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DIY Train Table: IKEA Hack

DIY Train Table from $20 IKEA Lack Coffee Table #diy #ikeahack

Before my husband and I got married we had each lived on our own, which meant we both brought furniture to the marriage.  Which really meant I brought furniture to the marriage and he brought bachelor furniture and a really nice TV.  Huge southwestern style couches (that he admitted were ugly but comfortable), IKEA birch coffee tables and end tables that had long since seen better days (hello, coasters?), a chin up bar that he wanted to display in the living room, and art that you would find in quirky bar bathrooms.   

Some of these items found new homes, some were relocated to his man-cave (aka garage), and some made it in to the house.  One thing he didn’t want to part with was his IKEA coffee and end tables.  Thankfully we finally made a trip to IKEA a few months ago and purchased a bright, shiny, new, white coffee table to go with our new decor.  As I was getting ready to add the old one to the donate pile, I decided it would be PERFECT to make a DIY train table from.  (You can find the IKEA LACK Coffee Table here.)

I wish I had taken a “before” picture to show you.  This poor little table was looking sad with scuffs, scratches, and marks.  But for a $20 table, it had lived a good life and survived several moves and years of abuse.  That’s one thing I love about IKEA products- budget friendly, but not cheap on quality.  I broke down the table by unscrewing the legs, and was ready to get started painting.  I thought the easiest way would be my go-to spray paint method.  Wrong.  I applied a kelly green coat, and followed it up with a once over of green glitter spray paint.  It was HORRIBLE.  Didn’t apply evenly, dried clumpy, and the color was way too dark.  I seriously didn’t think I could get back from that mess. 

Luckily I knew I had a bottle of Martha Stewart green paint, but I wasn’t sure I had enough or that it would even cover the mess I made.  Amazingly I had just enough for two coats and it worked PERFECTLY!  That’s what I get; next time always, always, go with Martha first.  I used Martha Stewart Multi-Surface Acrylic Craft Paint in Mint and Sea Lavender for this project (purchased at Michaels).

DIY Train Table from $20 IKEA Lack Coffee Table #diy #ikeahackAfter I painted two coats and let it dry completely, I assembled the train track to fit best on the table.  I picked up each individual piece and applied a healthy amount of wood glue to each piece.  Make sure to press down firmly for a few seconds before moving on to the next piece, but don’t use too much glue or it will squeeze out the sides.  After letting the track dry, I sketched out the road and lake.  A yard stick was the perfect width for my road and made it super easy to trace onto the table.  I free handed the lake by drawing an “8” without the holes.  Go lightly with the pencil because it will show up under the blue paint.  I used paint pens to trace the edge of the lake (and cover the pencil lines), and to draw the white stripes on the road.

DIY Train Table from $20 IKEA Lack Coffee Table #diy #ikeahackI didn’t glue down the trees, cars, people, or houses because I wanted the girls to be able to move these pieces around during play.  The legs for the table easily screw back on after you are finished assembling and painting.  (I didn’t paint the legs, but you could.  The paint really covers well the surface well.  You could also paint more features on the table like flowers, grass, etc.)  Sophia was gifted this pink train set for her birthday, which has since been discontinued, but you can find a great train set from IKEA- LILLABO 20 Piece Train Set.

I love that the train set has a permanent “home” on this table- one less thing to get out and put away- and it looks great in the playroom.  The LACK table is the perfect height for little sister (1 yr old) to stand at and for big sister (6 yrs) to kneel and play too.  They have really played well together and I’ve been a little surprised how much they have enjoyed this DIY train table.

Come back the rest of the week to see:
IKEA Inspired Play Room Ideas
-DIY Play Room Decor
-Play Room Reveal

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Lauren

Tuesday 17th of May 2016

DO you think the tracks would glue down well with out painting? I know that Lack has a pretty glossy surface.

Emily Grace

Tuesday 17th of May 2016

The natural colored table I used doesn't have the glossy surface, but I think if you used hot glue instead of wood glue and it should work just fine! :)

Keena

Sunday 21st of December 2014

Hi! Has the paint held up? Did you use a primer? Did you sand the table at all? Also, was your table the white shiny one?

Emily Bruno

Monday 22nd of December 2014

Hi Keena! The paint has held up perfectly! I did not use a primer and I did not sand at all. The table I had was the beige/khaki color (not shiny). Hope this helps!

Amy

Tuesday 1st of July 2014

I have a narrower coffee table and would like to buy a set that fits. I know you mentioned it was discontinued, but what brand made your track? Thanks for the inspiration.

Emily Bruno

Wednesday 2nd of July 2014

Hey Amy, I believe it was Imaginarium brand from Toys R Us!

Alisha

Saturday 8th of March 2014

Hi, can you tell me how much free (mint) paint it took to cover the table? I have all my supplies and I'm going to give it a go today

Emily Bruno

Sunday 4th of May 2014

Hi Alisha- sorry to get back with you so late, but it didn't take much paint at all! I was actually worried I wouldn't have enough and I ended up with enough for two coats!

Jessi @ Practically Functional

Wednesday 8th of January 2014

Love it! What a great way to repurpose that table! Pinning, and thanks so much for sharing this at Creativity Unleashed!

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