Genius IKEA hacks that will save you time and money

Fab ways to personalise your IKEA flatpack

Looking for IKEA furniture makeover ideas? Functional and affordable, the Scandi furniture brand is known the world over – but its popularity means you're likely to end up with the same flatpack finds as your family and friends.

With this in mind, we've brought together our favourite hacks to turn off-the-shelf IKEA designs like PAX wardrobes, IVAR cabinets and BILLY bookcases into unique pieces of upcycled furniture.

Bling up a NISSAFORS cart

Drinks trolleys are all the rage, so this cute IKEA hack posted by Jules Yap on IKEA Hackers is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. To copy, simply spray the frame with champagne gold metallic spray paint and leave it to dry. Then pop stained wood boards (cut to size) on each shelf.

Finish with your finest glassware, recipe books and voilà – Swedish punsch, anyone?

Bedeck a BEKVÄM step stool

The humble BEKVÄM step stool has many uses, but none so chic as this two-tier plant stand from Tidewater and Tulle. The natural frame, set against a woven vegan leather top, looks utterly organic yet elegant.

To upgrade your stool you'll need strips of vegan upholstery leather, hardware staples and weaving fingers! Take a look at the tutorial for the full list of supplies and step-by-step instructions.

Stylishly stain an IVAR cabinet

If like us you love a prairie look, copy this simple chevron design as created by @lifeofannieke on a plain IVAR cabinet.

Measure and mark out the chevron pattern with decorator's tape. Then, to get the ombre look, stain each section with a wood stain adding more layers from the top down.

Add curves to a BESTÅ cabinet

Love a DIY challenge? Make a simple cabinet look expensive by adding curved panels. Instagrammer @crack_the_shutters has gracefully transformed a BESTÅ cabinet into a stylish Art Deco-style cabinet painted duck egg blue.

The secret to this IKEA hack is marking and cutting out the curves with a jigsaw tool. The webbed cane is simply stapled to the back, and gold brass handles from Plank Hardware complete the luxe look.

Slot in LACK wall shelves

This DIY make-up table is a steal having been created by Kelly of @houseofkilpin for under £200 ($256). The clever IKEA hacker mounted two LACK shelves above one another and filled the space with labelled storage boxes for make-up.

The glamorous finishing touch is the movie-star mirror with lightbulbs placed above to create an elegant wall-mounted bedroom vanity.

Add character to HEMNES drawers

Star Wars fans will love this quirky take on the classic HEMNES dresser drawers. Creative mum, Mary Lindloff of @the_handcrafted_haven stencilled out and decorated the front of the drawers with a blue, grey and back droid design.

The finishing touch is the R2-D2 head painted on the wall directly behind the drawers using the same technique – so simple, yet so effective. Spot the funky Star Wars rug beneath to complete the theme.

Mix melamine and METOD cabinets

This beautiful bespoke desk started life as two METOD cabinets bridged with a piece of melamine wood cut to size. "Using the whole length of the wall has made this room feel so much bigger and creates a lovely open space to work from," says Esther of @prettylittleterrace on her Instagram feed.

The worktop, additional middle support and custom-made cane cupboard fronts have been given a coordinated coat of Farrow & Ball's Card Room Green, the same as the backdrop for a high-end finish.

Inject colour into KALLAX units

The standard white facade of a KALLAX unit just wouldn't do for colour devotee, @hilaryscolourfulhome. So she got to work planning a bolder look which is such a better fit for her kaleidoscopic living room.

To get the vibrant look a large-scale mural vinyl was sliced up and placed like a jigsaw over the drawer fronts. Red handles added extra zing, and the frame is painted a striking teal green to match the plush velvet sofa.

Think pink with PAX wardrobes

It's hard to believe this ultra-glam storage wall was created using faithful PAX wardrobes. Owners Frances and Benjamin showcase their project that also combines EKET cabinets on their beautiful Instagram feed, @itsnotsogrimupnorth.

Pinewood beading, a drenching of Lick's Pink 03 and gold-toned Plank handles transforms the flatpack furniture project into the focal point in this boudoir of dreams.

Flip BEKVÄM spice racks

Sometimes it's the simplest of ideas that lead to an incredible light-bulb moment. Sarah, owner of @swallows_in_the_window explains: "The BEKVÄM spice rack is a bargain and genius way to create a picture shelf and drawer knobs added directly to the wall were a cheaper alternative to a hook rail."

Sarah has turned the spice racks upside down to create a slim ledge and hook rail which is handy for hanging stationery cups. A pretty sweep of block colour on the wall gives this little home working corner style and purpose.

Finish an IVAR cabinet with framework

Take a break and pull up a chair while you marvel at the beauty of this sunny IVAR cabinet masterpiece.

To upcycle her IVAR cabinet, Elske, owner of @keekshuis, added steel legs and wood strips cut to size to create the carefully measured framework. It was then primed and painted twice in a soothing buttery yellow tone. It's the ideal fit for the pastel-filled home showcased on Elske's Instagram feed.

Customise a kid's KURA bed

Obviously, a fan of the linear look, Elske has successfully customised her son's KURA midsleeper bed to suit a 'tween' room.

Kids love an adventurous bed and this budget-friendly design has become a bit of a makeover favourite. There are many variations on Pinterest and Instagram, but this cool and calm version with on-trend slat-style detail is one of our top picks.

Fashion a side table from MAGASIN bread bins

An untrained eye would not believe this stylish side table began life as two humble bread bins. This IKEA hack has gone viral thanks to the low cost and incredible results. A MAGASIN bread bin will set you back only £19 ($24.99), so that's £38 ($49.98) for the pair.

Once glued together, the Miss Pompadour version is painted soothing purple and raised up on contrasting wooden legs. To open the rolling doors, slide them left and right.

Vamp up VITTSJÖ furniture

The slim-framed VITTSJÖ range looks sensational when sprayed with metallic paint available from hardware stores. This is an easy update with expensive-looking results that beginners can tackle without too much fuss.

Choose gold, rose gold or copper tones that are totally on-trend. Why not spray the home office chair to complete the IKEA upcycle project?

Be dramatic with PAX wardrobes

Designer and owner of Studio Dean, Cathy Dean, has come up with a genius way of generating a high-end storage style using IKEA wardrobes. The designer has built a frame using two 80cm PAX units to encase the home office door.

The closed-in black storage creates a striking and dramatic atmosphere, which is expertly styled with curated piles of magazines and trailing plants running along the wardrobes above.

Make HAVSTA cabinets look traditional

If you are lucky enough to own a fireplace in a period property, chances are you've wondered what to do with the awkward alcove space on either side. Felicity of FJH Interiors has made the most of her architectural features without spending a fortune on a carpenter.

These traditional-look alcove cabinets are not the result of an expensive commission (although it looks as though they are). Look closer and you'll see that they are HAVSTA cabinets with bookcases installed above.

Turn up the texture on KALLAX storage

Stylish, narrow storage that fits into small spaces can be hard to find – so this twist on KALLAX box storage is bursting with character. Simple adaptions by @allie_wilson_home, turned this everyday box into a practical and eye-catching storage unit full of texture.

To copy the transformation, paint with Frenchic furniture paint in Stone Rosie and then lift the unit using four-inch wooden legs. Then fill will LUSTIGKURRE storage boxes as they fit perfectly and inject boho style.

Paint an IDANÄS cabinet

Not only is this a delightful IKEA hack, but it's also a preloved IKEA hack. @allie_wilson_home picked this IDANÄS cabinet up on Facebook Marketplace.

To add detail to the drawer, Allie cut and waxed beading wood. The inner back panel and shelves are wrapped in vinyl effect film and the whole outer cabinet is painted in Farrow & Ball's Breakfast Room Green.

Flute up a BESTÅ cabinet

One way to make an IKEA hack stand out from the crowd is to immerse your chosen piece of IKEA furniture in an on-trend colour. That's exactly what Melanie Lissack Interiors did in collaboration with Plank when she chose to upcycle a BESTÅ cabinet in a pretty lilac hue.

Fluted front panels, a marble top and glamorous gold handles create a sophisticated finish to the high-end look

Sew curtains with IKEA tea towels

Did you know IKEA is very proud of its textiles section? Not only do they have pre-cut fabrics in a whole host of colours and Scandi-esque patterns, but their humble tea towels are pretty funky too.

We love this create-your-own-curtain upcycle idea using IKEA linens. Stitch the fabrics together in a patchwork design to create cafe-style curtains you won't see elsewhere. The secret is to purchase a couple of tea towel packs from the same colour collection to coordinate the drape.

Picnic out on a FRAKTA bag

IKEA's heavy-duty FRAKTA bag is as iconic as the IKEA logo. Produced in the same bright blue and yellow colourway, there is a good chance there are a few stashed away in the utility room – are we right?

Here's an idea to filter the ever-growing bag for life collection, why not use the sturdy sacks to make a fun, bright and water-proof picnic blanket? Follow these instructions to make a blue bag blanket complete with IKEA strap handles.

Display jewellery from HEAT pot stands

There is no doubt about it cork is cool again and the textured material makes an eye-catching jewellery storage project.

This thrifty project is super easy to execute. Made from HEAT cork pot stands and leftover bottle corks, these corks have been arranged in lines for a clean and coordinated finish.

Colour coordinate a SKÅDIS pegboard

Who says a room almost full of IKEA furniture and accessories would lack individual personality and charm? This rosy craft space is the brainchild of fashion designer Hanna Linnéa Ryd.

It's sustainable too. The items in this creative corner are either second-hand or upcycled. The IVAR shelving units, RÅSKOG trolley, SKÅDIS pegboard combination and SMÅSTAD chest of three drawers have all been painted or sprayed in the same tone of pretty pink to create a colour-drenched flow that's unique.

Reshuffle a BILLY bookcase

We've seen a few built-in BILLY bookcase IKEA hack examples but this living room look is a real gem. When Claire Douglas first installed her built-in IKEA wall cabinet it was similar to others so she'd decided to upgrade her initial build. "I've always thought the uniformity of the compartments in my IKEA BILLY bookcase hack let it down slightly", explains Claire on her Instagram feed @clairedouglasstyling.

So, by taking out some of the shelves, Claire then realigned them in order to create a more asymmetrical and interesting design. The only additional expense to the innovative mini makeover was the cost of a tin of paint!

Set MOSSLANDA shelves in cement

When it comes to kitchen plan ideas, coffee stations have become a desirable addition to the wish list. Claire Douglas has used her imagination to combine budget-friendly IKEA shelves with high-end styling for practical and super-chic results.

Claire has cleverly turned MOSSLANDA picture ledges upside down and coated them in a microcement kit to create an expensive-looking and built-in effect coffee nook of her dreams. Note the luxe finishing touches such as fluted MDF and gorgeous glass pendant light – making this coffee nook the crème de la crème of quiet luxury.

Decoupage an IVAR cabinet

Thought the art of decoupage was dated? Lisa Tilse from We Are Scout will soon change your mind. This double IVAR bedroom sideboard has been revolutionised with beautiful earthy-toned colour combination in chalk paint.

But the eye-catching heroes on this IKEA hack are the perfectly positioned and colour-matched decoupage floral display on the front that graces the design. The result is blooming beautiful.

Wrap up an IVAR chair

Give a simple IVAR chair a chic upgrade with an on-trend paint tone. It's sold in its natural pine state but painted this rich teal, it's turned into a sumptuous sea-green seating option.

Finish with a quirky backrest by wrapping the frame in a contrasting coloured yarn or string using a glue gun.

Add years onto a PS cabinet

We hear a lot about upcycling old furniture but how about 'downcycling' a brand new piece of mass-produced furniture to create a unique vintage look?

This white PS cabinet has been sprayed with a petrol blue-toned spray paint. Then, dabbed alternatively with two paintbrushes, one in the same tone and one a rusty brown to create an aged effect.

Give a RÅSKOG trolley an industrial twist

Give the RÅSKOG trolley factory-style personality by spraying it with a new and edgy gunmetal grey finish.

Complete the look in your home office by painting the legs of a wooden desk a complementary tone of silver.

Grow a SÖSDALA trellis

This chic grid trellis is in fact a pair of SÖSDALA memo boards.

Swap out stationery for climbing plants to create a lush and inexpensive living wall. Complete the vertical garden with an industrial-style black shelving unit filled with potted plants.

Blend IVAR cabinets in

Here's a drop-dead gorgeous way to hack IVAR cabinets. Give a room that on-trend moody monotone look by colour matching mounted cupboards to the bold wall behind.

We love this rich sea-green that allows soft leather handles to pop.

Mount a BUMERANG jewellery hanger

Who says hangers should be hidden in the wardrobe? Especially, if it's a smooth wooden BUMERANG.

Three hangers artfully tied together with string makes a fun piece of wall art to display your jewellery.

Decorate a REGOLIT lampshade

You don't have to be a DIY wizard to be an IKEA hacker. Easy updates can also add an eye-catching twist that you won't see elsewhere.

These REGOLIT paper lampshades have been given a monochrome makeover with ink stamps and geometric freehand painted black stripes.

Rattan a BILLY bookcase

The sturdy BILLY bookcase has a winning structure and can be used in many formats, from petite three-shelf units to full floor-to-ceiling libraries.

House of Hawkes has fitted custom doors with simple cane webbing to her BILLY and transformed it into a muted rattan storage cupboard, adding warm tones and soft texture to the space.

Reorganise with MOSSLANDA ledges

MOSSLANDA picture ledges are currently fashionable when mounted above sofas and beds to artfully lean pictures – but how about using them in new ways? Turn them lengthwise and secure them vertically to a wall. Attach knobs to the tops and bottoms.

Then use rope or stretchy bands to create ‘fences’ across the knobs. It's a simple but effective way to store tall items in a hallway.

Take TRONES shoe storage to bed

Sometimes it is hard to find homes for storage solutions so this headboard made out of TRONES shoe storage units is genius. It's the perfect place to keep ready-to-use fresh linen, spare pillows and slippers.

Why not finish the look with an ambient bedtime glow using LED strip lights around the edge?

Modernise MOPPE drawers

Looking to smarten up a home office? Prettify mini desk organisers with adhesive film, paint and stencils for organised perfection.

The little drawers are just right for customising: go for multiple units decorated in different but coordinated designs.

Gild MALM drawers

Sometimes all you need is a little bling. These white MALM drawers are a popular bedroom storage solution, but they've been souped up with gold contact paper mounted on the frame. The simple update by Preciously Me featured on IKEA Hackers has turned a popular piece into a vintage-inspired sideboard.

Cultivate IVAR cabinets

It's not just bloggers who love an IKEA hack. The Swedish giants themselves have tapped into the craze by posting a whole gallery of inspiration on their website, such as making a chic mural out of simple storage units.

And, being Scandinavian, of course, their projects are arguably the most stylish of them all.

Brush up a BEKVÄM spice rack for books

Parents of toddlers and preschoolers will tell you that safe storage for oversized books is a priority in children's rooms – so this BEKVÄM spice rack hack by A Baby On Board is genius.

The kitchen racks are a fraction of the price of usual bookshelves and can be painted to suit your child's bedroom theme. Why not safely mount them at a low level to give your little ones a sense of independence too?

Raise an IVAR cabinet with bright legs

Here's another IVAR hack. We love this simple idea from Rust-Oleum – it leaves the cabinet in a natural form but gives it height with spindle legs in contrasting neon pink. Give it a go if you're looking to give your hallway a new look.