Turn IKEA's Simple Candle Holders Into Adorable Coasters With An Easy DIY

Hosting parties and get-togethers can be fun, but finding condensation rings on your tables from icy cold beverages can quickly dampen the experience. It's even worse if said surfaces are porous and prone to water damage. Luckily, there's a simple solution to the issue: just use coasters to protect the wood furniture in your home. While coasters are easy to find, sometimes the perfect coaster set for your home is one that you might have to fashion yourself. A relatively easy craft, DIYing custom coasters can be made even easier with the help of a simple and affordable IKEA product. The BLADFÅGEL candle dish is originally intended for holding your pillar candles, but it can be repurposed and crafted into an adorable pressed flower coaster. The floral-shaped candle dish sells for a mere $1.49 and comes in two colors: clear or pink. For this DIY, you will also need Mod Podge and pressed flowers. Pick up some sponge paint brushes, like these Crafter's Square Sponge Paint Brush Sets, to apply your adhesive. 

Once you've stocked up on your BLADFÅGELs, start crafting your cute, floral-shaped, round coasters by first removing the sticker label from the dish. Make sure it's cleanly removed so you don't have any unsightly bumps when applying your chosen pressed flowers and Mod Podge to the dish. Flip the dishes over and apply a layer of the Mod Podge to the bottom. Place your florals onto the paste, layering them in order from what you want to see through the top of the coaster to what will be shown on the bottom of the coaster. Allow this first layer of Mod Podge to dry thoroughly before adding another layer to secure the pieces in place. Let the second layer dry completely, too, before putting your new coasters to use.

If florals aren't part of your design aesthetic, you can find different materials to customize your IKEA candle-dish-turned-coaster. Newspaper clippings, for example, can make a cute, vintage-inspired background for your drink rest. Simply tear off scraps from an old newspaper and Mod Podge it onto the bottom of the BLADFÅGEL dish. You can also use die-cuts and ephemera typically used for scrapbooking to adorn your coasters, especially if you're trying to make themed ones. Something like the Michaels' Yes, I Do Paper Die-Cuts can be used to adorn the IKEA candle dish for coaster wedding favors. For more personalized home decor on a budget, print photographs of yourself, family, and friends to decoupage onto the candle dishes for photo coasters that are great party favors for milestone celebrations. 

The BLADFÅGEL has a diameter of 4.25 inches – ideal for holding most drink ware, which typically have a diameter ranging from 1.5 inches to 4 inches. But this beloved IKEA pick also comes in a smaller, tea light candle size. With a diameter of 2.75-inches, the BLADFÅGEL tealight holder might not be able to hold a cup or mug, but it can be the perfect accompaniment piece to your new, DIY floral-shaped coaster. Apply a pressed flower or alternate decor item to the bottom of the tea light dish, secure it with Mod Podge, and use it as a spoon rest or teabag holder when paired with the bigger BLADFÅGEL holding a piping hot cup of tea.