Inside: Ikea coffee table hack that costs $50 & will save you hundreds of dollars
Okay, I don’t know about you…but I love a good bargain. So much so that I am actually pretty well known by the staff at my local thrift store. That should give me enough street credit enough to tell you about my new favorite ikea hack.
If you have been in need of a new coffee table but don’t have hundreds if not THOUSANDS to spend on one, then you are in the right place.
This week I tried the Ikea coffee table hack, and the end result is beautiful. The look this coffee table has is simple and unique at the same time. It’s modern, and I think it will go wonderfully in your living room.
So let’s get into this! There are so many things to do in the next 2 hours or so(that is how long it will probably take for you to create it).
Table of Contents
Ikea Coffee Table Hack
For this hack, you are going to need to spend very little money. I spent around $50 in total, so just know that you are going to be able to swing this, even if you have rent coming up. Before I jump into the step-by-step, I wanted to show you the coffee table that this hack will be similar too. I originally saw this hack on TikTok, so I will be linking to that video as well.
- Coffee Table Dupe – This coffee table is absolutely beautiful, it’s made of solid marble. I think this is true craftsmanship, and one day I would like to buy something like this. But for now, this is what I can do!
- Coffee Table Example – Here is another table that looks similar to the one we are making today.
- TikTok Video – Here is a video of the hack that we will be working on.
Now that you know what your coffee table will look like when you are done with it, I think we can confidently get started. Remember to take your time and try and have fun with it. Think of this like a crafting session. Put on a podcast or some music, have a nice little drink, and enjoy yourself. I am going to show you how to make Ikea look expensive.
Ikea Coffee Table Hack – Supplies
- Ikea Coffee Table Top
- EKET Cube
- Wood Glue
- Paint of Choice
Step One: Build EKET Cube
Just like the video from above, we are first going to build the EKET cube. These cubes are super sturdy and super cheap, which is super good for us. This is why this product was chosen for this project. It checks off all of the boxes! Get it…because it’s a box…okay I’m sorry. That pun was uncalled for.
To build this box, you simply have to follow the instructions that came with it. This is not necessarily my time to shine. That comes later, when there isn’t a literal printout of instructions. So put that little box together and then we can get started.
Step Two: Add Wood Glue
The cool thing about this is that the only thing you have to really build is that little cube. The table top is just one piece, and you don’t have to screw the pieces together for it to work. You just have to add glue!
Now that you have your little cube, you are going to glue it to the center of your tabletop. To do this, ad a hefty amount of the good quality wood glue I included in the supply list all around one side of the cube. You will then very carefully place it in the center of your table.
I would recommend measuring out where exactly you want to put it on the table because if it’s not in the center the whole table could be off balance. Park your spot with a pencil, don’t worry…it will be covered.
Once you place your cube, make sure you add a bunch of heavy-weighted items to help weigh it down more. Otherwise, you risk it not sticking very well, and that would not be a good thing.
Step Three: Paint Your Table
If you desire to do so, the next step of this tutorial is to paint your table. I did not factor paint into the budget for this, because it is not mandatory to make the table. So keep in mind that it may not fit your budget at the moment.
After the glue is finished drying, you are going to want to sand your table all over. This will allow your pain to stick to the surface much better than if you went on when it was smooth. Trust me, I know from experience. I once tried to paint a smooth and glossy cube organizer, the end result looked like that horrendous crackle nail polish that was popular back in the early 2010s.
So now I know better. I would also recommend using a good primer. You are going to be setting a lot of cups on this coffee table, so it needs to be strong. The girl in the TikTok tutorial actually used textured paint to create a cement slab looks with her table. That is pretty cool, right?
If you decide not to go that route, you can paint your table after you have sanded the entire surface. I would recommend for you do a couple of different coats.
Step Four: Add Top Coat
I did not see the woman in the video add a topcoat, so I want to recommend that you do that. Otherwise, you run the risk of your paint peeling or being scratched off. The primer will act as a glossy and protective shield. So it’s well worth the extra dry time that you have to wait.
I think that just about covers it. I hope you loved this idea coffee table hack. It’s not only super cute, but it’s easy on your wallets as well. That can be one of the most important things when you are young. Personally, having a cute house has always been really important to me. I like to create a space that I enjoy being in.
But that can be hard when you are living alone on one income, so instead of dropping hundreds or thousands on simple furniture, you can simply create something with a hack like this. The tables I showed in the beginning as examples were thousands of dollars each. The shape of this table isn’t much different. Is that so cool?
Maybe one day you’ll be able to get the solid marble coffee table, maybe when you are able to you won’t even want to waste the money on it because you know you’ll be able to create one yourself. Who knows. If you want to have some more fun with ikea hacks, check this out.
