Let’s be honest, Wi-Fi routers aren’t necessarily the prettiest thing to look at, especially if you have a living room color scheme you’re trying to stick to. So it comes as no surprise that people are flocking to TikTok to try out this simple and smart wifi router that hides IKEA hacks – and all you need is a woven basket.
TikTok user, Shayna Alnwick (@shaynaalnwick (opens in a new tab)) is well known on the platform for flipping furniture and offering simple DIY tips and tricks, and this one takes the cake. In this TikTok hack (opens in a new tab)she shows how you can easily hide a Wi-Fi router using a clever IKEA hack with IKEA’s SMARRA box with a lid (opens in a new tab).
@shaynaalnwick (opens in a new tab)
♬ Lofi Vibes – Gentle State (opens in a new tab)
For the hack, Shayna uses scissors to cut a hole in the woven basket just big enough to loop the Wi-Fi router’s wires into (this hack is a treat if you also figure out how to hide wires). Once the wires are in place and the router is in place, she puts the lid back on the SMARRA box.
The end result is one that looks clean, natural and elegant. No one would even be able to tell you hid a Wi-Fi router in there.
(Image credit: IKEA)
The SMARRA box with lid (opens in a new tab)used for the hack, is available at IKEA in store and online for just £10 – a bargain when you consider how much it can help keep your home decor cohesive.
Even better, this hack doesn’t just stop at Wi-Fi routers, but can be used to hide any wound of a tech gadget in your home. The basket measures 30x30x10cm (with a larger size (opens in a new tab) measuring 30x30x23cm also available for an extra £5) which is large enough to fit the likes of a TV box or video game console.
(Image credit: IKEA)
While ingenious in terms of decoration, the hack was also met with some criticism from people concerned that it affects the Wi-Fi signal to the point of posing a fire hazard.
To combat these concerns, fans have claimed in the comments that the hack is “amazing as you still have airflow which so many forget”. Another disagreed with the concerns, saying that “the thin curve won’t affect wifi strength… it can go through walls and floors.”
While the above arguments are valid, you should also be aware that the location of your router, whether hidden or not, can affect the signal. Therefore, as much as we love this hack, it may not be ideal for everyone’s home.
(Image credit: IKEA)
If you are struggling to find out how to make your Internet faster, Plusnet (opens in a new tab) recommends placing the router centrally as ‘wireless broadband routers broadcast from all directions in a circle’, therefore, the more centrally you can place it, the better your home’s total coverage will be.
After this, they also suggest placing it in the open. ‘A good rule of thumb is to always have your router visible’ and that’s where this gem of a TikTok hack comes into play as you get the best of both worlds – visible but hidden just enough.
This trick is the perfect hack to hide your wounds and maintain your home’s aesthetic without having to think too hard about being creative. Want to try this trick?
