Outdoor patio with an Ikea wooden sofa featuring white and patterned black cushions. A small concrete table holds a wine glass and decorative lantern. A lush fern sits behind the table, all set on a stone patio with a brick fence.
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IKEA Marius Stool Outdoor Side Table Hack

ByLisa

Hey guys! I am so excited to share with you today a super simple and crazy affordable IKEA furniture hack. If you caught my Backyard Patio Makeover Reveal last week, you likely saw some new additions to the patio. The backyard makeover included multiple spaces and I wanted each area to be very functional. Between the lounging area and fire pit area I ideally needed eight side tables! That could get incredibly expensive, so I got creative and turned this IKEA stool into an outdoor side table with just two easy steps!  

A collage showcases a Marius stool paired with a concrete paver, illustrating a creative DIY table hack. The finished side table sits beside a white sofa with geometric pillows, adorned with a candle holder and glass of wine.

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  • Cost: $6.77 per table
  • Time: Less than 10 minutes

A few months ago, I did a post on affordable garden stools and while these are great options, I simply needed too many. I managed to snag two stools on clearance from Lowes last season and another two from Crate and Barrel, but I still needed four more. Then one day I was using the Ikea marius stool in my closet (which I also hacked) to reach the top shelf and it came to me. These babies come in black and coordinate with the black metal chairs and stools I chose for the makeover. The best part is, they are only $4.99, making them the cheapest option by far!

Why the IKEA Marius Stool

Let me introduce you to the best stools! The IKEA Marius. They are inexpensive and perfect for all sorts of DIY IKEA Hacks. 

A simple black metal stool reminiscent of an Ikea find, with a round seat featuring seven small holes and four straight legs.

Then I needed a table top that would stand up to the elements without being too flimsy while still having an organic look. I saw a cement stepping stone and decided this was the winner and one of the cheapest options. We already had quite a few of these 12×12 square pavers so they didn’t cost me a thing! These are a great option for outside because they are very durable and will not blow away. If you don’t have any on hand, they are only $1.78 at Home Depot!  

A square, gray concrete paving slab with rough edges and a textured surface. Reminiscent of an Ikea hack, the slab is displayed against a white background, highlighting its thickness and uniformity.

In case you aren’t a math geek like me, let me help you out. The grand total for each side table is only $6.77!  Now that is affordable and totally fit the look I was after 🙂 Not to mention it was an easy IKEA hack that took less than 10 minutes. 

A lush fern in a black pot sits on an Ikea patio table. A geometric candle holder is beside it. Wooden beams and a striped cushion are visible, with a green lawn and trees in the background.

When I originally came up with this idea, Barry thought we would need a small amount of glue on top of the stepping stone to attach to the base of the stool, but each stone weighs about 17 lbs. If you have small children you may want to glue the bases to the top of your stool because they could be knocked off with enough force. I, however, chose not to glue them because then I can bring the bases inside during the winter and leave the cement stones outside.

A cozy backyard patio features two brown chairs around a stone fire pit. A small table holds a potted grass plant and two wine glasses, while a patterned pillow decorates one chair. A wooden fence encloses the gravel area, crafting an inviting atmosphere.

Now, I have enough side tables to serve all the seating in our new backyard. And I did it without breaking the bank!

A stylish outdoor setup features a modern Ikea table adorned with a red drink glass and geometric candle holder. A black lantern sits below, complemented by a lush green fern in the background. Brick pathways and wooden elements create a cozy atmosphere.

Eight years later I am still using these and have even added some fun detailing to them! 

A cozy outdoor patio showcases a wooden sofa with white cushions and geometric pillows. A clever Ikea hack transforms a small table, holding a drink and lantern, while a modern coffee table with decor sits atop a patterned rug. A wooden fence and lush greenery complete the inviting scene.

Looking for more DIY IKEA hacks? Try my IKEA Malm dog crate hack, my IKEA Fniss tall planter hack, my IKEA Kallax reach in closet, or my IKEA curtain rod hack. 

A cozy backyard setup features a brown Adirondack chair with geometric pillows, complemented by a small black lantern and planter on a side table. In the background, there's inviting patio furniture surrounded by green grass and leafy trees under a cloudy sky.

The new side tables work great by the firepit area and the new sofas. 

An outdoor patio setting features Ikea geometric-patterned ottomans, a wooden armchair with a black-and-white cushion, and a small table showcasing a clever hack – a geometric candle holder. A lush green fern and a light gray rug cover the stone patio floor.

If you enjoyed this IKEA hack, please share it on Facebook or hover over an image and save to Pinterest! And if you don’t already follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook, I would love for us to be friends!

Outdoor patio and backyard retreat featuring a wooden sofa with white cushions, geometric black and white pillows, a black coffee table with drinks, potted ferns, a small side table, and a gray and white patterned rug on the brick surface. A lush green lawn lies beautifully in the background.

Love new decor ideas and projects? Sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a post! Plus you will get exclusive access to my free printables! If you missed the final reveal of our backyard patio makeover, check out the full backyard patio reveal.

 

 

 

A small outdoor setup showcases an ingenious IKEA hack: the Marius stool transformed into an end table with a concrete top. It holds a glass of red beverage and a small decor item, while a black lantern rests nearby. Cushioned seating and greenery complete the inviting scene.

This post, Ikea Marius Stool Outdoor Side Table Hack, appeared first on Garrison Street Design Studio.

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