How To Make an IKEA Hack “Fauxdenza”
I had a growing pile of paper work on my desk, and shoe boxes full of more paper work on the floor. I needed a quick and affordable closed storage system that hid all the clutter, but still fit in our small office. If this sounds familiar, perhaps this IKEA FULLEN “fauxdenza” hack is for you.
We’ve blogged about the “fauxdenza” phenomenon before. With the same intentions, I turned to IKEA, but instead, looked in the bathroom department to find an even more affordable way to build a similar fauxdenza.
Originally, I wanted to use three $30 Ikea FULLEN cabinets, but they only had two in stock. Being the impatient person that I am, I moved forward with the plan and purchased just the two. Because Ikea FULLEN cabinets are made for sinks, I used a 3/4″ thick piece of maple plywood as a table top. I purchased it for $40 from Home Depot and had them cut it down to 69″ x 15 1/4″ to fit the three cabinets.
Only after assembling everything, I realized the space between the cabinets was the perfect location for my new IKEA DUKTIG doll bed (which I use as a dog bed). The bed stays for now, or until we need more storage (then it’s back to IKEA for the third FULLEN cabinet).
Since my boyfriend dismissed the idea of anchoring the cabinets to the wall and having airy floating cabinets, I replaced the cheap-looking plastic legs with thick wooden dowels. To create the same storage system of your own including custom wood legs, here’s what you’ll need.
What You Need
Materials
- 2 IKEA FULLEN sink cabinets 23 5/8 x 31 1/8″
- 35″ x 1 1/4″ wooden dowel
- 3/4″ piece of maple plywood, cut down to 69″ x 15 1/4″
- 8 ACE 8×3 wood cabinet screws
- 8 washers
- IKEA DUKTIG doll bed (optional)
Tools
- Chop saw
- Power drill
- #2 Phillips bit
- 1/8″ drill bit
- Zip ties
- Mouse sander + 80 grit sandpaper
Instructions
1. Assemble the cabinets as per IKEA’s instructions, (Just throw out those cheap plastic legs than came with them.)
2. To make new legs, measure and and mark eight 4″ dowels. To be more accurate, use the first dowel you cut to mark where to make the cut for the next dowel.
3. It’s important to cut as straight as possible in order to have a level and stable cabinet. Make sure to cut each piece at exactly the same length.
4. Whoops. If any pieces happen to be taller, carefully trim them down a sliver with the chop saw.
5. And if you want to make them extra extra level, use two zip ties to secure the dowels together, then sand the ends with 80 grit sandpaper.
6. Now measure and mark the center of the dowels with a cross.
7. I pre-drilled 3 1/2″ holes to make it easier for screwing the dowels to the cabinets.
8. Now set all four legs upright and carefully set the cabinet atop of the dowels.
9. Line up the center of the dowels and insert your washers and screws. Finish them off with your power drill.
Tip: Apply lots of pressure during this step. If you don’t apply enough pressure, your screws will strip.
10. Place the piece of plywood on top of the cabinets. You may wish to secure it with a short screw and small brackets.
11. Lastly, my favorite step: Organize, categorize, and file all your paper work into binders, trays, manila folders and magazine files, and place in your new storage system. Ahhhhh, breathe a sigh of relief.
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Re-edited from a post originally published 3.11.14 – JL