Beastie
stranger
Reged: 22/12/2008
Posts: 22
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I'm looking to build a very inexpensive storage bench along one wall of my child's bedroom. It should be no longer than 4m, 50cm max deep (since it's a narrow room) and seat height, so approx 45cm.
It must be strong to support, say, two sitting adults. The top would also be used for stacking books, toys etc, so no fitted cushions. I'm open to having doors or drawers underneath, though would be happy for cost purposes to just slide plastic boxes underneath and leave it open. Any ideas? I've gone through the Ikea catalogue several times and nothing seems to be just the right size or strength. Has anyone used the kitchen fan cabinets for something like this? The doors are rather wide though for a narrow room at 60cm. I don't really like the Expedit range. Would it be cheap to get a joiner to make something using a kitchen worktop with MDF supports? Oh, and ideally it would be white and not need painting!
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lindsay
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Reged: 06/09/2007
Posts: 1486
Loc: here or there
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Hi Beastie
I built something that sounds similar to what you're after (pics below).
I used the carcass of an ikea single wardrobe that i already had, then because it wasn't long enough, used an ikea kitchen wall unit with the same dimensions as the wardrobe (except length).
Then i clad the front and end with 13mm oak veneered mdf and made lids from 19mm for extra strength so it can be sat on.
The lids are quite heavy though so if a child is going to be opening it you'll probably need to think about handles and some of those compression lid support things that i think you can get in screwfix.
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www.somethingsthat.wordpress.com
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lindsay
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Reged: 06/09/2007
Posts: 1486
Loc: here or there
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...and now my brain is working overtime (trying to avoid finishing my workroom floor  ) I was just thinking you could probably make a really simple bench by getting 4 or 5 of the wall cabinets - http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/S69810106 - and putting them end to end.
Then choose doors that would be strong enough and comfortable enough to sit on - such as maybe the solar beech one (avoid the foil ones as they'll damage really easily) - and get side panels to match or co-ordinate.
Depending on which doors you choose it could be a relatively inexpensive and simple job as the plain cabinets are really cheap and easy to assemble.
Edited by lindsay (30/05/2009 18:34)
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uk03878
veteran
Reged: 12/09/2007
Posts: 1363
Loc: "Home of the Fens"
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Ikea actually recommend the wall cabinet idea
Check the picture on page 40 of the Ikea Kitchens catalogue
http://ikeaeu.ecweb.is/09/kgb/
That is what the little girl is lying on
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I have nothing to sell but I need a signature - so here it is
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lindsay
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Reged: 06/09/2007
Posts: 1486
Loc: here or there
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And I never saw that! Obviously my brain is so in tune with Ikea that they should give me a job and take me off to live in sweden right now. I already know about 5 swedish words so i'm ready for the call! 
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www.somethingsthat.wordpress.com
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uk03878
veteran
Reged: 12/09/2007
Posts: 1363
Loc: "Home of the Fens"
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Interestingly you can suggest things to Ikea and they actually reply
I suggested wooden shutters - the designers replied saying the window sizes were the problems due to the large numbers of SKUs they would have to stock
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I have nothing to sell but I need a signature - so here it is
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