Blog Archives
Geeky Beds Part 3: The Shoebox
I love shoes as much as the next person, but not enough to collect them or anything like that. I am very much aware of the die-hard shoe enthusiasts, of which documentaries and songs have been made. And for those who love shoes, I offer this shoebox-themed bed.
It’s pretty simple: the bed frame is a giant replica of a shoebox, with the box lid placed underneath. The duvet cover would feature a print of some shoes, laid out as though they were in said box.
Given the big boxy look, I would probably have some shelves built-in at the base to store - what else - shoes. Scratch that - probably clothes and junk. You don’t want smelly shoes under your bed, unless you are one of those enthusiasts, who have a large rotation of shoes and deodorize all of them diligently.
Like this:
Geeky Beds Part 2: Wrestling Ring
Here is one I’m a little surprised no one has done yet, even as a home-brew project: a bed based on a WWF/WWE wrestling (or boxing) ring. It would feature the ropes and turnbuckles of a ring, and the wrestling mat graphics would be printed on the duvet and/or sheets.
If this was made, the temptation to recreate wrestling acrobatics would be huge. I would make the corner poles telescoping (would descend when there is weight on them). The bed would need to be sturdy in case the kids like to jump around. As a safety precaution the ropes could have a break-away feature (like your Xbox 360 wired controller).
This design is more for kids, but if adult wrestling fans want one, be prepared for the non-stop ribbing.
Not shown: the pillowcase would have a folding chair graphic.
BONUS IDEA: A baby crib shaped like an MMA Octagon. That would be hilarious - to see your toddler crawling around a blood-stained UFC ring.
Like this:
Geeky Bed Ideas Part 1: Ghostbusters
One of the items I featured in my Geeky IKEA series was a duvet cover that looked like the original Nintendo Game Boy. I have a few more bed ideas along that vein, enough for their own spinoff series.
Here is a duvet cover that features the gold and black hash marks with an accompanying Slimer pillowcase, together giving the appearance of the Ghostbusters’ ghost trap. This would look great on a black and blocky bed frame, like the IKEA Malm one I used here.
You could go the extra mile add some decorative touches around the bed frame, but I think the duvet and pillowcase alone speak volumes.
Parents might appreciate the appearance of this design, as it would look like their kids are being ensnared by this trap device - their reign of terror is over (until the morning).
If IKEA Made Geeky Furniture Part 15: Skyscraper Comic Book Display Case
I recently used a Comic Book rack for Blu-Ray movies earlier in the IKEA series, so where does that leave actual comic books? Perhaps a bookshelf/display case shaped like the Daily Planet will fit the bill.
Of course it could be another comic book building such as the Daily Bugle or the Baxter Building, but for the purposes of this idea the Daily Planet is the most iconic. Certainly doesn’t hurt being affiliated with Superman either.
This design is based on those fancy china cabinets, which are typically fitted with glass doors and interior lighting. I thought I’d add some exterior flood lights too, much like a skyscraper would have.
Besides the lights and the spinning globe, the ledges on the building would be ideal to display your action figures (as seen above). A few other odds and ends could be added, like flag poles, gargoyles, blinking red lights (markers for air traffic), and so forth.
I think the lighting and glass - while crucial in making this appear just like a building - adds luxury and class to the overall look. It’s a great way to display your comics.
This particular design is only about 7 feet tall, so there is room for growth. A few imperatives: a switch to turn off both the lights and Daily Planet globe, and the glass has to be specially-coated to preserve the books from damaging UV light.
I’d love to have one of these for my books, games, films, and other assorted geeky wares.
If IKEA Made Geeky Furniture Part 14: Home Theater Stage
Of all the items I’ve designed for the Geeky IKEA series, the one that has stumped me the most was trying to create an Entertainment Unit / Home Theater display. This is because my first instinct would be to do a Star Trek view screen display, but I think that works fine as a stand-alone TV. There were a few other ideas, but nothing I really wanted in my living room.
You’ve probably seen those audio video specialists who will set up a fancy “movie theater” system like this in your home for a pretty penny. These designer theaters feature lots of bells and whistles (popcorn machine, theater bucket seats, poster displays, lighting systems) on top of all the state-of-the-art electronic toys. Because of the scope and price of this installation, it’s a luxury few can afford.
But what I want is the stage home theater for the everyman, the average Joe or… Josephine. A basic entertainment unit with a curtain and some mood lights. Maybe a few options like remote-controlled curtains and built-in speakers, but that’s all you need really.
This centerpiece is aimed at film aficionados, gamers, and anyone who likes atmospheric furniture. Having this in the living room will definitely get you thinking about watching films, and will amplify your film-viewing experience.
However if you have a cat that likes to climb curtains, you might want to pass. Also you’ll have that one friend who’ll joke about you operating a puppet show, but you can smack him upside the head.
For those who own a comparable entertainment unit currently, I can’t imagine it being too difficult to affix curtains and lights. A nice little pet project for a rainy day.
Like this:
If IKEA Made Geeky Furniture Part 12: The Sandbox
The IKEA Geeky Furniture series are only designs, and do not exist (yet). They are not for sale. The images are meant to parody the IKEA catalog, hence the prices.
At first glance there is nothing geeky about this desk (well, computer desks are inherently geeky, but I digress), however this normal-looking desk enables geeky behavior. If you look closely you’ll see a model train set beneath the glass top.
This desk has a display case underneath the desk surface to store all your geeky wares, which is an amplification of glass desks that allow you to put photos or posters underneath the glass top.
Imagine all the things you could put in here! A Lego town perhaps. A Warhammer board game. A Civil War diorama. A formation of Stormtrooper figures. Me? I’d put a tabletop hockey game in there, so I’d feel like I’m overlooking a hockey game (I’d then make a scoreboard lamp!).
The one trade off would be the increased height of the desk surface. The keyboard and mouse would be at their normal height, but the top of the desk would be 5-7″ taller. However the display case could be lowered as close to the keyboard tray as possible to shave off a few inches, but you’d have to fully retract it to get at the keyboard. Or the keyboard tray could retract and elevate.
This design could be applied to a dining table or coffee table. I think it would be cool to turn a functional surface into a display case that shows off your geek spoils. At least you’d have room for that train set.
