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The IKEA Lack table<\/a>\u00a0is\u00a0extremely popular. It is\u00a0inexpensive, lightweight, and versatile. Its aesthetically simple shape is simultaneously attractive and neutral.\u00a0Most importantly, it is HOLLOW which makes it a perfect hack for the installation of… well, anything you can imagine! For our first IKEA hack, we modified the Lack table\u00a0with inset succulent gardens.\u00a0Here’s what we used in the mod\u00a0(we’ll mention the materials for the gardens later):<\/p>\n The Lack tabletop is 55cm square. We planned for two separate insets at a diagonal 2in apart (our ruler is imperial units only). Rather\u00a0than sitting directly in the tables, our gardens would be contained in these organizer trays that would allow us to remove them for watering and maintenance.\u00a0The lip of the trays was advantageous, as it could sit upon the tabletop to hide any rough cuts.\u00a0Here are\u00a0Silas and his assistant measuring and marking.<\/p>\n\t After carefully\u00a0preparing\u00a0our cutting guides, we used our metal ruler as a straight edge and used our utility knife to cut the tabletop. We were patient in making repeated slices, as opposed to a sawing motion, so that our lines would be as clean and smooth as possible. FYI, the tabletop is made of pressed cardboard and is about 5mm thick.<\/p>\n\t Even when all the cuts were made, we found it difficult to remove the cut square because it was so flush! To make it easier, we drilled through the square, then used the hole for leverage\u00a0to lift it up.<\/p>\n\t As promised, the IKEA Lack table is hollow! You can see that it is supported by innards of mere cardboard in a\u00a0honeycomb configuration. Honeycombs\u00a0are a naturally strong and efficient structure that can impressively withstand a great deal of compression. We easily cut and removed the cardboard from the table.<\/p>\n\t Turning our attention to the succulent garden insets:\u00a0Our gardens would rest\u00a0in a table without holes for drainage, so we wanted to create an environment\u00a0that balanced natural drainage and moisture retention. Fortunately, succulents are hardy and forgiving. They do not require much water or soil.\u00a0We gathered:<\/p>\n First layer was gravel; second layer was moss; and third layer was soil.<\/p>\n\t We selected a few of our intriguing succulents for display in\u00a0our Lack gardens.\u00a0One arrangement\u00a0had a larger centerpiece with smaller plants surrounding; the other was a more natural arrangement of four plants. (Note: If you can help with identification, we would appreciate your comments below!)\u00a0Finally, Kathy May\u00a0dropped our tray gardens into the tabletop. They fit perfectly!<\/p>\n\t For top dressing, we used a medium-sized aquarium gravel. The greens of the succulents would\u00a0be a visual pop in the clean, white background.<\/p>\n\t We threw together a couple of terrariums inspired from some we had seen at Mahoney’s Garden Center<\/a>\u00a0to sit on the opposite diagonals from the inset gardens.\u00a0We used glass candle bowls that we found at the dollar store. Here is our final product!<\/p>\n\t The best thing about using the organizer trays is that we can change our minds! We can mix, match, and exchange the contents of the insets. We could do other types of sunken gardens like herbs or flowers (maybe with a built-in drainage system on the underside of the table). We could even inset decorative elements, like a miniature Zen garden.<\/p>\n\t\n
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