Ikea Sektion Hack

My bathroom renovation is coming together! This week we are adding storage with a tall cabinet that’s actually meant for the kitchen. But storage is storage so I’ll be doing an Ikea Sektion hack. We’ll build a base, have a scallop detail, add a pediment on top, put on pretty hardware, and attach a carved onlay. It’s going to be pretty! Let’s get started!

before

This is the corner that we’ll be working on. The tile is only partially done because we didn’t want to fully tile behind the cabinet. I had wallpaper up, but decided it was too dark so I took it down. So here’s where we are starting.

Here is the cabinet in the space without any alternations (and the blue protective plastic still on it).

Note, I was not a fan of the wallpaper I selected. It was too dark for me, so I started my week by removing it.

ikea sektion hack

Let’s start with the video tutorial so you get an overview on what I did. Then, I’ll dive in with more details below:

If the video doesn’t work here, you can watch it on YouTube here. It’d mean so much if you’d watch the video! I’m trying to get better at my video skills so I can grow my YouTube channel. If you have a few minutes to watch this and/or subscribe, I’d so appreciate it.

Ikea Sektion hack ideas

In my hallway, I have an Ikea Sektion tall cabinet. Here are the principles I used to dress it up-

Elevate it on a base. Wrap it with trim (baseboards)
Add cute hardware
Crown the top. For this one, we added a faux top so it’ll reach the ceiling and wrapped it in crown molding.
Embel

SUPPLIES

Sektion High Cabinet
Axstad Drawer Front (x2)
Axstad Door
Maximera Drawer Medium (x2)
Maximera Drawer Low
Utrusta Hinge (2 pack)
Utrusta Drawer front, low
Utrusta Shelf
Scallop Trim
Winter White by Behr Paint
Swan Carved Onlay
Vintage Swan Pulls (found on eBay)
Shims
Architectural Salvage Pediment (similar options)

Tools

step 1- prep

A good Ikea hack is all about layering items to upgrade the plain cabinet. I’ll be using a Swan Carved Onlay to add dimension to the cabinet door and make it look more interesting.

Start by painting the onlay. I’m using the paint color Winter White by Behr Paint because it is a close match to the Ikea laminate. I don’t want to paint the cabinet so having the onlay match will make it so I can glue it on later. And, not get paint on the cabinet.

On the top of the cabinet, I’ll put a piece of architecture salvage that I found from an antique shop. It’ll give the look of a pediment on the top. Using a foam pediment will also give a similar look (but much easier to buy and use).

I’m also painting that Winter White. I know that painting an antique feels wrong, but it’ll look dingy and old otherwise. For this room, I think having it coordinate will help pull the whole cabinet together.

step 2- base

Next, build a base for the cabinet. This will literally and figuratively elevate the cabinet. The Sektion comes with legs and a clip on toe kick, but it looks pretty cheap so I prefer this option.

For our cabinet, we’re building the base out of 2×4’s. It’s 14″ deep and 18-1/4″ wide. Make a rectangle that’ll fit under the cabinet and add a support piece of 2×4 down the center. Use screws to attach the pieces together.

Once the base is made, put it in place and test the cabinet- does it fit nicely on top of it?

Once verified, remove the cabinet and screw the base into the walls. If needed, use shims to level out the base.

Then, put the cabinet back in place. Use shims again to level out the cabinet if you’re dealing with crooked walls and floor like us.

Screw the cabinet to the base. Then, screw the cabinet to the wall. This will make it so it’s built into the wall and very secure.

Next, attach the pediment on the top. This option works great in this room with the angled ceiling. In our hall, we have a larger Sektion piece that we use as a linen closet. For that one, we added a false top and wrapped it with crown molding. It looks beautiful!

Put all doors and drawers onto the cabinet.

Then, remove the blue protective plastic off the doors and drawers.

Use glue and attach the onlays to the front of the doors.

In needed, trim any shims that are sticking out of the base.

step 3- hardware

And now, attach the hardware. I find special hardware can really dress up the Sektion! For this one, I’m using vintage hardware. The knob on top is also used on the vanity.

For the bottom drawer pulls, I’m using vintage swan hardware I found on eBay. The swan neck is where you pull the drawer open! I love it.

The screws were too long for this hardware, so we’re shortening it with a Dremel.

step 4- dress up the base

Finally, use a miter saw to cut the Scallop Trim so it’ll wrap around the 2×4 base.

Then, attach the trim to the base with a nail gun.

Use wood filler in the nail holes. Add caulk where the cabinet hits the floor and walls. Finish up by painting the entire base white.

If needed, add in any tiles needed to finish around the cabinet. We left the chair rail piece to the end so that it’ll fit perfectly next to the cabinet.

after

The cabinet is done and I love it!

In my opinion, the pediment at the top turned out so cute! It draws your eye up. And I just love that it tells a story with the room.

Can I tell you, having storage that are drawers instead of cabinet doors is so much easier to use?!

It’s so nice having good storage. Everything has a place in the bathroom and none of it is overcrowded. I love that!

Even though the cabinet is tall and skinny (the top holds my broom and mop), it still feels pretty open in here.

price breakdown

Sektion High Cabinet $118
Axstad Drawer Front (x2) $124
Axstad Door $194
Maximera Drawer Medium (x2) $64
Maximera Drawer Low $27
Utrusta Hinge (2 pack) $24
Utrusta Drawer front, low $14
Utrusta Shelf $15
Swan Carved Onlay $63
Vintage Swan Pulls (found on eBay) $33
Architectural Salvage $45

Items I already had on hand

In total I spend $721. Which, honestly, makes me want to throw up a little. Those cabinets are expensive! But they’re super nice. And I did splurge a bit on the accents. Though I bought the pediment a few years ago, so I barely count that- lol.

In conclusion, it was fun doing the Ikea Section Hack. It was expensive. But I hope to have this cabinet forever. And who doesn’t need more storage?! I love the sentiment and how the pediment looks. What do you think about this project?