A neglected corner of the bedroom finally gets cleaned up with a simple DIY. Anna Erika took to her Instagram account @annaerikadesign to reveal her latest project, a clever IKEA hack that combines two readily available IKEA items into a stylish, floating bedside shelf.
Erika’s project began with a simple desire: to craft a unique nightstand that would not only serve as a practical bedside table but also “get rid of the chaos next to her bed,” she says.
For this project, she picked up two IKEA KNUFF magazine files and an RÖDEBY armrest tray and merged them into something new and exciting.
Materials:
- 2 KNUFF magazine files
- RÖDEBY armrest tray
- Wood stain (dark oak)
- Glue
- Drill for wall mounting
- Wall hanging plates (optional for added stability)
How To Hack A Small Floating Bedside Shelf
Assemble the base: Glue the two KNUFF magazine files together, side by side, to create a two-tier shelf. This creates a handy shelf for your bedside essentials.
Stain for style: Apply a coat of wood stain in your desired color. Dark oak, as used by Erika, adds a modern touch.
Craft the shelf: Cut a small piece from the RÖDEBY armrest tray and glue it onto the smaller section of the combined magazine files. This step is optional, but it makes the shelf look a lot more finished. Other than the armrest tray, you can use cheaper options like wood slats or paint stirrers to finish the side with the holes.
The total cost of this transformation was a mere 260 kr (approximately $24), making it an affordable yet stylish addition to her home. Moreover, the entire project, including the trips back and forth to IKEA, took only about 2 hours.
Reflecting on the process, Erika says, “I made it really fast, so I wasn’t thinking about how to hang the shelf to the wall. Luckily, the KNUFF already has a hole at the back. I had to drill one more to make it more stable. In hindsight, I should have bought wall hanger plates, which would have made the wall-mounting process easier and more stable.”
Head over to Erika’s Instagram for more DIY inspiration, and don’t forget to share your own IKEA hacks with us.
Other ways to further customize the floating bedside shelf
- Instead of the RÖDEBY armrest tray, use a pegboard to maximize storage on the floating nightstand. Use hooks on the pegboard to hang charging cables or headphones off the side of the bedside shelf.
- Why stop at two? Add another magazine file to the hack and make it a 3-tier shelf.
- If you wish not to drill holes into the wall, add legs under the magazine file and turn it into a cute bedside table.
- This floating bedside table hack is great for a small bedroom but also works in the kitchen and entryway.
- Like this? Get inspired by more IKEA Nightstand hacks.