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How To Use Mapbox for An Amazing IKEA kids table hack

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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.
 
 
Mapbox is an amazing free online map printing tool. I used it for a cool IKEA kids table hack by transferring a personalised map onto the table top.
 
 
Image transfer of map on to Ikea kids table using Mapbox maps
 
 
This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to see my disclosure policy.
 
 
 

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.

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    IKEA Kritter Kids table before
     
     

  • 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.

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  • Mod Podge Matt finish
  • Glue bursh, sponge and water.
  • Clear furniture wax
  • Blue chalk paint
  • White chalk paint
  • Chalk paint brush

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    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.  

    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.  

    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.  

    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.  

    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.

     
    Mapbox generated map of Hong Kong
     
     

    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.  
      Painting Ikea table
       
       

    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.  

    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.  
      Mapbox map image transfer to an Ikea kids table
       
       

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

    IKEA Kids table hack map top
     
     
    Create a free map in mapbox and transfert he image onto an IKEA kids table for a unique hack.
     
     
    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.
     
    Upcycled IKEA kids table with mapbox maps
     
     


     
     

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julie Briones

      LOVE this hack, Claire! Adorable AND useful, too! I’ve pinned this, as well as featuring it on my Tuesday Turn About! Let me know if there is a problem with sharing your post. 🙂

      Reply

    2. Sandra

      Using Mapbox.com is a great way to hold on to vacation memories and would make great gifts. I can tell you’re going to have lots of fun with this! Thank you for sharing with us at Celebrate Your Story, and have a great weekend.

      Reply

    7. Sam - Raggedy Bits

      Another fabulous map project Claire!! How fun for little ones to be sitting at that table and learning about the map while they are busy playing and having lots of fun!!! Fabulous idea!

      Thank you for sharing your fabulous project with us over at Waste Not Wednesday!

      Reply

    10. Nicole

      I love how you used Modge Podge to transfer the map to the table top. I love maps, I’ll have to check out the Mapbox site. Stopping by from the #HomeMattersParty linkup.

      Reply

    11. Angie ~ Ambient Wares

      Mapbox sounds like a wonderful tool! This table turned out awesome and would be a wonderful gift too, especially for those who’ve got the travel bug 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday! Pinned

      Reply

    14. Jelica

      What a clever idea for a fun kids’ table! I’ve never heard of Mapbox and will definitely check it out. There are so many craft ideas that I want to try with this site! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂

      Reply

    15. Kathleen Rupp

      Oh this is such a cool tutorial! I love maps in home design as well! I need to get my hands on one of those old nautical maps for my sons room! Perfect addition to his ship and Navy blue theme. Now I have instructions….thank you so much! Stopped by from Friday Furniture fix. Pinned

      Reply

    19. Mary

      Claire that is such a cool technique I thought you were just going to glue the maps on the surface but this has more of a lived in look. Very nice, pinning to try in the future.

      Reply

    20. Lisa

      When I first saw this, I thought you had decoupaged the map to the tabletop. I had no idea you could actually transfer the image to the surface using Mod Podge. This is a really cool project. I am imagining all kinds of ways I could use this technique. I will also check out Mapbox. Thanks so much for the idea.

      Reply

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