Woman Turns Scrap Wood Into Chic Countertop Storage With IKEA Door Knobs

Skip the budget-busting countertop trays and organizers — you can DIY one that looks just as stunning (and maybe even more so) with scrap wood and drawer pulls. That's just what creator Mie Dupont did, sharing the results on Instagram. Her elevated countertop tray uses four BAGGANÄS Knobs from IKEA as the legs to raise a simple piece of scrap wood off the surface. And the project doesn't involve any drills, so it's a quick, simple way to create chic countertop decor that can give small items a designated storage spot.

Using a tray on your countertops keeps essentials tidy — it's a natural spot to group similar items, like herbs, cleaners, or decor, in one spot. And it organizes in a chic, stylish way instead of just sliding items together in a corner. Wood creates a warm, earthy, classic vibe for your tray, and adding brass knobs as legs can inject stylish contrast with little pops of metallic tones. The IKEA knobs the creator used have a rounded design, but the brass BAGGANÄS knobs available now only have flat tops. This could, however, help keep the tray steady. 

To create this extra kitchen storage idea, you'll need a piece of wood cut to the size you want. Scrap wood keeps the project inexpensive. A square or rectangle is the easiest to cut, but you can make a circle or oval for a rounded look if you have a jigsaw. You could screw the knobs into the wood, but this would mean filling the resulting holes in the top. An easier option is to use some universal adhesive, like E6000. Position each knob on a corner, slightly in from the edge, and glue it in place to create the basic structure.

What fun is a DIY project if you can't personalize it to fit your style? Changing the knobs that create the legs is one of the easiest ways to modify this project. IKEA's BAGGANÄS knobs come in brass, stainless steel, and black finishes, so you can change the color for a quick modification. Alternatively, head to other retailers for knobs, use knobs you already have, or browse other IKEA styles. IKEA's ENERYDA knobs are similar to the rounded, older style of the BAGGANÄS knobs, and are cheaper. 

There's also room for modifications on the wood itself. You can stain or paint the unfinished wood to create a particular aesthetic. Pulling a color out of your countertop or backsplash is a good way to make the organizer look like it fits well. If you want to make a rim around the tray to keep items from sliding, glue large round beads or thin pieces of wood along the top edge. You can also glue thin pieces of wood on the top to divide the board into sections for better organization.

This riser idea doesn't have to be relegated to the kitchen. It can also work as an organizer in your bathroom, on your coffee table, or in your bedroom on a dresser or table. But if you're keen to find more ideas for the kitchen specifically, here's another project that uses wood scraps and affordable IKEA items: The effortless OSTBIT plate holder hack that keeps countertop clutter organized.