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Comment by vanrohan | original | Hacking IKEA Furniture
[−]vanrohan · 2026-08-30 Sun 13:01 UTC · link
IKEA furniture is great for small adjustments to fit your needs. Not costing a fortune also makes it easier to experiment with it. Since they're so common, it's easy to find CAD drawings for most of them. I did a small hack/conversion on a Billy closet to hide some pipes in our apartment. https://vanderwalt.de/blog/customizing-ikea-billy-to-hide-pi...
[−]xattt · 2026-08-30 Sun 13:23 UTC · link
This look lovely and probably felt extremely satisfying once everything was said and done.
[−]vanrohan · 2026-08-30 Sun 14:47 UTC · link
Thanks!
[−]artisinal · 2026-08-30 Sun 13:35 UTC · link
My mind immediately went: I’m sure there is some German law or ordinance or regulation against hiding your Gaszähler. This surely goes against die Niederdruckanschlussverordnung.

Now that you have published this online, police will visit you to remove the Billy!

Perhaps I am too pessimistic with German laws.

PS: It looks much better this way.

[−]vanrohan · 2026-08-30 Sun 14:14 UTC · link
I really hope not! But it does look much better this way, it was an eyesore. And the regular heizung guys didnt complain when they saw it like this, so im assuming all is well
[−]peterpost2 · 2026-08-30 Sun 15:40 UTC · link
There is a requirement for having a vents if you are boxing in that device.

One high and one low one, this is so the gas does not build up in case of a leak.

Would highly suggest you get that sorted, your insurance might be void in case you do get a fire.

[−]IncreasePosts · 2026-08-30 Sun 14:36 UTC · link
As long as you can easily slide it out of the way and it isn't fixed to the wall, it wouldn't be a problem for anyone who needs to service it. Therefore, it would not be against regulations, because all regulations in Germany are logical
[−]vanrohan · 2026-08-30 Sun 14:49 UTC · link
Good to know! It slides in/out like a puzzle, so should be fine then.
[−]peterpost2 · 2026-08-30 Sun 15:41 UTC · link
You need a vent there as well so gas can't build up.
[−]benj111 · 2026-08-30 Sun 16:54 UTC · link
I doubt a billy book case is anywhere near air tight.
[−]jmathai · 2026-08-30 Sun 13:46 UTC · link
I've been pretty disappointed with "medium quality" slightly more expensive furniture from places like west elm and pottery barn.

Now I will either get older recycled furniture for quality or pieces from IKEA for cost.

[−]tonyedgecombe · 2026-08-30 Sun 14:07 UTC · link
I’ve just put an IKEA kitchen in. I had to do a very similar modification to fit the plumbing in.
[−]forinti · 2026-08-30 Sun 16:18 UTC · link
That is weird.

Why is it inside your apartment?

Does someone have to check the meter regularly?

Anyway, great job.