This IKEA forhoja hack adds style and function to the simple IKEA island. Featuring casters to make it easier to move around and a sleek navy paint job, it’s hard to believe that this is from IKEA.
Summer laziness prevented me from building a cart from scratch. Luckily, an IKEA hack is the next best thing.
You might also like this IKEA Bror utility cart hack.
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The IKEA forhoja is a very versatile piece that can be used in a variety of situations. It has a petite size, so it can easily fit in small rooms, but that also makes it easier to move around.
I hacked my IKEA forhoja kitchen cart to function as a portable photography studio, but I’m sharing a few other ways to use it as well.
IKEA Forhoja Hack
Supplies Needed
- IKEA forhoja kitchen cart
- 1/4″ wood
- Scrap plywood or 1×6
- 1″ Casters
- Drawer Pulls
- Paint
- Miter Saw
- Drill
- Nail gun
- Wood glue
- Nail setter and hammer
- Clamps
Prep Work
- Use a nail setter to hammer out the dowel holding the wheels in place.
- Use a miter saw to cut the legs to remove the slotted part for the wheels.
- Mark the other legs and make the same cut. Be sure to sand the edges!
- Assemble the IKEA forhoja according to instructions. A ratchet set and a 4mm socket is easier to use than the allen wrench that came with it.
- Don’t attach the top yet.
- Start painting the assembled cart.
Hacking the IKEA Forhoja
- Cut the drawer fronts to 14″ using 1/4″ wood. Check to make sure the wood is aligned right to be able to open.
- Attach the wood with wood glue.
- Clamp and let sit overnight.
- Cut a piece of scrap plywood (or a 1×6) to 28 1/4″ and attach to the back with wood glue and a nail gun. (The new drawer fronts prevent the drawers from being opened from both sides and this part covers that.)
- Paint everything that remains.
- Flip the cart upside down and attach the casters. Pre-drill for best results. To use larger casters, you will need to add a horizontal brace between the legs to accommodate the larger casters. I used 1″ casters because I was okay with a lower work space.
- Flip the cart back over and attach the top according to the directions.
- Install the drawer handles.
You might like these tips for painting IKEA cabinets and furniture.
IKEA Kitchen Island
The IKEA forhoja is sold as a kitchen island.
It offers plenty of storage and a lovely butcherblock countertop.
It would also work well as a makeshift buffet when you have friends over. Just roll it into your dining room (or wherever you need more room to sit food.)
IKEA Craft Cart
I love the idea of using the IKEA forhoja as a craft cart.
It fits a silhouette perfectly and the shelves are great for storing extra supplies.
Add a stool and you have an instant craft area.
Portable Photography Cart
My real intention with this cart is to store all of my photography equipment in one place, but also to use as a surface to photograph on.
The kitchen look is perfect for cocktails.
It’s portable, so I can roll it into the best lighting situations.
The drawers hold extra lenses. The clamps and L brackets are for holding backgrounds (white foam core boards.)
The shelves hold backgrounds (wood and foam core boards.)
The bottom shelf hold my lighting kit and tripod.
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Emy is a vintage obsessed mama of 2 DIYer who loves sharing affordable solutions for common home problems. You don’t need a giant budget to create a lovely home. Read more…
Love the idea! Did you sand down the cart prior to painting it?
No, I didn’t sand it down because I used a chalk-type paint. If you use latex, I would prime it first.