glue.

Once you have all your materials, assemble every table you bought except for the extra one. Then, stack the assembled tables on top of each other, using the extra table's surface as your base, as shown by TikTok user @cliftoncrumpdiy. You won't be using the legs since they're meant to add height and support to the other tables. If you enjoy the look without the base, you don't have to include it. Next, secure the tables by gluing them to the table they're sitting on. Once the glue dries, you're done.

If you enjoy the look of the open shelves, leave it as is or customize the shelving column by wrapping the base in plywood and the second section with plastic covers. Home Depot sells plywood sheets for less than $15 that you can size and cut to fit around the base. TikTok user @cliftoncrumpdiy purchased plastic desk pads from Ikea to cover the second shelving section, giving it a frosted look — you can buy the desk pads for $4.99 from Ikea. To add the plywood, measure and cut the size of the base, then use L-brackets from Home Depot to attach them to the table's legs. For the desk pads, measure and cut the size of the second shelving section and glue them to the wood's frame. Finally, fill your shelves with your embellishments.

Now that you have DIYed a new shelving unit for your home, it's time to fill the shelves with your favorite décor. If you set up the column in your bedroom, personalize the shelves with items you don't often use or ones you use daily. For instance, easy decorative elements to add are books, picture frames, small plants, and candles. Or, you can have a shelf dedicated to all your magazines, letters, or jewelry. If you're unsure where to start, work with the top shelf, then make your way down and add items with varying heights to avoid it looking cluttered. Add your valuable idiosyncracies on the top shelf to prevent accidents, and display items you use daily on the lower shelves. 

On the other hand, if you set up the unit in your kitchen, it makes a great storage place for glassware and cookware you use every night. If you don't have a China cabinet, display a few of your favorite collectible glasses on the highest shelf. Although, if you have kids running around and they're prone to bumping into things, avoid using the shelf for breakable objects. Instead, store your cookbooks, smaller appliances, or baking ingredients to have them nearby. Find a system that works for you and your home. You might want to declutter the space you plan to add the shelving unit so that it's easier to figure out what needs a new home.