IKEA hacks – 34 ways to turn your budget-friendly buys into unrecognisable, one-of-a-kind pieces

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past several years, you would have heard of IKEA and probably even own some home accessories and furniture from the Swedish brand. One way or another, IKEA has found a way into almost every home with its affordable, as well as simple and minimalist designs. Which is also what makes them the perfect canvases for IKEA hacks, transforming the plain yet instantly recognisable pieces of furniture and decor into bespoke, one-of-a-kind designs.

These are often easy DIY projects and they have become something of a phenomenon, especially on social media as countless DIY influencers share their latest upcycling ideas. So much so that even other companies got wind of this movement as several brands started producing specialised IKEA customisation products.

That’s why we’ve rounded up some of our favourite IKEA hacks, so that you can view them all in one place and get inspired to give your own BILLY or KALLAX a little spruce up. And don’t worry if you’re not a DIY master – while some might require power tools and a certain level of know-how, there’s something here for everyone, including some upcycling ideas for beginners.

IKEA hacks for giving flat-pack furniture an upgrade

‘IKEA hacks offer a creative outlet for customisation while being budget-friendly, allowing you to graduate from flat-pack manuals to achieve high-end looks without breaking the bank,’ says Sam Sutherland, Flitch interior stylist, outlining how beneficial these upcycled furniture ideas can be to any home.

‘Whilst you can find an incredible amount of inspirational hacks, I’d recommend starting simple, for example, upgrading legs and drawer handles, or adding a splash of your favourite paint colour to your bedside table. Before too long, you’ll be converting baskets into pendants and bookcases into kitchen islands,’ she adds encouragingly.

1. Make it shine

Chrome furniture is one of the biggest home decor trends of the moment, which actually started life in kitchens as the stainless steel kitchen trend inspired by the Beckhams and popular TV show The Bear.

Instagram creator Moji of @cozy_cgn on Instagram decided to recreate the same chrome look as an IKEA hack using a chrome vinyl wrap from Amazon and IKEA ENHET cabinets. But it would work just as well with the more popular IKEA BESTA. This look is becoming so popular that even IKEA itself launched the limited edition MALM drawers with a mirror finish.

Covering kitchen cabinets with similar vinyl wraps is a popular kitchen trend among renters as it’s an easy way to give a stylish update to old or ugly cupboards that’s not permanent and can be taken down once you move out. But the motivation behind this particular IKEA hack is rather the finish as creating a metallic look in any other way would be difficult to achieve.

So if you already have the cabinet in question, all you need to get is the foil wrap and with a little patience, you’ll have this on-trend piece of furniture decorating your home too.

2. Paint a pattern

As already mentioned, not every IKEA hack has to be done on a large scale or require DIY experience and confidence. It can be just as simple as painting IKEA furniture or even something as small as a picture frame. And yet, it can create a statement feature in your home, especially if you paint a pattern.

Interesting frames are all the rage right now. But many can be on the pricey side which is why people turn to ways to update their plain picture frames by themselves. That’s exactly what Bradley Dreha of @bradleydreha on Insta has done with his IKEA frame, which are notoriously plain and quite boring.

All he used was two different sample pots of paint, a paint brush (of course) and a masking tape to create the striped pattern. And voila, done!

3. Add curve appeal

Moon-like shapes have been cropping up more and more in our homes, and luckily they're easy to DIY. @crack_the_shutters has elevated the doors on this IKEA BESTA cabinet by cutting out a curved shape, and filling this in with a rattan sheet.

The effect? Right on-trend and premium-looking. Tom also suggests adding 'brass feet and matching brass hardware' just like in this hack to elevate the simple cabinet even further.

DIYing an IKEA unit yourself also offers much more flexibility when it comes to colour. Whether it's on-trend pink, baby blue, or any other shade you can get your hands on, you can match it precisely to your interior.

Our Deputy Editor, Rebecca Knight, recently painted her own cabinet using a bold black Frenchic paint, and said 'if you're looking to change the colour of a piece of IKEA furniture quickly and you're not the best painter like me a matte furniture paint like Frenchic hides a multitude of sins and is one of the easiest I've used for a professional finish. Just remember to use a top coat to keep your paint revamp looking good.'

4. Create the library of your dreams

Turning three IKEA BILLY bookcases into a built-in library painted in a beautiful blue shade might require some serious DIY credentials but the result, courtesy of Caroline MCQuistin @carolinemcquistin on TikTok, is certainly worth all the work the influencer’s put into the library of her dreams.

But as Caroline says, it’s much easier to create a built-in library from ready-made bookcases than having to make it completely from scratch, for which even she lacks the necessary skills.

This IKEA hack requires some extra materials to secure the furniture to the walls for which you’ll need some metal brackets and elevate the simple bookcases including some MDF and trims which need to be glued on with some wood glue. But surely the most exciting part will be finally covering all of it with the paint, for which Caroline chose the chic Sardine shade from Farrow & Ball.

5. Fake a heavy mirror look

As the saying goes, fake it till you make it. And that’s exactly what Anna Hoban from @our_home_style_ on Instagram has done, creating the illusion of a heavy mirror with this IKEA hack which has gone viral last year, while also completely transforming the wall of her stair landing.

All you’ll need to recreate this look are IKEA BLODLÖNN tile mirrors and some black paint with painter’s tape for painting the wall behind the mirror display creating a grid pattern to give the mirror a window-like look.

6. Work in a built-in desk

Working from home can be uninspiring at times, but this clever IKEA hack is bound to get the creative juices flowing. @fromcatterytohome has created a wall-to-ceiling office set-up by positioning BILLY bookcases on top of a desk, offering a place to store paperwork, stationary, and even some decorative accessories to make the space feel like home.

By painting the bookcases to match the walls and base units, it creates the illusion of an all-in-one built-in desk that has been fitted bespoke. This way, you can have a chic home office idea that flows effortlessly into the rest of your home.

7. Create a cohesive design

One way to make a living space look expertly designed is by mirroring the same texture around a room, just like @melanielissackinteriors. This IKEA hack uses the BESTA cabinet, which is the ideal shape and size to fill a gap in a dining room for extra crockery, or in a living room for storing games or electronics.

The added moulding creates a fluted look that aligns with similar wall panelling ideas, and instantly makes the Ikea unit look bespoke. You can also add a marble-look top for a luxe touch which means you can easily style up accessories on the top of the cabinet too.

8. Elevate it with cane inserts

Why not turn your plain IKEA KALLAX shelving unit into a stylish bar for home entertaining? Similar to the IKEA BESTA hack with moon-shaped cut-outs and rattan inserts, this hack too includes cane webbing. But the more straightforward rectangular shape of the door cut-outs might make the process easier for you.

Dreamed up and executed by DIY influencer Jenn Liu of @jnn.liu.liu on Instagram, the hack starts by elevating the unit off the ground with the addition of legs which instantly makes the piece look more high-end.

But the drinks inside the bar are still on display and look somewhat cluttered which is why Jenn’s next step was to create doors for the cabinet. She did that by joining together four planks of wood for each side, painting them black to match the unit before covering the centre with cane webbing. Finally, she added hinges to attach the doors to the KALLAX.

9. Go bespoke

An IKEA hack that potentially saved £9000? We couldn't believe it either. Paul Knox wanted to achieve the look of a built-in bookshelf to cover the entire wall of his open-plan dining room, but it wasn't within his budget.

Instead, he purchased five BILLY bookcases that fit the exact dimensions of the wall and got to work creating his dream bookshelf, all with minimal tools.

'We bought the matching doors for the standard-size bookcase, hardboard for cutting the arches, and then some MDF sheets for the edges of the bookcase to give the impression they were flush to the wall,' Paul says.

To take the IKEA bookshelves to the next level, Paul and his partner also 'used beading that would usually be used for flooring to top off the bookcase, and then bits of textured moulding to cover the joins of the bookcase.'

10. Perfect a boudoir-style space

The IKEA PAX wardrobes are a popular bedroom storage idea for good reason - they're fully customisable on the inside so you can create a storage system that works entirely for you, at a lower price.

Tom says, 'You can upgrade your PAX in several ways, such as adding further framework to create the covetable built-in look. Laura of @houseproject_36 got creative and sourced TV cabinets that were the ideal dimensions for the height of her ceiling, which she slotted on top of her PAX units. She then added beading, a fresh coat of paint and detailed hardware for the ultimate DIY project.'

By opting for PAX wardrobes as the foundation of this IKEA hack, it means you can easily add to the design if your storage requirements grow, without needing an entirely new bespoke quote.

11. Take inspiration from designers

Obsessed with designer furniture but want to achieve it for less? @lukearthurwells upcycled his IVAR cabinet to give it a new look inspired by premium interiors.

Tom from Plank Hardware says, 'He planned out the layout of the design and cut strips from leftover MDF board, making sure to number each piece. He then sanded down the sides and created a bevel around the edges.'

'Using wood and moulding strips for a consistent gap between each piece, he glued down each block. Then he used furniture paint, which means you don’t have to prime. He drilled through two of the blocks for handles, using Plank Hardware PLANE Knobs, the perfect finishing touch. He used a clear matte varnish over the top, for a simple effortless look.'

12. Stencil drawer fronts

Bespoke a plain chest of MALM drawers with a simple chevron stencil, made yourself or bought online. First you might want to give the whole set a new lick of paint to transform it from bland and boring, to something more on-trend.

Next, lightly tape your stencil onto the drawer fronts using washi tape, then stipple on furniture paint using a dry, coarse-haired paintbrush. Leave to dry then finish with clear matt varnish and add smart, leather tab OSTERNAS handles.

13. Make a secret shelving den

Instead of placing BILLY bookshelf units against a wall, face them towards each other to create a special reading nook. Suspend floaty fabric over a swing curtain pole for a magical hideaway canopy, letting it drape to the floor for a fairy-tale feel. Or if space is tight, swap one unit for the back of a bed head.

If kids are sharing a room, assign a shelf each, hanging individual hooks at the end for and cherished personal belongings or special toys.

14. Replace solid wardrobe doors with rattan

This is a great IKEA hack that will give you a designer look in your bedroom, without the expensive price tag. Remove the inside wood panels from HAUGA wardrobe doors and staple sheets of cane to the backs. There's no need to wet-stretch the cane- just pull it tight and fix in place. While cane is hugely on-trend at the moment, you could achieve a similar look with a woven linen or soft slub cotton to add texture.

Choosing sliding doors for wardrobes will help save space if it's tight in your bedroom, plus lidded boxes and baskets can be popped on top for more storage.

15. Top a stool with drawers

Give this simple hack a go for an easy bedroom update by combining two Ikea staples, to make a bedside table. Start by attaching a MOPPE chest to the legs of a TENHULT stool using wood glue. Paint the drawer fronts with leftover emulsion or tester pots, in an ombre formation, starting with the lightest shade at the top, with the darkest at the bottom. Leave to dry, then coat with a matt varnish. Alternatively, swap the paint for decoupage paper or pretty wallpaper offcuts to match your scheme.

Keep surfaces clear and tidy by adding a simple pendent or wall-mounted lamp above the bedside table.

16. Update doors with fluted film

You won't believe how simple it is to achieve these designer-look cabinet doors. Just use glass film to transform a plain RUDSTA display cabinet into an up-to-date storage piece. Measure the size of your doors, then cut the film to fit. Spray the doors with water and apply the film, smoothing out any wrinkles and air bubbles as you go. Don't overcrowd the shelves inside, use stacks of bowls, piles of books and objects with interesting shapes to create balance in your display.

The fluted glass film will also help to prevent chips and scratches, plus you could choose to use a stained glass or patterned window film for a truly bespoke cabinet.

17. Create wall-to-wall storage in a boxroom

If you have a space that is too small to function as a bedroom, perhaps see it as an opportunity to create your dream dressing area and free up space in your own room too. A wall-to-wall run of MALM chests, painted the same colour and topped with a bespoke-cut piece of wood, will create the ideal space to store all-sorts. Adding a ceiling-hung rail will also make the most of the space and provide a place to hang clothes and accessories.

Adding shelves above the chests would also make a great stop for perfumes and toiletries.

18. Make a space for storage in a kids room

Another fab idea for a kids room and one they are sure to adore! Get the most from limited floor space with a built-in high sleeper made from storage units, for a child's room. Here, we added custom-made ply doors to METOD base units and MAXIMER drawers, both IKEA. A step-stool will help younger kids climb up a cosy-reading nook.

Hanging curtains will turn it into a cosy den for young children.

19. Create a slimline vanity unit out of a shoe cupboard

Pushed for space in a small bedroom? Make room for a micro-sized vanity unit with this clever hack. IKEA’s HEMNES shoe unit measures only 22cm deep, so will butt up against a wall taking minimal floor space.

With a handy top ledge to store bedroom essentials, there are four pull out compartments for holding clothes and lingerie. Swap standard drawer pulls for chic leather tabs and add a smart mirror on the wall above.

20. Upgrade basic flatpack wardrobes with designer doors

Built-in floor-to-ceiling storage puts alcoves either side of a bed to good use. Give flatpack wardrobes a swish new look by swapping standard doors for an on-trend option with decorative Deco-style fluting and accent gold door pulls.

Co-ordinate bed with PAX wardrobes by adding a full-width headboard in the same colour to give a streamlined shelf for books and other bits. Fill wall space above with a flamboyant wallpaper.

21. Use simple spice racks to make a mini beauty station

Supplement a crowded dressing table with handy wall storage for hair styling kit and beauty products. Fix a couple of BEKVAM spice shelves on the wall to hold bottles and tubes, fixing the bottom one upside down to create a hanging rail. Add a few S-hooks so you can hang the hairdryer, straighteners and tongs.

22. Fashion a work space with painted panel and floating shelves

Create the ideal place for youngsters to work from with this simple hack, a winning small home office idea. Dedicate an area of the room by painting a panel section, and cleverly mounting two floating LACK shelves to create the illusion of a wall-mounted unit. Complete the space with a wire memo rack, compact desktop and a chair to provide everything they need.

Adding clever magnetic strips helps to store everything from toy cars to pens – a brilliant alternative toy storage idea.

23. Create a simple and stylish media unit

The BEKVAM birch step stool is a resident hero in most households (everyone on the team has one!). But never before has it been used to such an extent as this. Thanks to two FONNES wardrobe doors through the middle a simple pair of steps are now acting as a bespoke media unit. This design could also be made using sheets of MDF, salvaged floorboards or scaffolding boards – providing they can safely support the items placed on top, anything goes.

This clever and not to mention affordable storage solution can be updated further with a splash of paint, to disguise the different elements altogether.

24. Hang a handy kitchen roll

The stylish OSTERNAS leather cabinet handles are transforming kitchens in more ways than one. Fix two of the cabinet handles to the wall and slip in a wooden dowel to make a stylish holder for the kitchen.

You could also use this quirky idea to attractively store your kitchen towels, baking paper or foil.

25. Make a bespoke lampshade with a basket

Never have natural materials been more popular as home accessories. This clever hack turns the SNIDAD rattan basket into a designer-look lampshade with very little effort. We started with an IKE Snidad rattan basket, removed the handles and sprayed it black to instantly transform it. You could leave it in its natural state to retain a more natural element in your decor.

Drill a small hole in the base to add a bulb and hanging cord and presto – cool basket lampshade complete.

26. Fashion a hairpin-leg console table

Transform the EKBY shelving unit into a sleek hairpin-legged console table for a hallway or living room. Double-stack the shelving units and attach the metal legs to create a one-of-a-kind space efficient and stylish storage solution for a smart hallway storage idea.

27. Give a chest of drawers an industrial luxe look

For this hack, you'll need a MALM chest of drawers and a bit of confidence with a screwdriver. First, attach a set of hairpin legs in your choice of metallic finish – The Hairpin Leg Co. has a wide selection. Then paint the strips between the drawers with paint to match – we recommend going for gold for the ultimate glam look.

28. Fake a high-end, marble-topped side table

Glam up a table with metallic paint and marble-effect sticky-backed plastic. Carefully remove the table's glass top, and spray the frame with Plastic-Kote metallic paint, making sure you pick a well-ventilated spot that's protected with newspaper.

Measure the width and length of the glass top of the VITTSJO Nest of Tables, adding 5mm to each side. Cut your plastic to these dimensions (including the mm allowance). Peel and stick the plastic to the top, allowing the 5mm to overhang. Smooth off with a cloth as you go. Finally, trim away the excess with a craft knife and replace the top.

29. Hang alternative vertical storage

Being smart with space is always a must for any room, especially in a small home where storage space is premium. Vertical storage helps to keep things streamlined – ideal for brollies and sporting equipment, rather than bulky alternatives.

When affixing to the wall turn the ledges facing inwards, so the lip of the design is not visible from a side view. Choose decorative knobs to attach at the top and bottom of each one. Then using a chosen string or even a colourful flex, securely intertwine around each one to create a fence-like effect.

30. Make a home office desk drawer with a picture ledge

Making work-from-home a regular occurence? Add a makeshift desk drawer to keep it free of clutter. Attach two picture ledges on their sides to the underside of a desk.

Leave enough space in between for a storage box, to run along the ledge – to slide in the same way as a pull-out draw would. (The IKEA team suggest leaving 23.5 cm).

31. Sew small mats together to make a bigger rug

Need a large rug but don't have a large budget? Follow the lead for this clever homeowner, who, desperately wanting a floor covering to cosy up her bedroom, had this genius idea!

To save money, this savvy homeowner took nine £1.90 Ikea mats and sewed them all together to make a larger rug.

32. Use kitchen and bathroom storage in your home office

Repurpose a basic IKEA kitchen storage idea into a wall-hung system for your workspace. Give a scoreboard and a spice rack a complete overhaul with a simple lick of paint that tones in with your colour scheme.

The spice rack transforms into a shelf, while Stugvik bathroom holders become storage for bits and pieces that can clutter up a drawer. Simply tap a nail into the wall to hang them up.

33. Build a bespoke storage headboard

Build a storage headboard by stacking IKEA TRONES shoe cabinets and fixing to the wall for safety. This DIY headboard idea can be useful to store bedding, pyjamas and out-of-season clothes where they are easy to grab. Changing the sheets just got a whole lot easier!

34. Turn a picture ledge into a pretty jewellery display

Repurpose picture ledges as a jewellery organiser and put all your favourite treasures on show. Make tangled necklaces and missing earrings a thing of the past with the ultimate jewellery organiser as a smart bedroom storage idea.

Turning the shelves upside down will double storage space: screw hooks and eyes into the front and back edges for hanging necklaces and earrings, leaving the flat top surfaces free for make-up and accessories.

FAQs

What are IKEA Hacks?

IKEA hacks are when you take a piece of IKEA furniture and adapt it, update it or re-work it to become more useful, beautiful and unique. By customising items that perhaps might have been intended for something else, you create a bespoke piece of furniture or storage solution, using the in-expensive and easy-to-make IKEA bones.

There are thousands of hacks from all over the world, so you'll always find something to inspire a new project or upcycle. Searching on social media using the hashtag IKEAHacks is a good place to start, or try re-creating one of our above ideas!

How do you reuse IKEA furniture?

There as so many ways to reuse Ikea furniture, and it's a great way to make something really special for your home. Most second-hand stores or sites will have a bevy of Ikea hand-me downs crying out to be made into something more beautiful, so you don't even have to buy brand-new, before taking on an IKEA Hack. Try to completely free your mind of restraints, and just because Ikea have suggested you use their furniture in a certain way, doesn't mean you have to do it!

A lick of paint, a change of knobs, or a covering in wallpaper are all inexpensive ways to give your Ikea furniture a new look.

How do I make my IKEA bookcase look more expensive?

The easiest way to make your IKEA bookcase look more expensive is to give it a style makeover! Take any IKEA piece of furniture, change the handles and give it a coat of on-trend colour and it will instantly feel bespoke – and therefore more expensive.

Changing the handles can make all the difference, and gives you the freedom to make it totally personal – our guide to how to fit a door handle has some top tips if you want to give this a try.

All of these imaginative IKEA hacks are a great way to update your home on a budget.

How do you modify IKEA shelves?

Try adding backs to open shelving, or removing backs from closed shelving! Try using spice rack shelving for storing and displaying books instead, picture ledge shelves flipping upside down, as slim bedside tables and shelving units turned on their sides and use bench storage.

Completely play with orientation and don't accept that a shelf's purpose is its only use, your imagination can take it anywhere!

Now, the big question - are you going to revamp an existing IKEA piece, or head to the blue and yellow store to recreate one of these inspirational ideas?