Step aside pricey bespoke furniture: IKEA hacks are still some of the hottest home trends of the year.
Interiors lovers worldwide are transforming affordable IKEA buys into personalised pieces that you’d never guess came flat-packed – and it’s easier than ever for you to do the same.
Whether you’re after stylish storage or quick and simple updates, these hacks deliver maximum impact for minimal spend.
From impressive built-in furniture that rivals the pros to side table transformations that can be achieved in one or two sittings, there’s something for every home.
IVAR trim hack
Sometimes the best transformations are the simplest. This quick win sees the IVAR cabinet (one of IKEA’s sturdiest, in solid pine) being given a sunny facelift, with clever trims and a lick of yellow paint.
A wooden frame gives the cupboard doors a classic Shaker-style effect, while an on-trend bobbin trim adds a touch of fun.
Line up several in a row, as @villa_karole has here, and pop a sheet of painted MDF on top for a sleek finish.
Textured IVAR hack
We’d expect nothing less than hack ingenuity from an Interior Design Masters contestant, but this clever upgrade has truly impressed us.
Once again calling on the trusty IVAR cabinet, Kate Hewitt took inspiration from a £1,000 design and decided to make her own.
All it took were some wooden BBQ skewers and a splash of black paint, and this storage solution is now as chic as it is practical.
- Take the full house tour – This Interior Design Masters contestant used the most ingenious IKEA hack in her own kitchen
HAVSTA x BILLY hack
If you’re handy with a screwdriver, perhaps we could persuade you to tackle a more ambitious project?
Built-in BILLY bookcase and HAVSTA storage hacks are some of the most popular, but @theoldstableskintbury’s bold green combo is winning all the style points.
Clever wired picture lights? Tick. Elegant cornicing and skirting? Tick. Plenty of space for your favourite knick-knacks? Triple tick. We’re sold.
KALLAX hack
There are so many ways to upcycle KALLAX shelves – put them to work as another bench seat base, or simply add some doors and legs to turn into a modern sideboard.
Hairpin legs of any height will give the piece a mid-century-modern or industrial feel, while white oak iron-on edging adds a soft Scandi touch to the doors.
Finish with IKEA BEGRIPA handles, as we have here, or opt for BAGGANÄS to tie in with the black metal legs – the choice is yours.
BESTA bench seat hack
While IKEA’s BESTA range offers brilliantly versatile storage in every shape and size, it also offers the perfect opportunity to create your own bespoke bench seating. Even better, it’ll have in-built drawers to hide all your unsightly clutter.
Georgina Smith (@_itstartedwithacushion) has done the hard work for you – follow her tutorial to create a cosy nook yourself. Just don’t forget to make a comfy seat cushion to go with it: stripes are a must.
METOD bench hack
If you’re in need of more bench seating inspo, Lara Winter (@what_a_view_cottage) has you covered.
Her IKEA base of choice? METOD cabinets and MAXIMERA drawers – a fail-safe combo that maximises your storage space.
As Lara’s bench was built in front of an existing radiator, she incorporated air vents into the design to allow air flow, and even upcycled parts of her old sofa to create ultra squishy seating and back rest. Thrifty and stylish.
LIATORP cabinet hack
One thing we wish more people knew was that cabinets and wallpaper really go hand in hand.
Whether you’re lining the interior back to provide contrast, or lining the glass doors to hide clutter – as Sarah Doyle has here – wallpaper is a brilliant way to add pattern and personality to solid shop-bought pieces.
Although the LIATORP range is now discontinued, IKEA still boasts plenty of glass-front cabinets with which you could achieve the same effect.
ENHET shelving hack
Spray paint at the ready! Did you know it was really this easy to give your existing furniture a luxe metallic finish?
IKEA’s ENHET shelving units come in both white and anthracite, but that doesn’t mean they have to stay that way.
To tie in with her colour-drenched, gold-accented living room, Sisi Stigall gave them a sophisticated upgrade with gold spray paint and white marble-effect vinyl on the top and bottom shelves. Now they’re styled to perfection!
TÄRNKULLEN headboard hack
Tired of your TÄRNKULLEN bed? Give the grey upholstered headboard a new lease of life with a simple fabric covering.
If you’re not a confident sewist, commission a local dressmaker to whip up a cover like the team at Sage x Clare have here, or simply sew two pieces of fabric together to create a sleeve for the square shape. Easy and super effective – the hardest part will be picking the perfect fabric.
Photograph by @armellehabib
Simple kitchen hack
It goes without saying that IKEA kitchens are great value for money – they’re customisable, versatile and don’t break the bank (something that certainly can’t be said for all kitchen renovations). But sometimes they have a way of looking a little, well, IKEA.
One trick many savvy homeowners use is ordering IKEA carcases and upgrading the drawer fronts and cabinet doors. After all, there are many brands offering a range of mix ‘n’ match options.
Or, you could make like Claire Kitchener and simply add handles from an alternative brand. It’s a great way to get the look you want with just a little update.
Bedside table hack
One super simple way to give a quick makeover to a tired piece of furniture is by adding a touch of rattan. Black paint – once again – comes to the rescue, giving a chic upgrade to IKEA’s classic white.
Follow our tutorial to transform a preloved GURSKEN bedside table in just one weekend. The exact cabinet used in our tutorial has since been discontinued, but there’s nothing to stop you from applying the same method to any of IKEA’s storage range.
We can see rattan looking perfectly at home on the front of a BRIMNES bedside table too.
Marble effect hack
Ok, you’ve heard of marble-effect vinyl wrapping, but have you ever considered hand-painting your own marble effect? Turns out it’s much easier than you might think, and looks surprisingly realistic, too!
Cheryl Lumley shows you how in our simple tutorial – all you need is Rust-Oleum furniture paint, kitchen roll, fine artists brushes and a spray bottle (plus some Zinsser B-I-N primer if you’re painting over a classic coated piece of IKEA furniture).
Drawers hack
Rust-Oleum come to the rescue once again with this easy drawer unit upgrade. Combine contrasting colours and metal handles to great effect to create a look that your guests will never guess was IKEA.
And the key to a long-lasting finish, we hear you ask? Just a touch of furniture wax. Work with small circular motions, and buff with a clean cloth for a soft, velvety, protective sheen.
- Make your own – Stop using IKEA furniture straight out of the box – this easy hack looks so much better
RAST chest of drawers hack
Stripes, spots, chevrons – there’s no limit to the decorative effects that you could apply to any wooden furniture.
The beauty of ranges like IVAR and RAST (used here) is that the natural, solid wood surface is ready to paint without any extra priming.
Apply several coats for a solid finish, or opt for a colour-wash effect that shows off the natural grain of the wood.
Side table hack
This hack is a real winner because you only need four things: self-adhesive paper, gold spray paint, a craft knife, and a squeegee (plus a side table, so five things if you’re being technical).
We’ve used an old LINDVED table, but any side table is easy to turn into an expensive-looking statement piece in no time at all – we’ve got our eyes on the GLADOM for our next project.
