IKEA hacks are always a hit, especially with the affordable LACK side table at under $10. We've painted ours black using nail polish and crafted checkers from budget-friendly cork rounds from the craft store. Use a standard chess or checkers set, or customize like we did for holidays or seasons. Find more Halloween decoration and party ideas.
A standard chessboard features 64 alternating dark and light squares. Plan your layout with a border around the table's edge for placing captured pieces. Use a ruler to mark the grid, then apply strips of masking tape in alternating sections.
Draw squares directly on the masking tape. Cut out each square with a craft knife and position them precisely over the grid lines to create clean boundaries.
Painting laminate surfaces can be tricky, but for small projects like this, inexpensive nail polish works wonders—no sanding or extensive prep required. Apply several thin coats of black polish for full coverage; the tape protects the lighter squares.
Allow the polish to dry fully, then peel off the masking tape. Use a craft knife to tidy any uneven edges for a professional finish.
For checkers, grab 24 small cork rounds sized to fit your squares. Paint 12 one color (like green) and the other 12 another (like orange).
Michael Hall
Personalize with paint markers, craft glue, and googly eyes for a spooky Halloween vibe.
Michael Hall
Screw on the legs, and your custom game table is ready for play.
