Make One Small Change To An IKEA NORDEN To Make It Way More Versatile

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IKEA may be beloved for its fashionable modern designs at budget-friendly prices, but the brand's true magic comes in the creative ways DIYers have taken its products in inspired new directions. In some instances, these clever updates are so practical that we wish they came standard from the manufacturer. The NORDEN gateleg table, for instance, is a compact, foldable table perfect for even the smallest spaces. But it also weighs about 100 pounds, hardly making it easy to move and tuck out of the way after you break it down. It's one of the few marks against an otherwise renter-friendly IKEA find for apartments, which is why so many are doing the obvious and installing a sturdy set of wheels to roll it around.

By adding swivel caster wheels to the NORDEN, you can quickly and effortlessly position the table anywhere in the room and extend the foldout leaf supports. The table has six points where you can mount casters — four on the center stationary table legs, and two for the swing-out supports sitting on either side. The four main legs measure just under 1 ¾ inches wide and long. The swing legs are slightly smaller at about 1 inch by 1 ¾ inch, so plan your caster choices accordingly. A 1- to 1 ½-inch caster plate can fit the center legs, with options like the WEITELAI 1-Inch Casters being more than capable of supporting the load. Meanwhile, an L-shaped caster may be more appropriate for the narrower swing legs. Just don't put wheels with brakes on all the legs, as they may hit each other when the table is folded up.

To add the wheels, flip the assembled NORDEN upside down, laying it on a blanket to protect the floor and table from scuffs. Take the protective plastic feet off the bottom of the table legs before installing the casters. To put the wheels on, you'll simply line the plates up on each leg and install them with supplied screws. Before doing that, though, you should take precautions to prevent splits.

The screws will be right on the edge of the legs, promoting cracks with the slightest provocation. To minimize the chances of a break, drill a pilot hole for the screws. Using a lubricant, like paste wax, on the screws is another genius way to prevent wood splits. And when it's time to drive them, push them slowly and steadily into the wood to avoid over-stressing it.

If you're concerned about drilling directly into the table legs, you can instead use wood blocks as spacers between the wheels and the table. For instance, you could put a 1-by-3-inch board between two of the center legs and drill the casters into it. If you go this route, pay attention to the height. Adding casters will raise the table at least an inch or so. Any wood supports you tack on beyond that may make it uncomfortably tall when you sit at it. Sitting at the table and testing the height before making changes will help you decide what kind of wheels to add and whether you can install extra supports.