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Turn IKEA Storage Boxes Into A Comfy Outdoor Sofa. Here's How
By JAHAIRA ARTHUR
Using mending plates, L-brackets, 2 ½-inch deck screws, wood planks, a drill, and cushions, you can turn two Nämmarö storage boxes ($110 each) from IKEA into a comfy outdoor sofa.
The wood used to make the boxes is treated for protection against stains and the elements, so it will be fine to leave outside. The boxes double as seats, so they’re durable, too.
First, build the crates and join them to make the sofa’s base. To do so, line a mending plate up along the joining seam for the boxes, drill holes, and screw the plate in place.
Then, grab two 2-inch by 4-inch by 8-foot planks. Cut each plank into one 21 ¼-inch piece, two 24 ½-inch pieces, and one 18 ¼-inch piece to create the frame for each armrest.
The 21 ¼-inch piece will be the top of the armrest. Screw either 24 ½-inch piece on the underside of the top rail and the 18 ¼-inch piece between the bottom of the side pieces.
Next, stain the armrests a warm brown to match the storage boxes. You can also create contrast by staining it a different shade, leaving the wood raw, or painting it a fun color.
After the wood dries, use an L-bracket to screw each armrest in place. Once you have what looks like a bench, place some cushions on it to transform it into a chic outdoor sofa.