IKEA Hack: How to Make a Foam Bench

Furniture DIY and upholstery can come at a high cost, particularly where lots of raw materials are needed. But it needn't be expensive. A new wave of furniture DIY hobbyists is actively promoting the upcycling of new IKEA furniture into something totally different.

One popular IKEA furniture hack is creating a narrow hallway foam bench with integrated storage. With many UK homes having narrow hallways, this repurposed solution is a slimmer take on the bench-like furniture found in mudrooms. Using the IKEA Lack TV unit, you can make a similar piece for your hallway that's easy to assemble, the right size, and won't break the bank.

Four steps to make your own foam bench

1. Buy two Lack units, plus L-brackets, primer, paint, glue, chipboard, foam, cover fabric and the necessary nails and screws. Assemble your first unit, paint it, and leave to dry overnight.
2. For comfort, order high-density polyurethane foam using our cut to size tool, entered to the exact dimensions of the bench top, around three to four inches thick. For a luxurious feel, consider Reflex Superior foam, or a 2-inch high-density base with a 2-inch memory foam topping.
3. Cover the foam top with your material, securing it underneath with a few hand stitches, then glue the top to the unit with heavy-duty adhesive and leave to dry for one to two hours.
4. Place it in your hallway and fill the unit with whatever you like – shoes, decorations or something else entirely.

For more storage projects, see our guides to the Lack storage table and the DIY foam ottoman. For help ordering custom foam bench cushions in the UK, or recommended foam types for benches, please contact us.

Frequently asked questions

What foam is best for a DIY bench seat?

We recommend high-density polyurethane foam around three to four inches thick. For a more luxurious feel, Reflex Superior foam works well, or you could combine a 2-inch high-density base with a 2-inch memory foam topping.

How do you make an IKEA Lack bench?

Assemble and paint two Lack units, add a cut-to-size foam top covered in fabric and glued on, and use the units' interior for storage. It's an easy, affordable way to make a slim hallway bench.

Which IKEA unit makes a good hallway bench?

The IKEA Lack TV unit, which is slim and ideal for the narrow hallways common in UK homes, making a slimmer version of the mudroom-style storage bench.