This list of 10 fabulous IKEA Hacks shows you amazing ways to customize IKEA furniture!
If you have followed my blog for a while, you know I love pretty much all DIY home decor projects. But I have a special affinity for customizing IKEA furniture and DIY IKEA furniture upgrades.
Do you know what an IKEA hack is? Not everyone does. An IKEA hack basically refers to the transformation of a basic piece of IKEA furniture into what looks like a custom piece of furniture without breaking the budget.
It’s so much fun to customize IKEA furniture because the pieces start out so wonderfully simple that they totally lend themselves to endless transformations. At this point, the “IKEA hack” has nearly become its own category of design because DIY IKEA hacks are so prevalent.
I've tackled a few IKEA hacks myself. Most recently, I totally transformed a basic IKEA Lack sofa table into a designer showpiece for a total of $157 (including the cost of the table). You can see the full tutorial by clicking here.
I also created an expensive looking desk on a tiny budget using IKEA pieces. You can check out the details of my IKEA desk hack here.
But enough about my IKEA hacks. Not all attempts to customize IKEA furniture are successful, but SO many are beyond amazing. IKEA hacks are absolutely one of my favorite project types. I mean, they combine two of my favorite things: IKEA and creativity! For more information about each project, click on any of the photos!
10 Fabulous DIY IKEA Hacks: How To Customize IKEA Furniture!
First up is this amazing IKEA bookshelf hack. This library wall created out of IKEA Billy bookcases is one of the most EPIC and brilliant ways to customize IKEA furniture – I have never seen anything like it before! Check out the full details over at Bliss at Home.
You may have already seen one of my most popular projects is an IKEA hack – my girls' built-in bookshelves. By using basic IKEA furniture, some paint and imagination, I came up with an affordable and custom look for our twin girls' room.
We recently updated this project by adding a coat of colorful paint and adding real wood to the backing of the bookcases. These upgrades were super easy, budget-friendly, and realize customized these basic IKEA bookcases even more. Check out my post on painting IKEA furniture and pick up a few helpful tips for your next DIY IKEA hack!
Next up, I love how Carrie at Lovely Etc. found a solution for disguising the cheap cardboard backing that comes on all the IKEA Billy bookcases!
This IKEA shelves hack is a fabulous storage solution by Rhoda at Southern Hospitality. I love how she added custom doors to allow for some closed storage in addition to the open storage on top.
Next up, is a simple but impressive example of refinishing IKEA furniture. Serendipity Refined made these gorgeous “vintage” file drawers using some inexpensive IKEA drawers and her imagination. I absolutely love how this project turned out!
This IKEA Tarva hack from All Things G&D is such a clever way to increase storage in your kitchen (or any other room, for that matter). I love the new hardware and top, and chopping off the legs was a genius idea!
This IKEA kitchen island hack is so gorgeous, and I would have NEVER guessed that this high-end, super classy kitchen cart by Oliver and Rust started as an incredibly humble IKEA Bekvam kitchen cart. Such a great way to customize IKEA furniture!
How inspired is this IKEA Malm headboard hack from Aniko at Place of My Taste? So easy and chic!!! The best part is that you can easily change out the fabric if you ever decide you want a new color!
Next up, this faux aged steel IKEA cabinet by Simplicity in the South (inspired by a much more expensive Restoration Hardware version) is fabulous! How perfect is it in that room?!
This IKEA Rast hack from Oh Everything Handmade is so chic and stunning! And the tutorial makes it look so easy!
Aren't these beautiful? To see even more amazing IKEA hacks, check out the video below (it will play after a short ad). You can find links to all the tutorials for the projects in the video here.
I love your hacks board. I came across it while searching how to make a loft bed for my son with Ikea shelves, etc. If you have any ideas please email me. have looked for awhile and haven’t found any links – buying a double loft bed is so $$$. blesssings
Brenda
Thanks so much, Brenda! Hmmm, if I see any ideas for Ikea hack loft beds, I will definitely let you know!
Great post! An Ikea hack is so valuable to me so I personally love the roundup :). Thanks again!
Thanks, Liz! I am totally obsessed with Ikea hacks :)
Great roundup of projects Tasha! You’re doing a fabulous job on your home and I love your ideas.
Glenna @ My Paper Craze
Thanks so much, Glenna! And now that I finally have a Silhouette CAMEO, I need to try out some of your awesome Silhouette projects!
Awesome roundup of IKEA hacks! I love putting my spin on their furniture. And congrats on working with Hometalk. That’s awesome!
Thanks so much, Sarah! It was so fun to curate a board, especially a board of one of my favorite types of projects :)