Showing posts with label Shelf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shelf. Show all posts

Adding Craft Space Storage

Our combination guest room/craft space is a definite work in progress, but we're truly pleased with the changes we've made to date.

One handy addition is this white shelving unit:



It's the Kallax shelving unit from Ikea and it fits really well into this space.




Kallax from Ikea

It replaces this Leksvik bookcase (also from Ikea but no longer available) that was a little too wide.




Through the years, we've found Ikea pieces to be super sturdy and long lasting.  In fact, the Leksvik bookcase above is many years old and is still in perfect condition. 

Another positive is that Ikea items are easy to assemble - this came in very handy as I tackled this on a day hubby was out of town.

To my benefit, there was a nice booklet with illustrations for each step of the assembly, along with a bag of all hardware, wall anchoring brackets, and even an assembly tool - everything you need in one box.

 
Speaking of boxes, here's where I have to confess that the box was VERY HEAVY - it weighed 67#!  And, as fate would have it, it was still in the back of my SUV and hubby wasn't home when I decided to assemble it.

Being stubborn ... uh, rather ... being determined, I left it in the back of my vehicle, opened the box and brought the contents inside in manageable trips.  :)

That was honestly the most difficult step of the assembly - putting it together was a breeze.


Another impressive feature of the Kallax series is that the base, top and sides of the shelving unit are each approx. 1-1/2" thick.  


Before investing time in putting it together, I placed the base on the floor to ensure the size worked well and it did.


Above is a sneak peek at another new addition to the room - a DIY wood plank headboard - more on that soon!

A handy tip for using a rubber mallet is to cover the mallet head with a soft cloth (or in this case, an old sock!) to prevent damage or black marks on furniture pieces.  And you guessed  it - I learned this the hard way ... fortunately, marks were easily removed.


Following the instruction booklet, the shelving unit went together easily in about an hour.  



We really do like the crisp clean lines and it provides great options for craft storage and organizing.

Standard fabric storage cubes fit perfectly and are available at most home decor stores.  Or, Ikea offers drawer inserts and door options as well.  




Do you have any Ikea pieces in your home?  Are you as pleased with them as we are?  Have you been brave enough to attempt assembling any yourself?  :)




Your comments are greatly appreciated and I look forward to your thoughts and ideas!  I try to respond to comments via email as soon as I can. If your email address isn't available, I will comment here. Thanks so much for visiting!  



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{TUTORIAL) Wood Picket Shelf

Remember those picket scraps that were leftover from making the wood shutters?  If you missed that post, it's HERE. I used them to make a little shelf.  




Supplies used to build the shelf (click on supply item for sources and/or additional info):

~~5 dog-eared ends of picket boards
~~10" 2x4
~~Drawer knob
~~Cordless brad nailer





Additional supplies used after assembling the shelf (click on supply item for sources and/or additional info):

~~Fine sanding sponge
~~1" disposable paint brush
~~Behr Espresso Beans paint
~~Two D-ring hangers




To begin, I lightly sanded any super rough areas and attached two of the picket ends to the short ends of the 2x4 with the brad nailer.  If you don't have a brad nailer, small nails or screws will work just as well.



Then, attached the three front pickets.


Next, was to drill a hole in the center picket for the decorative drawer pull (didn't get a pic of that step).  Attached the drawer pull temporarily to be sure it was where I hoped it would be.  LOL   

If you've not yet checked out the selection of knobs and pulls at Hobby Lobby, you'll be pleasantly surprised - and, when they run their half off sales, the deals are even better.


Searched my paint/stain stash and tested the underside with Dark Walnut stain, but didn't like the look, so used Behr Espresso Beans paint instead.  After letting it dry - which didn't take long thanks to our 100+ temp days here in Texas - I installed two D-ring hangers centered on the back of the 2x4.  Reattached the drawer pull.


Just a small wall shelf that made good use of leftover pieces of picket boards.



 



An advantage to using picket fencing boards is that they're inexpensive - if you don't like your final product, you haven't made a major investment.  And if you've recently completed a fencing project, you likely have leftover pieces to reuse.

Have you used cedar picket boards for anything other than fencing?  Did you find them easy to work with?