BIGARRÅ Bird Feeder
Intent on building an inexpensive birdbath for her backyard, Karen simply placed the BIGARRÅ candle dish ($9.99) on a trio of wood dowels for a casually elegant solution.
Related: The 10 Best Bird Feeders for Your Wintertime Yard
The Art of Doing Stuff
BEKVAM Bath Vanity
To save money after shelling out for a rather costly vessel sink, Nick converted a BEKVAM kitchen cart ($59.99) into a bathroom vanity with open shelving.
Related: Vessel Sinks: 10 Works of Art
Ikea Hackers
Copper Shelves
A lackluster shelf gets a shot of glamour with the exact application of copper contact paper (or gold or silver, if you prefer). The simple and clean lines of the shelf make for an ideal application but if doubt your handiwork, the same look can be achieved with metallic spray paint.
Related: 5 Creative Ways to Build Shelves
Chandelier
Another makeover that yields glamorous results is the upgrade of the Maskros pendant lamp. The addition of paint and glass fixtures (actually small glass bowls) yields an elaborate sputnik-like chandelier.
Related: 11 Eye-Popping Chandeliers Made from the Everyday
Patterned ERSLEV Rug
Using just latex paint and Scotch tape, Hayley added her own design to the inexpensive, off-white, 100% cotton ERSLEV rug ($39.99).
Related: 5 Ways to Make Your Own Rug
Hayley Anderson Photography
RAST Console Table
Mail Organizer
If you don't have room for a complete entryway, the Knuff magazine holders can form the base of a nice landing pad to collect keys and mail. Vertically aligned under a shelf, they both support and organize your by the door catch-all.
FJELLSE Trundle Bed
Using two simple FJELLSE bed frames ($39.99 each) and basic woodworking skills, Ellen managed to create a compact and budget-friendly trundle bed for a small guest room.
Related: Sweet Dreams: 16 Inventive Beds You Can Make Yourself
Stitches and SNPs
Rustic Card File
If you crave a vintage or rustic look, Ikea might be the last place you'd think to go, but sometimes all it takes is a good stain and brass pulls. In fact, they'll have your Moppe drawers looking like a one-of-a-kind antiquing find.
GORM Cold Frame
GORM shelving ($29.99) has been taken apart and put back together again to create this cold frame, an outdoor enclosure for protecting plants during fall, winter, and early spring. Visit Planted at Home for project details.
Planted at Home
LACK Table
UNG Corkboard
Combine a few dozen old cork stoppers, spray paint, and the $29.99 UNG frame to create your own corkboard. Head over to Suze Geeks Out for step-by-step instructions.
Related: 5 Things to do with... Wine Corks
Suze Geeks Out
INGO Desk
Katie (from matsutake) transformed a simple, unfinished pine table (INGO, $69.99) into a decorative yet functional desk. All it took was a few strips of wood to embellish sides, some diligent sanding to prepare the wood surface, and four coats of high-gloss paint to complete the look.
Related: 6 DIY Standing Desk Projects
matsutake
Modified MALM Bed
The MALM bed frame ($149.00) appeals with its clean, modern lines, but Heath Ashli sought to improve the design by adding hinges to carve out an internal storage cavity.
Heath Ashli
Nail Head Table
The nail head Lack table is a quick and simple Ikea upgrade that requires little more than strips of nail heads and a hammer. When you're finished the table will read less modern and more Hollywood glamour.
Mudroom
If you're looking to make a big impact on a low budget, the combination of a Hemnes tv unit, two Hemnes bookshelves, and a bridging shelf can be assembled to mimic a built in mudroom.
Related: 17 Design Inspirations for Mudrooms and Entryways
For more...
If you're looking for more inspiring ideas for repurposing and up-cycling, consider:
Get Organized: 20 Clever Ideas for Repurposed Storage
Buy 'Em or Build 'Em: 10 Desks we Love
5 Things to Do with... Shipping Pallets
Don't Miss!
If you have the money to hire a handyman for every household woe, go ahead. But if you want to hang on to your cash and exercise some self-sufficiency, check out these clever products that solve a million and one little problems around the house. Go now!
