We’ve stumbled upon a project that merges the best of both worlds: a functional greenhouse and a pretty stained-glass art piece for your home. Rachael of Entertain The Idea has transformed the popular IKEA ÅKERBÄR tabletop greenhouse into a stunning stained glass art piece.
Her inspiration? The Acotar book series. “I was very inspired by the way the Spring Court and Tamlin’s palace were described in the first book. And I wanted to channel the very cottage-core vibes of the Spring Court into a piece of home decor,” she says.
Book fan or not, this project is perfect for anyone who wants to add a touch of whimsy and artistry to their home decor. The best part? It’s surprisingly easy to achieve, provided you have steady hands and oodles of patience.
A DIY IKEA Stained Glass Greenhouse
First things first, you’ll need to get an IKEA ÅKERBÄR Greenhouse. She used the smaller (17 3/4″) version.
Then, save the free PDF templates that Rachael has generously provided to your computer. These templates act as your blueprint for the stained glass design. Once downloaded, print them out on 8.5” x 11” size paper, set to 100% scale.
Next, carefully tape them to the outside of each individual panel of the greenhouse after removing the protective film on each panel. With the template in place, it’s time to unleash your inner artist.
Trace with Precision
Flip the greenhouse panels over and grab your glass paint. Start with liquid leading, gently squeezing the tube to outline the entire template. Let the lead lines, which will act as a barrier preventing the colored paints from bleeding together, dry completely (overnight) before moving on.
Fill with Color
Now comes the fun part: filling in the design. Using a variety of glass paint colors, meticulously fill in the outlined sections. A toothpick or cotton swab comes in handy here for those inevitable mistakes and to clean up misshapen lines.
The Finishing Touches
For that extra stained-glass look, use clear gallery glass paint to fill in any blank areas you want to remain transparent. Use a toothpick or Popsicle stick to coax the paint into corners and eliminate any air bubbles. Otherwise, the paint will dry with air bubbles showing.
Don’t be alarmed by the initial white color – this paint dries crystal clear with a subtle wave-like texture. While it dries to the touch in about 8 hours, it takes a full 7 days to fully cure, at which point it will achieve its maximum clarity.
Repeat this process on all the greenhouse panels. Once everything is completely dry, assemble the greenhouse according to the IKEA instructions, and voilà! Your very own stained glass greenhouse is complete.
IKEA Stained Glass Greenhouse Display
Fill your creation with small potted plants or a charming little herb garden for a functional and decorative touch in the kitchen.
“You can totally still use this as a greenhouse if you would like! Fill it with plants or even a cute little herb garden in your kitchen. Or store all your faux plants, if you’re anything like me, no judgment,” quips Rachael. “Or simply display this as a lovely piece of home decor.”
Patience is Key
Rachael warns the painting process is a bit slow. The entire project took her two weeks to complete, but according to her, it was absolutely worth the effort. And we totally agree.
So grab your paintbrushes, unleash your creativity, and transform your plain IKEA greenhouse into a stained-glass cottage-core beauty.
Follow Rachael on Instagram @entertainidea for all things crafty, DIY, and home decorating.
Greenhouse Genius: Unexpected IKEA Hacks
Before IKEA’s current ÅKERBÄR greenhouse model, plant lovers went wild for the now-discontinued SOCKER style. This petite indoor greenhouse was equally ideal for creative DIY makeovers and inspired some genius transformations. From our archives, here are a few of the cleverest SOCKER hacks that still spark ideas today:
IKEA Greenhouse For Bedside Storage
With just a few simple tweaks, the IKEA SOCKER greenhouse was reimagined into a one-of-a-kind nightstand that brought a charming touch of whimsy into the bedroom. Read more on the SOCKER greenhouse nightstand hack.
Greenhouse to Dollhouse
With a bit of creativity and some tiny IKEA furniture pieces (HUSET), the SOCKER greenhouse was reborn as a dollhouse for pint-sized playrooms. Learn more about the Greenhouse to Dollhouse.
IKEA Greenhouse Bird Feeder
IKEA’s SOCKER greenhouse was perfect as a window bird feeder. It was a 10-minute DIY from start to finish, $20 overall cost. All the tools needed for this project are a drill, a few screws, and some water-proof sealant. Read more on the IKEA Greenhouse Bird Feeder.