IKEA may just be my version of heaven. Funky finishes and patterns you can’t get anywhere else, the perfect (and I mean perfect) white frame, affordable organization and those PRICES – not to mention an “As Is” section full of pieces they’re practically giving away. Case in point my studio desks. These actually came to me by way of my friend Liz, who had in fact snagged them for a pittance from the “As Is” section. Although the legs didn’t match, I wasn’t deterred knowing that a can of spray paint would do the trick. I lived with the desks for some time because I wanted to make sure that the dual surface set up would work for me. It definitely proved itself after a couple of Career Contessa work days with fellow director Mallory B., and more than a few solo occasions using one side for computing and the other for drafting with good old fashioned pen and paper. Once I knew that I was set on the configuration, I began planning my paint attack. In the end, I decided to unscrew the legs of the table, drape on an inexpensive plastic tarp to protect the undersides of the table and then screw the legs back into place.
Happily, it worked like a charm and having those legs sticking straight up in the air (as opposed to rolling around in the horizontal position) made painting them a breeze. The only problem that I ran into was how to remove said tarp…I neither wanted to leave the desks in the basement for a week to cure, nor did I want to mess up the paint by gripping the legs to unscrew them. So I simply grabbed a fresh razor blade and carefully sliced around the legs, thereby cutting the plastic tarp away. Again, it worked like a charm, and I had the desks back in place within 24 hours. I’m more than a little obsessed with the new look and can’t believe that it was free (it would have cost under $20 though if you didn’t already have the desks and paint). My favorite pair of ghost chairs, snagged from Amazon last spring, completed the furniture portion of this story and I couldn’t be more in love and more inspired. As for the styling, all of that new square footage meant that I could add a few extra touches.
From my Lamps Plus gold lamp and my gold Anthro monogramed mug, to a few favorite goodies from Lulu & Georgia and a Diptyque candle, I am oh so happy to be surrounded by a few of my favorite things while I work. The walls also got a bit of an upgrade. I repurposed the chalkboard sign from my Coffee, Creamer & Christmas Cheer shoot as a giant “On The Go” to-do list, plus I added back my inspiration bulletin board and a brand new 2014 calendar from Snug Studio. They didn’t move an inch. Although the world didn’t necessarily need another IKEA hack, I’m happy to add my own little spin to the ranks. What are some of your favorite IKEA hacks?? Feel free to share links in the comments.I know that I had promised a different painting project reveal for this morning, but photos have been delayed for one reason or another. I’ll share as soon as I can properly document!(Image credit: Emily Henderson) I knew I was a grown up the moment I switched out my IKEA mattress for a much more comfortable mattress I could invest in (and it was the best decision I ever made, but that's a different post for a different day).
Still, there's a lot of great stuff to be found at the Swedish furniture giant. These nine pieces are tried and tested purchases that even grown-ups with grown-up money should consider snatching up for their homes. Based on how often they're spotted in tours and projects on home blogs (including right here on Apartment Therapy), here are the 9 Best Things to buy from IKEA. (Image credit: Emily Henderson) Pricey, for IKEA standards, but this black and white striped rug has been holding ground in some of my favorite spaces. (Image credit: Chris Gardner) Adjustable shelves and the ability to stack and layer pieces from the entire system makes this basic bookcase the most versatile storage in any home for any price. It's so popular, it's also used as an economic measurement tool. Related Video: See how the iconic Billy bookcase is made! (Image credit: LeSueur Interiors) KALLAX Shelving Unit (formerly the EXPEDIT), $34.99-$169 Anything looks better stocked up in the perfectly square cubbies of this bookcase.
This knockoff of the iconic Eero Tulip Table is just as modern and versatile, but way more affordable. (Image credit: Glitter and Goat Cheese) RIBBA Picture Ledge & Frames, $1.99-$19.99 The frames themselves are great basic frames for gallery walls. Solid and sturdy, use it to hold books, cords or, you know, pictures. (Image credit: The Everygirl) LACK Side Table, $9.99 One top, four legs, and a world of possibilities. They're literally everywhere and last forever. OK, they last long enough to save up ten bucks for a new one (or fifty). MALM Chests & Dressers, $49.99-$199 Whether three drawers or six is enough to stash stuff, the perfect dresser is out there. The clean lines make it perfect for painting and customization. (Image credit: Southern Living) DALFRED Bar Stool, $39.99 A cool adjustable stool you'd see sitting at the desk in an architect's loft, but just the right price to buy a whole row of them to cozy up to a kitchen island.
(Image credit: Kyle Freeman) MELLTORP Dining Table, $65 Whether used as a dining table or a desk, this melamine table comes in two sizes and works as a basic piece in any decor. And as a bonus... GLIMMA Unscented Tealights, $3.49 Four bucks for a hundred candles, and they take up, like, negative space almost. FRAKTA Shopping Bag, 99¢I buy one every time I go just to lug my haul to the car, then keep them around to have a supply of sturdy bags I don't mind leaving behind at a friend's house after an ambitious potluck or at my parents' house full of Christmas presents. Re-edited from a post originally published 5.15.14-NTWhether you work at home every day, need a place to finish up projects from the office, or have to work on homework from college classes, having a comfortable and organized home office can be essential to getting ahead and maximizing productivity while you're working on just about anything. Luckily, there are many ways that you can create an amazing place to work in your home on a shoestring budget.