Wednesday 21 March 2012

Ikea Hack - Laptop table

Here's what I've been working on:






When hubs and I had kids we knew that we would no longer be able to have an office. So we sold our PC and bought a laptop and a laptop table (aka "Dave") from Ikea.

"Dave" (which is the actual name in the shop) was fine for a while, but after a few crafting sessions he wasn't looking quite so slick...



(Sorry hubs) So I gathered a few supplies:




A sample of wallpaper (mine's from Wilkos)
A craft knife
A foam brush
Mod Podge, as you can see I'm too cheap to buy the real stuff, mine is just over half PVA glue and just less than half water






First I painted a layer of Mod Podge over the top of the table and smoothed over the wallpaper.




Then smooth out the air bubbles.There will probably be a lot. Trim around the edge and smooth out any more bubbles. Now I should probably explain what then happened while I was doing this.




I can't even blame the kids, Ethan was sleeping and Izzy was painting. And just as I noticed I'd done this I saw that Izzy has spilled pink paint all over the kitchen heater, floor and wall. Not to mention splashes on the chairs and tables. So I got distracted...and ended up with a few creases in mine because I couldn't get the air bubbles out!




You can kinda see them on the left side. Once the table is dry do a thin layer of Mod Podge over the top, maybe three...


I also filed the edges of mine to make the sides nice and clean.


Luckily the creases get covered by the laptop!




It looks really good next to my new bookcase :)




And makes post-nap Peppa watching all the more cool:



He is not happy right after his nap! Just like his Mum...

Loving the new updated look. Plus I'm one step closer to injecting some fun colour into our living room! And you can't argue with free! (although if you're counting the cost of the whole jar of Mod Podge I used and spilt, it cost maybe 40p?)



So have you ever "hacked" a piece of Ikea to make it your own/prevent spending money on something new? Or do you know how to get Mod Podge out of carpets?

9 comments:

  1. I haven't done an Ikea hack nor do I know how to get Mod Podge out of carpets....sorry...BUT, I love that table and the fresh look you gave it!!

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  2. Oh no! Mod podge in carpet :( I hope you find a way to get it out. Very nice laptop table!

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  3. love this idea - and love your real life crafting! Made me laugh out loud - sorry! I can TOTALLY empathise....it's my life!

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  4. I've looked at the laptop tables at Ikea so many times but never bought one. Now I can't wait to get one and make it over. Thanks for the idea. As for the ModgePodge, I once did the exact same thing. I was able to get it out with OxyClean and warm water but that was when it was still wet. I doubt it would work when it's dry.

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  5. Thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday - you were featured today!
    --Mandy, www.SugarBeeCrafts.com

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  6. What a great update!! I would love for you to link this up to Fantabulous Friday @ Little Becky Homecky! Hope to see you there!!

    http://littlebeckyhomecky.blogspot.com/2012/03/fantabulous-friday6.html

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  7. Love it. I have this table and it also has been looking a little dingy. I might have to try this. Thanks for sharing!

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  8. Rhiannon this is lovely. Wallpaper is a powerful thing! It looks great.

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  9. I like this blog ,Its very usefull for ModgePodge and looking fascinating

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