Our guest room is in need of some side tables/nightstands since right now we just have a stool popped in as a temporary solution:
Being cheap, I thought I would just use a couple of $8 LACK side tables from IKEA.
It really doesn't look so awful in this photo, but it was oddly low and the size was all wrong. Once the first one was together, I knew that it wasn't going to be the right solution for the room....
Since I live about an hour from IKEA, taking the table apart and returning both, wasn't exactly at the top of my "to do" list {although, you really don't have to twist my arm much to go to IKEA}. Then, I remembered that I seen a great IKEA "hack" somewhere out in blogland. This is why it's important to blog and share ideas; to save others in moments like these.
That hack had shown me that two LACK tables = one super awesome parsons side table. You know, like the one from West Elm for $150 or Amazon for $100. Yeah, those...
And we had other rooms in need of a side table. Specifically, our newly finished family room in the lower level.
So to achieve the parsons table look with two LACK tables, we snagged four 3" screws and a drill:
Flipped the already assembled LACK table over and popped the top of the other kit with the pretty white side facing down {unfinished side up}:
There were already holes pre-drilled by IKEA, where the legs from the second table should have gone. We just used those to screw the top to the bottom {got that?}:
Flipped it back over and we had a new parsons side table for $18!
Because there is only one table now, instead of two, we decided to use it in the family room at the end of the sectional {the over-sized brown leather one that we recently moved back down from the main living room}:
It's the perfect fit, and I just love how perfectly it worked out in it's completely unplanned and unexpected home! Our happy accident!
Can't picture where it is exactly? Stay tuned, tomorrow I am finally whipping out that floor plan post you have been asking for and that I have been promising to give for almost two years now. Yahoo!
Time to chat about happy accidents! Who else has experienced one lately that left you grinning ear to ear? How about a fun IKEA hack to share?
Oh my goodness! This is amazing!! I will definitely be doing this!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Now I need to figure out a place where I need this table so I can make it, lol.
ReplyDeleteThat looks great! I love how it turned out; it really looks lovely in its new space. :)
ReplyDeleteHow smart is that! Love it!
ReplyDeleteLooks great!!
ReplyDeleteApril
wolfelicious.blogspot.com
Looks great and is making me think something like that might work as and end table for us.
ReplyDeleteGreat Ikea hack!!! I heart your happy accident. Such a great idea!!! And still an inexpensive way to get the look that you want. Nice!!! :)
ReplyDeleteahhh I wanted to do that when I saw a lack diy on pinterest a while back! It had nail studs all around it and I was going to maybe add a pop of color instead of the hardware detail of the inspiration piece but when I got to IKEA I couldn't decide between red laquer and white and wound up empty handed. Haha I still to this day regret it! Love that you were able to make one happy accident style! <3 it really does look like it cost a hundred bucks!
ReplyDeleteCome on. What a great accident. It looks fantastic. Love the look. Happy Monday my dear.
ReplyDeleteClever - and a super price, to boot!
ReplyDeleteLove that you also created extra storage as well! Looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant idea! I might have to go ahead and do this with my two LACKs in the living room. One of them is starting chip and that would the perfect one to go on the bottom. Thanks for sharing Jen!
ReplyDeleteI actually kind of like the stool in the guest room. :-D
ReplyDeleteMe too!
Deleteme too!!!
DeleteI was just about to say the same thing - it's so unexpected and fun, even if it is a bit short!
DeleteI like the stool too!
ReplyDeleteI love that idea, and by the way, I think the step stool next to the bed is adorable. Why change it? It's so different and cute :)
ReplyDeleteLove this idea!!~
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUS! Love it! It looks so good!
ReplyDeletePS I featured your free printables on my blog today!
Check it out! http://www.classyclutter.blogspot.com/2012/02/inspired-monday-by-mallory-organizing.html
xoxo, Mallory @ Classy Clutter
That looks fantastic!! Nice job! Some of the IKEA hacks I've seen on Pinterest lately involve wallpapering table tops or stenciling them. Some really nice end products out there!
ReplyDeleteI like the stool also. I think the table is very pretty, and yes it does look high end, but I think it's too low for this location as well. A side table with a lamp should elevate the lamp higher than that. Often, a lower table simply requires a taller lamp, or vice versa.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea! And I'm all about great buys too so cheap + unique is right down my isle!
ReplyDeletegreat idea! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://mademoiselleena.blogspot.com/
Looks great! Where is the yellow lamp sitting on it from? I've been hunting for a yellow lamp like that....
ReplyDeleteIt's actually a cream lamp but since we have zero natural light, everything looks yellowish in my photos. Sorry about that.
DeleteThe lamp was from Pier 1 ages ago, it's since been discontinued. Maybe check HomeGoods?
xoxo,
Jen
Loving the colour scheme in your guest room. x
ReplyDeletehttp://lettersandmylife.blogspot.com/
What a happy accident indeed! :-) That was a great idea for turning a fail into a win-win.
ReplyDeleteLooks great. I just purchased the Lack coffee table. For $19.99 I said I couldn't go wrong. I sooo love Ikea. It is stylish and afforable....
ReplyDeleteHEy! Just wanted to let you know that I actually think your first photograph with the stool as side table is really cute-- And love the Lack double table too!
ReplyDeleteFabulous!! I have got to make a trip to IKEA next month! Mine is an hour away as well, but totally worth it!!
ReplyDeletetotally doing that at our house! but hey! I actually really liked that bench you had there! Its super cute! Tres cottage chic ;)
ReplyDeleteThe small stool is pretty cute, but it's not at all practical. Especially for reading to reaching over to grab a glass of water. Sigh...
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Jen
I agree with all the other posters who like the stool better. My hubby is a furniture designer, so he's pretty particular about interior design, and I know he'd agree... :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were able to make that table work for you? Will your Ikea let you return an item after you've put it together? We tried to return a side table after a similar situation and they refused to take it. They told us that once it's put together, it's considered "used" and they won't accept it! We put everything back in the way it came out and they only way they knew we put it together was because I replied honestly when they asked. Makes me more cautious about buying stuff without knowing for sure that it will work, since their 100% satisfaction guarantee is a bit of a joke. We took the table back home, put it back together and sold it for a loss on Craigslist. :( Maybe it's just the Ikea near me, but might be worth checking into at your local Ikea before buying a bigger piece that you're not totally sure will work for you!
ReplyDeleteFirst ? was supposed to be a ! :)
DeleteThat is crazy, I have never been given a hard time returning items to IKEA. Such a bummer to hear that!
Deletexoxo,
Jen
totally brilliant and it looks fantastic!
DeleteBy the way, I have bedroom envy - we totally neglect 'our space' and need to tend to it quickly!
Good job!!
ReplyDeletePerfect! One of those things that make you say.. why didn't I think of that?
ReplyDeleteGreat job! The regular lack is 17 3/4 in tall. How high is the lack hack? I would love to do this if it turns out to be the right height :)
ReplyDeleteLove this!!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant!
ReplyDeleteAnd where did you get that gorgeous basket sitting under your table?
so pretty and functional at the same time!!
I want one too@
It's originally from The Container Store but has since been discontinued :(
Deletexoxo!
Jen
Great idea. I've been eyeing the light blue Lack tables, this looks like the perfect solution.
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome! Will definitely have to try doing this!! Thanks for the great idea!
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love when a great idea just pops so quickly into your head? Love it!
ReplyDeleteLove this. Great post and I to just love those happy accidents. :-), Susan Cooper
ReplyDeleteAlso love the basket under the Lack Hack...can you share where this came from?
ReplyDeleteIt's originally from The Container Store but has since been discontinued :(
Deletexoxo!
Jen
I actually really like the stool as the nightstand, it really looks nice there. And the Ikea Hack was a great idea too!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea! Now I'm going to go look for an ikea lack table to match the one I got so I can do the same thing! Thanks for the idea. I love your blog and read it everyday before going to bed! :)
ReplyDeletelove it! and i kinda like the stool in the guest bedroom :) where did you get the basket under your new lack table? it is super cute!
ReplyDeleteIt's originally from The Container Store but has since been discontinued :(
Deletexoxo!
Jen
We just moved and are in need of a night table, great idea! thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I had the lack tables from ikea as side tables and I thought they were too low and the size was off so I gave them to goodwill...too bad I hadn't seen this sooner!
ReplyDeleteI just bought the table for my kids craft table. I jazzed it up with some stencils and it works perfectly! Love what you did too! SMART!
ReplyDeletehttp://richandjenn.blogspot.com/2012/02/lacking-lack-table-into-kids-table.html
Love it! Question: Where did you get the white wrinkled blanket you show in the guest-room? I love it!
ReplyDeleteI like the stool! I have the same at home!
ReplyDeleteIf you want to jazz it up one more notch- buy a roll of fake nailhead trim and add it to all the edges and the top. I saw it on ikea hack and have even made a few for friends!
ReplyDeleteI haven't clicked over to comment since you asked for reader comments back then when some people were so nasty.... but I LOVE THAT STOOL!
ReplyDeleteKeep it!
If I were a guest, I would love the whimsy :)
Love your Lacks! Lovely Lacks.. I could go on but I just wanted to say that I've got this linked to my Ikea post today for fabulous Ikea hacks and your Lacks are hacks!
ReplyDeleteI love all of your ideas and the detail in your post. I found this hack and made the same side table, which I love! I was just curious if you had any clever uses for the 4 remaining table legs before I toss mine lol. They've been shoved under my bed ever since I put the table together.
ReplyDeleteSo funny! That is where my legs are too! Still haven't thought of a thing, but there must be something? :)
Deletexo,
Jen
I know this post is from forever ago, and I'm sure you've probably found something else but just in case, I found this today which would have been perfect - its two lack tables stacked, but the legs of the bottom one are shortened
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ikeahackers.net/2010/06/lack-side-tables-go-to-new-heights.html
Thanks so much for this idea! We tried it last night. Neither of our kids had a bedside table and were using makeshift items (stools mostly) to store books, water bottle, soundmachine, etc. We did this for both of them (white for my daughter and brown/black for my son) and they look great!
ReplyDelete