Transformed IKEA's Flower Box into a High-End Coffee Table: A DIYer's Journey from Planter to Ottoman Luxury
Here's the fresh, original spin on the article about DIYing an IKEA ASKHOLMEN flower box into a designer ottoman:
Picture this: a plain flower box... suddenly transformed into a sleek, design-forward ottoman that serves as a clever hidden storage solution. Sounds weird, right? But expert DIYer and content creator Dalia Emad Aly just knocked it out of the park with her ingenious hack. If you're in need of a weekend project that will make you feel like a total boss, you're in the right place!
We've seen our fair share of IKEA hacks at our website, but this one takes the cake. Truth be told, most furniture flips these days are more along the lines of redecorating than actual transformations. But Dalia's clever flip of turning a planter box into an upholstered ottoman with concealed storage is a total game-changer.
Wanna know how she did it? She spilled the beans and shared her secrets with us. Check it out below!
Can You Show Me the Tricks?
"There's always something about an IKEA piece that stands out to me—it could be a unique shape, a specific color, or interesting design details," Dalia tells us. "With the flower box, it was the scalloped edges that caught my eye."
From there, she got her mind churning about the possibilities and came up with the idea of tweaking those scallops to fit current interior design trends. And voilà—the inspiration started flowing!
So, if you're ready to learn from a pro, here's Dalia's step-by-step guide for recreating this amazing coffee table for yourself:
- Sand the Flower Box: While skipping the sanding step might seem tempting, don't do it! Sanding the flower box is crucial for getting the wood stain to adhere properly. Dalia started by sanding all the sides to prep for stain.
- Stain the Wood: To get the rich, warm wood finish that Dalia's DIY boasts, she recommends using a dark shade of wood stain paired with a polycrylic top coat. If you want something more statement-making, you could also consider painting the flower box.
- Install Backing Panels: Because the sides of the flower box are made of slatted wood, after staining, "I painted a wood panel and cut it to size to add to the inside, making the exterior look like one seamless, solid piece," says Dalia.
- Cut Cushion and Upholster in Fabric: The final step is upholstering the top with your chosen fabric. To do this, Dalia simply cut a cushion to size, wrapped it in fabric, and stapled it on with a furniture stapler.
If you're struggling to choose the perfect fabric, remember that this will have the biggest impact on the overall style of the piece. "The color and fabric were based purely on intuition," Dalia says. "I was aiming for a deep, rich wood tone that looked high-end, and I wanted a fabric that matched that energy, something velvety and luxe, but still had contrast."
What You'll Need:
The ASKHOLMEN flower box is made of solid acacia wood and is coated with an acrylic stain. This makes it a great base for your DIY, as it allows for wood staining. It's important to note, however, that MDF might absorb the stain differently if you choose to use it instead.
To create the ottoman, you'll need the following materials: wood stain, sandpaper, a fabric of your choosing, a foam cushion, upholstery glue, decorative trim or extra fabric for finishing touches, and storage compartment materials, such as a waterproof liner, fabric, or wood.
Make It Your Own:
Once you've tackled the staining, painting, and upholstering, the only thing left to do is add your personal touch. And the beauty of this project is that it's super versatile.
"You can style it as a coffee table, side table, or even a statement piece in a corner," says Dalia. "The possibilities are honestly endless!"
So, go ahead, get creative, and make this DIY your own. You never know—you might just end up with the centerpiece of the party!
- Dalia's ingenious conversion of an IKEA flower box into a designer ottoman showcases a fusion of interior design, decor, and DIY trends.
- The transformation demonstrates a trend in lifestyle and home-and-garden hacks that emphasizes combining texture, decoration, furniture, and artwork in innovative ways.
- The living room ottoman, featuring concealed storage, serves as a prime example of how such transformations can elevate any space with a touch of luxury and artistry.
- The ottoman's rich wood finish and velvety, luxurious fabric showcase the transformative power of color and texture in interior design.
- Amazed by the results, people may be inspired to experiment with furniture hacks, venturing into the realm of DIY projects to bring fresh ideas into their homes.
- With the right materials, tools, and a pinch of creativity, anyone can turn common household items like a flower box into a stylish, functional piece that reflects their unique tastes and personalities.
