How to Hack the KALLAX Into a Stylish Lift-Top Coffee Table

Multifunctional furniture is a lifesaver for small spaces. And with a little IKEA hacking, even the simplest shelf can become the hardest-working piece in your living room.

Eli and Santi @my magical refuge upgraded a basic IKEA KALLAX unit into a sophisticated and stylish coffee table, complete with hidden storage and a lift-top table. This custom creation does much more than just provide a place to stash the remote.

A little elbow grease and a lot of imagination go a long way. Now, this reimagined KALLAX is a place to tuck items out of sight, prop up your feet, or make it easy to eat dinner while you’re binging your favorite shows. Doesn’t that sound nice?

Turn Your KALLAX Into a Lift-Top Coffee Table

What You’ll Need

1 IKEA KALLAX (30⅛” x 30⅛”)
Wooden slats
Glue
Paintable sealant or caulk
Sander
Paint and primer
Pine board (for top)
Wood stain
Plywood for the bottom
Hammer and nails
Hinges
Lift mechanism for the table top
Basics — Hand saw, tape measure, pencil, drill, screw gun

1. Assemble and Clean the KALLAX unit

Put together the KALLAX according to IKEA instructions if you’re buying new. But check out places like Facebook marketplace or even your local IKEA’s as-is section first to score a great deal. Clean the piece really well and let it dry before attaching the trim.

2. Add Trim to KALLAX shelving

Measure and cut wooden slats to size to fit the edges of the KALLAX. The added trim gives the piece a bit more character and more of a customized look. Fill all of the gaps with a paintable caulk or sealant.

3. Prep, Prime, and Paint KALLAX unit

Sand everything lightly and wipe away all of the dust. Apply primer, let it dry, then add paint. The hacker advises using smooth, even strokes to get a nice, clean finish.

4. Prepare Bottom and Top Panels

Attach plywood to the bottom with nails. Cut the pine board in two, or get it cut at the home improvement store. Make sure to make them larger than the KALLAX so they overhang the sides.

5. Install the Lift-top Mechanism

Stain the pine boards with the color of your choice. Attach one board with regular hinges (in the middle of the KALLAX) to cover half of the KALLAX unit.

Attach the other with the lift mechanism; this will be your liftable table side. Install the lift mechanism according to the instructions that come with it.

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Breaking Down the Budget

Cost of this hack:

KALLAX (if buying new) — $44.99
Three long slats (to cut to size) — $10
Pine board — $24
Plywood — $12
Hinges/Lift mechanism — $20 (found on Amazon)
Paint and Primer — approx. $40 (the hacker already had some leftover from other projects)
Miscellaneous supplies – $20

Total: Roughly $171

Make A Lift-Top Coffee Table for Less

Depending on your perspective, $171 might seem pricey for a DIY. However, if you do a lot of projects, the odds are good that you have some of these things already, like primer, caulk, and nails. You could also likely find a used KALLAX; it’s a popular IKEA piece, and save some money that way.

Some commenters repeated that it seemed to be more cost-effective to just buy a new table instead of spending the time to make this. Technically, they’re not wrong.

I saw some similar pieces on Amazon for about $140 to $200. Of course, if you already have supplies and can score a KALLAX for about $15, you could make it for a lot less.

Either way you look at it, I think the finished product looks really good, and the stained top and trimmed-out edges give it a more substantial, high-end look. Plus, as one commenter mentioned, there’s added value in doing something yourself.

You get a sense of accomplishment and bragging rights to go along with your new piece of furniture. And that is often priceless.