The IKEA step stool, the little thing called the BEKVÄM, is as typical as IKEA goes.
Functional. Plain. Solidly designed.
Qualities which make it an all-round hacker favorite. I’ve seen it painted, washi-taped and sawn apart.
For today’s post, we’ll take a look at how the IKEA step stool occupies a special place for kids.
The step stool for the toddler’s day
“I eat, I draw, I browse!”
You don’t even need to hack anything. The IKEA BEKVÄM step stool comes just right as a portable all-in-one table and chair set for a toddler. Ready for your toddler to buckle down to some serious work? Freckleschick’s daughter (pic above) checking on the latest stock movements.
Apartment Therapy showcases two other versions of the IKEA BEKVÄM step stool – one for snack time and the other for art.
See it on Freckleschick and Apartment Therapy.
“I cook just like Mama and Papa”
Move over DUKTIG, the BEKVÄM is far more flexible as a play kitchen. You can add modules to it and when the kid outgrows the kitchen, the BEKVÄM can transform back into a step stool or another cooler incarnation like … an iPad stand. See this tutorial for the BEKVÄM mini play kitchen.
“I go up, up, up!”
Kids must hate having everything above their eye level. In their little brains, they must be constantly thinking, “How do I get in on the action? How can I see what’s Mama’s doing?” Which is probably why they climb everything.
Make it easier for the nosy one with a learning tower. The purpose of learning towers is to bring toddlers to countertop height so they can see what’s going on.
Satisfy their curiosity and let them learn in the process. Click here for the complete tutorial on making a learning tower. Another version of the Learning Tower here.
“Sit down for 0.38 seconds”
After all that running around, your toddler’s got to have a place to rest their behinds, however briefly. Build a seat and armrests on top of the top step of the BEKVÄM and you get a perfectly sized children’s chair.
Let them have a seat at the table when you write or craft or dine. DIY tutorial here. Or click this if you prefer a Stokke Tripp Trapp styled bucket seat.
“I brush, I wash”
When kids need to reach the bathroom sink, a naked step stool may not be secure enough. Give them handles to hold on to when stepping up, getting down and when they are perched at the top, brushing their set of enamels. See how it’s done here and here.
How have you used the IKEA BEKVÄM step stool for your child?
Drop us a comment and let us know.
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Jules is the author of IKEAHackers.net: 25 Biggest and Best Projects".
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