You've got to hand it to the Swedish; they really know how to make furniture. They spawned a flat-pack revolution that has helped us fill our homes with practical furniture that doesn't break the bank. But what you may not realize is that there's more to IKEA furniture than meets the eye. Rather than buying a cabinet or a table and keeping it as is, you can upgrade it into a one-of-a-kind piece that'll be practical and eye-catching. Or even better, you can repurpose it into something else entirely. Wondering how? We've got you covered with these creative IKEA hacks.
Make a HEMNES Bookcase Into a Seating Bench for Your Bedroom
There are three kinds of people in this world; there are those who let their dogs sleep in their beds, there are those who don't let their dogs sleep in their beds, and then there are those who want their dogs to sleep in their bed, but don't want to give up their all-important space! Well, it's fair to say that this IKEA hack is perfect for those in the latter category, as this gives you the best of both worlds. It's also perfect for anyone who just needs a spot to sit on while they put their shoes on in the morning or want to add a statement piece to their bedroom.
To create this sitting bench/dog bed that goes at the bottom of a human bed, this person simply turned an IKEA HEMNES bookcase on its side and then upholstered the top of it. It really was that simple.
Turn the RUDSTA Cabinet Into a Gorgeous Indoor Greenhouse
Plants not only look beautiful, but they're also good for your mental health. And in today's day and age, so many people are finding joy in growing plants. But let's be honest; it's hard to grow plants when you live in an apartment and have limited space - and sometimes absolutely no outside space. This IKEA hack proves that you don't have to live in a house with a backyard to grow this greenery, though. An IKEA cabinet works just as well.
With the help of a glass-door cabinet from IKEA, this person added a add UV light into the mix and created the perfect growing conditions for his plants. Plus, it looks awesome!
Transform a Standard IVAR Cabinet Into a Hidden Desk
With so many people working from home, it's no wonder they've turned to IKEA to save money. After all, desks are expensive. But while there's no doubt that desks are an essential part of a home office, that doesn't mean that you have to buy a desk from IKEA. Other furniture works just as well - and sometimes, it can work even better! And this is the perfect example of that.
This person obviously didn't want their desk on show when they finished work, so they managed to hide it behind this IKEA cabinet. All they have to do is close the doors, and it's like the desk isn't even there!
Turn Wall Brackets Upside Down for Handy Shelves With Bookends
So many people head to IKEA to save money, and you can pick up wall brackets incredibly cheaply from this store. But while wall brackets are normally used to support the weight of shelves and the books that are stacked on top of them, this person had the genius idea to turn everything upside down - and it resulted in the handiest IKEA hack we've ever seen. Yes, just look at this!
Regular wall brackets don't offer support for your books, which means that they end up falling off, or you have to then buy bookends separately. By turning them upside down, you have built-in bookends!
Turn Cabinet Doors Into Fancy Wall Paneling
Although you spend most of the time in your bedroom asleep, it's still important to make this a cozy and comfortable space that you feel zen in. And while a plain room might do that for you, you also might want to add a little something extra into the mix. You could even add some wall paneling to your room, especially when this IKEA hack exists.
Normal wall paneling can be expensive, but this person bought IKEA cabinet doors without the actual cabinets, and they stuck them to the wall. In doing so, they made their bedroom even more luxurious.
Save Money by Using Smaller Mirror Tiles to Make One Big Mirror
Anyone who has ever bought a mirror knows they're not cheap. They will set you back a few hundred bucks for a large mirror, and that's the kind of money that some people just don't have lying around. So, if you're looking to save money, why don't you try this instead? Rather than shelling out for one big mirror, this person decided to buy 24 mirror tiles from IKEA instead.
Then, they simply stuck them all on a piece of wood and hung it up. Not only did this save them money, but we can't help but think this looks way better than one big piece of mirrored glass!
Turn the TARVA Dresser Into an Unrecognizable, One-Of-A-Kind Piece
One of the things we love about IKEA is that a huge portion of their furniture is sold in a "raw" format. This means that they're made and sold with plain, untreated wood, which opens up a world of possibilities. The TARVA dresser is one of the pieces of furniture from IKEA that's sold raw, and while some people would see this as a disadvantage, others see it as an opportunity to get creative!
That's exactly what this person did. They utilized woven material, some black paint, and some beautiful gold handles to bring a very expensive-looking dresser to life. And we'd pay good money for that.
Use a Pegboard to Create a Quirky Vertical Garden/Propagation Station
If you have limited space for plants but want to turn your home into the ultimate indoor greenhouse, you'll be happy to know that IKEA has your back. With so many IKEA hacks to choose from, it can be hard to know which one to choose - but this one has always been one of our favorites. After all, you can create the coolest vertical garden out there with just a simple pegboard and some clip-on shelves.
Yes, the Skådis pegboard is perfect for so much more than just office supplies. Of course, you can't grow a giant monstera plant on this pegboard, but smaller plants work wonders here.
Turn a Cabinet Into a Private Bathroom for Your Cat
You just can't go wrong with an IKEA cabinet. This piece of furniture is so versatile and can be used in every single room in the house. And while most people use it for storage purposes, it seems as though this cat lover decided to put on their thinking cap and come up with a DIY solution for their toilet-shy cat. Yes, this hack turns a cabinet into a private bathroom for your cat!
This IKEA hack didn't even require too much work, either. She simply cut out a hole in her BESTÅ cabinet and then popped in the litter tray and the kitty litter.
Use a Bathroom Vanity Unit as a Sophisticated Floating Cabinet for Any Room
When searching for furniture for your house, you may find that you're often stuffed into a box. If you're looking for a piece of bedroom furniture, you're pointed in the direction of the bedroom section. But who says that you have to stay in that section? When this guy couldn't find the exact kind of dresser he wanted for his bedroom, he decided to look elsewhere. And that's when he stumbled into the bathroom section of IKEA.
By using two GODMORGON sink cabinets from the Swedish store, he was able to create a super chic floating dresser. All he had to do was top them with a piece of plywood.
Transform Toilet Roll Holders Into Nifty Storage Solutions
One of the things we love about IKEA is the customers. People who buy IKEA furniture aren't afraid to flex their DIY fingers, and they come up with so many amazing IKEA hacks that are often so simple but so effective. Yes, just look at this guy! He took a humble toilet roll holder and decided to turn it into a nifty storage solution under his desk. And it's genius.
Who says you have to use a toilet roll holder for toilet roll, anyway? He saw an opportunity to save money, and he took it. And you wouldn't even know this was a toilet roll holder by looking at it.
Combine Your Plants and Your Tables to Save Space Without Sacrificing Aesthetic
If you love plants as much as the next guy (who really loves plants), then there's a high chance that your home is filled with greenery. From little pots on your windowsill to larger pots in your living room, you've probably got them all. But anyone who has big plants in their living room will know that the pots are often an eyesore. Did you know that a simple trip to IKEA could solve all of that, though?
If you want to hide a plant vase or pot, all you need to do is buy an end table and cut out a keyhole-shaped hole so that you can slide the plant underneath.
Make a Desk With a View Using a Simple Bed Tray
So many people work from home now. And while working from home is a great way to save money on gas, it can often be detrimental to people's health. After all, so many people spend their days inside the house, not going outside or even looking out of the window. That's obviously why this person decided to make themselves a desk with a view, so they could at least look out onto the city while they worked.
To do this, they bought a bed tray from IKEA, plus some hanging strips and some plate holders. By sticking the plate holders onto the wall with the hanging strips, they then created a height-adjustable window desk.
Build a Gorgeous Shelving Unit by Mixing up BILLY and HEMNES Bookcases
Whether you love books, you have a giant DVD collection, or you just want somewhere to store all of your favorite things, having a large bookcase is always a good idea. However, if you've ever tried to buy this piece of furniture, you'll know it's pretty expensive. It doesn't have to be, though. This IKEA hack proves that you can mix up the BILLY and HEMNES bookcases from IKEA and replicate the real deal.
To bring this to life, the woman behind this DIY project bought two of each bookcase and then stacked them in a way that made sense to her and her needs. And it's pretty awesome.
Make an IKEA Mirror Unrecognizable by Adding Wallpaper to Its Frame
IKEA is known for selling some of the cheapest mirrors on the market, but with this low price comes a rather boring design. But this person decided to lean in on these basic frames when they decided to buy a few of these mirrors for their home. They wanted to jazz up each of these mirrors and give them their very own design, and the basic frame served as the perfect base for their wallpaper IKEA hack.
To make each mirror completely unique and original, they chose different types of wallpaper and applied them to the frame. This way, they could tie the mirrors into the design of the rest of the house.
Use the KVISTBRO Table to Make a Stylish, Space-Saving Bed for Your Pet
You probably don't need us to tell you that cats are very fickle creatures. They follow the beat of their own drum - and this normally means that they will outright refuse to sleep in the expensive bed you bought for them. So, why don't you save money and use IKEA furniture to DIY your own cat bed instead? It's super easy to turn IKEA's famous KVISTBRO storage table into the ultimate pet haven.
While you'll need some DIY knowledge to cut out an entrance for your kitties, the rest is pretty simple. All you have to do is fill the bottom with a comfy cushion for your cat to enjoy.
Add Some Fun to Your Children's Storage With Giant Googly Eyes
If you have kids, you'll know that having the right kind of storage in your house is absolutely key. Otherwise, you'll be stepping on LEGO more often than you can say, "Ouch!" But if you want to add a little fun to your home storage, why don't you take some inspiration from this hilarious IKEA hack? It's very simple and definitely won't cost you a fortune. In fact, it'll probably cost you a few dollars at most.
Yes, if you already have some DRONA storage boxes, all you have to do is buy some googly eyes and attach them to the top of the boxes. We guarantee your kids will love it.
Hang Your Plants From a FINTORP Rail for Extra Floor Space
Having plants in your home is hugely beneficial for your health. Not only are they air purifying, but they can also just add a pop of color to your room and brighten your mood. However, when you're working with limited space, having plants sometimes isn't feasible - especially when you only have a small amount of floor space. But this person managed to find an IKEA hack to solve that.
By hanging their plants on a FINTORP rail from the ceiling, they were able to keep their plants off the floor and reserve that space for furniture that really mattered. Genius, right?
Turn a DUTKIG Doll Bed Into the Cutest Pet Bed Around
It's easy to get carried away when you have a pet. You want to spoil them rotten and give them the perfect life, which is why you often spend way beyond your means. But you don't have to spend a fortune to treat your animals. If you want to save money, you could just head to IKEA and buy some furniture that will work as an IKEA hack. You know, like the DUTKIG doll bed.
Although this bed was technically designed for a doll's house, it just so happens to be the perfect size for a small kitty cat. And it actually looks pretty comfortable.
Combine a Variety of IKEA Furniture to Create the Ultimate Office Setup
You can bet your bottom dollar that IKEA will sell everything that you could possibly need to deck out your house. From beds to couches and more, there's a whole host of furniture that will set you up for success. But what if you're trying to create the coolest home office around? Well, this person has proved that it's possible to save money during this building process, as they bought everything in this office from IKEA.
From the storage drawers underneath the desk to the storage boxes on the wall and even the office chair, they managed to complete the whole look for a fraction of the price.
Save Money by Turning Two LACK Side Tables Into a Customizable Cabinet
Although IKEA is known for its budget prices, sometimes it pays to check out a few IKEA hacks before whipping out your wallet. In fact, sometimes it's cheaper to bypass buying a more expensive piece of furniture and use two cheaper pieces of furniture to make an alternative. And if you don't believe us, just look at how this guy used two LACK side tables to make his very own cabinet.
He then added a door, hinges, and some handles and created the most awesome cabinet for his 3D printer. You could do this yourself to store everything from your books to your clothes!
Use TROFAST Storage Units to Make a Toolshed for Your Apartment
If you live in an apartment, there's a high chance that you have limited space. And when you've filled that apartment with your furniture and your clothes, you probably don't have a lot to work with in terms of tool storage. But if you're looking for an IKEA hack that can give you just that, then look no further. This little den of tool organization is what a laborer's dreams are made of.
To do this, they used multiple TROFAST storage units and placed them on top of each other in a spare cabinet. They even labeled the boxes to ensure optimum efficiency.
Buy Items Separately to Create a Eclectic Feel
There are some restrictions when it comes to buying flat-pack furniture. Instead of being able to buy a full furniture set, you often have to buy them items individually. But this doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. By having the opportunity to buy items separately, you can create bespoke pieces of furniture and home items that really sing your personality. You know, like this rustic sink vanity!
When this person bought their sink, they should have bought the vanity that matched it. But they decided to stop playing by the rules and opt for a metal vanity instead, and we think they made the right decision!
Add Legs to Your Furniture to Match Things in Height
If you love organization and symmetrical things, there's a high chance that you love this photo. After all, this office is an organizational dream. Not only does it look stylish, but we bet the person who works here gets so much done. Everything has its place, and the main worktop spans across the whole width of the room. But have you noticed the nifty little IKEA hack in this photo?
Unfortunately, not all pieces of IKEA furniture are the same height. And while this person knew they wanted these three storage units, the middle one was just a little shorter. So, they added legs!
Slot Some IKEA Carpet Into Your Desk for Your Cat
You know what they say about cats; if they fit, they're going to sit! And while you probably have given your cats countless designated sleeping spots around your house, you can bet your bottom dollar that they've barely slept in them. Instead, they seem to find joy in sleeping in cardboard boxes, on top of windowsills, or even on your keyboard. And we guess this cat just really wanted to be by its owner while they were gaming.
To solve this problem, this guy decided to buy some IKEA carpet and slot it into his IKEA desk. Sure, he had to sacrifice some storage space, but the cat looks pretty happy.
Showcase Your Artistic Skills on an IKEA Cabinet
Although IKEA sells practical furniture that works perfectly for those who want to save money or those with limited space, the pieces are often bare and boring. So, have you ever thought about putting your own stamp on your furniture? If you want to DIY your own custom cabinet, IKEA is the best option for you. Every piece of furniture is a blank canvas, and all you need to bring to the table is your creativity - and some paints!
This person did an amazing job creating their very own 'Starry Night' for their home, but you can go as intricate or basic as you want with your custom furniture. The flat-pack world is your oyster.
Create an Office That Looks Custom-Made
While some people have limited space in their house, there are others who have spare space. And instead of leaving their spare room empty, this couple decided to turn their empty room into the ultimate office space for them. They went to IKEA, shelled out on countless pieces of furniture, and then worked hard to bring this IKEA hack to life. And we have to say, we'd love to work there!
From the twin desks to the abundance of storage, the people who work here have definitely got enough space to complete their work with ease. And they even have a little privacy from each other, too.
Transform Your BILLY Bookcase Into a Book Lover's Dream
If you're a bookworm, there's a high chance that you've been dreaming of a bookcase like this for years. Yes, from the shelves upon shelves of space for your beloved books to the ladder that looks straight out of Beauty and the Beast, this really is a book lover's dream. But what if we told you that this was all made from IKEA furniture? It's really not difficult to make at home, either.
Luckily for the bookworms out there, IKEA sells numerous sizes of the BILLY bookcase, which means that you can work with your room - even if you have limited space. They also sell the ladder separately, too.
Build Your Own Dream Craft Den
We live in a crazy world, which is why you should always try and make time for things that make you happy. And for some people, that's crafting! This person obviously loved making things with their fabric and their sewing machine, which is why they decided to give themselves a proper craft den to bring their creations to life. To do this, they went to IKEA and decided to splash the cash.
While this may just be a desk, some shelves, and half of a wardrobe, they were able to hack the system and create the ultimate cupboard crafting den. We bet they love spending time there.
Get Creative With BILLY Bookcases and Make a Built-In Bookshelf
You probably don't need us to tell you that IKEA's BILLY bookcases are legendary. Not only do they help those looking for a cheap book storage solution to save money, but they're also extremely beautiful in their simplicity. And we don't know how, but this person managed to make the BILLY bookcase even more beautiful with this IKEA hack. They put their DIY skills to good use, and this was the impressive result.
Yes, they used the bookcases as the base for their built-in bookshelf and then used plywood to create the surround. Then, they added some lights to really finish off the whole look.
Empty a Closet and Turn It Into a Cozy Office Space
Having a designated space to do your homework or complete your workday will no doubt make you more productive, but what do you do if you don't have a designated room to work in? Well, you could empty a closet and turn that into a cozy workspace instead. This person's closet was basically empty, which is why they decided to take the opportunity to take everything out and replace it with office equipment instead.
They bought countless pieces of furniture for this cozy desk area, including a desk itself, shelves, a pegboard, a desk chair, and cool accessories! And the best part? It doesn't encroach on the room.
Make the Most of Your Laundry Room
Let's be honest; your laundry room is probably the least glamorous room in your house. This room purely serves a practical purpose, so it's hard to make it look fancy. But that doesn't mean that you can't try, and it doesn't mean that you can't try out some IKEA hacks to make your utility room even better. And this person decided to use an IKEA cabinet to make some more storage space.
By slotting this cabinet in between their washer and their dryer, they were able to make space for detergent bottles and cleaning supplies, as well as a designated space for their kitty litter!
Use HAVSTA Cabinets to Create a Beautiful Built-In Entertainment Center
IKEA sells countless cabinets that can be used in all kinds of capacities, but one of their best-selling cabinets has to be the HAVSTA. And if you're looking to create an awesome entertainment system in your home, you might want to get to know these cabinets a little bit more. After all, you could bring this epic IKEA hack to life and create the perfect space for your books, your television, your trinkets, and even your liquor.
Instead of using these HAVSTA cabinets for floor storage, they decided to build them into a much larger creation on the wall. And this whole thing looks pretty expensive, right?
Use IKEA Furniture to Make the Ultimate Children's Play Bed
If you have kids, you probably want to do everything you can to make them happy. And every kid wants a giant play bed, don't they? Although buying these things outright could set you back a small fortune, this person was able to make one themselves using all kinds of IKEA furniture. For starters, they used a regular KURA bed. Then, he was able to build the surrounding structure around the mattresses.
But we're most impressed by his genius staircase. Although it looks as though these steps were designed specifically for this structure, that's actually a TROFAST storage unit! All he did was add a handrail for extra safety.
Remodel Your Kitchen by Replacing the Cabinet Doors
They say that the kitchen is the heart of the home, but the kitchen is also one of the most expensive areas of the home to remodel. Buying new cabinets and worktops can cost a fortune, and some people just don't have that kind of money. However, you'll be happy to know that you don't have to sell your soul to afford a new kitchen. After all, you can buy IKEA cabinet doors without the cabinets!
If the inside structure of the cabinets still works with your kitchen, simply replacing the doors, giving them a lick of paint, and changing the handles can completely transform your space.
Make Use of Limited Space With a Vertical Indoor Greenhouse
We just can't get enough of this IKEA hack. So much so that we just couldn't help ourselves, and we had to share someone else's incredible attempt to bring the outside in. Yes, this person decided that they weren't going to sit back in their plantless apartment and continue living without some kind of greenery. So, they decided to buy a FABRIKOR cabinet from IKEA and get their creative juices flowing.
By opting for a vertical cabinet, they were able to bypass the fact that they had limited space for plants. And all they had to do was buy a UV lamp to complete the set-up.
Turn BESTA Storage Cabinets Into an Epic Entertainment Wall
If you're someone who loves gaming, watching movies, or just binge-watching Netflix, there's a high chance that you've always dreamed of the ultimate entertainment wall. But if you've ever asked a carpenter to price this up, you'll know that it's not cheap. That's why we're here to tell you that there's an incredible IKEA hack that will give you this entertainment wall while also helping you to save money. And it's pretty easy, too.
This person used four BESTA storage cabinets and arranged them in a way that worked for his space. He didn't even have to attach them to the wall, as they all supported themselves (but we wouldn't recommend taking that chance).
Turn Empty Boxes Into Temporary Furniture During Your Move
You probably don't need us to tell you that IKEA furniture can come in handy when you're moving house. As moving costs so much money, utilizing IKEA furniture can seriously help you save money. But that's not all. It turns out that empty IKEA boxes can also be used as temporary furniture while waiting to get yourself properly set up. And we had absolutely no idea this was a thing!
This guy hacked the system when he cut up IKEA boxes to make the perfect dining room chair, and we don't think we've been so impressed by an IKEA hack before.
Transform Old IKEA Bags Into an Eco-Friendly Backpack
Whether you're trying to save money or you're trying to save the planet, you may have cut down the amount of money you spend on new items you don't really need. And while this guy knew that he needed a new backpack, he knew that he didn't need to buy a brand new one from the store. So, he decided to get crafty after a recent trip to IKEA.
Somehow, he managed to turn the famous blue and yellow bags into a backpack. And we have no doubt that it's super strong. After all, those bags can hold a lot!
Turn Ikea Bags Into an Awesome Outfit
There are two kinds of people in this world; there are those who love costume parties, and then there are those who can't stand them. If you're part of the latter category, you're probably always on the lookout for a fun and creative costume that still works as a practical outfit. And we're here to present you with this amazing costume made entirely from the famous blue and yellow IKEA bags!
Although this guy just whipped up this costume for a party, let's all just take a moment to appreciate how well-made it is, too! If we didn't know it was made from bags, we would have had no idea!