Coffee Table (Ikea Hack)

We recently completed our latest Ikea hack.  I am always on the lookout for a great way to customize Ikea pieces.  I knew that I wanted a square coffee table and the dimensions of Ikea's Hemnes table were just what I was looking for.  We used Ikea Hemnes pieces to "hack" our mudroom so we knew that it was all wood and would hold up over time.  Using inspiration from what Centsational Girl and City Farmhouse had done with their Ikea coffee tables, I decided to start hacking yet again.

We purchased the Hemnes coffee table in white for $119.

Then, we purchased pine tongue and groove 1x6 planks for the planked top.  They cost $6.12 each from Home Depot.  We needed 4 of the 8 ft planks.

We (meaning Billy) cut them to size and secure them to the top of the coffee table from underneath using 1 1/4 inch screws.  Then, to cover the unfinished edges, he created a picture frame effect.  He used mitered 1x2s.  

Next, it was time to finish it.  I used the idea from City Farmhouse to create a vinegar stain to age my new pine planks.  I simply put a handful of steel wool in a mason jar and covered it with white vinegar.  I left it alone for about 5 days.  When I opened it, most of the steel wool had dissolved in the vinegar.  I painted the table top using a foam brush.  In the picture below, you can see the difference the vinegar stain made.  On the left, the pine is untreated and on the right, has the vinegar stain.  

After this stain completely dried, I created a "wash" stain using some watered down Behr Castle Path paint.  I used the same paint we used on the walls in this room.  I added about 2 tbsp of water to 2 cups of paint to create a milky stain.  Then, using cheesecloth, I wiped the grey stain on the wood, let it dry for a minute, and then went back and wiped some of it off.  Here's what it looked like after one coat.  Pretty blotchy and too much red.

And, after two coats...

Billy then added a coat of Minwax clear furniture wax to the top to seal everything.

Pottery Barn's Beachcomber round tray fits perfectly on the bottom shelf and will be perfect to hold some magazines.  I picked that up at the Pottery Barn outlet last week.

This room is now filled with Ikea furniture.  The Hovas sofa is holding up remarkably well.  The white corduroy fabric needs to be cleaned way less often than the white cotton Ektorp slipcover I have in my Master Bedroom.  And, this sofa is incredibly comfortable.  On the other hand, the Jennylund (gray check) chair recently broke and Billy needed to do some major surgery on the back legs to get it sturdy again.  I like the size and look of this chair, but it is truly uncomfortable to sit in for more than 10 minutes.  I am not sure how much longer it will be in this space where it gets so much use.

Want to see more of our Ikea hacks?

Ikea Hack Kitchen Island

Ikea Hack Mudroom