Harold's Renovation Blog: Ideas wanted: Help me turn IKEA ADDE into an Industrial Chair

Hello guys! I’m Natalia, from Catalonia, and I have part of an idea, so I need your help! I was thinking into turning the IKEA ADDE into an industrial chair, by removing its plastic parts (“bottom” and back of the chair) and changing them into wood planks.

ADDE chair | IKEA.com

Do you guys have any ideas how to do this by using, maybe, other IKEA products? I was thinking about cutting boards, or maybe pails? I am not sure, and I don’t even know where to start, but I think it could be a cool idea.

Thanks!!!

~ by Natalia

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Hi Natalia

Great to hear you’re attempting an IKEA hack. It’s always great to push the limits of our creativity.

Yes, I agree that wood slats added to the ADDE chair frame would give it some industrial vibe. For this Industrial Chair project, I would consider using the LUROY bed slats, cut to the right length. It’s cheap too, only $9.99.

As the LUROY slats are made from layer-glued birch, they will adjust to your body weight. The slats will provide the seat and back with a bit of a bounce, compared to solid wood slats. Getting the right curvature to fit the back and seat would be the most challenging bit, I figure.

LUROY | IKEA.com

Ideas for industrial chairs

For your inspiration, here’s a previous industrial chair hack using wood slats. It’s not on the ADDE, but the old EMMABO rocking chair. The original IKEA version came with a fabric cover which eventually tore. Alex retrofitted the chair with wood slats and used it as an outdoor deck chair. It looks fab, IMHO, way better than the original fabric cover. You can see more of it here and a lighter version here.

Another possibility is, of course, metal. It’s as industrial as you can get.

Use a HYLLIS shelf and bend it into shape for the back of the ADDE chair. Take another shelf and wrap it around the seat. You’ll need to cut them into the right sizes first. Be careful of the sharp edges. See the tutorial here.

A different style of industrial chair

Personally, I prefer a subtler industrial style and I think woven chairs deliver the right balance, depending on the material and colors.

The original rattan seat gave way and Bdegraf used discarded climbing rope to tie together a new seat. Pretty comfy it seems. See more.

Besides rope, you can use the same woven concept with seat belt material to weave around the chair frame. A softer kind of industrial chair, perhaps?