My hidden spice rack hack/kitchen fan

Materials: RATIONELL 60cm kitchen drawer + VINDRUM kitchen fan.

Description: When I were about to put up my kitchen fan in the corner of the kitchen, I soon discovered I needed a corner cabinet to mount it on, I began to build a custom made cabinet, just to hang the kitchen fan on. But I realized there were lots of space going to waste inside this "come to be, empty cabinet" And as it would be hanging a kitchen fan on the front of the cabinet, no door could be fitted to get access to it's inside. I didn't want one of those pull-out-under-the-cabinet-kitchen-fans as I wanted a retro feeling to the kitchen.

I then came up with my idea of hiding a spice rack inside the cabinet, a pull down spice rack to be precise. I rushed away to IKEA and got myself a standard kitchen drawer of 60cm width. Then my scheme of how to mount this began, I began drawing mechanisms of how it could be stowed away and still hold up a load of spice cans and bottles. I turned my head inside out and back again for about a week, then I finally got it!

Like an Eureka moment!

I got this old non working Honda civic hatchback in my yard, I ran out to it and dismounted the gas springs that held the rear window open to get access to the trunk, then I mounted the spring ends on the backside of the drawer in an A-shape and mounted the spring heads in the cabinet, in that way when pulling down the drawer the springs get compressed and line up horizontal behind the drawer.

This makes the drawer stay down and makes the springs push up once you push the drawer upwards and hold it up once fully closed, if the springs have the right pressure that is, mine needed 11kg of thrust to push them in individually. So theoretically it could hold up 22kg.

I've been using my hidden spice rack for about five years with not a single malfunction. It's a reliable construction.

Unfortunately I can't show the backside of the drawer and its construction, as it involves a major disassembly which I'm not willing to do. The ropes I added for looks, I've always loved mechanical things.
So it's optional if you want them or not.

~ Robin Dahl, Sweden

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Boots? Not more between the feet!! Wall-Mounted boots holder from a Pot Lid organizer

Materials: RATIONELL VARIERA pot lid organizer, PROJS desk pad, hollow wall anchor L-hook set

Description: I wanted a space-saving way to store a few of my wife's boots, always between the feet.
I went to the IKEA website and found the RATIONELL VARIERA pot lid organizer.

I adjusted the RATIONELL VARIERA to the length I needed so it would work for my wife's boots. I bought a desk pad, clear, to protect the white wall and then, I attached it to the wall with some drywall hooks into my closet. Now I have a clean, safe and easy (to store) boots holder. So inexpensive. My wife is now out shopping ..... other boots!?!

~ Giovanni Farfaglia, Rome, Italy

Edited: March 13, 2013

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Create your own MALM Occasional Table without MALM

Materials: Rationell boards, EKBY Shelves

Description: I like to do a lot of my work on my super comfy queen size bed, on top of the fact that due to lack of space I don't have a work desk in my room.

So when I saw the MALM Occasional Table at a friend's place last year, I immediately sent a silent prayer of blessing to the creative minds at IKEA. They understood me.

But then, with a price tag of $150 in Singapore, I had some hesitations, naturally. Plus, it looks pretty simple, so I have been toying with the idea of building my own for some time now. Here's a short step by step:

Bought 4 Rationell planks (22 inches each) from IKEA AS IS...this was a great place to find boards of all shapes and sizes!
Bought 2 EKBY shelves (32 inches in height) as the side legs
Bought a set of 4 castor wheels, also from IKEA
Hardware store supplies:

- L-stainless steel brackets x 4 to join legs to top desk and screws to fit
- straight brackets to reinforce the 3 Rationells together and screws to fit
- 40 inches wood slats to reinforce the Rationell and long long wood nails
- GOOP Wood Glue

Tools:
- Hammer
- Drill with drill bit to match the screw sizes (easy alternative if you dont have drill bits is to match the screws you get to the drill bit you have) A drill is a must though
- Electric screwdriver (also from IKEA) and this was pretty necessary because you cannot manually screw in screws as the table will get pretty heavy and needs the sturdiness that comes from tools

First I took my measurements and made sure the end product would fit around my bed.

I then worked on reinforcing the Rationell. My rookie mistake was that I thought the steel brackets in themselves would be good enough. Lo and behold it all collapsed and I had to rush back to the store to get the wood supports. I then used the brackets, the wood and the wood glue to make sure the desk stuck together as one long piece

I drilled holes first into the bottom of the EKBY shelves (for castor wheels)

Then, with the desktop lying upside down, I drilled holes for the L-brackets and screwed the EKBY to the Rationell, supported by wood glue. I then attached the castor wheels (also added some wood glue here for good measure)

The final step was turning the table right side up, which was quite a task and I do not recommend doing it alone. After that I let it stand against the wall for a whole day to let the wood glue set, and tada!

So far its pretty sturdy, though it wobbles a little but its holding all the weight just fine. I think the wobbling is because of its width, which is about 66 inches from corner to corner.

For more pictures, just visit my blog.

~ Eesha Muneeb, Singapore

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Customized Glass Backsplash

Materials: RATIONELL Glass Shelves

Description: I wanted to share this hack with you because the first question people who come in my kitchen ask me is: it is you who made the backsplash? But how did you do?

When I moved there three years ago I absolutely wanted glass splashbacks for my kitchen for ease of cleaning and modern style. Unfortunately the glass backsplashs were expensive, especially customized. The ones I found at an affordable price were uninteresting as I also wanted something unique and original.

So I thought about using Rationell glass shelves because they are made of tempered glass, they're transparent and they have a low price. For the original and unique side and to customize them I chose an embossed wallpaper. For a beautiful rendering and to give the impression that the embossed wallpaper is part of the glass it was absolutely necessary that the Rationell shelves are well affixed against the wall, that there is no space.

To do this, I simply used eleven Rationell glass shelves for 80cm wide wall cabinets. I first put my wallpaper on the entire length of the wall where I had to then put the glass shelves. To fix them, I made a notch all along the back of the lower part of the wall cabinets to slip into the glass shelves. So these are the wall cabinets that hold the Rationell glass shelves leaning against the wall.

For the bottom, as you can see on the picture below I put a slotted wood over the entire length of the wall to hold the glass. The shelves are simply laid on it for they don't fall.

I also put some glue to hold better the glass and in order to avoid that there is a space between the backsplash and the wall. Finally the base cabinets maintain once and for all the glasses.

I made the backsplash 3 years ago. I use to cook a lot and as you can see they are in perfect condition, so I can say that they last in time and of course they're water resistant.

You can obviously adjust the number and size of shelves according to the space you need to cover. The best is to use an embossed wallpaper to have the impression that the pattern is "inlaid" in the glass.

I did my best to translate the description but do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions ... You can also visit my blog.

~ Nadia, Paris, FRANCE

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Shadowbox Trinket Display

Materials: Rationell Drawer Organizer

Description: I wanted to display my small Dia de Los Muertos ornaments with more of a back drop and I found the Rationell brand new at a thrift store...so I came up with a plan.

Need:
- Picture hanger
- Spray paint (your choice) ...white was in my garage.
- hot glue gun
- exacto knife or scissors
- double-sided scotch tape
- Your favorite digital photos + glossy photo printer paper
- Any small collectibles

1. Nail the picture hanger on the back first

2. Paint the entire organizer a color or stain of your choice. It was maple and that would work too if you like it.



3. Plan out your themes for each "box".

4. Print photos on 8.5 x 11 glossy paper. Portrait orientation. Higher resolution always look best.

5. Measure the box inside, cut print to fit. (Note, the inside dimension is slightly smaller than the front of the boxes due to an angle on the entire frame.)

6. Apply a little scotch tape to back of the print and insert. This way it won't slip around.

7. Now, place your collectibles however you'd like. Use a little hot glue to hold them securely in place if you can.

You can also insert little hooks and hang the items inside with wire or string. I hot-glued some items to a small piece of balsa wood to make it stand off from the back to give it 3-dimension.

Ideas are endless! You can cut branches, add rocks or moss or even air plants to create mini scenes or a wall of your interests.

~ Marlene, Oakland, CA

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Ikea retro gaming console

Photo: IKEA.com

Materials: Rationell Variera

Description: I was planning to put my retro gaming console in a pleasant enclosure, that was compact and comfortable enough to be used with ease. My console is based on Hackvision, a retro gaming platform based on the super famous Arduino.

I went to the Ikea store and eventually discovered the Rationell Variera box (24x17cm). It is really nice to be handled and beautiful in white gloss.

I've bought a retro gaming joystick and three retro gaming push buttons, too (one of them is lit up by an internal LED - I'll use it as a power-on indicator). Two linear potentiometers (10K) with knob complete the hardware needed to interact with this retro gaming consolle.

More info here.

~ John_J

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Slick & Modern Wall-Mounted Shoe Tree - from a Pot Lid Holder

Materials: RATIONELL VARIERA pot lid organizer

Description: I wanted a space-saving way to store a few of my sneakers. I was coveting one of the many modern solutions that are available, but alas, I was troubled by the high prices!

I scoured the IKEA website to find a hackable product -- and lo! -- I found RATIONELL VARIERA pot lid organizer. The light bulb went off in my head!

The RATIONELL VARIERA pot lid organizer is fully adjustable, so I simply made it the length I needed so it would work for my shoes. Then, I attached it to the wall with a drywall hook and VOILA! I had a modern (and very slick, if I do say so myself) shoe tree for my colourful sneakers. Easy peasy and oh-so inexpensive.

~ Raj Pabari, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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No more burns from hot lids

Materials: RATIONELL VARIERA Pot lid organizer (2x for $4.99), hacksaw, sandpaper

Description: Once bought this thing called RATIONELL VARIERA Pot lid organizer

It was hanging around the stove in the kitchen for some time. One moment I tried to use it as a temporary holder for hot lids during cooking. It was much more convenient to have this instead of placing lids directly on kitchen table.

As lid is placed horizontally on the holder there is no more dipping from the lid. And what is most important there is no bare hand contact with hot part of the lid as one keeps holding it by the handle all time.

For efficiency I cut one into two to use them on both sides of the stove.

~ Andrey

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