What to do with unneeded Ikea Luroy bed slats?

January 12, 2021 7:25 PM

I'm removing an Ikea bed and wondering if there's anything creative/interesting to be done with the bedslats? They're 28 pieces of slightly curving laminated wood, 27" or so long. Quite pretty in my opinion, structurally solid and I don't want to toss them. But what to make? Something for 6- or 8-year-old users would be nice but not required. Assume half-decent woodworking skills but limited time.
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

Is it rigid? Can you curve it into some kind of half nook. Maybe nail it into the wall and display art at from different slats. Thread it through with string lights. Turn it in to a headboard.
posted by mokeydraws at 8:24 PM on January 12, 2021

A wobbly rope bridge that you hang between two trees?
posted by lab.beetle at 8:49 PM on January 12, 2021

Curve it into a cylinder; staple or sew or glue the ends of the fabric together; and then glue, weave, or drill-then-thread stiff wire (e.g.) around the circumference at the top and bottom to hold it (roughly) in the cylinder shape. Set it down on the floor, and it's a simple barrel/basket (~20" wide by 27" high) for storing stuffed animals or toys or laundry or...? Downside: pick it up and everything just tumbles out in a pile (or is that a bonus?). You could fashion a bottom out of plywood or any other sheet material, but I'm not sure how to fasten it securely.
posted by whatnotever at 10:00 PM on January 12, 2021

Are the slats flexible? I have woven slats through a piece of chain link fence that I put in my garden. It looks pretty cool.
posted by Duffington at 11:49 PM on January 12, 2021

Hang it on the wall to hang art projects from?
posted by socky_puppy at 12:17 AM on January 13, 2021

They make a fantastic wall rack to hang things from with hooks or plain twine. I've seen that with plant pots, but toy bins could be done the same way. Or toy bins within reach of the littles and plants above?
posted by I claim sanctuary at 12:36 AM on January 13, 2021 [1 favorite]

maybe post on r/ikeahacks asking for suggestions?
posted by Morpeth at 3:47 AM on January 13, 2021