Turn An IKEA Garden Staple Into A Cute Furniture Piece That Doubles As Storage

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Inexpensive IKEA storage hacks are all over Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok, which proves there's a real need for cheap storage solutions these days. However, some of these hacks almost require a general contractor to pull off. Isn't the whole point of IKEA furniture to be easy enough for anyone to put together? If you aren't handy with a buzz saw, or don't own a sewing machine, you can still turn an IKEA garden staple into an adorable storage bench — cushion and all. 

This no-sew IKEA hack from HouseProjectUK on Instagram starts with IKEA's ASKHOLMEN flower box. At 24x15x15 inches, it can hold a good amount of toys, shoes, electronics, or supplies. The ASKHOLMEN flower box is made of beautiful acacia wood and covered in a semi-transparent wood stain that looks great when left as-is, or when painted to match your décor. The flower box has scallop-edge detailing that gives it a custom feel. Top it off with a quick and easy no-sew cushion, and you've got a DIY-friendly seat that doubles as storage in a matter of hours. 

Put together your IKEA ASKHOLMEN flower box according to the instructions. If you plan to paint the box, you will need to prime it first because it has been pre-treated with wood stain to make it water-resistant. Use an oil-based primer, then sand it down, and repeat if necessary. Paint the box your color of choice using furniture paint or spray paint. 

To make the cushion, cut a piece of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) that is slightly larger than the top of the box. Place a piece of 1-inch foam on the board and cut to size using an electric knife if you have one, or you can order Custom Upholstery Foam cut to size. If preferred, top the foam with a piece of batting for extra softness. Cover the whole thing with fabric, leaving a few inches to attach to the bottom of the MDF board. The small size of the cushion means you can use fabric leftover from other projects, or upcycle an old blanket, sheet, or tablecloth. Attach the fabric to the MDF using your preferred method, which could be a staple gun, hot glue, or HeatnBond Iron-on Adhesive that you can run an iron over for about 10 seconds to bond it to the fabric. Once done, place the cushion atop the ASKHOLMEN storage container, and enjoy your new piece of furniture.