DIY IKEA HACK KALLAX TRANSFORMATION | FLUTED SIDEBOARD

[@KristenMcGowan]

Do you also have an IKEA KALLAX UNIT? if you, you NEED to try this DIY! SO EXCITED FOR YOU TO SEE THE FINAL RESULT!!!😍👏

[@elainerpvlogs]

What color is it ? It look to me like sand or maybe is white I don’t know you tell me please

[@grat2010]

She said she painted with a color called Almond Wisp.

[@aka_ocha]

Looks AMAZING Kristen…definitely inspired to transform my unit. The only problem is that mine is from Target. Wonder if the Kalax inserts and door would fit. Love love LOVE!!!! Hugs- Rosalia!

[@TabithaKay]

Hi! Can I achieve this look with a unit from Target?!?

[@susanm8957]

Great job, love the color!

[@MzzRosee]

The legs look really good not being placed at the edges, it actually looks more high end for me 🤩

[@KristenMcGowan]

Yay! Yes I’m actually very happy with the placement too!

[@kayelle8005]

Agree. Love it. Great job.

[@phyllisjordan5389]

@@kayelle8005 lol lol lll

[@SouthernMama2five]

Yes! Very modern and chic. 😉

[@LaughingInTiny]

Yes, agreed. Looks better set in a bit like this. And I usually don't like black hardware but with this colour it's stunning...

[@SuadBushnaq]

I've seen a lot of youtube DIY channels attempt a similar project. Yours is by far the easiest to execute, the smartest in terms of strategy (using already attached doors), and the best looking one in the final result. Really well done!

[@melissaparrish7146]

This is my all-time favorite IKEA transformation! It looks high-end, and the legs and hardware are perfection. I have a KALLAX in storage, and this is exactly what I intend to do--thanks for sharing your talent and ideas.

[@cassey3063]

Absolutely does not look high-end! The finishes are very poor.... The half-rounds are extremely poorly prepared and finished ... Not good

[@wandering4786]

@@cassey3063 what would you have done differently ?

[@kaiteross6596]

I’m so sick of Furniture is being so expensive when you can actually achieve it like you have done . Amazing 🤩

[@grlwchip6998]

I have been looking everywhere for this style in an accessible price for a single mom, now I can have it!!! Thanks a lot Kristen McGowan you have made my dream come true. This is my first video but I will definitely be checking for more of your fantastic creations.

[@grlwchip6998]

@@joemmaal Understand but the comparables r $1700- 8000. I know accessibility is subjective but I stand by my comment.

[@VANESSASCHICFRUGALLIFE]

Love it great hack.

[@sherryidibo2304]

This looks great Kristen you're absolutely so talented. I love how it turned out.

[@KristenMcGowan]

Thank you!!

[@iamme123182]

I love it through and through! 🤩 You are so creative and talented, Kristen. May you and your husband enjoy this piece and everything else in your home with great health, harmony, and all of the love your hearts can possibly contain!! ❤️❤️

[@mariamangion21]

Kristen, words can't even express how much I love your videos ❤️ I have been subscribed to you for about 8 months, and have never regretted it, because you are the right person to be subscribed too 🥺

[@nubianqueenmother7305]

Stumbled upon this vid & am now obsessed. Your comment confirmed I should subscribe!

[@dannabettyful]

Omg exactly what I was looking for - I really wanted to level up my kallax but don't have the space (and more likely - the skills) to make my own doors and attach. This feels like a really doable and accessible project, thank you!

[@brendatomlinson]

WOW! What a transformation! It turned out great. My only change would be to run a sander across the tops of the half-rounds after they’re installed so they’re exactly the same height. Looks great as is!

[@dchall8]

Here's what my carpenter did on a much larger project. He installed all the cross pieces with extra overhang. After they were all in, he used a saw to cut all of them at one time, perfectly the same length. For this project the way she did it, it would require removing the door units after the half-moons were nailed on so they could be cut and sanded.

[@graceamerican3558]

My OCD saw that too. It really does look good - her project. Maybe trim across the top.

[@nancym5341]

OMG you give women a good name!!!! You can make any project look so simple!! I have been watching you for years now and I learn more about what CAN be done every time. Thanks 🙏 for your help all-ways!!

[@chrissxyy4221]

Loveeee how this turned out! What a transformation into a beautiful modern piece! One thing that would make your videos more helpful when doing this type of content is including the prices and then showing a comparison of a high end furniture piece price to the total price of your DIY! 💕💕

[@Annmiie]

I agree, great idea ☺️. I did a quick calculation based on the prices in the links and the info in the video, and the DIY would cost you about 525 dollars - not including tools. The kallax inserts are expensive and the wood adds up too. Not that expensive for the result, but not nothing :)

[@ortegasimpson3607]

I am fairly new watching you, fabulous I. am so inspired, will be attempting to do the transformation as soon as I can get into my garage.Watching from Toronto. mid February.

[@ceceliachandler8761]

WOW!!! I would never have guessed this was a kallax if I hadn’t just seen this video.

[@cathybenish9871]

Kristen this is absolutely one of the best furniture upgrades I've ever seen. It is an amazing transformation!

[@julles2174]

I love that you transformed an affordable piece to something that looks worth $500-$600…amazing job and love the modern take on it🙌🏽

[@LoomofDreams]

That trim is such a brilliant idea! I’m so glad I came across this video - I have an old Expedit (the old version of Kallax) and I’ve been trying to figure out how to make it look better. I am totally using your idea. It looks fantastic and like a much more expensive piece! ❤️

[@maymofoo8637]

Have you done yours?? How did it come out?

[@passionatesustainablefarmi7841]

It's doesn't looks like the former kallax anymore at first sight!... its wonderful! the way you repurpose it, Kristen... love it! ❤️😊

[@nancylopez4720]

WOW!! No one would guess this is a Kallax unit. It looks like an expensive sideboard. You did an amazing job.

[@fletchoid]

Looks awesome. Using the half rounds to join the doors, and get that custom look, was genius.

[@karinalopezp.806]

I love it Kristen, you are the best designer!!

[@marjorie3951]

The piece came out beautifully. It has a sleek yet soft look to it and could fit in any decor. To me it has an Art Deco vibe to it as well. Great job.

[@carlaquartiroli6820]

The transformation is a WOW! What a difference from the plain bookcase to an amazing cabinet. Enjoy your videos.

[@cybeleantonow3791]

You really present well and make it so easy to listen to you. I have learned a lot from all of your videos! I now have a plan to redo my entire small home for cozy, warm, and elegant ideas! Thank you for keeping your videos efficient and informative and detail-oriented! You are SO GOOD at what you do!

[@mscocolicious1]

That came out so much better than I had thought. Talking about a transformation makeover. 💘

[@nishusingh-afari8283]

Kristen. You are my fav designer. I have learned so so much that my husband is impressed with my skills that I learned from you😊 thank you

[@mitu3741]

Obsessed with this transformation! More ikea transformations please!! Also, love the new intro!

[@dtulip1]

I LOVE it, with the legs not right on the corners it really has a 50s vibe

[@lauraanderson8127]

Looks awesome, you probably could've still put the doors so they were flush to the front of the cabinet since you installed the fluted pieces on the surface, they shouldn't be an issue sitting on the edge of the frame.

[@fieldie]

I was about to type the same!

[@teff2178]

Super inspiring idea. Was looking for a way to use two of my Kallax pieces as a room divider without it looking bland and blocky. You did it! I might do contrasting colours for the doors and the Kallax. But just grateful for this inexpensive concept to make it an architecturally interesting piece. Great job!

[@ninae.lavelanet-lewnau143]

LOVE how this turned out!! And it looks like it is a simpler diy then many others like this. Nice job!

[@madlydevine]

I almost got rid of my Ikea Kallax unit but now it's a keeper - will attempt to repeat this DIY - thank you for sharing your ideas and talent - I think I can do this .. I think I can !! 🙂

[@frankey917]

I love this! I NEVER would’ve thought about doing this! Thank you so much for always giving such great, beautiful, AFFORDABLE ideas ❤️

[@mlo9107]

Holy Moly!!! That transformation is mind blowing! I was thinking they could be a viable kitchen cabinet option. Thank you for sharing your brilliance!

[@JohnnyFD]

Amazing job! Looks like $1,000 piece now. What was the total cost including supplies and paint?

[@kristinm313]

If you don't already have the doors, it would be somewhere between $200 to $300.

[@Lisateeter]

This is one of the best IKEA hacks I’ve seen. Absolutely beautiful and looks like a piece of high end furniture. Thank you for sharing. Also the paint color & hardware are perfect. I love clean lines and for me this piece ticked all the boxes for me. ❤️💯✅

[@cheneroodt]

This is so stunning and such a smart way to use what you already have.

[@carlalong4075]

I just want to say ... Wow ! Out of all the years I have been on KZbin I have probably subscribed to a few people . Love your energy, you are so talented!!

[@tanyar2965]

This looks great. Re use something and making it new. Great inspiration.

[@sunrae7680]

The best of the video is how you explain everything in way that even I understand it. I'm going to try this, because it looks very high-end.❤

[@kp3191]

Looks great! Do you mind telling me where the black vase that you used to style the cabinet at the end is from?

[@sdla690]

Well done indeed. ❤️The black metal element gives the whole thing so much modern/ industrial character, what a pleasant surprise. You have great taste👍

[@jd3422]

Amazing job! Those half-round pieces were a brilliant unifying touch for top and bottom doors. Also, you did a great job matching the door handles with the legs.

[@isabelle0125]

Une pure merveille ! J'ai deux petites bibliothèques Ikea pour les CD-DV, livres de poches et une plus large et plus profonde. Avec votre idée, je vais pouvoir leurs donner de l'allure. Elles ont 18;ans et sont toujours fonctionnelles mais pas lookées. Grand merci pour ce partage

[@GC-up9zv]

Absolutely stunning 🙌🏻 😍…. thank you for sharing. The only minor criticism is placing it in front of a somewhat large cold air return, very important for air flow of your home.

[@THFL07]

Thank you so much, dear Kristen. Frankly, I was running out of ideas for my ikea kallax unit , but your video brings hope and relief 😅😅😅

[@tanjafransman8680]

I have been binging your videos for weeks now, you are so good! So inspiring. And you seem like a great person with a really nice energy too! And... you make this ⬆️ look easy, not like it took you hours and hours. I always need to remind myself about the real, massive work people like you put behind each project! Looks amazing!

[@BarbieWeyer]

This looks awesome! How much did the whole thing cost to hack?

[@EmilyFaith]

Love it so much, great job

[@KristenMcGowan]

Thank you so much!!💗💗

[@shahinasiddiqui4475]

Well done

[@bevpi]

I just said to my husband last night that I wished our Kallax unit had doors on it so we could hide stuff in it. This is an awesome hack! Thank you!

[@lorig.7127]

Wonderful transformation! What was the cost of added supplies to complete this? It would be nice to include that in the ending of the video as well.

[@KristenMcGowan]

It all depends on what tools and supplies you already have! I already had the unit so that was free, I had to buy the doors which were $17 each, wood was about $110, paint about $20, feet were $17, pulls were $10 each!

[@lorig.7127]

@@KristenMcGowan Thank you! That information is helpful!

[@TheMochaMonster]

@@lorig.7127 Not sure whereabouts you're located but the project cost for wood should be even cheaper, since lumber prices are dropping now! Best of luck

[@glennbabic5954]

@@TheMochaMonster I imagine the half-dowel molding to cover the front added up in cost.

[@LiftedPRinc]

@@KristenMcGowan So gorge!! How many dowels did you buy? I have so many Kallax pieces and want to do this asap! Thx!

[@Toyab10]

Thank you for your detailed instructions. I reviewed many similar videos and your video was by far the best explanation for what I was trying to achieve. I wanted to connect 2 doors like you did and the tip you gave to have door front overlap was just what I needed to know. Awesome Outcome!!!🎉

[@kaz6655]

We love it. I would never have thought of doing something like this it’s fab x

[@christlerose8316]

This would be stunning painted in emerald green with gold handles and feet. I love it! Great job!

[@crystalrose_pa]

LOVE how it turned out! Can't wait to see the rest of the entryway!

[@randyrice1429]

Wow, Kristen. You have outdone yourself. Looks amazing!

[@superannieoakley4513]

Love this idea! Have seen a couple of these done now & they've all turned out so nice. May need to give it a try too! 💖

[@sazikanebaldimor2386]

I love the idea. and the result. Cool execution as well. The few dark accents make it even more poping. Didnt know that kallax had those boxes. I will definitively use this at some point. Thanks for sharing

[@kathleenbeauchemin8146]

Love this tutorial! It looks absolutely beautiful! So glad I found your station❤️. I have the large (25 cube) unit which I purchased second hand for my office…I think I’m going to do this for the top of the unit. Great idea! Thank you!

[@suewells4350]

I think I will countersink those screws on the side so they don't show. Love this idea! I just put the unit together this morning and the bottom lines up nicely so they must have changed the design a little. Doing this for a nursery!

[@liapilates8387]

Such a fun idea, can't wait to see the results 🤗🙈

[@rachanapottem6465]

This is a beautiful transformation.

[@dianawilliams3514]

This looks so good. Such a pretty transformation. I was trying to think if it would work with having the cubby doors flush as designed, and I think it would, and then it’d just be the half moon wood pieces protruding. Still, really awesome transformation 🙌🏼

[@KristenMcGowan]

I tried but the molding pieces get in the way of the doors opening all the way when they are flush! So they had to come out a bit!

[@dianawilliams3514]

@@KristenMcGowan ahhhhh hadn’t thought of that. Good point 👍🏼 xoxo

[@leoren2685]

It would work if you had thinner wood slats or soomething - have to test by taping in place and seeing how it works to open the door.

[@dchall8]

@@dianawilliams3514 But if you used something else (shiplap, beadboard, etc.) then mounting them flush might work.

[@The_Red_Pill__]

I love the piece! What you did is absolutely stunning! For shoes, perhaps add dividers to some boxes; you can fit at least 4 pair in each box.

[@antheaswail1959]

Nice transformation, however I would definitely inset the doors and avoid having the gaps shown from the side and also the double thickness of door + the half round dowels.

[@by_grace_alone1334]

Super impressed. Love that you showed each product you used. 👏

[@juliagarza9942]

OH MY, it is absolutely gorgeous!

[@shelley9652]

This is very nice! I enjoy transforming furniture for our home and this is perfect for a piece we have that is similar to the IKEA KALLAX unit. I noticed you were putting shoes in the cubbies, we also have a cabinet we use for shoes at our entryway. I put adjustable shelf risers inside each space to to increase the pairs of shoes for each cubby. Thanks very much for the design tip!

[@cindykeely5812]

Love this. You’d get a different look with gold feet and the gold edge pulls! So many different looks.

[@melissawheeler4171]

Absolutely love 💕 this. I’ve seen these on Facebook marketplace and been wanted to get one but all others show putting these boxes inside to store stuff. I love this idea better. Ready to try out my new drill I got as a gift. Wish me luck

[@ljones98391]

Total transformation! Turned out unique and beautiful. Definitely not the usual shoe rack by the front door now.

[@TaylorStrutton]

That is the first time I have seen someone use the kallax inserts as a backing, that is a neat way to do it. Will definitely be using that idea for when I transform my 2 units.

[@MsGeorgia630]

I absolutely love this! Simple and easy. Hard to believe the transformation

[@marilynmaccallum9206]

Genius to add the half rounds!

[@cookiemarie2928]

This is incredible and extremely inspiring. I have been searching nonstop trying to find a video/tutorial of how to re-finish a piece and this is giving some serious empowering energy. Love it

[@erickapoletti2053]

Thank you for doing a transformation that doesn’t involve power tools. I don’t have them and don’t plan on it. Looks great.

[@dchall8]

This is very inspiring. We're moving to a city about 5 miles from IKEA, so I'm taking a harder look at what they have. I have a couple suggestions that would make this easier to do. 1) Get a workbench so you don't have to bend over and work on the floor. The IKEA Bron is a nice one. 2) When you are painting, turn the project over so you are always working on a horizontal surface. 3) when you have a bunch of slats to be cut to the same length, cut through them all with a circular saw after they are mounted. Then sand. 4) (alternate) consider mounting all the slats to a piece of luan plywood first then mounting the luan to the doors. Luan is very thin plywood used as paneling and backing. You could glue to the luan instead of nailing, saw all the slats to length, and fill/paint it prior to installing on the Kallax. The luan plus glued slats would be extremely solid once its together.

[@lesliegooch7565]

I know this is an old video but I just saw it. The finished item is just beautiful! You did a fantastic job. And that insert shortcut was genius!!!

[@melab.5596]

Yes! Iove this idea! I know it feels so good to see something you made,as soon as you walk in the door😍👩‍🔧.

[@SankethRao]

I keep going back to this video, there is so much to learn here. I wish I could share a pic of what I made using tips from this video, thanks a ton Kristen

[@goomba478]

I think this is pure genius! I never have used a nail gun but now I'm tempted to try and get one :). Thanks for your tips and tricks!

[@sandravella3198]

WOW!! What a transformation!! Your so talented. I wouldn't have the thought of that.

[@GeeGee11355]

Wow! I'm speechless. Great IKEA hack.

[@sf55514]

Marvelous Darling! I really enjoyed your video straight to the point without a lot of empty chatter. Truly well done.

[@bcfriardoyle7697]

The new opening is brilliant!

[@EnricaGarroni]

I am in absolute awe. This is amazing. So inspirational.

[@angelicamarialmalit8836]

This is the most beautiful transformation i've ever seen ❤

[@avramidis3d]

Clever idea and it came out pretty nice! One improvement in my humble opinion, would be to place the doors inside of the box (just for the thickness of them), so the half cylindrical pieces still show in front, but hide the gap between the two separated doors which is seen from their side. Thumbs up!

[@KristenMcGowan]

That was the plan all along, but the half round right at the edge of the door blocked it from opening all the way, so I had to bring the doors forward!

[@zenoviabliss3131]

Absolutely 💘 LOVE the way this cabinet turned out. It looks so High End. The color and hardware made it complete.

[@claireswinden8962]

It has a real art deco look, its great

[@katrinwehner6592]

I've wanted to add doors to my kallax for months and have searched for a solution on how to cover the front for weeks. I never even thought about using the kallax inserts/ikea doors as a base to create a closed front. I feel so dumb!! 😂 Love the video and great inspiration!! 🤩

[@jenniferhuff2566]

It looks amazing. I also love the legs not being at the edge.

[@michellehudson4131]

This project inspired me to try and duplicate. This was more challenging than expected, happy with the results. I”m all in with th

[@jayalexander6798]

This is STUNNING !!!! Wow. Just wow.

[@janetkensett1503]

What a beautiful transformation.

[@sometimesiwander7146]

I love this, but I wanna try it with each cubby having an individual door. Looks great. Well done! Thx for the video!

[@annettegiardino3728]

Beautiful- unbelievable transformation and a very polished piece

[@mommygarcia9137]

OMG ! It looks so high end gorgeous !!

[@rpleal2469]

I love this!!! I would have left the half slats in the natural wood colour just to break it up a little but that’s just my preference