Closet system using Ikea Molger Bench

Materials: Molger Benches. 5/16 dowel pins and drill bit. Clamps and shims. Laser level.

Description: My closet drastically needed a make-over and I couldn't afford the expensive closet systems. My closet is 4 1/2 feet by 9 feet with clothes rods on each end. I wanted shelves in the middle that were deeper, and I liked the wood slats instead of the white coated wire shelves that I currently had.

before

While in Ikea, I noticed the smooth nice finish of the Molger bench, with slatted wood shelf and seat ($39.99 each. 31" wide, 14 1/2" deep, 19 1/2" high)

The plan was to stack the benches, dowel them, and attach to the wall studs. So far I have used 6 benches, and will use one more to create a shelf above the clothes rod. $280 for a nice closet system!

First we assembled the benches. The benches come with rubber feet that when removed, expose a shallow hole. We drilled the existing hole a bit deeper, for a 5/16" dowel pin.

Next, we inserted the dowels (halfway, as the other half would be in the bench above it) and placed that bench with dowels onto the next bench. We drew around the dowels to mark where the hole would go onto the top of the next bench. Using a laser level, we were able to drill a straight hole into the top of the second bench.

We stacked the two benches together, and repeated the process for all 6 benches.

We placed 4 benches on one side and 2 on the other. In order to screw them into the wall, we clamped them together and placed shims behind the bench/shelves as our wall was not square. We attached them to the wall studs with screws.

I like the asymmetry of the shelves, as there is 6 inches and 10 inches between shelves. However, if you want, you could change the spacing while assembling the benches and have 8 inches between each shelf.

I love the clean lines, the increased depth, and the amount of storage. They are incredibly stable, and will be easy to take down and put up again when I re-carpet and re-paint in a few months.

~ Nancy, Spokane

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Molger 2.0

Materials: For this hack you need 2 Molger shelves and 1 (or 2, I used 1) Molger benches. Saws, drill, screws, nails and "brackets".

Description: After moving we had too many Molger units, and to save space I decided to build a shelf that fit around my washer.

It would be sweet if the Molger bench and shelf could play together like Legos, but they don't. So you'll need a lot of screws and plugs. Good tools are a must (or at least makes thing a lot easier).

What I would have done different:
Make the "seat" first, I made the over washer shelf first, and it was difficult moving after.
Make the shelf in a room with a flat floor, (not the bathroom, like me).
Make more support brackets.
For a nicer finish use the remaining boards to make a "tile" like finish. It also hides inaccuracies.
Measure properly!
Allow space for the tubes on the side of the washer (also some space over he washer to avoid shaking). For me it was a tight fit.

~ Hanskro, Trondheim

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Toddler desks

Materials: Vika Amon, Molger

Description: We needed two desks for our toddler girls -- they were 2 and 4 at the time -- but no one makes anything simple at the right height. I didn't want anything with too much bulk to it.

This hack is really simple -- just use the Vika Amon top. It's $5.99, easy to clean, and cheap enough to even be disposable. Ours have been great for 2 years, the kids even climb on them.

After searching the entire web site for hours, I finally found a great option for legs -- the Molger sink base. These are typically used to support a porcelain sink. They are the right height. They were about $20 for a set of 2. I mounted them with simple wood screws. Unfortunately, Ikea no longer sells these legs. Instead they offer the Godmorgon steel post leg, which is a good alternative. These legs are $10 each, which is a little more pricey.

We added storage below with Trofast - the wall storage frame for $24.99.

The best part about these desks is that they are at a great toddler height, and they work well with the Mammut stools shown.

~ AdamB

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Tub Caddy Medicine Shelf

Materials: 2 Molger bathroom organizers, several chunks of scrap wood, measuring tape or yardstick, 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper, plexiglass, screws (molly bolts if needed), drill, hammer and a nail, screw driver, level, and adhesive rubber shelf stoppers

Description: 1. Lie the two Molgers next to one another on their long edges. You have the option of either creating shelving so that the inside "basket" of the caddy faces inward or outward. Just be sure to be consistent when drilling your holes. Using the drill, prep your Molger bath caddy by drilling two holes 8 1/8" apart on one of the long sides of the caddy. Repeat on the other caddy. I found it helpful to stuff some blocks of spare wood under the edge on which I was drilling.

2. Hold one of the Molger against the wall vertically and, using the level, mark where it will go. Don't forget to mark your hole locations on the wall! Hold the opposite Molger the desired distance away from the first marks, and mark where it will go, as well.

3. Drill holes into your wall. Insert molly bolts if they're needed.

4. Screw the screws part way through the holes in the Molgers and then line them up with the holes in your wall. Screw the Molgers into your walls. Be sure that they're facing the same direction ("basket" in or "basket" out)!

4. Once they're up, use your measuring tape or yardstick to determine how wide your plexiglass shelves will need to be and how many you'll want. You will want some of the plexiglass to stick out beyond the slats so that the shelf will stay in place. For example, from inner edge to inner edge, my Molgers are set 11 1/4" apart, but I opted for 15" shelves so that I'd have some overhang.

5. Regardless of how long you want your shelves they will need to be 4 1/2" wide. If you purchase your plexiglass at Lowes, they will cut it for you for free. Home Depot is not legally allowed to cut plexiglass anymore, but you can still purchase it there. I chose to have a Lowes employee cut it for me.

6. Once your plexiglass is cut, sand the edges with your 1000 grit wet/dry sand paper. First do it dry, then finish off with a wet sand. If your hardware store doesn't have 1000 grit, try an auto supply store (it's used for buffing headlights).

7. Slide your plexiglass shelves into the Molgers, resting them on the slats at their desired heights. You can stick the adhesive shelf stoppers to the underside of each shelf on either the interior or exterior, so long as you're consistent. This will prevent the shelves from randomly slipping out.

~ Stephanie

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Scanner cart from Molger

Materials: Molger cart, tools, "L" brackets

Description: I needed a cart for my flatbed scanner that would give adequate ventilation and a lower work surface than a standard table. The Molger cart was "almost there", with slatted shelves and locking wheels. However, the railing/handle around the top presented a problem.

I cut off the extensions that would have held the handle in place and assembled therest of the cart as per the instructions.

Then I hacked the railing to hold the scanner in place on the top shelf. I had to remove some wood from the edge to accommodate the cords. Eventually, after much trial and error, I found that old-fashioned wood chisels worked the best for getting a clean cut-out.

Finally, I fastened the railing to the top using brass L brackets.

See more of the scanner cart.

~ Fairevergreen

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MOJÖ lighting

Materials: MOLGER mirror + JANSJÖ work lamp

Description: I wanted an alternative and complement to the ceiling lights in my bathroom and powder room. Seeing how the JANSJÖ LED work lamp is assembled (the stem has 2 screws at its end to connect it to the heavy, metal base), and having installed MOLGER mirrors that have a wide, protruding wood frame, I figured I could combine the two products to create very cost-effective, functional (flexible) lighting at the sinks.


Power outlets within range are required and I recommend careful drilling of the holes into the wood. The original base of the JANSJÖ lamp can be used to mark where to drill. I preferred using the screws provided with the lamp, so I ended up drilling with two bits: the smaller one all the way through to accommodate the screws, the larger one just enough to allow the screw heads to be recessed and to reach.

(As I hinted, don't let the larger bit drill all the way through--it almost happened to me!) It is particular convenient that just enough space can be found behind the MOLGER mirrors to tuck away unneeded electrical wire length. I used 2 JANSJÖ lamps for the 100 cm MOLGER mirror and 1 lamp for the 60 cm mirror.

~ Jerome Do, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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Molger & sons

Materials: 2 x Molger shelving units, saw, hammer, drill, wood glue

Description:
1. Get two Molger shelving units.

2. Cut (saw) both according to need (I wanted to fit a tall lava lamp, so I wanted to max shelf distance).

3. Drill holes to align posts. Now, I failed getting the holes right first, however, adding extra holes and nails made alignment easy (pix).

3.5 (optional) Cut an extra piece of wood for book support. Fit between Molger posts with nails and pre-drilled holes.

4. Pre align (everything comes together at once by the end so be careful), apply glue.

When posts stand straight, hammer into place. Use spare wood to protect Molger's soft wood when hammering.

5. Done. Two Molgers turned into one extra tall and two shorter.

(a simple graphic outline is here too)

See more of the Molger & sons.

~ Jacob Stålhammar, Gothenburg, Sweden

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