Besta Expedit computer desk

Photo: IKEA.com

Materials: Besta, Expedit Desk, Malm Chest

Description: I was looking for a simple way to re-use an Expedit Desk and to hide the computer monitor, keyboard and mouse.

The solution was to use a Malm Chest as one of the "legs" of the desk, and a Besta Shelf Unit with sliding doors.

Simple but it works!

~ N Miguel Rodriguesm Portugal

25% A/V Storage 75% Malm

Materials: MALM 4-drawer chest, white

Description: Malm unit converted into 25% Audio/Video storage, 75% Malm drawer storage.

First, we setup the Malm unit as the directions state. We did not assemble the 4th drawer and instead left the top space open. We visited the Ikea as-is section and purchased a $1.99 as-is piece of white, laminated wood. We cut this to the width of the inside of the Malm unit.

We purchased corner braces, long hinge, magnetic strike, and white, laminate chain at our local hardware store. First, we mounted the corner braces to the inside wall both (L) and (R) side.

Next, we cut the white laminated board to size and mounted it to the angle braces. We cut 2, 6 x 6 squares out of the rear board to fit the cords of the A/V equipment.

Finally, we used the extended hinge to secure the front of the 4th drawer to the laminated white board. This created a hinged access door. Finally, we added the chain to give the door support and the magnetic striker to keep the door closed when we don't need it open for access. Enjoy :)

~ Rob Reese II, New York, NY

LEGO Dioder Lamp

Materials: Dioder LED light

Description: This is a hanging lamp containing the Dioder light system inside it. My aim was to make a hanging lamp out of LEGO pieces that I can control just like a normal lamp. As I am not an electrician, I did not wanted to cut off the cables of the lamp but to do it the most easiest way possible.

What I used:
Approx. 500 LEGO bricks
An orange textile power chord
A power plug

So my solution was developed like this:

STEP 1 - The Lamp itself
As we are talking about LEGO, you can design your lamp just the way you would like to. I wanted a lamp that fits on my eating table, so mine is of the size of 87x8x13.5cm

The only thing you should be aware of: more LEGO bricks mean more weight. Consider this as the hanging hook or whatever system you will use can handle this weight.
Enough talk: construct your lamp. If you are about to use the Dioder system that I used, please plan enough space for the long power cable and the plug. In my solution, I made a basement exactly at the middle of the lamp inside it, so that I could simple put the cable and plug on there.

STEP 2 - The ceiling power cable
TURN YOUR POWER OFF! And check twice that it really is turned off! Attach the textile chord to the power cables from the ceiling. Insert a hook in the ceiling right where you want your lamp to hang above and pull the textile cable through this hook. For safety reasons i make a knot here, just in case that the lamp might fall of for whatever reason.

Now attach the plug to the chord and insert the Dioder in it to see if it works. Hopefully it won't work, because you have not turned on your power on again! So turn your power on and if you attached it correctly then there should be light.
TURN IT OFF AGAIN - just for safety reasons.

STEP 3 - The plug in the lamp
Now put the Dioder system inside the lamp on the bricks-base you build. In my solution I built some kind of "dome" around the plug so that even these bricks can work as hanging system that does make the plug hang inside the lamp. Depending on your design you certainly will find some way to attach the plug or the chord to the bricks.

At the moment I do not own black LEGO plates, but started collecting them so that I can close the upper part of the lamp with them.

See more of the LEGO Dioder lamp.

~ Carlos Pinto, Hamburg, Germany

Numerar standing desk

Materials: NUMERAR/VIKA BYSKE LEGS

Description: Looking to transition to a standing only setup, I purchased two NUMERAR counter tops (double sided). They were 73 inches wide, with silver trim.

They are extremely HEAVY. Then I purchased 5 BYSKE legs for each .. and Capita brackets with the LACKY top.

~ Eric, Baltimore

Awesome Vintage Hemnes

Materials: Ikea fabric, Hemnes, paint, vintage brass handles, spray glue

Description: Long time ago, I painted my Hemnes. But it looked a bit like a lego-toy, like plastic. I bought a can of spray glue, some Ikea fabric, and I stuck them to the dresser. I think it looks good.

~ Anna, Germany

$30 DIY Tripod Laptop Stand

Materials: BRADA Laptop support, 3"x1" Wood slat, you need around 6 inches for length, 1/2" x 4" Bolt, with 2 washers and 2 nuts, 2x 1/4" x 2" Bolts, with 2 washers and 1 nut per bolt, Super Clamp, Drill, Saw, Drill bits

Description: Photographers will love this. This is a hack to attach a laptop stand to your tripod so you can shoot on the fly. The back of the Brada laptop stand is reinforced with a strip of wooden slat and bolted securely.

The center bolt has to bear the weight of your laptop and probably the only thing stopping your laptop from turning into a pile of broken glass. The bolt is then "Super Clamped" onto the tripod.

See more of the tripod Laptop stand.

~ Jerrit Pruyn - Fstoppers, NYC

Vintage Spontan memo board

Materials: SPONTAN memo board, old sheet music book, wallpaper paste, brush

Description: First you tear out six pages of the music book to cover your memo board. Use old sheet music, because it has yellowed paper and gives your memo board a vintage look. Glue the pages one by one on the board and don't forget to cover the sides as well. It doesn't have to be perfect, it's just to make sure all the gray is gone.


After that, you tear up the remaining pages into small pieces. Use different sizes and shapes.

After you've produced a big pile of pieces it's time to glue. Use as many pieces as you like and continue until you're satisfied. After you've glued a piece on the board use the brush to add another glue layer on top.

When you're satisfied you add another glue layer on top. That way there won't be any loose spots and you make sure every pieces stays where it belongs. Now it's time to let it dry.

When the glue has dried your music notes memo board is finished!

See more of the DIY Vintage memo board.

~ Imkeliene, Netherlands