---
title: "16 Ingenious IKEA Hacks"
description: "See how DIYers have combined, modify, and rearrange IKEA stock to create ten unique furniture pieces."
date: "2012-08-29"
modified: "2015-08-18"
authors:
  - name: "Eric Rosenzweig"
    link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/eric-rosenzweig/"
url: "https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/16-ingenious-ikea-hacks-4842/"
categories:
  - "DIY"
  - "Interior"
  - "Repurposing"
tags:
  - "DIY"
  - "furniture"
  - "repurposing"
---

# 16 Ingenious IKEA Hacks

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/10_Ingenious_IKEA_Hacks.jpg>)

### BIGARRÅ Bird Feeder

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/theartofdoingstuff.com_DSC_0435-1024x680_ikea.com_bigarra-candle-dish__0096518_PE236279_S4_390x476.jpg>)
*The Art of Doing Stuff*

Intent on building an inexpensive birdbath for her backyard, [Karen](<https://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/expensive-bird-bath-flip-em-the-bird-make-one-for-20/>) simply placed the [BIGARRÅ](<https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70141346/>) candle dish ($9.99) on a trio of wood dowels for a casually elegant solution.

### BEKVAM Bath Vanity

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/ikeahackers.net_BEKVA-M_BASIN_02-712853_and_ikea.com_bekvam-kitchen-trolley__19722_PE072900_S4_390x480.jpg>)
*Ikea Hackers*

To save money after shelling out for a rather costly vessel sink, [Nick](<https://www.ikeahackers.net/2012/06/bekvam-from-kitchen-to-bathroom.html>) converted a [BEKVAM](<https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70011793/>) kitchen cart ($59.99) into a bathroom vanity with open shelving.

### Copper Shelves

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/d2e656e4d6b9f66252693ff5cc4db6a3.jpg>)
*livethemma.ikea .se*

A lackluster [shelf](<https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60103750/>) 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.

### Chandelier

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aee4a5f1d6b05b1d4674adab865534ca.jpg>)
*littlegreennotebook.blog spot.com*

Another makeover that yields glamorous results is the upgrade of the [Maskros pendant lamp](<https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90147465/>). The addition of paint and glass fixtures (actually small glass bowls) yields an elaborate sputnik-like chandelier.

### Patterned ERSLEV Rug

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/hayleyphotography.blogspot.com_98e2a743_and_ikea.com_erslev-rug-flatwoven__0102799_PE248404_S4_390x480.jpg>)
*Hayley Anderson Photography*

Using just latex paint and Scotch tape, [Hayley](<https://hayleyphotography.blogspot.com/2011/03/i-am-sucker-for-any-type-of-before.html>) added her own design to the inexpensive, off-white, 100% cotton [ERSLEV](<https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40070091/#/00070088>) rug ($39.99).

### RAST Console Table

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/refresheddesigns.blogspot.ca__MG_5190-1_and_ikea.com_rast-drawer-chest__25877_PE057109_S4_390x480.jpg>)
*Refreshed Designs*

After buying it on sale, [Kelly](<https://refresheddesigns.blogspot.ca/2012/03/industrial-look-ikea-rast-chest-refresh.html>) turned the [RAST](<https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/75305709/>) chest ($34.99) into a sleek, industrial-look entryway console, perfect for corralling loose change, incoming mail, and house keys.

### Mail Organizer

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/0695e8f3ffacb1ead06ec3bafc33f702.jpg>)
*instructables.com*

If you don't have room for a complete entryway, the [Knuff magazine holders](<https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50187340/?query=KNUFF+Magazine+file%2C+set+of+2>) 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

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com_8_trundle_complete_and_ikea.com_fjellse-bed-frame__0107489_PE257171_S4_390x293.jpg>)
*Stitches and SNPs*

Using two simple [FJELLSE](<https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20180566/>) bed frames ($39.99 each) and basic woodworking skills, [Ellen](<https://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2011/11/ikea-hack-fjellse-trundle-bed.html>) managed to create a compact and budget-friendly trundle bed for a small guest room.

### Rustic Card File

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/a0c43f1a612fcdf82026128899552930.jpg>)
*thepaintedhive.net*

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](<https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/40216357/>) looking like a one-of-a-kind antiquing find.

### GORM Cold Frame

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/ikeahackedcoldframe.jpg>)
*Planted at Home*

[GORM](<https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30058508/>) 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](<https://plantedathome.com/2009/01/28/diy-cold-frames/>) for project details.

### LACK Table

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/ikea.com_lack-wall-shelf__60207_PE166211_S4_and_ikea.com_lack-wall-shelf__60207_PE166211_S4_390x390.jpg>)
*Architecture Furniture*

This handsome coffee table is the result of [Matthias](<https://architecturefurniture.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/ikea-or-bust/>) joining two shelves from the [LACK](<https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10159099/>) series ($14.99 apiece) over a set of six legs.

### UNG Corkboard

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/30fd898e8f60fc8204f51b3fbfafbb16.jpg>)
*Suze Geeks Out*

Combine a few dozen old cork stoppers, spray paint, and the $29.99 [UNG](<https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00091967/>) frame to create your own corkboard. Head over to [Suze Geeks Out](<https://suzegeeksout.com/2012/07/10/diy-corkboard/>) for step-by-step instructions.

### INGO Desk

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/matsutakeblog.blogspot.com_tableafter_and_ikea.com_ingo-dining-table__21149_PE106147_S4_390x416.jpg>)
*matsutake*

Katie (from [matsutake](<https://matsutakeblog.blogspot.com>)) transformed a simple, unfinished pine table ([INGO](<https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/14630009/>), $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.

### Modified MALM Bed

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/heathashli.com_4872920309_f2ee952e88_and_ikea.com_malm-bed-frame__0159260_PE315698_S4_390x480.jpg>)
*Heath Ashli*

The [MALM](<https://www.heathashli.com/2010/08/ikea-hack-malm-w-storage-boxspring/>) bed frame ($149.00) appeals with its clean, modern lines, but [Heath Ashli](<https://www.heathashli.com/2010/08/ikea-hack-malm-w-storage-boxspring/>) sought to improve the design by adding hinges to carve out an internal storage cavity.

### Nail Head Table

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/3c4a97111d66b4e6b926acba2d871ce6.jpg>)
*clementineandolive.blog spot.com*

The nail head [Lack table](<https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20011413/>) 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

![](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/13d14b550c8937081091375f0cd02a79.jpg>)
*goldenboysandme.com*

If you're looking to make a big impact on a low budget, the combination of a [Hemnes tv unit](<https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80250957/>), two [Hemnes bookshelves](<https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80245640/>), and a [bridging shelf](<https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10250970/>) can be assembled to mimic a built in mudroom.