Martin Cooper

A lovely bed nook with the BILLY Bookcase as a room divider. I hated being able to see my bed from the “kitchen” and vice versa, so needed a cheap way to hide it! Here was how it looked when I first moved in: Before Before Quotes for a partition wall came in too expensive, plus it’s a rental, so I decided to use the BILLY bookcase as a room divider. Related: See this guy’s striking IKEA makeover during lockdown IKEA items used:   1 x BILLY Bookcase, white, 80x28x202 cm 3 x BILLY Bookcase, white, 40x28x202 cm MATILDA Sheer curtains , 1 pair, white, 140×300 cm 1 x IRJA Curtain rod set , white, 140 cm Other materials and tools:   6 x metal braces 12 x small screws Primer – white Paint – white white polyfilla screwdriver hammer 3M sticky wall hook plastic coated curtain wire to desired length (the one with the loops at each end) 1 x screw hook DIY IKEA bookcase room divider First, I primed and painted the backs of the bookcases as I’...

After completing the bar in my garage , I had planned on adding a DJ Booth using IKEA elements. Finally, it is finally complete. IKEA items used: 6 x KALLAX units 77x77cm (202.758.14) 2 x packs of CAPITA stainless steel legs – 16cm (102.678.95) 1 x LINNMON black-brown table top – 200cmx60cm (802.513.58) 6 x RÄCKA white curtain rods 120-210cm (902.171.61) 1 x BJÄRNUM foldable hooks (3 pack) (601.525.90) Other item used: 1 x GOVEE Dream light kit   DJ booth IKEA KALLAX hack: So … I started off with the 6 x KALLAX units, assembling them as per instructions. KALLAX shelf unit | IKEA.com I measured up 20cm from the bottom of each cube, and 5cm in from the back of each cube, on both sides and marked with pencil. Then, I carefully drilled 17mm holes all the way through the middle shelf and only through the first layer of the outer sides (left & right). Next, I measured across the KALLAX unit (77cm) and cut the RÄCKA poles to approx. 75cm each. I then disas...

I recently purchased a lovely old Cotterman library ladder with a long track. Track feels heavy. Credit: Stairwayshop.com I’d like to attach the ladder to my extensive tall (extended) IKEA BILLY bookshelves but am concerned the particleboard won’t hold up. Anyone done this or any advice? ~ Melissa *** Hi Melissa I’ve definitely seen IKEA BILLY bookshelves with a library ladder — so classic! All of them has the ladder fastened to pieces of solid wood fixed to a frame, rather than the BILLY bookshelf. As you suspected, particleboard BILLY is too flimsy to hold up a heavy track. The BILLY bookshelves themselves should be fastened onto the wall. The backboard is not sturdy enough so you will need a combination of L and corner brackets to secure the units to wall studs (if on a drywall). IKEA BILLY bookshelves with rolling ladder In the photo below, Doug stacked short BILLY bookshelves on top of the tall ones with solid wood between the units. The piece of solid wood is w...

Expertly crafted to adapt and conform to your body, the best memory foam mattresses deliver customized support and comfort. These foam mattresses have an elasticity from polyurethane foam that enables the mattress to bounce back to its original form, hence the reference to “memory.” In addition to the cradling comfort and alleviation of pressure points, memory foam mattresses provide motion isolation, which is fantastic for co-sleepers who actively change position throughout the night.  The best memory foam mattress you can buy today A restful night’s sleep is essential to your overall wellness. We have selected the best memory foam mattresses that you can buy with confidence. All prices are valid as of May 2020.   Best memory foam mattress overall: Novosbed by Goodmorning.com  Crafted with three zones of high-density memory foam, the Novosbed provides everything you should seek out in a foam mattress including even weight distribution, body contouring, relief ...

Choosing the most suitable bathroom flooring can be daunting. You want your bathroom flooring to complement the rest of the home yet still withstand high moisture levels, humidity and heavy foot traffic. The sheer number of bathroom floor designs, colors, textures and material types further complicate the process. To help cut through the clutter, we’ve narrowed down the best flooring for bathroom areas as well as the pros and cons of each. Best waterproof bathroom flooring options There are many bathroom flooring options on the market today, with many of them claiming to be waterproof. But are they? Waterproof flooring means that no water or moisture will penetrate it no matter how long the floor is exposed. In genuinely waterproof flooring materials, the waterproofing product is baked in rather than just being used as a coating. By contrast, water-resistant floors are usually not resistant to moisture under the top layer of the floor.  While the flooring material may be waterpr...

Most people think about the size of the mattress when it comes to finding a new bed. But bed height and mattress height are often overlooked as factors that affect personal comfort, body health and the overall aesthetic of your sleep space. An amazing night’s sleep is quickly undone if you struggle to get out of bed. How to determine the best bed height for you Why do you want to purchase a new bed? Purchasing a new bed and mattress is no small investment. We spend one-third of our lives sleeping (or trying to) , so finding the right mattress affects our overall well-being. Make a list of what you love about your current mattress and what you don’t. Is it challenging getting into or out of bed? Do you and your partner not have enough room to stretch out comfortably? Take time to build the perfect bed by making an educated decision based on your sleeping position, firmness level and your bedroom’s decor. What physical factors should be considered in bed height? Consider your height...

Homeowners must perform routine HVAC maintenance for air quality safety reasons. Scheduling HVAC preventative maintenance ensures it performs properly and prolongs the lifespan of your unit. Neglecting your system could lead to inefficient performance and system failure. There are several HVAC maintenance tasks you can complete on your own, however, some require an HVAC specialist. In this guide, we outline the dos and don’ts of HVAC maintenance. DO: Seasonal HVAC preventative maintenance At least two times per year, schedule HVAC preventative maintenance with a professional technician. Maintenance should involve a furnace or heat pump inspection that includes cleaning and an annual tune-up. Schedule maintenance for your air conditioning system in the spring and your furnace or heat pump either late summer or early fall. That way, your unit is running optimally and efficiently as soon as you turn it on. If your HVAC technician discovers a severe problem, they can deal with it befor...

Every day we are exposed to carbon monoxide gas from the burning of carbon-based fuels including coal, kerosene, natural gases, oil, propane and wood. Typically, this toxic gas would be expelled out of the home through vents, but it doesn’t always happen. The Centers for Disease and Control estimates that 2,244 people died between 2010 and 2015 due to unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning.  Carbon monoxide cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. A carbon monoxide detector helps protect you and your property by detecting carbon monoxide leaks before they become lethal. Basic carbon monoxide detectors cost as little as $20 . Since it’s critical that this gadget not let you down, we cover the basic features you should consider when buying a carbon monoxide detector.  Combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector Homeowners often do not see the need for smoke detectors because they think the presence of fire will be obvious. However, most fire victims succumb due to inhaling smo...

Should I change my mattress? Is it time? If you wake up sore or stiff, it might be time to get a new mattress. Other reasons include an increase in allergies, you feel tired after a full night of sleep, you end up getting a better night’s sleep on another mattress while on vacation or visiting family or your mattress has visible signs of use. As a general rule of thumb, the Better Sleep Council recommends that consumers change their mattress if it is seven years or older. This guide provides more information on how often specific types of mattresses are expected to last, as well as specific signs you can be on the lookout for to help you decide if it’s time to change your mattress. We also included some tips on how to prolong the life of your mattress. When should I change my mattress? Because we all spend thousands of hours on our mattresses, it is not uncommon to wonder, “when should I change my mattress?” Unfortunately, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer. Instead, how long ...

SleepAdvisor gives all mattresses a firmness rating between one and ten, with higher numbers indicating a firmer mattress. Most people find their happy place in the middle, between four and six. However, these numbers are relatively subjective as a middle number can feel hard for some sleepers or vice versa.  Doctors say that firm mattresses are generally good picks for stomach and back sleepers, because they provide the most spinal support, since sinking too deeply into your bed may cause a misalignment after a few nights. Firm mattresses are also better for people of size, hot sleepers and those who have arthritis.  With so many firm mattress options to choose from, we’ve researched and selected the best firm mattress on the market today, as well as a short-list of high-quality alternatives. Whether you’re looking for the best medium-firm mattress or the best extra-firm mattress, the selections below should give you a great start toward a good night’s sleep. The best fi...