Add Hidden Storage To Your Living Room With A Genius IKEA KALLAX DIY

By Andrea Romano
KALLAX units at IKEA ZikG/Shutterstock

For people who love DIY, cube storage units are like a blank canvas. While it's perfectly acceptable to use them as is, it can be even more fun and rewarding to use some clever cube storage hacks to elevate your shelf to something a little more elegant and chic. Of course, there are many ideas out there, but this DIY hack using the IKEA KALLAX storage unit from TikTok user @do.it.yourself.mum turns this shelf into a beautiful coffee table with lots of hidden storage.

If you require a way to hide all your living room odds and ends, it's time for a trip to IKEA. In addition to the KALLAX four-cube storage unit, this project uses plywood, timber board (for the top), wood panels (which can be made of hobby board or lattice molding), a nail gun, wood glue, wood filler, hinges, screws, nails, wood stain, interior paint in any color, and legs for the table in any style you prefer. You will likely need a power drill, as well as a miter saw or miter shears, to complete the look. If you don't have power tools handy, you can easily get your wood cut at your local hardware store, like Home Depot or Lowe's, or rent tools from a local lending library.

Turn a basic shelf into clever living room storage

@do.it.yourself.mum

🤍IKEA KALLAX Upcycle 🤍 I turned this KALLAX unit literally upside down…into a coffee table with storage. I was staring at this KALLAX unit the other day wondering what I could that was different from before. A lightbulb literally went off in my head and I decided to make it into a coffee table. I then searched the internet for styles I liked and got started. I used the shade ‘Salt Of Earth’ from @frenchicpaint and their ‘Browning Wax’ for the top. #gifted I had the tiniest of timberboard left over from a previous collaboration with @wickes and then went a bought some which would creat the lid. I was going to sell this, but I actually really like it in my living room. #ikeahack #kallax #kallaxhack #ıkea #ikeacoffeetable #hacks #upcyled #upcycledfurniture #furnitureflip #furnituredesign

♬ Tonight - Pansil & Alex Gewer

If you are having your wood pieces cut professionally, just make sure to take accurate measurements for the bottom piece of plywood, each "door" on top of the table, and each piece of lattice molding that you will be adding to the sides to give it more of a rustic, farmhouse feel. Not only is this technique useful for this project, but you can use this idea to elevate any piece of basic furniture to make it more luxe, like the IKEA ALEX drawers. 

The TikToker added a single piece of plywood to reinforce the bottom, and then moved on to add the lattice details to the sides before sanding and painting the entire unit in the color they chose. They also added legs to the bottom. To make the top of the coffee table, they sanded and stained two pieces of timber board, screwing on hinges in the middle so each piece opens like a door so they can access items inside the unit. A thin piece of timber board was attached in the middle of the top of the unit for the hinges to attach to. This way, either side of the table can easily be opened without needing a drawer pull or knob. 

You can also modify this project depending on the size of your KALLAX unit so it fits perfectly in any living room. A small 2-, 3-, or 4-cube unit could make a great bed bench. Now you have lots of space to store blankets, TV remotes, entertainment, and everything in between.

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