Do you love Ikea? How about Ikea hacks?
I do!! And you probably do too! There are a few reasons that people love Ikea so much.
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It’s very affordable
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easy to transport since everything is flat-packed.
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It has good clean lines
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AND IT’S VERY AFFORDABLE
which is one of the reasons that make it perfect for hacking. There are soooo many IKEA hacks out there with anything from a hacked wall of built-ins to a hamster cage – keep reading for more crazy IKEA hacks! Let’s explore what you can do with some basic pieces from IKEA and a little ingenuity!
To access tutorials, just click on the images
Kallax Ikea Hacks
The Kallax, which is the latest incarnation of the Expedit, is one of the most hacked Ikea pieces out there. It’s cube design makes it perfect for organizing. Once upon a time it used to be unique to Ikea, but I have noticed recently that others are cashing in on the lure of this crazy versatile piece and jumping on the bandwagon. Now even Walmart has a version of this fan favourite, complete with the extra wide borders, which is good for me, because I have to catch a ferry to make my way to IKEA, and Wal-Mart is only 20 minutes away 🙂
There are so many ways to use this piece because of it’s infinite storage possibilities. It comes in so many different shapes and sizes from 4 tall to 5 deep by 5 wide. And these are great to mix and match with other Ikea pieces.
Here are a few of the things that some ingenious bloggers have done with the Kallax:
Desk
This version of a desk hack is nice and compact, great for places that don’t have a ton of space. You could even set this up in a hallway or one of those super tiny dens that they have in small condominiums.
via: Ikea Hackers
Lockers
This super ingenious hack from Katie at Little House of Four, takes a 4 x 4 unit and transforms it into lockers, complete with little hinged doors. There’s a girl after my own heart – Hide that mess!
via: little house of four
Collage
Here is a similar concept from John Aco Designs. He transferred a photo onto doors to make the front of this one into a giant collage. The possibilities are endless here, who doesn’t have a great photo that they could immortalize with this?
via: John Aco Designs
Paper Chase
For all you crafters out there. Wouldn’t you just love to have all of your paper organized and at your fingertips with this paper storage tower. I wish I had this beautiful storage tower? Mine are just in file folders, I’m not sure that I would have enough paper to fill this! Ooooo all those pretty colours just make me want to CREATE something!! Perfect for all of you scrap book peeps.
via: Me be Maria
You just got Litt up!
Ok, that was a blatant reference to Suits. But just look how much classier the expedit looks with lighting! Kind of like it’s dressed up…
via: Ikea Hackers
Mid Century
I love the expedit as a Mid century modern console. I think this is one of the originals. The thing that makes this Ikea hack so classy is the selective use of the wood. Really a beautiful clever piece, originally done back in 2013 which has been much imitated since. I would use this as part of my upcoming Den/Video Game room if I didn’t already have a 74″ vintage solid mahogany console sitting in my garage, waiting for a make-over! So many DIY projects. so little time!
via Ikea Hackers
Here’s another version from Family Handyman. This one complete with a vintage record player. Hang on, let me find my Bay City Rollers vinyl 😉
via: Family Handyman
Offset
This restructured expedit unit is so cool, I love, love, love this offset look. It looks absolutely fabulous with nothing in it!
via Ikea Hackers
Rubik’s cube
And here is the expedit from my craftroom. Technically not a hack but It looks like a giant Rubik’s Cube – doesn’t it? Plus it’s such great storage. So many little messes all contained and out of site in those great colourful bins – Happiness!
Billy Ikea Hacks
I think the next most popular piece of IKEA furniture for hacking is the iconic billy bookcase. Sleek and adaptable. The fabulous thing about Billy is that it comes in so many sizes and heights, and is perfect to use as a base for so many things. You can totally customize it just by playing around with the backing. Check out some of these for inspiration:
Paint
Paint can make such a difference, not just in your home, but also on your furniture, check out these up-graded Billy Ikea hacks, that got a little help with paint.
I love this soothing shade of blue and these are styled so beautifully. You just can’t go wrong with white.
via: Just a Girl
Secret Passage
And check out this intense colour combination of blue and yellow. Normally, I’m not a fan of yellow, but I really love this bright sunflower yellow. Not only does it POP, but it’s got a secret hide-away door, which she cleverly used to disguise an awkward access door. Fabulous AND Brilliant! I have an access panel in my closet, that I need to do this with 🙂
via:Makely
But you don’t have to go with bright colours to make a statement. Check out how lovely and serene this shade of green is.
via: Not so Newlywed McGees
You can take your paint one step further by adding a stencil. I did these ones for my craft room using metallic paint and this stencil from cutting edge stencils. They have soooo many patterns to choose from, that is the part I always find the hardest – choosing.
via: Design by D9
Here they are in the craft room, all ready to be filled up 🙂
via: Design by D9
But there’s more than one way to skin a cat (not that I would ever do that!) Changing up the back panel in Billy can also be done with:
Removable Wallpaper
I love this pattern, I keep seeing similar versions of this wall mural, in a lot of projects because it’s so pretty!
via: Top Shelf DIY
Rustic
I’m personally not a farmhouse girl, but I like the colours and the concept of this piece. Wrapping billy up looks good on him, don’t you think?
via: My Repurposed Life
Shoe Storage
Billy can also work in the closet keeping all of these shoes and boots organized. I might need to steal this for my closet. Though, I don’t have that many shoes anymore, since I no longer have a day job 🙂 But if you do, you should steal this idea.
via: upbeat Soles
This billy/besta combo from Kate Riley incorporates a patterned background and gold accents. Beautiful. That girl knows how to style a shelf!
via: Centsational Girl
Built-in Ikea Hacks
My favourite Ikea Hacks are built-ins, and this one is my FAVOURITE!! I remember the first time I saw this post, and I was seriously blown away! Here are 2 shots of it so you can see how impressive it is. Also if you want to see them styled and working in her office check out this link. I love this soooooo much, I wish I had a wall that needed it!! Hmmmm, let’s see….
Beautiful Hemnes Built-ins:
via: Studio 36 Interiors
Here is a smaller version, that still looks great. I love what Marilie from Organized Neatly did with three narrow billies and a bit of good ‘ol DIY. It makes a really classy piece.
via: Organized Neatly
Here is another really beautiful built-in, that has used floating shelves on the bottom. I just love this in grey. Soooo much easier than building from scratch!
via: Design Sixty Nine
Happy Hour
Here Billy acts as a BAR! Nice! I’ll take a Pina Colada please!
via: Ikea Hackers
I also used a couple of billies in my kitchen to make a much needed pantry and display case.
via: Design by D9
Ok,ok, enough about Billy!! Here are some other IKEA Hacks that warrant mentioning.
The Besta
Here is another mid century modern style cabinet, AND this one is a bar and is done with the Besta, so I guess this makes it the Besta Bar 🙂 That interior is so good. I guess I could have another drink 🙂 You go get one for yourself too.
via brittanymakes
Blue Besta
Here’s what happens when you take a tired old white besta, and give it a moody blue coat of paint, and a bit of an upgrade.
via: Ikea Hackers
Hemnes
April took an ugly mudroom space, and did a Hemnes Ikea hack to make it so pretty, and TIDY. Go and check out her before shots.
via: House by Hoff
Green Hemnes
Here is a sophisticated version of the mighty Hemnes. Fancied up with a coat of paint and some new hardware. Although it looks a bit blue in this image, it’s actually hunter green.
via: Plum Street Collective
Retro Planet
I just found this company recently, and. they have a huge selection of very cool stickers that you can use on IKEA products like this retro waves pattern shown here on the hemnes dresser Personally I’m kind of partial to the teal damask, but there are a lot of designs to choose from. . Also they are super affordable. A great way to customize an affordable piece and KEEP it affordable. nice! Go and check out their stuff 🙂
via: Retro Planet
O’verlays
And then of course there is o’verlays, If you aren’t familiar with this company. They make overlay kits specifically for Ikea furniture. The one below is ‘Bubbles’ – anyone else have a small Trailer Park Boys moment ;-)? Or is that strictly a Canadian thing?
via: Overlays
Rast
Wallpaper
This little Rast gets upcycled with paint and wallpaper
Mike Garten via: Good Housekeeping
Wooden Dowels
How clever is this Ikea hack with wood detail.
via: Houseologie
Cutting Edge Stencils
Here is another stencilled hack, this one in an all-over design in a pretty shade of blue
via: Ikea Hackers
Nordli
Custom Drawers
Mike did this very beautiful Ikea hack using a CNC machine and maple lumber, to customize a Nordli dresser. This hack is a bit more advanced. But you can go and check out his video on instructables, where he walks you through the whole process. I’m not sure where his shop is, but I want to go and play there.
via: Instructables
Ivar
Although Ivar is not quite as cheap as some of the other IKEA pieces, Kathleen has turned out a really lovely Asian inspired chinoisserie cabinet that opens up to a bar! Another Pina Colada please 🙂 🙂 🙂 I think that makes 3!
via Ikea Hackers
That was a LOT of dressers, so here is a quick look at some other hackable items:
Coffee Tables
Vissjo
Pam of Simple Details hacked this Vissjo nesting table to look like a version she saw in Horchow.
via: Simple Details blog
Mirror
Such smart bloggers!! This one uses an IKEA trivet, mirror and THUMBTACKS to make a glamorous mirror!! Very Clever. Easy. Smart.
via: curbly
Stool
Heck, I almost didn’t recognize the Marius stool in it’s much more sophisticated iteration as a vanity stool. So pretty!
via: dainty dress diaries
Lack Hack
This Lack Charging Station is something I need in my house, but with more holes 🙂
via: Ikea Hackers
Magazine Files
I even hacked my old IKEA magazine files 🙂 Hacking knows no bounds 😉
Pet Ikea Hacks
Now we will move into the pet section of the post 🙂 Because there should be a pet section 🙂
Cats
This was done with a single expedit unit, which they no longer make, but you could also use a lack shelf, or a single billy extension. Either way it’s a cozy little kitty hangout.
via ikea hackers
Sektion
Uptown Cat Potty. This is super cool hack that actually goes through the wall, into a set of specially outfitted sektion units. Don’t you just love the little his and hers kitty people? 
via Ikea Hackers
And not to leave out the puppies!
Duktig
Hmmm, looks like this one is a kitty/puppy hybrid, but you will need a very small dog for this bed. In fact I don’t think our cat would fit in this, but it sure is cute. And I know that my cat and dog would NOT be this cosy.
via: Ikea hackers
Dogs
Single Dog Food station
This floating dog feeding station features a factum kitchen cabinet, to keep the bowls from sliding around
via Ikea Hackers
Or for multiple pets!
Cathlyn from Ikea Hackers uses a trofast shelving unit to provide individual feeding stations for her dogs.
via Ikea hackers
Hamsters… yes Hamsters
I happen to know a bit about Hamster hacks because I have personally done TWO!
This Expedit hack was the one that first inspired me. Yoyo and Sony were the lucky hammies who got to live in this super deluxe hamster hotel. It’s classy enough that people coming to visit won’t even know that you have hamsters! Plus it’s a much nicer life for them than being stuck in a tiny cage 🙁
via: hamstergehege
This is another expedit, without the dividers, which was done by Mandy via the Hamster Hideout. If you have hamsters, then you probably already know about the hamster hideout if you don’t, go and check it out, it’s a great resource for all things Hammy.
via Hamster hideout
And here are my two hacks:
Timbit’s Townhouse
Timbit was a teddy bear hamster and was a bit big for his house, so I built him a multi -level townhouse from an old billy bookcase. It always blew me away that he could squish through those tunnels from level to level. Sometime his head would be sticking out of one end, and his tail out the other at the same time! Apologies for the bad photos, but I no longer own the townhouse, so I can’t re-take these.
The base for this hamster town was an ikea billy extension unit. I built this for my beloved little Gizmo. She was a Russian white dwarf hamster. So adorable and so loveable. BEST HAMSTER EVER!!! Check her out below in her little personal saloon! which gives you an idea of the scale of this compared to her! I still have this cage. I didn’t have the heart to part with it.
I’ll leave you with that adorable little face 🙂
Hopefully these Ikea hacks have given you some ideas, and inspired you to do some hacking of your own. Ikea hacks are a great testing ground for furniture makeovers, and you won’t be ruining a family heirloom if you mess up 😉 Every time I do one of these posts, it inspires me! So, now I’m off to add to my Ikea hacking repertoire too! Go forth and hack!
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