11 Ikea hacks to help you go from bleak to chic (for cheap!)

Ah Ikea. It’s the go-to stop for every couple that’s just starting out in their home ownership journey – I mean, where else can you find a sofa for under $100 – even though they’d rather be shopping for some West Elm-style luxury furniture instead.

For all you newlywed (or just broke) people, here are a few hacks that can help you turn some of your fantasies into realities.

1.

Modern shoe cabinet

Source: Ikea, House Tweaking

 

Who knew that all this simple Hemnes cabinet needed to bring it from ‘meh’ to ‘woah’ was a 99-cent belt?

 

Difficulty Level : Easy

 

Check out House Tweaking for instructions on this gorgeous shoe cabinet.

2.

DIY Mid Century Bedside Table

Source: Ikea,  Remodelaholic

 

Turn a bog standard Ikea Tarva bedside table into a stylish statement piece, with a bit of sawing and a lick of paint.

 

Difficulty level :  Medium

 

Check out Remodelaholic for instructions on this DIY table.

3.

DIY Modern Pom Pom Pillow

Source: Ikea,  Almost Makes Perfect

 

Don’t know how to sew? Don’t worry. All you need for this major upgrade to Ikea’s Vigdis cushion cover is some pom-poms and a bit of felt glue.  

 

Difficulty level :  Easy

 

Check out Almost Make Perfect for instructions on how you can recreate this gorgeous throw pillow.

4.

Coffee Table Turned Classic Ottoman

Source: Ikea,  My Melodrama

 

Ikea’s Vittsjö table is virtually unrecognisable as a striking ottoman – it’s amazing the magic a bit of upholstery and spray paint can do.

 

Difficulty level :  Medium

 

Check out My Melodrama for instructions on how you too can make this classy ottoman.

5.

Stylish Gilded Bar Stools

Source: Ikea,  My Melodrama

 

Take plain old Dalfred bar stools to the next level with just a little gold paint.

 

Difficulty level :  Medium

 

Check out My Melodrama for instructions on how to make these stools for yourself!

6.

Classy Lantern Terrarium

Source: Ikea,  Thou Swell

 

Breathe new life into any old Ikea Borrby lanterns you have laying around the house by turning them into these cool terrariums. They also make great wedding dinner centerpieces!

 

Difficulty level :  Easy

 

Check out Thou Swell for instructions on how you can get make these for yourselves.

7.

Rustic-Industrial Style Shelves

Source: Ikea,  Real Happy Space

 

Rustic-industrial is all the rage nowadays. Achieve the look for cheap with just a few changes to Ikea’s Hyllis shelving units.  

 

Difficulty level :  Medium

 

Check out Real Happy Space for instructions on how you can get make this shelf yourself.

8.

Geometric Cabinet

Source: Ikea,  Style Files

 

Just a little washi tape elevates these simple Ikea Ivar cabinets from barnyard fare to NY chic.  

 

Difficulty level :  Easy

 

Check out Style Files for instructions on how to modify your Ivar cabinets (though frankly we can’t imagine you’d need them!)

 

9.

Laptop Table to Stylish Bar Cart

Source: Ikea,  Life 365

 

Nothing makes you feel more like a grown-up than a fancy bar cart. Get one for less by modifying Ikea’s Vittsjö laptop table.

 

Difficulty level :  Hard

 

Check out Lifestyle 365 for instructions.

 

10.

Stylish Lego Table

Source: Ikea,  A Little of This, A Little of That

 

Your kids will absolutely love this Lego table. Not only is it a great place for them to build their creations, it’s a great way to keep their Lego pieces organised as well!

 

Difficulty level :  Hard

 

Check out A Little of This, A Little of That for instructions.

 

11.

Pretty Fabric Decoupaged Chair

Source: Ikea,  Little Green Notebook

 

Brighten up your home office by turning your plain, office chair into a work of art.  

 

Difficulty level :  Easy

 

Check out Little Green Notebook for instructions.

 

There are so many wonderful ways to decorate your home on the cheap. Help your neighbour out, and share your ideas in our comments section below!