Chic Corner Dining Bench With Storage You Won’t Believe Is IKEA
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Looking to elevate your home décor without breaking the bank? Say no more. @inside_hannahs_home just dropped a brilliant IKEA hack that’s stylish and functional. It’s not easy to replicate, but it can be done with the right tools and some DIY skills.
Hannah transformed three KALLAX units into a chic corner dining bench, maximizing both style and storage in one fell swoop. Here’s how she did it, step by step:
How To Build A Dining Bench With Storage
Step 1: Start With A Wooden Base
Hannah began by building a sturdy wooden base to raise the KALLAX (15 3/8″) to a perfect seating level. Regular bench heights are around 18–20 inches. The base ensures that the structure is high enough for dining use. Although it’s not shown in her reel, I would recommend adding a plywood or MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard) board on top of the wooden base. This addition would serve as the bottom of the KALLAX units, preventing storage items from falling through to the base.
Step 2: Assemble The IKEA KALLAX Shelving Units
Next, she put together three KALLAX units according to IKEA instructions. Then, Hannah placed them on top of the wooden base, with the cubes facing up.
Step 3: Secure the Units for Stability
To ensure the bench doesn’t wobble, Hannah attached the KALLAX units to the walls and each other.
Step 4: Scribe the Back Edge of the MDF
Hannah scribed the back edge of the MDF to achieve a seamless built-in fit against the wall. This technique involves marking and trimming the MDF to match the contours of the wall, creating a seamless look.
Step 5: Cut Out the Curved End on MDF
Here’s where the magic happened. Hannah designed and cut out curved shapes on the MDF panels for the open end of the bench and the corner where the two KALLAX units meet. IMHO, these curves truly distinguish Hannah’s project from a regular KALLAX bench hack.
Step 6: Create Supports for Curved Corners
They then made supports for the curved corner and secured them to the end of the KALLAX units.
Step 7: Trim and Sand All MDF Panels
Finally, Hannah trimmed and sanded all MDF panels for a smooth finish. In the comments, she mentions that the MDF tops are hinged to the KALLAX, which means you can lift the top up to store things inside the KALLAX. She says, “It’s just a little awkward as you have to remove the cushions, and the table is in the way too, but it’s there if you want it.”
Step 8: Finish With Pole Wrap
They cut Pole Wrap to fit the entire length of the bench seat, including the curves. Before gluing them on, they treated the panels to a whitewash. “We just used watered-down white paint to whitewash, which helped take the orange tinge away,” she explained. The pieces were then trimmed and glued onto the sides of the KALLAX units, seamlessly merging them with the MDF sides and bottom to create the look of a built-in dining bench.
More Inspiration: 20 IKEA KALLAX hacks to try this year
Step 9: Make A Cushion Seat
For the finishing touch, Hannah created two cushion seats, one straight and one L-shaped, to cover the entire banquette. She trimmed the foam to size, using the bench as a guide. The foam was adhered to an MDF board, and the fabric was stapled into place and pulled taut to ensure a smooth, professional finish.
Lay the cushions on the bench seat, and there you have it: a chic dining bench with storage.
A Functional, Stylish Storage Bench For The Dining Space
We love the hack’s dual functionality. Not only does it provide seating, but it also incorporates ample storage space beneath the bench. Whether you need a spot to stash books, seasonal items, or miscellaneous things that never seem to find a home, the KALLAX storage beneath has got you covered.
Why We Love This KALLAX Hack
- Versatility: Hannah placed the cubes facing up, but if you flip the KALLAX units on their side, you can use IKEA’s KALLAX inserts and baskets, making it easy to tailor the bench to your specific storage needs.
- On-trend Curves: The addition of curved MDF panels and a smooth finish elevates the bench from a simple storage solution to a stylish piece of furniture that will make your guests take a second look
- DIY Storage Bench: This project may not be the easiest, but it’s definitely doable if you follow the steps carefully. The most challenging parts are probably the curved edges, which can be omitted if you’re just starting out with IKEA hacking.
- Space-Saving: Perfect for small spaces, this bench maximizes functionality without compromising on style. It’s ideal for entryways, living rooms, or even bedrooms.
For more brilliant ideas and endless inspiration, make sure to follow Hannah on Instagram at @inside_hannahs_home. Share your project with us and be featured on IKEAhackers.
Happy hacking!
This post originally appeared on IKEA Hackers.
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