"The best part about IKEA? Their furniture is super affordable. The worst part? It sometimes looks like it. Now, don’t get me wrong: I’m a big-time IKEA shopper myself. The Swedish retailer has perfected that minimalist-yet-cozy aesthetic that the Scandinavians do so well, and at their prices, I’ll gladly fill up a cart. That being said, if you’re going to pay $13 for an end table, you can’t set your style expectations too high. That is unless you’re willing to put in a little work. It’s amazing what some fresh paint, new hardware, and a bit of elbow grease can do. There are limitless IKEA hacks out there, but we’ve rounded up 12 of the best that truly have us ogling. Let’s see if any of these ridiculously good IKEA hacks will inspire me to finally revamp that pair of LACK side tables sitting in my living room.
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1. Custom IKEA Built-Ins
This stunning library looks like it would cost an arm and a leg, but shockingly, it’s a budget-friendly built-in option. With just a few BILLY bookcases, a can of paint, an impressive book collection, and some well-styled knickknacks, the look could be yours.
2. TARVA Dresser Hack
This TARVA dresser went from bland and unfinished to an absolute stunner. Drew from @lonefoxhome started by painting the drawer fronts light gray and covering them with raffia cloth to achieve a caned look. He finished it off with brass hardware and trim around each drawer for an IKEA hack that looks eerily like this $4,500 dresser from Serena & Lily.
3. Glass Display Cabinet
Erika from @peonyandhoney wanted the look of a high-end display cabinet without the $1,800 price tag. She tricked out this BILLY bookcase with paint and doors to give it that upscale feel at a fraction of the cost. With the addition of trim to its glass-paned doors, you’d never guess they also came from IKEA.
4. IKEA Dresser Hack
This KOPPANG dresser was originally a basic white color. But with nothing but a fresh coat of paint, @byolivialee gave it the glow-up it deserved.
5. Arched Display Cabinet
If you want a cabinet that looks designer without the steep price tag, this DIY is for you. You would never guess by just looking at it, but the arches are actually made out of paintable wallpaper. A fresh coat of paint, beadboard wallpaper on the back panel, pole wrap for the doors, and wood contact paper for the shelves elevate this cabinet to the next level.
6. KALLAX IKEA Hack
Would you ever guess that this piece started out as a KALLAX shelf? I’m still trying to wrap my brain around how Luisa from @schereleimpapier achieved this beautiful little bookshelf. She removed the shelves, painted the whole thing a gorgeous shade of green, added wood legs and a wood top, installed some backing, and added an arched panel across the front. 10/10 execution.
7. Arch Built-in Bookshelf DIY
These built-ins look straight from my Pinterest board, and it’s hard to believe it was DIYed with six HAVSTA cabinets, six BILLY bookcases, and six BILLY extensions. I’m obsessed with the arch detail made from half-inch sanded plywood, and the added trim and blue-green paint color are just the cherry on top.
8. IKEA IVAR Cabinet DIY
This adorable entryway unit is a super easy project made from just one cabinet. After removing the doors, Medina from @grillodesigns cut a diamond-shaped hole in one of them and stapled cane material to the back for some added texture. So simple and so cute!
9. IKEA Nightstand Hack
For only about $200, Ashlyn from @houseonoaklane transformed an IKEA dresser into a high-end-looking nightstand. All you need to do is add a coat of paint, attach some trim, and swap out the hardware for a complete transformation.
10. IKEA LACK Coffee Table Hack
Turn your IKEA LACK coffee table into a chic, minimalist piece just by adding an EKET cabinet underneath. By removing the original legs and using the cabinet as a base, you create a completely new silhouette that looks way more high-end.
11. DIY Lamp
This adorable DIY mushroom lamp is made out of a coffee pot and a bowl. Yes, you read that right. With just a few easy steps, Drew from @lonefoxhome turns average kitchen items into a one-of-a-kind lamp with a great answer whenever someone asks where it’s from.
12. Mirrored Side Table Hack
This hack turns your run-of-the-mill side table into a fun, statement piece with little effort. All you need is an IKEA LACK side table and six squares of acrylic glass to create a totally unique table for your home.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica has been at The Everygirl since 2022, covering all things home, travel, food, hobbies, and more. She edits all lifestyle content, writes in-depth features, and curates the direction of the living section. Jessica’s true passion—and much of her expertise—lies in interior design and decorating. Before joining The Everygirl, she worked as the digital assistant home editor for Better Homes & Gardens.