An Affordable No-Tools DIY Side Table You Can Make With Two IKEA Faves

It's true, the idea of busting out a toolbox can really kill the home décor mood when it strikes. Enter this IKEA side table hack that skips the screws, nails, and torque altogether. Instead, it turns two familiar IKEA finds — the RÖDEBY armrest tray and the SNUDDA Lazy Susan — into a no-tools-required table that's cheap, chic, and disarmingly clever. All you need is a few Velcro strips and about five minutes of focus.

Here's how end table DIY works: the RÖDEBY, normally a flexible tray that drapes over couch arms, gets rolled into a vertical tube. A few sticky Velcro strips on the inside hold the shape. Then the SNUDDA, a rotating wooden disc usually found under a pile of condiments, becomes the tabletop. It fits snugly into the top opening, and voilà: instant side table. It's reversible, renter-friendly, and costs about $40. What sets this build apart is how little it asks of you: no glue, no commitment, nary a hex wrench in sight. It's easier than IKEA assembly and more versatile than some glue-locked options, like this DIY wood side table with an IKEA armrest that skips the Velcro but loses the flexibility.

Start with the RÖDEBY armrest tray. Roll it vertically so its slats form a cylinder, then secure it with two or three Velcro strips on the inside seam. You don't need to overthink this: if you can roll-bundle a yoga mat, you can do this. Once it's holding its shape, gently lower the SNUDDA Lazy Susan onto the top. Its base nests inside the rolled tray and keeps everything from shifting, like a cork in a bottle.

The beauty of this hack is in how temporary it can be. Want your armrest back? Peel off the Velcro. Need a Lazy Susan for charcuterie night? Pop the top off. Compare that to other side table DIYs that require glue or double-sided tape, like the coffee table IKEA DIY, and you start to see why this one's special. A quick word of caution: this table isn't built to hold your dumbbells or your existential weight (regardless of its unbearable lightness). It's a display piece. Think candle, tiny plant, maybe a glass of sugar-free water. If you need more muscle, take cues from a simple IKEA table upgrade that swaps in sturdier parts but keeps the DIY spirit alive.

One of the best things about this hack is how easy it is to personalize. Want something a little less "natural bamboo yoga retreat"? Paint the RÖDEBY black for a Japandi vibe, or wrap the base in jute cord for a textural feel. You could even use washi tape, linen, contact paper, or aluminum foil (okay, just kidding), to match your space. Minimal effort, maximum effect.

If you're the kind of DIYer who can't stop at one project, there's plenty of inspiration in the no-tools IKEA universe. Try combining cutting boards and trivets to create a IKEA side table that doubles as decor, or elevate an old cabinet into something vintage and chic with just a few surface tweaks. Bottom line: this hack turns everyday pieces into something that looks intentional; like you meant to buy a $120 side table but chose to outsmart the system instead. Which, let's be real, is kind of the whole point of IKEA in the first place.