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Easy to build, affordable and quick to get started, it’s easy to see why IKEA’s hacker style is dominating our interior design. The iconic Swedish brand is known for its comfortable flat-pack furniture, and whether you’re moving into your first home or looking to update your existing decor, there’s an easy DIY project for everyone.
While their designs are aimed at maximizing storage space and creating a clean slate to suit different homes, sometimes they can lack creativity. Luckily, the low price and simple look mean they provide the perfect basis for trying out new tips and tricks in the bedroom or living room so you can make your IKEA furniture truly your own.
Some of our favorite IKEA tips require more tools and DIY skills than others, but they all allow you to create a fashionable look for less.
Updating a piece of furniture in your home is a cost-effective way to achieve the aesthetic you want for less money. You can also be proud to say that you did it yourself, which is a huge bragging point when you’re showing off your home to guests. This also means that you can update the same piece of furniture over time, which is fine if you like pink now but maybe not in a few years.
Tom Revill, co-founder of Plank Hardware, says: “Simple and neutral IKEA furniture is the best basis for reinvention. Different furniture has different capabilities. Taking inspiration from upcycled furniture ideas, you can create almost anything in your home. Create a stylish space anywhere from wardrobe to TV stand.
It’s easy too: just use an image as inspiration, a few tools and some paint and you can achieve a whole new look.
“If you’re on a budget and just focused on updating, Chalk Paint™ works equally well on plastic and MDF and gives IKEA furniture a wonderful matte finish,” echoes color and paint expert Annie Sloane.
Moon-like shapes are increasingly appearing in our homes, and fortunately, they are easy to make yourself. @crack_the_shutters raised the doors of this IKEA Besta cabinet by cutting out a curved shape and filling it with rattan.
How is the effect? It’s on trend and looks upscale. Tom also recommends adding “brass legs and matching brass hardware,” like in this hack, to further enhance simple cabinets.
IKEA’s DIY furniture also offers great flexibility when it comes to color. Be it pink, baby blue or any other color you can get your hands on, you can pair it perfectly with your interior decor.
Our assistant editor Rebecca Knight recently painted her cabinets with a vibrant black French paint and said, “If you want to quickly change the color of your Ikea furniture but are having trouble doing it like I am, Matte Painters furniture paints are the same as French Furniture.” The paint hides a lot of imperfections and is one of the easiest paints I use for professional finishing. Just be sure to use a top coat to keep the paint job looking good.
Working from home can be boring sometimes, but this clever trick from IKEA is sure to boost your creativity. @fromcatterytohome created a wall-to-ceiling office environment by placing a BILLY bookcase on the desk, providing storage space for files, office supplies and even some decorative accessories to make the space feel like home.
By painting your bookcase to match the wall and cabinet, you will create the illusion of a seamless, custom built-in desk. This way, you can create a chic home office idea that fits seamlessly with the rest of your home.
One way to give your living space a professionally designed look is to reflect the same texture throughout the room, like @melanielissackinteriors did. This IKEA hack uses BESTA cabinets, which are the perfect shape and size to fill gaps for excess dishes in the dining room or storage for games or electronics in the living room.
The added molding creates a fluted look that matches similar wall panel ideas and instantly gives the IKEA unit a custom look. You can also add a marble-look countertop to add a touch of luxury, meaning you can easily accessorize the top of your cabinets as well.
Ikea hack could save you £9,000? We couldn’t believe it either. Paul Knox wanted to create the look of built-in bookshelves that would take up an entire wall of his open-plan dining room, but it wasn’t in his budget.
Instead, he bought five BILLY bookcases that fit his walls exactly and began putting together his dream bookshelf with minimal tools.
“We bought matching doors for the standard-sized bookcases, hardboard for the cut-out arches, and then some MDF for the edges of the bookcases to make it look flush with the wall,” says Paul.
To take the IKEA bookshelves to the next level, Paul and his partners also “used beads typically used for flooring to decorate the bookcases, and then used textured molding to cover the seams of the bookcases.”
IKEA PAX wardrobes are a popular bedroom storage idea for good reason: their interiors are fully customizable, so you can create the perfect storage system for you at a lower price.
Tom says: “There are several ways to update your PAX, such as adding more frames to create that coveted built-in look. Laura from @houseproject_36 got creative and found a TV stand that was the perfect size for her ceiling. Height She installed a TV cabinet over the PAX block, then added beads, a fresh coat of paint and detailed hardware for the final DIY project.
If you choose a PAX wardrobe as the basis for this IKEA hack, it means that if your storage needs grow, you can easily add to the design without having to put together a whole new custom proposal.
Are you obsessed with designer furniture but want to buy it for less? @lukearthurwells has updated their IVAR cabinets with a new look inspired by premium interiors.
Tom from Plank Hardware said: “He planned the layout of the structure and cut strips from the remaining MDF boards, numbering each piece. He then sanded the sides and created a chamfer around the edges.
“He used wood and moldings to make the gaps between each piece the same, and then glued each piece together. He then used furniture paint, which meant you didn’t have to apply primer. He used Plane Hardware PLANE Knobs to drill two pieces, scraps of wood were used as handles for the perfect finishing touch, and he topped it with a clear matte varnish for a simple, casual look.
Decorate a simple dresser with a simple V-shaped pattern that you can make yourself or buy online. First, you can give the entire scene a fresh coat of paint to transform it from dull and boring to something a little more pop. Next, use washi tape to lightly adhere the stencil to the front of the drawer, then use a dry fluffy brush to stipple the furniture paint. Let it dry, then apply a clear matte varnish and add thin leather inserts.
Buy now: MALM six-drawer chest, £120; If you’re looking for similar leather handles, try OSTERNAS leather handles, £12 for two, both from IKEA.
Instead of placing shelving against a wall, place them facing each other to create a dedicated reading nook. Hang flowing fabric over a curtain rod to create a magical hidden canopy that allows it to hang to the floor for a fairytale feel. Or, if space is limited, one unit can be replaced with a bedside headboard.
If children share a room, assign each child a shelf and place separate hooks at the end of the shelf to store valuable personal items or special toys.
This is a great tip from IKEA that will give your bedroom a designer look without the hefty price tag. Remove the interior boards from the cabinet door and nail the rattan to the back. There is no need to wet stretch the reed – just pull it tight and lock it in place. While rattan is very popular right now, you can also create a similar look by using woven linen or soft cotton to add texture.
If your bedroom is tight, choosing sliding doors can save space, and boxes and baskets with lids can be placed on top for extra storage.
Try this simple trick to easily update your bedroom by combining two IKEA brackets to create a nightstand. First, attach the MOPPE box to the legs of the TENHULT stool using wood glue. Use the remaining lotion or test jar to paint the drawer fronts in a gradient, starting with the lightest color at the top and the darkest color at the bottom. Let dry and then apply matte varnish. Or replace the paint with decoupage or pretty wallpaper scraps to suit your design.
Add a simple pendant or wall lamp above your nightstand to keep the surface uncluttered.
You won’t believe how easy it is to create these designer cabinet doors. Simply use glass film to transform an ordinary display case into stylish storage. Measure the dimensions of the door and cut the appropriate film. Spray the door with water and apply the film, smoothing out wrinkles and bubbles as you go. Don’t overcrowd the shelves inside, use stacks of bowls, stacks of books and interestingly shaped objects to create balance.
Fluted glass film also helps protect against chips and scratches, plus you can use stained glass or patterned window film to create a truly custom cabinetry.
This is ideal for a children’s or playroom. Give your paints and brushes a special home and make organizing them more fun. Wallpaper the back of the cube shelf and it will turn into a fun little house that little ones will love keeping organized…hopefully!
If you have baseboards, add legs to the unit so the wallpaper is flush with the shelves.
If your space is too small to use as a bedroom, think of this as an opportunity to create your dream closet and free up space in your own room. A wall-to-wall row of boxes, painted the same color and topped with a wooden countertop, will create the perfect storage space for a variety of items. Adding a hanging rod will also help you make the most of your space and provide a place to hang clothes and accessories.
Another great kids room idea that they will definitely love! The children’s room has a built-in raised bed made up of cabinets to make the most of the limited space. Here we added custom stair doors to the METOD base unit and MAXIMER drawers (both IKEA). A step will help small children climb into a cozy reading corner.
This is one of the best bedside table ideas if you are on a tight budget or just don’t have enough space. Take two IKEA Moslanda wall picture racks, attach one of them “normally” to the wall, then flip the second wall rack over and place it on top. It can also be attached to the wall to create a small storage space for bedside items such as books, reading glasses, etc.
To enhance the functionality of the smart bedside table, LED strips have been added to give items a subtle glow. This way you don’t have to fumble around in the dark looking for something.
Spray painting IKEA furniture to turn it into a unique and expensive piece has been something we’ve been interested in for quite some time, but adding metal parts takes DIY and decorating projects to the next level.
The unit was equipped with Rust-Oleum furniture varnish and finishing wax to provide a matte finish for projects requiring greater durability, impact and stain resistance. Add headscarves for an extra wow factor.
Place the gusset over the edge of the drawer, pre-drilling holes to tighten the mounting screws. Screw the set screws into place to secure the gussets. Repeat this step to add markers to complete the project.
Think outside the box with Billy’s favorite bookcase. Use single-width bookcases attached to the sides of a double-width version to create an “end” so to speak. This frees up a side panel that can accommodate a cut-to-size vinyl chalkboard sticker, making it more versatile and useful.
In addition to providing all the storage space a busy family needs, there is now a memo board where you can jot down all the necessary household to-do lists and more.
Update a simple pine cabinet by adding a little paint to add character to your playroom idea. With just a few test pots and some frog tape, a simple pine cabinet can be transformed into a welcome colorful addition to any room that needs toy storage. Mount the device on the wall to maximize play space – a great idea for small children’s rooms.
Turn the durable KALLAX shelving unit on its side to create a dedicated storage bench and place drawers at the end of the bed. Ideal for filling baskets with shoes or extra bedding. Cut the foam to the size you need and cover it with a suitable fabric to create a comfortable pillow. Add long gold moldings at each end for a luxurious finishing touch.
Want to free up space in your small bedroom? Make room for a tiny dresser with this neat trick. The Hemnes shoe cabinet from IKEA is only 22 cm deep, so it can be placed against a wall and takes up minimal floor space. There is a wall shelf at the top for convenient storage of bedroom essentials, as well as four pull-out compartments for clothes and underwear. Swap out the standard drawer handles for chic leather handles and add a smart mirror to the wall above.
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Post time: Oct-08-2023