Attic Craft Room The Victorian House

Värde Cabinets for the Craft Room (Former Kitchen)

This all started because I needed to hem a shower curtain for the bathroom and as I cleared off some space to work, I thought, ‘eh, I should make this area nicer.’ Now here we are with a 3D model of the whole room! Makes sense.

Craft Room / Kitchen w/ IKEA Värde Cabinets

As a reminder, here’s what we started with.

Third Floor Kitchen

The stove and fridge were both donated and are gone. I’m not attached to the built-in wooden shelves and cabinet, so I’m not sure if they’re staying or being replaced (as in the model). They aren’t particularly nice, but I know people love them some built-ins. If it goes, one of our IKEA Värde cabinets will replace it — we have three: one with twelve drawers, another with two doors, and one with three drawers and two shelves. The entire line has been discontinued, but we brought ours with us from our last house.

IKEA Värde Freestanding Kitchen Cabinets

I confess, I still haven’t taken out the metal sink cabinet that’s in the space now. Once I do though, one of the above units will replace it. I’m planning on keeping the plumbing and hacking one of the cabinets to fit a sink — pretty handy to have a sink in a craft room! IKEA used to sell a base with a stainless steel integrated sink and countertop, but I’ve seen some hacks for adding a sink to the butcher-block topped units.

IKEA Värde Sink Hacks

I haven’t chosen a sink yet. An apron front or vintage drainboard would be awesome, but I don’t know if I want to devote that much space to a sink when it’s really not going to get heavy-duty use. It’s more for cleaning messy things like paint brushes, or maybe the occasional glass. I’m entertaining the idea of popping a mini fridge up there with a little freezer component so I can keep drinks and ice cubes up there. It’s not that hard to walk down to the kitchen, but hey. Crafting works up a thirst, and I’m lazy! If we were keeping this as a kitchen, I’d want a cute little Smeg fridge, but I don’t think I can justify it for a craft room.

IKEA Varde Drawers and Smeg Fridge in Kitchen
Photo by Nadine, Herz-Allerliebst

Anyways. Once everything is laid out, there will be a whole lot of painting. These units look pretty fantastic with a little modification.

IKEA Värde Kitchen Hacks

They make a good base, right? This is going to be fun.

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  • Celeste
    July 12, 2016 at 12:25 pm

    This one is exciting, since you’ll likely be using stuff that’s already on-hand with some alterations and additions to make it work for this piece. I love seeing things being reused in new ways in new spaces, because we could all do with a little less waste. The trick is always making it look nice, which you’re totally capable of doing. Good luck!

  • Emily Clark-Nimz
    July 12, 2016 at 1:30 pm

    I love the idea of a little craft sink up there, but I would keep the original built in base (drawers) and then take out the shelves above it. Maybe use that giant side of wood (facing out in the first picture) as a single shelf about the base? You could strip and maybe lime the base and “new” shelf so that it is closer in color to what you have for your other storage/tables? I love all the projects you’ve done in your house so far and can’t wait to see how this will turn out!

    • Making it Lovely
      July 12, 2016 at 4:36 pm

      Ah, that could be the way to go! Super cute, and the size is just fine for what I would need. Thanks!

    • shannon
      July 27, 2016 at 3:00 pm

      oh wow, all of a sudden I REALLY need a mini-fridge ;) that is so cute!

  • Kim | Yellow Brick Home
    July 12, 2016 at 1:48 pm

    Why must the good stuff get discontinued! We always thought we might want another one. The Varde is SO solid.

    • Making it Lovely
      July 12, 2016 at 4:38 pm

      I know. The Värde line is so good! Oddly, the category for “free-standing kitchens” on IKEA’s site is blank.

      • Kate F
        July 12, 2016 at 9:20 pm

        I’m holding out hope that a new line is coming, since they relaunched their built-in kitchens last year? Please, Ikea Gods??? I really wanted that 12-drawer unit & never dreamed it would vanish before I could get it.

  • chrislovesjulia
    July 12, 2016 at 2:14 pm

    I’m so sad this line was discontinued. I was dreaming of it for our own office.

  • lauralou
    July 12, 2016 at 5:24 pm

    I loved the Varde. We always thought we would do that line for our kitchen…and now they are discontinued…
    Looking forward to seeing what you do with this space!

  • Alana W. Piper
    July 12, 2016 at 10:10 pm

    If you decide to hack one of those cabinets for a sink, I may have a bar sink & faucet around here that you’re welcome to.

  • Jessica
    July 13, 2016 at 9:47 am

    I totally vote for ripping out all the old stuff and using all your Varde pieces to make it really coherent looking space. They all go together, so might as well. And a small sink and fridge is fab since you’re all the way up on the 3rd floor!

  • Kristin
    July 13, 2016 at 10:22 am

    I can’t believe the Varde line is discontinued! We have one with two drawers on top and two doors underneath, and it’s one of my favorite IKEA purchases ever. So solid and useful. I LOVE the version with the twelve drawers–I didn’t know that existed and I would buy it in a heartbeat. Anyway, we use ours as our crafting central station, so I agree that it will be great in your craft room!

  • carswell
    July 13, 2016 at 12:47 pm

    Funny you should mention fridges. I just saw this over on Apartment Therapy today. Who knew there were so many cute little bar/dorm fridges out there?

    http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/top-10-candy-colored-refrigerators-for-the-coolest-looking-kitchen-231958?utm_campaign=feature2&utm_medium=homepage&utm_source=feature-home

  • katie fogarty
    July 13, 2016 at 6:54 pm

    Keep an eye on craigslist for a smeg — they do pop up!

  • Jan
    June 1, 2017 at 2:57 pm

    We are interested in buying the Varde island with 3 drawers and 2 shelves from the seller of a house we are buying. However, since the line is discontinued, I don’t have any idea of what he paid for them originally. We are trying to set a fair value on the piece. Does anyone remember roughly what they paid for that unit and when it was discontinued?

    • Making it Lovely
      June 1, 2017 at 2:59 pm

      I think that unit was $499? Either $399 or $499, but not more than that.

  • Jan
    June 2, 2017 at 11:20 am

    Thank you for your quick reply! This is very helpful. It is a shame they have discontinued the line.

  • Teresa L Boi
    January 22, 2018 at 1:33 pm

    I purchased a Varde island with 3 drawers and 2 shelves second hand. I would like to get assembly instructions for it as I need to dis-assemble it in order to refinish it and get it up a flight of stairs. I have contacted Ikea and am waiting for a reply but in case that is a dead end is there any chance you would have assembly instructions?

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