Expedit kitchen and bar

Materials: Expedit, Expedit doors and drawers, Vika Amon table top, Capita, 4 baskets to use as drawers, a piece of MDF, white paint and cute doorknobs

Description: My husband and I live in a very small place, so we need all the storage space we can create. That is why we build an Expedit kitchen bar. It is perfect as a breakfast and dinner table and also creates loads of storage space in the kitchen.

Description:
Step 1. Put the Expedit together.
Step 2. Screw the Capitas on Expedit.
Step 3. Screw the Vika Amon table top on the Expedit.
Step 4. Put in all the Expedit doors and drawers.
Step 5. Make sure the MDF board is the right size, then paint it in the same color as the Expedit.
Step 6. Put the MDF board on the Expedit with a lot of small nails, using a hammer. Paint the nails when done.
Step 7. Find yourself fitting baskets to use as drawers.
Step 8. I didn't like the Ikea doorknobs, so I replaced them with little stones.

We are thinking about replacing the Vika Amon table top with an old door or something like that, because Vika Amon damages very quickly.

~ Dieuwke, Groningen

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Expedit Queen Platform bed

Materials: Expedit

Description: We were inspired by other Expedit bed hacks, specifically this one and decided to make a Queen Platform bed. My daughter moved into an apartment and we needed to have more storage as well as a nice size bed.

We were very excited that we (two females without any experience) could create this bed. We used 2 1x5 bookcases, 1 1x2, and 2 1x1 bookcases so that we can get as close to a queen size (60x80) as possible. We attached a continuous hinge to the 2 pieces of 60x40 plywood, so that she can have storage under the bed as well. A black piece of fabric was used to cover the plywood. and we used a 4x4x12 but into 8 17.6 inches, which we used support posts. We used brackets and 3/4 size screws to attach the posts to the plywood.

I think that's it.. enjoy

~ KT, United States

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Drop Leaf Expedit

Materials: Ikea Expedit, Various sizes

Description: I needed a large workspace with lots of storage in my small studio; and sometimes, I needed to not have such a large workspace in my small studio. After looking a gate leg tables, extendable tables, shelves and every combination thereof, I finally decided to hack an Expedit to fit the bill.

A combination of Expedit units, a luan bifold door, and some drop leaf table hardware made for the exact unit I needed, both when I need space and when I don'€™t. Just lift the tabletop, slide out the latch, and I have a 36"€ x 78"€ workspace. Slide the latches back in, and I have a 18"€x78" inch wall storage unit.

Supplies
Expedit Units:
1-1x5 (I left out one shelf to accommodate a small flat screen tv)
2-2x2
2-1x2 (I originally planned to mix and match a 2x2 and 1x1 to create these, but when I got to Ikea, they already had the 1x2's available)

Expedit Inserts, as desired- I used one drawer unit and one door unit.

1 36 x 78 inch luan Bifold door (hinges already attached, stained or painted to match Expedit)

2 pairs of sliding drop leaf table hardware

Directions:
Assemble Expedit, stain bifold door if necessary.

Line up 2x2 units, side by side, (If hacking by yourself, turn them perpendicular to wall to hold the tabletop while you work.) Lay the bifold door flat over the units.

Stack 1x2 units on top outside edges of bifold door, then stack 1x5 unit horizontally over top of 1x2 units. Adjust units so everything is centered.

Mark the latch placement for 2 outside drop leaf latches on the outside edges of the bifold door on the underside. Make sure you attach close to the edge so your screws bite into the framing wood of the door, under the surface. Attach. I used longer wood screws than were provided, just to get a good anchor.

(If you turned the 2x2s to hold the door, un-stack entire unit. Turn 2x2'€™s parallel with wall, leaving space between. make sure they line up inside the hardware already attached.)

Attach 2 drop leaf latches in the center space, as far apart a you are able.

Re-stack entire unit. Add boxes for storage as desired.

I did not attach my pieces together, because they need to be movable, but joining brackets on the back are probably a good idea for permanent installation.

~ Diann Liptak, Richmond, Virginia, USA

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Retro bed table

Materials: EXPEDIT (44x44 cm) white and black

Description: Our IKEA hack is very easy. As we have black&white bed, we were looking for something simple that would match in colour and both of us will like (and of course will not be expensive).

We decided for combination of dark and white EXPEDIT shelves. We followed the regular instructions from IKEA, but than mixed the material. And tadada.. :)

~ Spekulujeme

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T Kitchen Island/Dining Table

Materials: Expedit Shelving unit, Pragel Countertop, Galant Tabletop, Vika Byske legs, wood and hardware

Description: 1. Attach the countertop to the bookshelf using Gorilla Glue and L-brackets. I used 8 brackets total: 1 on each short side and 3 on each long side.

2. Drill holes into the countertop.
I taped the area around the hole to prevent the laminate from shattering. I also started with a very small drill bit and gradually increased the size of the hole.

All the while, I had the drill in reverse to further prevent unwanted damage to the laminate. The metal attachments on the underside of the table will simply sit in the holes (about .5" deep). I initially thought the diameter of the metal pieces was 1.5 inches. It turns out the diameter was slightly larger than that, so I had to twist the drill around in a way that would make a real carpenter cringe.

3. Attach legs to the other end of the table.
I cut a 2x6 to about 24" and painted what would be the underside. I used the same 1.5" spade drill bit to put in holes (about .5" deep) into the wood. I then drilled a .25" hole so that I could run a bolt through the wood and screw it into the metal pieces on the table. I'd recommend starting with the small hole (I didn't, and what I did to get things to line up right would've made that carpenter cringe again).

Once the wood is attached to the table, just drill small pilot holes and screw the legs onto the wood.

4. Put it together. Have the metal sit in the holes on the counter (mine is pretty snug), and adjust the legs on the other end until everything is level.

5. Throw a party.

~ Glenn, Washington, DC

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Easy Mid Century Ikea Credenza

Materials: 2x4 Expedit, hairpin legs, wood

Description: After moving, I had two problems that needed solving. First, I needed a place to put my record player and I had a 2x4 Expedit that I no longer needed. Rather than just turn it sideways and put my stuff on it, I decided to remove one of the smaller boards to make room for my receiver as well.

I also decided to put four hairpin legs on my bookcase which I did by first getting a board that was 1x3 ft. and spray painting it black. I then attached it to what would be the bottom of the credenza by getting some wall anchors, putting them into the bottom of the Expedit, and attaching the board to it.

Then it was just a matter of screwing the hairpin legs into the board. I was sure to use screws long enough to go both threw the board and into the Expedit for added stability. I finished it off with two drawers that I had and two DRÖNA boxes.

~ Dave, Texas

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Modern dry-erase standing desk

Materials: Linnmon high-gloss white tabletop (59x29½); Expedit 4x2 shelving unit; 2 Expedit drawer inserts, high-gloss white; 2 Expedit door inserts; 12 Capita legs; Lack shelf, high gloss red (43¼x10¼)

Description: My wife and I have wanted to put together a standing desk for a long time, and took our recent move as an opportunity to finally do it. After spending a lot of time on Ikea Hackers and ikea.ca, a couple of visits to Ikea, and several draft designs, we've ended up with this, and we think it's pretty awesome. Our favorite part is that the desk itself functions as a white-board.

When designing yours, you'll want to keep in mind the target height of your desk, and account for it by varying the legs you use. Ikea offers the Capita legs in 3 different heights, so by combining them you should be able to get pretty close to your desired height. In our case, I'm about 5'11" and my wife's probably 5'3" or 5'4". Accounting for the thickness of the tabletop itself, our final desk height is 41", which is pretty comfortable for both of us.

Ingredients:
- Linnmon high-gloss white tabletop (59x29½): $39.00
- Expedit 4x2 shelving unit (approximately 31x15½ x58½ ): $79.00
- 2 Expedit drawer inserts, high-gloss white: 2 x $25.00
- 2 Expedit door inserts (high-gloss red & high-gloss white): 2 x $15.00
- 12 Capita legs (4¾”): 3 x $16.99
- Lack shelf, high gloss red (43¼x10¼): $24.99

Recipe:
- Build the Expedit, in our case leaving out one of the smaller shelves to make room for the computer.
> NOTE: Looking at the Expedit in the horizontal position, the vertical separators are indispensable. In my opinion, you would be ill-advised to leave out any of those, as they provide structural support.
- Drill 6 Capita legs into the bottom of the Expedit. The Expedit seemed to be made of solid wood, so a drill was necessary but the capita legs feel nice and stable.
> Ikea makes a caster set designed specifically to support the Expedit in its horizontal position, and they use 6 casters, including 1 pair to support the middle of the unit. Based on that, I decided to use 6 Capita legs, including 2 for support in the middle.
- Break out the Linnmon tabletop, and line it up on top of the Expedit. Figure out where the Expedit will be below it, and mark the widest (most stable) possible locations for the other 5 (yes 5) Capita legs.
> Given that there wouldn'€™t be much weight on the desktop and that I wanted to use the space between the Expedit and Linnmon for storage of stuff, I decided not to use a Capital in the middle in front. You can sort of see in one of the photos what I mean: There are 3 legs along the back of the tabletop, but only 2 in front.
> When you'€™re thinking about how you want to position everything, keep in mind that the further back you set the Expedit under the Linnmon, the harder it'll be to get at those drawers. We set the Expedit about 4” back under the tabletop.
- Drill holes for the capita legs in the Linnmon, and screw them in. Note that the edges of the Linnmon are solid wood, so the outside 4 legs are good. But the center of the desktop is fibreboard, or hollow filled, or whatever, so be gentle with that center Capita. It'€™s only there to provide support, and you'€™re only drilling it in to prevent it from sliding around.
- Now figure out how high you want your monitors. "€œErgonomics" says that the top of the monitor should be right around eye level when looking straight forward.
- If you'€™re going to use the lack shelf to support your monitors, FIND STUDS IN YOUR WALL. If you screw the shelf into drywall or particle board and put two monitors on it (possibly even one monitor), it's liable to just rip right out of the wall, wrecking everything from your wall to the Expedit below, including your monitor. If you don’t know how to find studs or aren't comfortable, you have lots of other options: prop the monitors up on books; get another piece from Ikea (we considered the Alex Alex shelf with drawer) that you can just sit on the desktop), get a monitor riser from another shop.
> Quick note: If you're going to rest your monitors directly on the desktop, they'€™re going to add a lot of weight to the back of the desktop, and depending on how you'€™ve placed your Linnmon on top of the Expedit, it may not have a lot of support at the back. If this is the case, the monitors might be heavy enough to flip the desktop up. You can address this in a number of ways, but one option is the Vika Byske legs which extend tall enough to provide support at the back of the tabletop. Even one in the center of the table would probably be enough.
- There you have it. Load in the drawers and doors (if you'€™re using them), connect everything, and you'€™re good to go.

~ Liohn Sherer, Montreal, QC, Canada

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How to create a Gerhard Richtexpedit bedside cabinet

Materials: Expedit 2x2 and 1x1, inserts with door and drawers

Description: First of all, visit gerhard-richter.com and search some colour-combinations you like and buy them as spray colours.

Ikea does not offer a 2x1 Expedit, so I had to combine a 2x2 and a 1x1 in two 2x1.
I want a 2x1 horizontal with rolls, the vertical 2x1 is a side product.
I used my old and crappy 2x2 and bought a new 1x1.

You don't have to modify any Ikea-parts, all you have to do is simply combine the sides of the 1x1 with the tops of the 2x2 and the other way round, the rest is self-explanatory.

If you choose in the first step other colours than "white" you have to enamel the parts. If you like glossy, add a clear coat. The package of the 1x1 is a perfect spray cabin.

That's it.

~ cvb, Berlin

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Hacker help: Workstation between two Expedit shelves?

Materials: 5x5 Expedit shelf, 2x4 Expedit shelf and Vika Kaj adjustable leg

Description: Recently married, I'm trying to setup a workstation for the wife with plenty of storage space to work with. I've already bought a 5x5 Expedit shelf and want to figure out if I can place a table top between two Expedit shelves with L-brackets (The one which you get with the Expedit workstation?) on both sides and a adjustable leg in the middle for support. Would that work or would I need to add in a wall support (something I want to avoid)?

Also I'd like to able to use Expedit inserts (with doors) under the table or is that asking for too much?

The table top will be used for an iMac 21 inch and a bunch of external hard drives.

In the foreseeable future, I'll be adding a corner workstation on the other side of the 2x4 Expedit shelf for myself so that's why I need the shelf at least open on my wife's side for access.

Thank you.

~ Faisal Khatib, Dubai, UAE

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Very hacky in Berlin - 10m² full of storage

Materials: Mandal bed, Capita legs 11 & 21 cm, Galant extention & shelf, two 2x4-Expedit, two 1x5-Expedit, two Vika Kaj, 100cm Linnmon Tabletop, Expedit desk mounting

Description: Last year I moved to Berlin to start my masters degree. I found a wonderful flat mate that I totally wanted to live with. Only weak point: the room for rent was only ~10m². After 3 month of planning, searching hacks and forums, I came up with a plan to get most of my stuff from my previous 20m² to the new tiny room.


1) Mandal bed mounted on 1x5-Expedit

I love the Mandal bed frame since I first saw the black edition at my local Ikea years ago. On IKEAHackers I found tons of DIY-bedframes made from Expedit shelves, which gives you lots of space for storage - in the shelves and underneath the bed.

So the idea was to mount my favorite bedframe on two narrow Expedit. It is pretty simple. You put together the bedframe as described by the manual BUT you do not attach the white bars, that come with it as a base. The 1x5-Expedits are assembled like the manual says. Put them down on their long sides and place the bedframe on top. You can fix the bed by putting long screws (~8cm?) trough the holes where the base is normally screwed on. Voila, bed with lots of storage :)

2) 2x4-Expedit meets Linnmon (Amon in Germany)

Next I needed a desk with storage for books, folders etc. My first choice would have been the Expedit desk combination but there is not enough space for a 80cm deep table. So I got a 2x4-Expedit and the mounting for the desk (from the IKEA service counter) but not the desk itself.

Instead I bought the smallest Linnmon tabletop and the adjustable Vika Kaj legs. I put together the Expedit but left the vertical part in the second row from top out. This is where I connected the Linnmon Tabletop. To mount my monitor I attached 11cm Capita legs to the small half round Galant extention, like I had seen in my local Ikea.

3) Mounted TV

Yeah, not exactly new...but it belongs to my room. Since my bed is 90cm high I needed to mount my TV to see more than just the upper part of the picture, while sitting on the bed. So I bought the Galant shelv and screwed Capita 21cm to it. It has the perfect width for my TV and there is space under it for DVD-player and photos.

So, that's my room, basically. There are also two Grundtal drying racks, mounted high on the wall but that is not exactly a hack. Just using the ~3m of wall :)

And just if you wonder about the red and grey blankets - thats sleeping places the cats choose. If we miss one of the kittys, just look under my bed ;)

~ Bianca, Berlin, Germany

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Expedit = Play kitchen

Materials: Expedit

Description: Play kitchen is created from one Expedit. We lowered the sides and cut off the top and then put the top plate back on. The sink is an old water bowl.

The door to the "stove" is made ​​of plywood. We cut holes in it and inserted plexiglass.
Knobs are screwed into cork, so those can be turned on.
The cook top is plywood that is cut out and painted.
Photo ledge serves as storage for cups and mugs :)

See more of the Expedit play kitchen.

~ Jeanette M Lindvik, Norway

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Wall fitted expedit book shelf

Materials: Expedit; 2 Expedit 4x4, 3 Expedit 4x2, 1 Expedit 2x2 , drill machine, circular saw and/or jigsaw, glue, drape fabric, 4 planks/timber of about 5x4x35 cm

Description: The objective was a book shelf that should fill out a whole wall of our living room. Regrettably the combination of two Expedit 4x4 and one unit of 4x2 was a few centimeters too wide to fit between the two limiting walls.

Therefore the 2x4 Expedit placed between the two 4x4 units was shortened, so was the 2x2 Expedit above (placed between two 2x4 units (constituting the second level).

The problem with this is, that the lateral boards of Expedit are hollow and filled with cardboard, only the cohering ends are massive.

1. Assembly of the 4x4 and two 2x4 units, gluing the 2x4 horizontally over the 4x4 Expedit each.

2. Shorting of the upper and lower outer board of the "middle section" 2x2 and 4x4 Expedits.

3. Glue a fitted plank/piece of timber to fill the hollow part of the shortened boards at their ends to give them more stability.

4. Drill new holes (through the weight carrying plank/timber glued in before)

5. I choose, as to avoid too much complications (and tricky work) to not mount the vertical inner separation boards but instead only mounted one horizontal element in the 4x2 Expedit.

To hide the holes Ikea drilled to mount the other inner boards, I mounted the other boards inside out, for the holes to be hidden, when finally aligned with the other two sections.

6. I stapled a drape sheet on the wall facing side of the modules as there is a ca. 5cm gap between the wall and the shelf.

7. I can only advise to use threaded rods to fix this thing to a wall, as the Ikea provided fittings in themselves are not adaptive enough to mount this thing to a wall in a lean, straight fashion. I tried it first but the result was a mess, or at least not sufficient to my expectations.

I like to thank my fellow Austrian Ikeahacker named Martina, her description of an Expedit hacked into a hamster cage was a great help in realizing this project.

~ raoul, tulln, lower austria

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EXPEDIT Cat Litter Box

Materials: EXPEDIT / DRÄLLA

Description:
Change the 2 short boards with the long one in the middle
Drill 4 new holes in the side walls for the long board

Cut a passage on the left or right
Get a piece of wood in the color u like for the cover
For the shovel storage take a piece of the cutting board DRÄLLA and 2 long screws

...finish...

~ Trisu, Switzerland

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How To Build A Custom Shoe Rack From An Ikea Expedit Shelving Unit

Materials: Expedit, Table Saw, Drill, Glue, Hole Filler

Description: The Ikea Expedit cubbies are a little too deep and tall for shoes. JP resizes a 4x2 Expedit into a shoe rack optimized for shoes.

See more of the Expedit shoe rack.

~ JP Danko, Toronto, Ontario

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Expedit Desk

Materials: Expedit 4-compartment (2), 96"x 20" pine project panel, 8' wood mouldings (2 each of 3 different designs), L brackets (4), wood glue, finish nails

Description: I'm a work-at-home author and knitwear designer whose only office space is carved out of the hallway between our foyer and dining room. My desk has to fit against the triangle wall formed by a staircase. Making my own desk from 2 Expedits gives me 8 feet of beautiful desktop real estate, while only taking up 20" of hallway.

While I love the quality and value of Ikea furniture, most of the styles are too modern-looking for me. To make my desk look more traditional, I added moulding from my home improvement center. First I trimmed around 3 sides of the bottom of each Expedit with 1 3/4" moulding, mitering the corners. Then I added 4 1" L brackets to the upper inside edges of each piece to anchor the desktop. After that I layered 2 different mouldings and ran them all the way across the front and 2 short sides of the Expedits. I hid all the finish nail holes with putty and paint. Then I added the desktop (which I stained and varnished beforehand), securing from underneath with the L brackets.

I'm really happy with my new desk; the extra width more than makes up for its narrowness. I got exactly the right sized desk with lots of storage, too. The project took just a weekend, (most of which was waiting for paint and varnish coats to dry, and cost just under $200.

See more of the Expedit desk.

~ Mary Scott Huff, Fairview, Oregon

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