To begin with, I had a purpose and design in mind already. I have a shelving unit that previously held my 2 hamster cages (a bin and an IKEA Billy hack cage). My husband and I absolutely despise the look of that shelving unit, but there were some things about it that I really liked. So I took those ideas and asked a member for help in sketching it up.
I then went to the hardware store to research pricing for hardware and plexi-glass. For the front doors I chose 1/4 inch plexiglass, which shot the cost up more than originally planned, but I needed the doors to be heavy so Darwin couldn’t move them. I chose 1/8 in plexi-glass for the side panels because those are siliconed in place and don’t need to be as heavy.
ALL SUPPLIES USED:
2 – IKEA Lack Coffee Tables (35’ x 22”) – for the frame (≈ $52)
2 - 1/4 inch plexiglass pieces for sliding doors (≈$42)
2 - 1/8 inch plexi-glass pieces for sides (≈$22)
1 – 1/8” plexi-glass piece for substrate guard (free from Lowe’s Home Improvement scraps)
1/4 inch mesh for the back ventilation (I already had this, but it runs about $6.50)
6 – 1/2” x 3” mending plates to attach back (≈$2)
4 – 1 ½” x ¾” corner braces to secure the 2 Lack tables to each other (≈$3)
1 set of E Channels for the sliding doors (=$12)
Silicone to seal everything together (≈$4)
The inner cage dimensions are approximately (because of the table legs) – 35”x 22”. It's 757 square inches. It was around $130 dollars.
I am planning on installing a red LED strip from IKEA, but they were out of stock at the time. I still need to hang Darwin’s hammock and I have some new platforms I have in the works, but the cage…is complete!
DIY CAGE INSTRUCTIONS:
First put 1st IKEA Lack table together per instructions included. I moved the bottom storage shelf lower than mentioned in the directions so that I could fit my storage baskets underneath.
Then put together the second IKEA Lack table without including the bottom shelf (this will be used later) and stack this table on top of the other one and get hammy approval on size!!!
Secure tables together using the 4 corner brackets.
Using the unused bottom shelf from the 2nd Lack table, measure and cut it to fit on the back of the top lack table (I used a Dremel saw attachment). Secure in place using painters tape and attach the 6 mending plates. 
Cut and staple ¼” mesh to cover the ventilation hole in the back of the cage.
Install and tape 3.5” tall substrate guard and 1/8” thick, side, plexi-glass panels. Cut and install E channel for sliding doors and silicone in place. Silicone any and all joints inside and outside (as well as areas where wood meets wood).
Install 1/4” thick doors into the E channel, making sure they slide correctly.
Fill with substrate and decorate!!
IKEA Lack Coffee Table DIY....I'm finally finished!! :-)
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