You’d Never Guess This Chic Console Is Actually a Kids’ Desk

You know the drill: kids come with crayons, construction paper, and about a million tiny plastic things that multiply overnight. Before you know it, your living room looks like a craft store exploded.

That’s exactly the situation stylist Rachel (@rachelstyliste) wanted to get under control — without sacrificing style.

When she spotted a $46 IKEA TROFAST in the as-is section, she saw potential for something more. A little creative thinking later, she turned it into a chic, mobile desk that hides the clutter and looks good doing it.

Creating a Kids Desk + Sofa Console Table From the IKEA TROFAST Unit

What You’ll Need

• 1 IKEA TROFAST storage unit with bins  (39” x 17 ⅜” x 22”)
• Transparent casters
• 3 pine boards/shelves
• Varnish
• Low VOC spray paint
• Paint and primer
• Sander or sandpaper
• 4 Hinges
• Small brackets (optional)
• Basics — saw, tape measure, pencil, drill, screw gun

1. Prep the TROFAST and Add Wheels

If you find your TROFAST second-hand, you’re ready to go, but if not, you need to assemble it according to IKEA’s instructions. Lightly sand the TROFAST, prime, and paint.

Add the casters to the bottom of the unit. Use transparent casters that swivel 360 degrees to make it easy to move the desk into position wherever you want. If you want the desk to stay put once in place, look for casters with brakes.

2. Create the Wood Surround and Doors

Cut a pine board to create the two sides of the desk. They should match the TROFAST’s sides. (You’ll use the rest of this board to make the doors.)

One of the pine boards becomes the new top, which extends past the length of the TROFAST to create a desk. Use something with a curve to trace out the edge of your desk top. Rachel used the base of a chair to make her curve.

To make the doors, cut pine boards to size, allowing a little extra length if you plan to add a decorative feature. For example, Rachel added a sophisticated wavy edge to her doors.

Stain all of the pieces with the varnish color of your choice using a soft cloth. The final pine board is for the back of the unit and should extend to match the length of the top.

3. Attach Everything to the TROFAST

Use a heavy-duty adhesive to attach the sides, back, and top pieces. Reinforce them with screws if needed (from inside the TROFAST to avoid screw holes).

To attach the desktop to the back, use small brackets if you feel you need extra stability. Use a rotary bit to make hinge holes in the doors and install them onto the front of the TROFAST.

4. Paint the Bins

Use a low-VOC spray paint on the plastic bins. Also, make sure to use a paint that adheres to multiple surfaces so it doesn’t peel or chip off the plastic.

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A post shared by Rachel Styliste mode & deco (@rachelstyliste)

Tips and Tricks for this Kids’ Desk/ Sofa Console Table Hack

You could likely cut the cost of this piece down a bit if you can find a TROFAST secondhand and already have some basic supplies from other projects. For example, many hackers often have extra primer, paint, screws, etc., leftover from other DIYs.

However, even if you have to get everything new, you can still create a custom, upscale-looking piece for under $300, which is really great. Here’s a rough breakdown of the budget.

Price for this Hack:

• TROFAST (secondhand!): $46
• Pine Boards: $67 (for three)
• Casters: $15
• Hinges: $20
• Paint: Approximately $50
• Miscellaneous supplies: $10

Total: $208 ($257 if you buy the TROFAST and bins new)

Things to Think About

Take your time to get the measurements just right, especially when it comes to adding the curved edges on the doors. You know what the popular DIY advice is — measure twice, cut once!

Painting the bins — This was one point that several commenters expressed concern with, since the bins were holding toys and other items for kids. They were worried about safety and toxicity. 

Rachel said she used a paint that was highly rated for safety and contained very few VOCs. However, if you’re concerned, you could opt for the plain white bins (or one of the other colors) IKEA offers and avoid painting altogether.

Another option is to keep the bins unpainted and add a decorative label to the front. Or get specially designed bin wraps like these to achieve a more custom touch.

If you decide to spray paint, make sure to do so outside where you have good ventilation. Allow the bins to remain outside and dry for a couple of days before putting them in the TROFAST to reduce strong odors.

Watch the hack, and follow Rachel @rachelstyliste to see more beautiful transformations and dreamy DIYs!

Share your hack with us for a chance to show off your favorite IKEA makeover on the site!

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