After raising four great kids, my husband and I find ourselves with a little wiggle room at home for the first time in our married life. Some people grieve--I went to Ikea! Actually, it took two trips :)
My plan was to convert our daughter's bedroom into a room that I could use as an office and a sewing room.
My plan was to convert our daughter's bedroom into a room that I could use as an office and a sewing room.
The plans for the office side of the room were easy. We purchased an Expedit shelving unit and matching Expedit desk for my workspace. We mounted a 3M adjustable keyboard tray under the desk, making it easy to use the desk with a keyboard and mouse. And, of course, we bought several black storage boxes at Ikea, too. The rest of the storage boxes and baskets were purchased inexpensively at TJ Maxx.
The sewing side of the room took a little more creativity. I had several goals: create a sewing table that would allow me to easily use two machines at the same time, provide some extra storage, and have lots of things handy within arm's reach when sewing.
For the sewing table, we chose Ikea's Galant corner desk, with extensions on both sides. And, rather than using the stick legs that are meant to go with it, we used the Vika Annefors table legs with storage. We just sat the top right on the Vika base, and then added the metal corner leg to the back corner that is sold with the Galant desk.
For the sewing table, we chose Ikea's Galant corner desk, with extensions on both sides. And, rather than using the stick legs that are meant to go with it, we used the Vika Annefors table legs with storage. We just sat the top right on the Vika base, and then added the metal corner leg to the back corner that is sold with the Galant desk.
We had a blast rummaging around Ikea's kitchen department looking for organization ideas for the walls above the sewing table. On the left wall, we used two Kludd Noticeboards so I can jot down ideas, shopping lists, etc. Next to that, we hung two Bygel rails, and added 2 Bygel wire baskets, several Bygel s-hooks, and 8 Bygel containers.
On the right wall, we hung a Lack wall shelf for storing books, patterns, and decorations. Under it, we mounted a Dignitet curtain wire with several hanging clips. I use this as an idea wall, where I clip up fabric swatches, quilt patterns I love, and other clippings that inspire me. Next to it, we hung a magnetic rail that holds 6 Grundtal containers, which are great for holding pins, quilting safety pins, buttons, and lots of other little things.
On the right wall, we hung a Lack wall shelf for storing books, patterns, and decorations. Under it, we mounted a Dignitet curtain wire with several hanging clips. I use this as an idea wall, where I clip up fabric swatches, quilt patterns I love, and other clippings that inspire me. Next to it, we hung a magnetic rail that holds 6 Grundtal containers, which are great for holding pins, quilting safety pins, buttons, and lots of other little things.
The cutting table posed the biggest challenge. I wanted a folding table, so I can store it out of the way on the wall when I need more room (we have our first grandbaby on the way, so I bet there will be a pack-and-play in that corner on a regular basis!) I also wanted it to have drawer storage to hold my rotary cutters, rulers, pattern cutting weights, etc.
The Norden Gateleg table was the PERFECT solution, except that it is only 30" tall. I wanted a table that stood about 37" tall, so I could cut out patterns without killing my back.
Turns out that the solution to the problem was quiet easy. The Norden table has 2" x 2" legs, so we just went to Home Depot and bought a 3-foot piece of 2x2, had them cut it into 6 equal pieces each measuring 6" long, and screwed these leg extensions onto the table legs using what the Home Depot man called "stud screws." They are like wood screws with screw ends on both ends, so you can join pieces of wood.
To add the leg extensions, I did the following:
I'm toying with adding casters to the bottoms of the legs, to make it easier to fold the table up and move it around, but I haven't done that yet.
Above the cutting table, we hung a Spontan magazine rack that is perfect for storing all my rotary cutting rulers and quilter's rules.
And, for pizzazz (and a practical source of light), we hung a fun light above the cutting table.
The Norden Gateleg table was the PERFECT solution, except that it is only 30" tall. I wanted a table that stood about 37" tall, so I could cut out patterns without killing my back.
Turns out that the solution to the problem was quiet easy. The Norden table has 2" x 2" legs, so we just went to Home Depot and bought a 3-foot piece of 2x2, had them cut it into 6 equal pieces each measuring 6" long, and screwed these leg extensions onto the table legs using what the Home Depot man called "stud screws." They are like wood screws with screw ends on both ends, so you can join pieces of wood.
To add the leg extensions, I did the following:
- Made a template that identified the exact center of the 2x2 and used that template to mark the ends of all 6 table legs and all 6 leg extensions.
- Pre-drilled holes where the stud screw would be screwed in (on all the table legs and leg extensions).
- Screwed the stud screws into the end of the table legs.
- Applied wood glue to the bottom of the table leg.
- Screwed the leg extensions onto the stud screw that was now sticking out of the table legs.
- Tightened the leg extension until it was very tight and lined up with the table legs.
- Let the wood glue dry for several hours.
- Paint the table leg extensions to match the table.
I'm toying with adding casters to the bottoms of the legs, to make it easier to fold the table up and move it around, but I haven't done that yet.
Above the cutting table, we hung a Spontan magazine rack that is perfect for storing all my rotary cutting rulers and quilter's rules.
And, for pizzazz (and a practical source of light), we hung a fun light above the cutting table.
Putting the room together was fairly easy. I did most of the assembly myself, just calling on my husband to help me lift heavy or bulky items. I had it all up and in use in less than a week!
Here’s a list of the Ikea items that we used in this room:
For the office side of the room:
For the sewing side of the room:
Cutting Table Corner:
Here’s a list of the Ikea items that we used in this room:
For the office side of the room:
- Expedit 72" shelving unit (#802.086.52) $199
- Expedit desk (#401.160.70) $50
- Expedit drawer insert (#801.665.67) $35
- Kassett boxes with lids (#002.243.16) $6.99/2
- Jansjo LED desk lamp $9.99
For the sewing side of the room:
- Galant corner desk left (#698.521.15) $180)
- 2 Galant table extensions with frames (90134788) $25 ea
- 2 Annefors Table legs with storage (#601.043.25) $45 ea
- 2 Kludd Noticeboards (101.148.74)$19.99 ea.
- 2 39” Bygel Rails (300.726.46) $3.99
- 8 Bygel containers—black (202.197.38) $.99 ea
- 6-pack Bygel s-hooks (902.197.49) $.99
- 2 Bygel wire baskets (900.726.4) $2.99 ea.
- Lack wall shelf (000.110.13) $19.99
- Dignitet curtain wire (600.752.95) $12.99
- Riktig curtain hook with clip (802.122.01) $2.99
- Grundtal magnetic knife rack (001.366.21) $13.99
- 2 3-packs Grundtal containers (801.029.19) $4.99 ea.
- Vilgot swivel chair for sewing (401.931.91) $69.99
Cutting Table Corner:
- Norden Gateleg Table (#101.168.87) $199
- Dottevik Shade (102.112.19) $19.99
- Januari cord set with diffuser (201.325.37) $10.00
- Spontan Magazine Rack (201.181.74) $9.99
- Glenn bar stool for cutting table (402.032.27) $79.99