This is our favorite kind of email to get from readers. Hanh in Cambridge, MA devised a cute, clever and inexpensive play kitchen using a few items from Ikea. We're totally excited about it!
Like many of your readers, I was in the market for a play kitchen for my toddler. I wanted something simple, but I was not willing to pay a couple hundred dollars for it. Inspired by some of the improvised kitchens featured on this site, I made my own from a few Ikea products. I specifically chose parts that I wouldn't have to repaint. I think it turned out pretty well, considering the cost was about $50.
Here's what Hanh used:
- Eina bedside table: $29.99
- Lagis mouse pad: $0.99 x 3 (or 2, depending on the size of your "burners")
- Spontan magnet: $2.99/pack
- Bolsnas basket (red): $5.99 x 2 (The lower basket was already in my possession, but I'm pretty sure it's vintage Ikea.)
Hanh says she "might get ambitious down the road and add a curtain to the bottom shelf" which we think is a terrific idea, but she's shown that with a bit of creativity and resourcefulness you can make a play kitchen on the cheap and without sewing or woodworking skills. Brava!!
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Fabulous use of materials and imagination.
Clever! Thanks for sharing.
Nice! Maybe you can make a fridge out of the narrow Billy bookcase.
Oh, she should have kept the wheels! Great kitchen, great hack.
Ingenious!!! Very clever and cute!
OMG...fantastic. You're brilliant. Imagine the dreadful sum that we dished out for our little kitchen that is just as lovely as this one that you have crafted. good for you!
wauuuu!!! fantastic idea!!! i love it!!! very cute hack!!
Regards from http://babydeco.blogspot.com, i think the next week i post it linking you of course :D
are you kidding me? this is awesome. I need one of these for myself.
Curtain? Easy!
Get a thin pressure rod and a really cheap shower curtain with large holes (for the hooks to go through). "Thread" the pressure rod through the holes (toss the hooks) and cut off the extra shower curtain. Or hem if it's fabric.
Ta da!
Forgot to mention, with the left over parts (especially if it's fabric) you can make a little matching apron for her. :)
I actually have baskets that look identical to the lower one that I bought @ Target for $12.99 each, in case that helps anyone looking to copy this design.
Really so lovely!
I've made my own low cost kitchen wooden toy starting from a bedside table Ikea
http://www.nannabobo.com/diy-kitchen-wooden-toy
enjoy!