Over the years, we’ve witnessed the evolution of Ikea hacks, and it’s largely due to their immense popularity. This surge in creativity has inspired countless individuals to experiment with innovative ideas, further pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. At its essence, an Ikea hack serves as a means to achieve the desired aesthetic without having to start from scratch or break the bank on a pre-made solution. As enthusiasts of Ikea hacks, we’re always excited to share fresh inspiration! So, what do you think? Here are some recent hacks that might just win over even the most skeptical fans:
22 Stunning Ikea Hacks:
Modern Apothecary Dresser
The apothecary dresser crafted from Ikea MOPPE drawers seamlessly blends in with its surroundings, including the reimagined classic art pieces. This unassuming transformation is a testament to the creative potential hidden within a few inexpensive wooden drawers, some cleverly designed labels, and sturdy hairpin legs. To add an air of sophistication, the surrounding space features sheets of plywood that not only provide structural support but also imbue the piece with a sense of presence.
Art Deco Cabinet
Lone Fax has successfully transformed this space into a speakeasy-style haven, and it’s easy to see why we’re impressed. The star of the show is the upgraded Ikea Ivar unit, now a stylish drinks cabinet featuring ribbed door fronts and eye-catching art deco brass handles. The dark grey paint job seamlessly integrates with the room’s color scheme, further enhancing the transformation. This exemplary Ikea hack showcases the incredible potential for creative makeovers.
Marble Topped Dining Table
This innovative dining table was crafted for under £80 ($100), a testament to the power of clever Ikea hacking. By combining the affordable Ingo table from Ikea with some creative modifications, this DIY masterpiece was brought to life. The lower frame was given a sleek black finish, while the tabletop was treated to a crisp white coat. To add a touch of luxury, marble-effect peel and stick wallpaper was applied, creating a sophisticated look that belies its humble origins. This project is a perfect example of how sometimes the simplest Ikea hacks can produce the most impressive results.
Black and Wood Night Stand
The allure of dark spaces is undeniable. One such example is this stunning Ikea hack from Lick, which transforms an Malm nightstand into a sleek and modern piece. The process involves painting the nightstand black and overlaying it with wooden slats, resulting in a harmonious blend of oiled wood and dark colour that seamlessly integrates into various settings.
Beautiful Pink Tall Dresser
By making a few subtle adjustments to the Billy bookcase featured on Ideal Home, a significant transformation in its appearance can be achieved. The addition of curved glass panels to the doors, fluted sheets to the lower panels, and textured brass handles all contribute to a visually appealing outcome. The pièce de résistance is a light pink coat of paint that imbues the piece with a softer, more feminine quality that harmoniously complements the surrounding room’s color scheme.
Funky Media Unit
The Eket-inspired media unit, with its funky and retro flair, stands out as a clever creation. Its design perfectly captures the essence of a room with a vintage vibe. A unique touch comes from the carefully crafted cut-outs in the cabinet doors, where cane webbing inserts add a distinctive texture. The shape of these openings imbues the unit with a dash of character, making it a standout piece in any setting.
Wallpaper Covered Side Table
This innovative Ikea hack from Hunker takes the peel and stick wallpaper trick to new heights. By applying a terrazzo effect wallpaper to the top of an Ikea Listerby console table, they’ve successfully transformed a humble piece of furniture into a stunning showstopper. This impressive transformation is a testament to the power of creative upcycling and the limitless potential of simple design hacks.
Glamorous Dressing Table
This stunning dressing table is a testament to creative problem-solving. By repurposing two Billy bookcases as the foundation, the maker cleverly created a sturdy base for their project. The simple yet effective surface that connects them provides a blank canvas for endless customization opportunities.
The vertical slats add depth and visual interest, while the judicious use of black and white accents imbues the piece with an air of sophistication, making it truly exceptional.
Elegant Fluted Sideboard
Cath Creative’s latest design showcases the current obsession with fluted panels on furniture. The eye-catching sideboard is a masterclass in incorporating this trend, combining two Ivar cabinets and painting them a rich dark green hue. A clever touch sees the addition of fluting to the doors, which is then perfectly complemented by elegant brass handles that add an air of sophistication.
Cane Fronted Cabinet
We’re particularly fond of incorporating cane webbing into our Ikea makeovers. This stunning cabinet, for instance, began life as an Eket unit and has since been transformed through the clever removal of its door panels and their replacement with beautifully textured cane webbing. The resulting visual contrast between the dark-hued door frames and the natural cane is truly striking.
The addition of elegant brass-effect legs, achieved by simply spray painting wooden supports with a rich bronze hue, adds an extra layer of sophistication to this already impressive piece.
Indoor Greenhouse
We’re avid plant enthusiasts, but it’s not uncommon to struggle in creating the ideal environment for certain houseplants. One clever solution we’ve stumbled upon is repurposing an Ikea Milsbo glass cabinet as an indoor greenhouse. This creative hack allows us to maintain a consistent humidity level within the cabinet with some trial and error, ultimately giving our plants the perfect conditions to flourish.
Terrazzo Topped Side Table
When it comes to adding a touch of elegance to their homes, many people turn to creative hacks like the peel and stick wallpaper trick. A perfect example of this is the gorgeous terrazzo side table created by Make Calm Lovely using an Ikea Gladolm side table as its base. By attaching a wooden circle insert to the table, the surface is transformed into a beautiful canvas for the terrazzo wallpaper. With just a few simple steps, anyone can add a stylish and eye-catching terrazzo design to their decor.
Clever Dowel Shelves
What sets this Ikea hack apart is its impressive ingenuity! By repurposing the Osbit plate holder as shelving brackets, you can create adjustable shelving units that can adapt to your evolving needs. The genius behind this hack lies in its flexibility – the shelves can be easily adjusted or rearranged as your storage requirements change. And the best part? This project is incredibly budget-friendly, with the plate racks costing a mere £3 ($4). By upcycling these affordable components and combining them with some scraps of wood painted white, you can create functional and stylish shelving units that won’t break the bank.
Giant Industrial Mirror
Imagine the envy-inducing effect of having a massive industrial-style mirror against your wall. Thanks to The Sorry Girls’ clever hack, making this a reality isn’t just for those with deep pockets. By leveraging Ikea’s affordable Lots mirror panels – priced at around £7 (or $8) per 4-piece set – and some basic building materials like plywood and wooden trim arranged in a grid, you can create the illusion of a massive mirror without breaking the bank. The best part? This DIY project is surprisingly cost-effective compared to purchasing a mirror of this magnitude.
Parquet Fronted Drawers
While the Ikea Hemnes dresser enjoys widespread popularity, there’s no denying that it can be easily elevated to new heights. One of our top picks for upgrading this piece is by incorporating wooden chevron-patterned drawer fronts. The harmonious blend of wood and white tones creates a timeless visual appeal that never goes out of style.
Mirrored Cube Tables
These sophisticated-looking mirror cubes can elevate even the most opulent spaces without breaking the bank. Despite their luxurious appearance, they’re surprisingly simple and affordable to create. To make one cube, you’ll need just a few basic materials: several packs of Ikea Lots mirror panels, some metal angle brackets, and a reliable adhesive. While it’s true that these cubes may not be designed with child safety in mind, their striking visual appeal is undeniable.
Unique Plant Display Rack
Building upon the concept of indoor greenhouses, another clever way to showcase multiple plants on one wall is by utilizing IKEA Knagglig crates. These versatile containers come in a range of sizes and can be easily customized to create a secure display system. To achieve this, a simple block of wood is attached to the back of each crate, matching the distance between the slats at the rear. This design feature effectively keeps the crate in place, although for added stability, you could consider incorporating an angled slot, similar to a French cleat, to prevent any movement or shifting.
Wood Slat Surround Cabinet
The allure of wooden slats is undeniable, and this ingenious Ikea hack perfectly showcases their understated elegance. By surrounding a fundamental Ikea bookcase with these rustic strips of wood, the resulting design effortlessly exudes an air of sophistication, transforming what would otherwise be a humble piece of furniture into a stylish statement.
Gorgeous Kids Bedroom Storage
A striking kids’ bedroom arrangement has been showcased on Living Etc, featuring a combination of custom and Ikea elements. The Billy bookcase, Platsa units, and Hjalpa drawers from the Swedish furniture giant have been cleverly integrated into the design. While some bespoke touches are undoubtedly present, the use of pre-existing Ikea pieces significantly reduces the time and financial investment required to achieve this look. One of the most appealing aspects of the setup is the thoughtful consideration given to sibling interaction – a charming little opening between the beds allows for easy communication and playtime (albeit perhaps not during sleeping hours!)
Super Practical Fire Guard
When designing a home, there are often certain essentials that serve a practical purpose but may not necessarily fit seamlessly into our aesthetic vision. A fire guard is one such item – something we know we need, yet struggle to reconcile with our decor. Fortunately, clever solutions like the one proposed by Henrik June Home can transform an everyday object into a stylish piece of furniture. In this case, a basic Ikea Sniglar cot is repurposed to create a beautiful wooden fire guard that effortlessly blends in with its surroundings. To take it to the next level, consider painting it a color that harmonizes with its environment, ensuring a cohesive look that pleases the eye.
Cute Wooden Rainbow Cot
The Ikea Sniglar cot is a perfect example of how something humble can be elevated into a work of art through creative hacking. By adding colorful, rainbow-shaped panels to the sides of this affordable and basic cot, you can give it an adorable makeover that’s sure to delight. The best part? You’re not limited by a specific design – the possibilities are endless, so feel free to let your imagination run wild and add your own unique touch!
Geometric Drawers
Transforming IKEA pieces into stunning works of art is an art form that’s gained immense popularity. The Tarva dresser, for instance, has been elevated to new heights through the clever application of geometric patterns created with simple striped vinyl tiles. The random arrangement of these tiles imbues the piece with a unique charm. Meanwhile, the addition of wooden legs to the base adds an air of sophistication and elegance. As IKEA hacks continue to evolve, so too do the creative possibilities they offer. In 2022, we’re witnessing a new era of innovation, where even more complex designs are being brought to life on a budget. The beauty lies in the fact that you don’t need to break the bank to create something truly remarkable. With a little imagination and inspiration from others’ creations, you can unlock your own DIY potential and craft a masterpiece that’s all yours.