With a $20 price tag and simple design, the Lack table from IKEA is just screaming for customization. Ssshh ... listen carefully. Can you hear it? Please, dear DIY diva, take me from a cookie cutter cheap-o table to a beautiful, one-of-a-kind piece of furniture! Lucky for you, little table, Lizzie heard your pleas.
Oh, humble IKEA Lack coffee table. How we do love to see what clever DIYers can do to enhance your simple little design. As we saw in Hacking the IKEA Lack: One Table, Ten Different Ways, there seems to be no end to the variations of customization. Here, we see how Lizzie used wallpaper to dress up her Lack.

Lizzie used spray adhesive to adhere wallpaper to the tabletop. She then applied Mod Podge and spray shellac over the wallpaper to give it a protective coating. Once dried, Lizzie finished off the table with a border of decorative nails.

This inexpensive upgrade to a cheap table gives it a more lush appearance. Check out the full post on Lizzie's blog — Pretty City Things: IKEA Goes Glam.
(Images: Pretty City Things)


White Enamel Flatwa...
The decorative nails absolutely make this project!
Did she apply a skinny wallpaper edging to the lower shelf as well? Nice.....
Nice! Love the wallpaper print.
I like the table but I love that tray - source?
@rucy: I'm pretty sure I saw a tray like that at West Elm last spring, but I'm not sure if they still carry it.
IKEA has lots of re-designable stuff. Love this!
You might say there is no 'Lak' of opportunities to put your own personal stamp on this table!! Yeah, I'm corny..... I know.
My local IKEA store has a section with sale products - don't know if all do!
Two years I bought a LACK costing €5, because it was scratched across the table top.
I also bought a lovely patterned white&green fabric (for €5 as well) and it still looks great!
Yup - tray is from West Elm. I don't think they carry it anymore, though. They always have trays, so check them out. Also, table looks great. I just wish these tables were a tad more durable. My lack tables always seem to suffer dings and scrapes without even touching them.
I'm not the only one who did this?! I had an old Parson's-style end table (white, no bottom shelf) and I covered the whole thing with faux crocodile paper in dark brown and added a glass top. I like the deco nails on Lizzie's.
Very nice project. Well done.
Love it!
I loved it when it was first finished but adding the little studs just made it that much more awesome.
@MSQUIXOTIC and @MSKARILYNN: Thank you! I stopped paying attention to West Elm because the urge-to-buy was too strong...
If I can't find one I like it enough to have it custom made so I'll be set.
I love this idea and the decorative nails were the exact right touch! This would even be fun to do with newspaper instead of the wallpaper for a more shabby look.
I think it would look even better if you paint the rest of the table. Maybe high gloss black?
love it!
I think I'm the only one who still thinks it looks like a cheap table from Ikea. I would rather buy second hand and get a piece with character in my home. Nice idea otherwise.
@ Rucy - here's a better view of the tray: http://svpply.com/item/619541/Fez_Platter__Tray
It's called the Fez platter and tray, if that helps you find one. :)
nice idea & finished work.... the rug underneath table - where is that from?
When I saw the first "after" picture, I thought "meh", but when I saw the studs, I went "oh,wow". I love it!
Very cool! Thanks for the idea. :)
NIcely done ... :)
this is super cute, although i may have left the nail head off? but that's more personal style
this does look great. however, i spot a couple of bubbles in the wallpaper. that would drive me crazy!
i agree the nails make it..
Adaobi, the rug is also from Ikea.
REDLOTUS13: So glad I check back and saw your post! THANKS!!!
Love this! I don't think it looks cheap! Why do people get so mean on their comments like that...seriously what good did it do by saying that? I love the nail heads, a great touch.
I think I'm the only one who still thinks it looks like a cheap table from Ikea. I would rather buy second hand and get a piece with character in my home. Nice idea otherwise.
Not everyone has access to second hand or wants it. I have allergies and thrift/charity shops are danger zones for me and I think most second hand crap fixed up still looks like second hand crap fixed up. So really it's just a matter of personal taste.
Also, what's wrong with "Not my taste, nice idea otherwise" and leaving it at that.
Agreed with Girl& Lamp. Keep it classy people.
I was thinking "ok that looks nice enough" but without real emotion - and then I saw the nail edging and it became "ooh I want!" Nice job!!
Rhoda Morgenstern would approve!
Seriously nice job, this....
We completed the project just like above and now we keep noticing that there are massive air bubbles that keep apprearing...any pointers on how to keep this from happening or what we did wrong??