IKEA is known for its affordable prices, maze-like stores, and...equally maze-like assembly instructions.
Both may make you wonder how you got to where you are and how the heck you’re going to get out, but there’s no denying the cost-to-cool ratio--so we all grin and bear it.
There’s one more thing about our favourite budget Swedish home decor store, though: their products, with their elementary nuts and bolts and this-part-sold-separately model, lend themselves to supreme versatility. And that, dear reader, is what we’re here to talk about.
If your carpentry skills are on par with those of a plastic fork, have no fear. Ahead, 6 easy DIY projects made of hacked IKEA products.
Need some tools for the job? Your community just might have your back.
Image: Sugar and Cloth
The Floating Credenza
Ashley at Sugar & Cloth performed wonders on what could have been a rather average shelving unit. What started as the IKEA Besta Shelf Unit with high gloss white doors turned into a credenza with a beautiful Golden Oak finish. With the addition of doors, this shelf-turned-credenza transformed into something refreshingly modern and extremely functional.
DIY Mid-Century Coffee Table
Although there is some scuttlebutt about mid-mod going out of style, we’re still seeing variations of the trend speckling the homes of “It” folks everywhere. That said, it can be a very expensive design preference--especially if you want to find the truly vintage stuff. If you’re bougie on a budget or want to test out your DIY savvy--IKEA and Triple Max Tons have you covered.
Start with the white version of an IKEA fan favorite--the suspiciously affordable Lack Coffee Table--and you’re halfway there.
Image: The Makerista
The Billy Bookshelves Hack
Building custom built-in bookshelves for your home can be quite the task, and that’s why we’re high-key impressed with this DIY hack. Gwen over at The Makerista started simple when she bought three Billy Bookcases from IKEA.
While this project certainly stretches the definition of “easy” (like, kind of a lot)--we couldn’t help ourselves. Gwen’s vision yielded some amazing results. With a touch of crown molding and a sliding ladder, you would never know this bookshelf started as three lone Billys.
DIY Custom Cork Board
By contrast to the complexity of the Billy project above, here’s a simple DIY project from Betty at Oh Everything Made that even the kids can get in on! This craft is perfect for decorating a playroom or creating a space for reminders in your home office.
All you need are some IKEA cork rounds, paint, a hammer, and nails--and you’re all set! This quick and easy project is great for showcasing pictures of your friends and family, placing reminders where you can see them, or organizing miscellaneous items, like keys.
Photo: East Coast Creative
DIY Farmhouse Table
Farmhouse tables are great for many reasons. They look good in most dining rooms and they open up more room for friends and family. The catch: sticker shock is an inevitable part of farmhouse table-shopping.
Fret not! With just a lowly Ingo table, Monica at East Coast Creative shows you how to construct the farmhouse table of our dreams.
Depending on the size you want, you can start with 1 or 2 tables. From there, it’s all about attaching additional wood and assembling (or purchasing) benches to match. Pro tip: If this sounds like a project you want to try, research where you can find wood that might go to waste and repurpose it for this project.
DIY Plexiglass Table
What started as a small Lack table (there it is again!) turned into something incredibly chic with just a few sheets of mirrored acrylic glass. Kristina at Ich Designer lays it all out for you--minimal tools required! Creating a side table as stylish as this will enhance your living room or bedroom space--without breaking the bank.
Are you ready to start working on your next project? Get the tools you need from local DIYers, just like you.
