How To Use Mapbox for An Amazing IKEA kids table hack

A Cool IKEA Kids Table Hack With Maps

Last month I discovered the most amazing site on the web Mapbox.com. Well if you have an obsession with maps like I do then you will think it’s an awesome site. I used Mapbox to create a map of my favourite place and then used it for a fun IKEA Kids table hack.
 
What’s so good about Mapbox? It’s free, you can make a map of anywhere you want in the world in any style and to the detail of your choice.
 
As I love to upcycle and craft with maps I can use Mapbox to create and print a map of my favourite places around the world to personalize my projects.
 
After discovering Mapbox, I was hunting around the house looking for something to transform with maps. That’s when I came across the much neglected IKEA Kritter kids table in the games room.
 
I’ve had the table over 15 years, it used to be used as computer table but now that the kids are all just about over 6ft they would look ridiculous sitting around the table. It was time for an IKEA kids table hack and to repurpose this old bit of furniture.
 
Having recently discovered image transfer with Mod Podge with my map picture frame, I decided to use this technique again for this table upcycle. I could have as easily chosen decoupage like with my previous map table but I prefer the finish you get with image transfer.
 
 

 
 

 
 
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What I used for my IKEA kid Table hack

IKEA kids table my table was an old IKEA Kritter table. But this upcycle would work with any other small table Ikea or not.

 

 
 

Mirror image inkjet printed Map, I used Mapbox to generate my map (see below). However, you can print free maps from sites such as Remodelaholic. I got my local print shop to print my map for me.

 

Mod Podge Matt finish

Glue bursh, sponge and water.

Clear furniture wax

Blue chalk paint

White chalk paint

Chalk paint brush

 
 

How to use Mapbox for an IKEA Kids Table Hack

1. Mapbox.com is free to use all you need is to set up an account. I suggest you have a play around with it , looking at all the different map styles available and zooming into your favourite cities around the world.

 

2. When you have decided where you want to create a map of and in what style you will need to generate a static image of that map. There is a handy tutorial on Agusyornet that shows you just how to do that.

 

3. If you follow me you will probably have worked out that Hong Kong is my favourite city in the world it is where I was born and bought up and where I recently took my kids back to visit. Therefore that was the city map I used for this project.
    
   I generated a static map image on Mapbox with the STANDARD streets style. I zoomed into the city of Hong Kong until I had enough detail that I needed for this upcycle.

 

4. Following Agusyornet instructions I copied this static image URL to create a new web page. This image was then copied and pasted straight into Photoshop.
    
   In Photoshop I made my canvas the same size as my IKEA Kritter table top and as I wanted a monochrome blue look to my map I adjusted the colours of the map. If you prefer, you can use other photo image software packages for your maps such as pic monkey and Canva and Illustrator.

 

5. The table top was 50cm by 60cm, so the map was printed out over 6 pages of A4 paper in mirror image on an inkjet printer.

 

 
 

How I did the IKEA Kids table Hack

1. I hate prepping furniture for painting, that is primarily why I use chalk paint. Also, I do like the finish chalk paint gives. I painted the legs of the IKEA Kritter table dark blue and the top white. I painted the top white as there was a lot of white on my printed map, and the white doesn’t transfer. As there is no white ink on the page.

 

 
 

2. Once the chalk paint had thoroughly dried, I liberally covered the whole table top with Mod Podge. The front of every map page was also covered in Mod Podge and stuck face down onto the table.
    
   I warn you this bit can be tricky in making sure you have your map the right way round. I have to concentrate really hard when doing this as the mirror image of the map is quite confusing. The first time I did this I got it all back to front and had to print off another map and start again.

 

3. Leave the Mod Podge to dry and least for a few hours. Now comes the fun part, using a wet sponge rub away at the printed paper. As the paper turns to mush and comes away the ink map is left printed onto the table top. Carry on rubbing until all the paper is removed. This will take a little while and involve a lot of rubbing.

 

 
 

4. To finish off my table I applied a coat of furniture wax to seal and protect the top.

 
 

 
 
I’m really pleased how my little IKEA kids table hack turned out. I love the monochrome blue colour of the map. Also when sitting down for a coffee, looking at the map of Hong Kong reminds me of all may favourite places within the City. I show the boys where are house was and all the places we used to visit. The table also fits with lots of my other map upcycles like my decoupaged map chairs and IKEA lamp hack.
 
 

 
 
 
If you want some more ideas for getting maps into your home decor you should check out my all my other map crafts and DIY’s here.