Welcome to the ultimate DIY project that combines affordability, style, and pure joy: a clean and modern DIY Ikea hack ice cream cart, complete with a delightful sprinkle bar! This versatile creation is not just a showstopper for summer socials, weddings, or birthday parties; it can also serve as a charming, functional piece in your living room or any creative space.
Today, we’re unveiling what many consider the Holy Grail of DIY projects. This ingenious creation seamlessly merges two universally loved elements: the delightful indulgence of ice cream and the ingenious practicality of an Ikea hack. And for those with a sweet tooth, yes, there are plenty of sprinkles involved, ensuring an unexpected burst of excitement for all ages! This DIY Ikea Cart Hack is remarkably straightforward to execute, requiring only a minimal amount of assembly in classic Ikea fashion. The result? A stunning, personalized cart that will be the envy of every kid and adult in the neighborhood.
To bring this vision to life, we had the pleasure of collaborating with the talented team at Poppies for Grace, who generously supplied an array of beautiful paper goods and festive balloons that added that perfect touch of whimsical charm to the project. The final outcome exceeded all expectations, creating a truly enchanting and memorable display.
Given that it was National Ice Cream Month, maintaining an authentic ice cream theme was paramount. Our studio has a deep-seated obsession with frozen treats, from delectable Strawberry Ice Cream Bon Bons to playful Cotton Candy Ice Cream Shots. However, the practical challenge of not having a freezer readily available in the studio meant we had to get creative. So, we opted for the kind of ice cream that blissfully refuses to melt, ensuring our display remained pristine and picture-perfect throughout the event.
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DIY Ikea Cart Hack | Materials and Tools Needed to Make an Ikea Bar Cart Hack
Creating this eye-catching ice cream and sprinkle bar is simpler than you might imagine, thanks to the brilliance of Ikea hacks. The key is to start with the right foundation and a few transformative supplies. Here’s everything you’ll need to assemble your very own custom cart:
- Ikea Trendig Occasional Table: This forms the base of your cart. Its clean lines and sturdy structure make it an ideal candidate for a stylish transformation. Ensure you have all the original hardware and instructions ready for assembly. Find it here.
- Metallic Gold Spray Paint: Choose a high-quality, fast-drying metallic gold spray paint that adheres well to various surfaces for a durable and brilliant finish. This will be used to add elegant accents to your cart. Shop for metallic gold spray paint.
- Multi-Surface White Enamel Spray Paint: A smooth, durable white enamel spray paint will give your cart a fresh, clean look that mimics professional finishes. Look for one that offers excellent coverage and a glossy or semi-gloss finish. Get white enamel spray paint.
- Painter’s Tape: Essential for achieving crisp, clean lines and protecting areas you don’t want painted. A good quality painter’s tape will prevent paint bleed. Purchase painter’s tape.
- Straight Edge/Ruler and Pencil: For precise measurements and marking, especially when creating design elements on the wheels. Grab a straight edge or a ruler.
- Large, Plain Construction Paper or Butcher Paper: Used for masking off larger sections to prevent overspray. The larger the sheets, the easier it will be to protect your surfaces. Find construction paper.
- Protective Drop Cloths or Tarps: To shield your workspace from paint.
- Ventilated Area: Crucial for safe spray painting.
- Screwdriver/Hex Key: As required by the Ikea assembly instructions.
How to Make a DIY Ikea Cart and Sprinkle Bar
Follow these simple steps to transform your Ikea Trendig table into a fabulous ice cream and sprinkle cart:
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Initial Assembly and Painting: Begin by assembling the Ikea Trendig occasional table according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Crucially, at this stage, leave the wheels off. Once the main cart structure is partially built, it’s time to add your base color. In a well-ventilated area and on a protective surface, spray paint the partially built cart and the detached wheels separately with the multi-surface white enamel spray paint. Ensure even coverage on all sides for a smooth, professional-looking finish. Allow ample drying time as specified on your spray paint can, usually a few hours.
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Designing the Gold Wheel Accents: Once the white paint is completely dry, you’ll add the metallic gold detail to the wheels. Take each wheel and use a straight edge and pencil to carefully draw a line across it, marking precisely where you want the gold metallic block design to be. This line will guide your tape application. Next, meticulously tape off the marked line with painter’s tape, pressing down firmly to prevent any paint from seeping underneath. To protect the rest of the wheel that will remain white, cover it completely with large, plain construction paper or butcher paper, securing it with tape. This crucial step prevents any unwanted metallic gold residue from bleeding onto your pristine white finish. Finally, spray paint the exposed section of the wheels with the metallic gold spray paint, ensuring a rich, even coat. Let these dry thoroughly.
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Final Assembly and Styling: Once all painted components are completely dry to the touch and fully cured (which might take up to 24 hours depending on the paint and humidity), carefully remove all painter’s tape and protective paper. Then, attach the custom-designed wheels to your cart following the Ikea instructions. Now your stunning Ikea hack cart is ready to be styled! You can set it up as a fully functioning ice cream serving area, complete with tubs of your favorite flavors, scoops, and bowls, or simply dedicate it as an extravagant and eye-catching sprinkle and topping bar. The choice is yours!
Styling Your Ice Cream Bar: Tips and Tricks
Beyond the cart itself, the styling of your ice cream and sprinkle bar is where your creativity truly shines. Here are some ideas to make your setup irresistibly charming:
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Sprinkle Cone Decor: For a unique and festive topping bar, consider spray painting regular ice cream cones white. Once dry, fill each cone with a different type of colorful sprinkle – rainbow, chocolate, metallic, or themed mixes. These not only look adorable but can also serve as whimsical balloon weights for metallic letter balloons spelling out “ICE CREAM” or “PARTY.”
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Repurposed Canisters for Toppings & Utensils: Don’t shy away from transforming unexpected items! We once found some rather unappealing rooster canisters at World Market, but their cute scalloped lids caught our eye. A quick makeover involved spray painting the canister bodies white and the lids a coordinating gold to match the cart. These now serve as charming containers for various flatware, serving utensils, or even additional ice cream toppings. They prove that with a little paint, anything can be given a stylish new life.
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Non-Melting Ice Cream Decorations: Since real ice cream wasn’t an option in our sunny, freezer-less studio, we opted for creative non-edible alternatives. We drew inspiration from adorable honeycomb ice cream cones featured on Alana Jones Mann’s blog (a truly brilliant creative mind!) and the charming garland version on Oh Happy Day. To add our unique twist, we utilized fringed honeycombs from Poppies for Grace, arranging them to mimic the delightful appearance of melting ice cream scoops. While the “melting” effect might be subtly arguable, the concept is undeniably cute and adds a playful element to the display. Imagine pairing these honeycombs with jumbo confetti balloons for an even more celebratory vibe!
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Theme-Specific Decor: Consider a theme for your ice cream bar! For a vintage feel, add classic ice cream parlor signs, striped paper straws, and colorful sundae glasses. For a modern aesthetic, opt for minimalist serving dishes, geometric patterns, and monochromatic color schemes with pops of neon. Floral arrangements or small potted plants can also add a touch of freshness and elegance.
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Lighting: String fairy lights around the cart or place small LED candles among the toppings for an inviting glow, especially if your event extends into the evening.
Beyond Ice Cream: Versatile Uses for Your Ikea Hack Cart
Once you’ve experienced the joy of this beautifully customized cart, you’ll find yourself completely enamored. Its appeal extends far beyond serving frozen treats. This “Trendig” table turned versatile cart can find a functional and stylish home in almost any room:
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Bar Cart: Transform it into a chic bar cart for adult gatherings. Stock it with spirits, mixers, garnishes, and elegant glassware for an instant cocktail station.
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Coffee or Tea Station: Create a cozy corner for your morning brew. Arrange your coffee maker, cups, sugar, and various tea bags on the cart, making your daily ritual a little more special.
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Craft or Art Supply Cart: Keep your creative tools organized and mobile. Store paints, brushes, yarns, or scrapbooking essentials, allowing you to move your projects around your home with ease.
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Plant Stand: Display your favorite potted plants or succulents, bringing a touch of nature indoors. The wheels allow you to move plants to catch the best sunlight.
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Kids’ Play Station: Perfect for holding art supplies, building blocks, or small toys, keeping clutter contained and easily transportable for playdates.
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Bathroom Storage: Use it to store towels, toiletries, or bath bombs, adding a touch of elegance and extra storage to your bathroom space.
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Living Room Side Table: Without any elaborate styling, the cart functions beautifully as a modern side table. Place books, a small lamp, or decorative items on its shelves.
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Office Organizer: Keep office supplies, files, or a printer on the cart for a mobile and organized workspace.
This cart isn’t just a DIY project; it’s an investment in functional decor that can adapt to your evolving needs and styles. Its flexibility truly makes it a delightful addition to any home.
DIY Ikea Cart Hack
A clean and modern DIY Ikea hack ice cream cart (and sprinkle bar) perfect for summer socials, weddings, parties, and even a spot in the living room!
Equipment
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Straight edge/ruler and pencil
Materials
- Ikea Trendig occasional table
- Metallic gold spray paint
- Multi-surface white enamel spray paint
- Painter’s tape
- Large, plain construction paper
Instructions
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Assemble the Trendig cart according to the instructions leaving the wheels off at the end.Spray paint the partially built cart and wheels separately, covering all sides.
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Use a straight edge and pencil to make a line across each wheel to mark where you want the gold metallic block to be.Then tape off the line with painter’s tape.Using plain construction paper, cover the remaining part of the wheel that will be left white so that no spray paint residue will bleed.Then spray paints the rest with metallic gold.
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Once everything is dry, finish assembling the wheels and style!You can make your ice cream cart a fully functioning serving area, or just leave it as a topping bar.
Cost: $70
Keywords: diy ikea cart hack
Sharing Your Creation
We are absolutely thrilled with this DIY Ikea hack ice cream cart, and we encourage you to embark on your own transformation journey! If you do decide to create your version of this fabulous cart, be sure to share your DIY Ikea Cart Hack with us on Instagram using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves. We love seeing all your creative endeavors and how you personalize your projects! If you’re hosting an ice cream party, consider serving some easy no-churn ice cream in decorative cones or unique chocolate ice cream liners for an extra special touch.
We’re always looking for new inspiration and love to see how our community puts their own spin on these projects. How would you use your custom DIY cart? Let us know in the comments!
Sources: Fancy fringed honeycombs, fancy letter balloons, and perfect crepe paper from Poppies for Grace; Previously hideous rooster tins turned cute from World Market; Trendig occasional table from Ikea.
More Inspiring Ikea Hacks
If you’re eager for more DIY Ikea hack projects and love transforming affordable furniture into unique statement pieces, explore some of our other favorite transformations below!
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