18 IKEA hacks to upgrade your home in 2025
By now, IKEA is a household name beloved by millions and recognised globally. Their affordable furniture is practical, easy to transport (the jury's still out on whether it’s easy to assemble) and great for furnishing homes of all sizes.
One of the best things about IKEA furniture is how customisable it is. IKEA hacks have stormed the internet and been featured in major publications, fuelling the love for the brand.
These are our favourite IKEA hacks that will inspire you to pick up the paintbrush or hammer. From small upcycles (think bowls, baskets and trays) to large furniture (wardrobes, desks and cabinets), these hacks are sure to leave you feeling creative.
18 IKEA hacks to give your home a bespoke look
1. Sidebowl to side table IKEA hack
From side bowl to side table, Cherly Brown shows you how to transform these simple wooden bowls into this incredible table! Chic and stylish, this IKEA hack is ideal for those who want to create a unique side table on a budget.
2. IKEA closet hacks
Create your dream wardrobe with our series of IKEA closet hacks. Our round-up includes hacks for the IKEA PAX wardrobe, IKEA MALM chests of drawers, IKEA NORDLI drawers and many more.
3. IKEA breadbox hack
You’ve probably seen this IKEA hack all over social media but it’s too good not to include! Take two of the IKEA MAGASIN bread bins and screw or glue them together, adding legs and a coat of varnish.
This easy DIY creates a lovely little bedside table featuring two compartments, perfect for storing books and other nighttime essentials. If you want to try this IKEA hack, Interieur Huis Tuin has a brilliant tutorial.
4. IKEA desk hacks
IKEA is the home of classy yet affordable desks and luckily these sturdy bases are easy to upcycle. You can use their desk units to create unique shapes, floating desks and even customised built-in offices.
Explore our 12 IKEA desk hacks for specific ideas and inspiration!
5. Lazy Susan IKEA hack
@bakken.camilla IKEA «snudda» HACK komplett 👌. • #viraltiktok #ikeahack #interiør #diyhomedecor #ledlight #diylamp #snudda ♬ A Bar Song (Tipsy) - Shaboozey
Sometimes the most simple IKEA hacks are the best ones. This hack takes the classic wooden lazy susan and transforms it into a sleek, Scandi-style lighting feature. Simply add LED strip lighting to the back and fix it to the wall for an effortlessly cool look.
6. IKEA KALLAX hacks
IKEA’s KALLAX shelving unit is a viral hit and its upcycling opportunities are endless. You can turn it into a bar cabinet, a kitchen island, or storage under a kid’s bed – in fact there are so many IKEA hacks for this project we had to make a separate list.
Explore our 12 IKEA KALLAX hacks here on Gathered and transform this simple shelving unit.
Looking for more home inspiration?
Check out our living room ideas which cover everything from accent walls to statement furniture.
7. IKEA BESTA hack
Studio DIY has a brilliant IKEA hack which shows you how to upgrade the BESTA unit into this colourful, rattan beauty! She added draws and cane webbing fronts to the unit, as well as handles and legs. The result is this brilliant storage unit that hides away messy bits and bobs into neat sections.
8. Mini drawers to floating side table
@1otsofdots IKEA HACK ⚒️✨ #ikeahack #hacks #doityourself #trends #selfmade #diyideas #diy #nightstand #nachttisch #easyhack #trending #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #fypシ ♬ Players - DJ Smallz 732 - Jersey Club Remix - Coi Leray
This incredibly clever IKEA hack from Lots of Dots transforms a plain mini set of drawers into a functional, floating bedside table.
This DIY is easier than it first appears. It involves attaching wood panelling to the front, glueing the top drawers together and cutting in notches for the handles.
It’s well worth the effort though as it results in a high-end table that rivals designer options.
9. DIY IKEA Billy Oxberg hack
Give the Billy bookcase a modern makeover with this IKEA hack from Mikyla Creates. She shows you how to create a wooden template which fits snugly into the windows of the bookcase, creating elegant arches.
She also used flexible peel and stick trim to give the doors an alcoved effect. After a lick of paint and new handles, the result was this stunning bookcase.
10. EKET IKEA hack
Abby Road Home turned two EKET cabinets into the console table of her dreams (and we think maybe our dreams too). Drilled together and wrapped in flexible MDF, this console table has push doors and shelving within each unit making it practical and pretty.
Add legs and MDF to the top and you’ve created a striking table that’s perfect for hallways, living rooms or bedrooms.
11. IKEA BEKVÄM spice rack hack
Perhaps the most hacked IKEA item on the internet is the BEKVÄM spice rack. These simple wooden shelves can be used for endless purposes, but adding cane webbing to the front gives them an elevated look.
Use them as bathroom storage, as above, or add magnets to the back and use them as extra fridge storage. You can also turn them upside down, hanging appliances or hand towels over the dowel at the front.
12. IKEA MALM drawers to bed hack
This children’s bed upcycle by Aude Pons balances form, function and fun! She incorporated the MALM chest of drawers into the base of her son's bed, creating a fun loft design.
A wave of wood has been added to the top of the drawers, creating a functional frame. This unique design also creates a secret cubby hole under the bed, behind the drawers!
13. IKEA IVAR cabinet hack
This bright and bold IKEA hack turns IVAR cabinets into arched wardrobes that are perfect for any room in the house. Hannah Drakeford cut arches from MDF and attached these to the top of two stacked IVAR cabinets.
After adding shelving and abstract panels to the front, she was left with this striking set of wardrobes. We’re in love!
14. IKEA KNUFF and RÖDEBY hack
What happens when you combine two magazine files, a tray and some imagination? The most affordable IKEA hack yet. Anna Erika Design painted two KNUFF magazine files, attached them, and then used the RÖDEBY armrest tray to give the sides a finished look.
After being painted and screwed into the wall the finished result is amazing. A curving corner shelf that’s ideal for those lacking space and storage.
15. IKEA PAX hack: adjustable desk and window seat!
Sophia Nikolaides completely transformed her bedroom with the help of two IKEA PAX wardrobes and a little customisation.
The wardrobes frame the window beautifully but one of our favourite features has to be the adjustable window/desk.
Using Gripit wall anchors and MDF, the wooden plank can be moved down to make a seat and up to make a window desk. It’s imaginative, useful and great for homes lacking office space.
16. IKEA HEMMES hack
This upcycle project gives the IKEA HEMMES drawers a new lease of life. This IKEA hack requires no power tools, just some glue, paint and geometric overlays. Adding these to the drawers gives them a luxe feel at a fraction of the cost. We love the new handles too!
17. IKEA STOLTHET hacks
Grillo Designs has dedicated a blog post to STOLTHET IKEA hacks and we love all three of them. She shows you how to use this mini tray as a bookstand, a tiered coffee tray and a laptop stand. We’ve also seen people use them as armchair trays and pet bowl stands.
18. IKEA SNIDAD basket hack
Rattan furniture is on trend this year, but it can be incredibly expensive. This IKEA hack lets you get the look for less. Remove the basket handles then super glue a wooden, rounded tray of your choice onto the bottom of the basket. Ta-dah! You have an eclectic coffee table.
Create unique pieces with these IKEA hacks
We love IKEA for multiple reasons, but our favourite thing is how their furniture gives you space to be creative. These IKEA hacks take affordable pieces of furniture/accessories and turn them into bespoke items, worthy of a heftier price tag!
Use Facebook Marketplace or charity shops to find even cheaper IKEA furniture and put your own spin on them using these hacks.
Discover more upcycling ideas with Gathered
Caught the DIY bug? Check out our Upcycling section which is full of tutorials, inspiration and guides.
