IKEA CHILDREN'S PLAY KITCHEN HACK

With Christmas approaching and still having no idea what we were going to get Harper, we decided at last minute to get her a play kitchen. I had been browsing different kitchens on Pinterest when I saw an IKEA hack. For those that don’t yet know what an IKEA hack is, it’s taking IKEA’s furniture and most of the time turning it into something bigger and better! And usually at a reasonable price. I knew I didn’t want to spend a ton of money on a child’s play kitchen, but also wanted something that wouldn’t stand out in a crazy color. So after searching a few Pinterest tutorials on how others had done it, I started a shopping cart at Amazon and two days later (thank you Amazon Prime!) we had all our materials.

Luckily, we have a secret workshop. So Harper didn’t see anything until Christmas morning. It took a good two days for us to finish. The first day we got all the pieces organized by what color they needed to be painted. We decided to paint the bottom half black using this paint, and the top half white using this paint and the accessories all gold. The first day we flipped, and primed all the pieces (two coats) and left them out overnight.

The following day we painted two coats of paint. Followed by two coats of clear matte protective coating. I had bought two cans of each spray paint, but didn’t end up needing that much for the protective coating, white paint, or gold.

While all the paint was drying, one of my favorite things we did was the counter top. We used adhesive marble grey contact paper that we bought off Amazon. I rolled out a piece on top of the countertop and smoothed out any bubbles.  I scored a big X on the inside where the stove and sink would go and folded down the pieces. For the outside edges, I wrapped it similar to a Christmas present. Folding the corners down first, and then the sides. It turned so much better than I expected!

Next, once the paint was dry, we assembled the kitchen just following the directions. I picked up a foam board at Walmart for the backsplash, and cut it down to size (27inx19). Then we took a leveler and a sharpie and drew straight lines for a “subway tile” look. We just attached it to the back hammering small nails to the wood along the sides.

For the knobs on the front, I just bought 1.25in wood knobs at Walmart-but you could use any kind of knobs you want. After spray painting them gold, I had Marcus drill four holes into the wood piece in the front. I just eyeballed their distance because honestly, it was late, and I couldn’t figure out the math-Ha!

One of my favorite details is the blackboard sign I picked up on a whim while at Walmart. I cut off the string for hanging and we screwed the sign onto the side panel of the kitchen. I was so relieved it was a perfect fit. Now Harper can turn her kitchen into a café/restaurant/food truck(?), depending on the day. I also loved how the monogrammed tea towel turned out. It was the perfect finishing touch.

For the kitchen light, I bought this tap light. I struggled with how to screw it into the top, and then decided to try using velcro first. And it worked! The light is so light, the velcro holds it just fine as Harper turns it off and on-a million times a day.

We didn’t expect how much she would love it right from the get go. It seriously makes me so happy to watch her stir in her pots and pans and cook in the microwave. She proudly then hands dishes to Marcus and I, and Baby Elle, saying “Here go, Mommy.”  

Let me know if you have any questions!