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IKEA is probably the most recognized furniture brand in the world. It has become a staple during this period of life as it makes affordable furniture and home furnishing choices that are especially favored by those just starting out on their own. Its products also provide the opportunity to be creative.

You can buy unfinished furniture, or even mix and match parts to create unique, customized pieces. In fact, IKEA is so popular that an entire industry has developed around DIY hacks of its products in an effort to help people give a fresh spin to their interiors. Here are some of them!

#1

Turn IKEA Frosta Stools Into A Large And Creative Cat Tree Along The Walls

Turn IKEA Frosta Stools Into A Large And Creative Cat Tree Along The Walls

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Luke Arthur Wells, an interior stylist and blogger in the UK, thinks IKEA is still unmatched in not only producing quality products at an affordable price but also products that have a design point of view that feels authentic. "I love that they are passionate about sustainability, have a strong ethos as a company, and innovate to work with new techniques, materials, and designers to make sure their designs are leading the pack," Luke told Bored Panda.

Kimberly Duran, the creator of Swoon Worthy, a blog that covers everything from accessible design ideas and DIYs to styling tips, splurges and the latest trends, has visited IKEA's headquarters in Sweden. "Not only are they committed to reducing their eco-footprint and supporting so many different initiatives but because they are able to produce such huge volumes of their products for a global market, they are able to manufacture good quality pieces that are also affordable for a lot of people," Duran said.

"And I think this is really one of the main reasons people love it — good quality, good prices," Duran continued. "They also do an incredible amount of research in terms of what people's needs are, from multiple generations living under one roof and small space living to creating multifunctional furniture and pieces that can be customized. So it's not just trendy attractive furniture and accessories, it actually meets people's needs for the way we live today."

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#2

Creating A "Fairy Princess Castle Bed" From An IKEA Kura

Creating A "Fairy Princess Castle Bed" From An IKEA Kura

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Having said that, Wells said the problem with a globally beloved brand is that everyone recognizes their products. "In the modern world, especially with everyone sharing their homes on social media, you want to try and create a unique style which can be hard when IKEA is hardly a well-kept secret."

And he definitely has a point. With 433 stores in 53 countries and 2019 global retail sales of about $48.5 billion, almost everyone has an IKEA story. 

However, according to Wells, the streamlined nature of IKEA designs makes it ripe for customizing to add more detail. "Also, when furniture comes flatpack, you feel a bit more connected to how it's constructed, which allows for a bit more confidence in disrupting that, taking pieces apart and putting them back together again," he explained.

Stacey Sheppard, the editor of The Design Sheppard, is also a fan of IKEA. In fact, she has been since her university days. "My first few homes were largely kitted out with IKEA pieces and it is still one of my favorite places to shop for everyday items," Stacey said.

She pointed out the fact that many IKEA furniture pieces come with a natural finish which makes them easy to paint. "The way they are constructed makes each item easy to take to pieces and reconstruct. Plus, there is an increasing number of companies out there that make hacking IKEA pieces a lot easier by offering bespoke or custom-made additions like handles, legs, sofa covers or cupboard doors. This allows you to create a unique piece that looks much higher-end than it actually is."

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#4

A Hack For Pet Owners. I Took The Duktig Doll Bed And Converted Into A Cat Bunk Bed

A Hack For Pet Owners. I Took The Duktig Doll Bed And Converted Into A Cat Bunk Bed

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Customers know what they're going to get when they shop at IKEA and also whether they're going to be able to afford it. Interestingly, price is so important to the company's strategy that it first decides on the price of a piece of furniture and then reverse engineers the construction.

IKEA has a democratic design approach according to Antonella Pucarelli, the chief commercial officer of IKEA retail U.S., which means that it "deliver[s] form, function and quality products at a low price. Even though our products are affordable, we don't compromise on quality," she said.

IKEA makes some of its furniture from wood and some from particleboard (recycled wood chips fused together), keeping production more affordable. IKEA sells and ships its furniture in flat-packs, which makes transporting it cheaper, and customers put it together themselves (or pay for someone to do it for them), keeping labor costs down.

#5

My IKEA Hemnes Dresser Hack! Sanding The Top Down Was A Pain, But Turned Out Lovely :-)

My IKEA Hemnes Dresser Hack! Sanding The Top Down Was A Pain, But Turned Out Lovely :-)

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varwenea avatar
varwenea
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow. From a basic white to a warm, inviting, and unique piece. Lovely.

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#6

I Made This From IKEA Products (Except For The Paint And Black Light). It’s A Shelf To Hold My Partner’s Tiny Nintendo Toys. I Put It In A Ribba 19”x 19” Frame. I Had To Buy Two Of The Lustigt Shelves To Have Enough Ladders.

I Made This From IKEA Products (Except For The Paint And Black Light). It’s A Shelf To Hold My Partner’s Tiny Nintendo Toys. I Put It In A Ribba 19”x 19” Frame. I Had To Buy Two Of The Lustigt Shelves To Have Enough Ladders.

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#7

For Our Narrow Entryway, We Combined Two IKEA Hemnes Shoe Cabinets And Replaced The Original Tops With A Stained Wood Top. I Am So Happy With How This Hack Turned Out!

For Our Narrow Entryway, We Combined Two IKEA Hemnes Shoe Cabinets And Replaced The Original Tops With A Stained Wood Top. I Am So Happy With How This Hack Turned Out!

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#8

Kallax Puppy-Proof Cat Feeding Station Station; Food And Treat Storage Above.

Kallax Puppy-Proof Cat Feeding Station Station; Food And Treat Storage Above.

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Daria B
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think that will prevent the cats from stealing the dog's bed ♡

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#9

IKEA Kallax Art Deco Console Hack

IKEA Kallax Art Deco Console Hack

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#12

Beautiful Hall Of Bookcases From IKEA Hack - France [425 X 639]

Beautiful Hall Of Bookcases From IKEA Hack - France [425 X 639]

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#13

My First IKEA Hack, Made From The Legendary Bekvam Spice Racks & A Couple Of Magnets :-)

My First IKEA Hack, Made From The Legendary Bekvam Spice Racks & A Couple Of Magnets :-)

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Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I painted mine in bright colours and created book holders for my son. Put a chair underneath and he has a reading corner

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#14

Fritids , Hidden Cat Litter Box / Bench

Fritids , Hidden Cat Litter Box / Bench

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#15

I Used A Cnc Cutter To Engrave Tattoo Designs Into The Doors Of My IKEA Kallax.

I Used A Cnc Cutter To Engrave Tattoo Designs Into The Doors Of My IKEA Kallax.

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#16

IKEA Hack

IKEA Hack

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#17

IKEA Card File Drawers Hack

IKEA Card File Drawers Hack

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#18

Add Black Marble Contact Paper And Gold Paint To The Vittsjö Coffee Table.

Add Black Marble Contact Paper And Gold Paint To The Vittsjö Coffee Table.

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#19

I Gave My Malm Bed A Country Style Makeover. Let Me Know What You Think ...

I Gave My Malm Bed A Country Style Makeover. Let Me Know What You Think ...

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#20

Used Karlby Countertops As Laundry Room Counter! Butt Joint The Counter Top To The Legs! Voxtorp Cupboards On The Top! Thoughts!

Used Karlby Countertops As Laundry Room Counter! Butt Joint The Counter Top To The Legs! Voxtorp Cupboards On The Top! Thoughts!

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#21

IKEA Kallax Mid Century Modern Sideboard Hack

IKEA Kallax Mid Century Modern Sideboard Hack

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Banjo Peppers
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doesn’t ikea even just flat out sell things like the “hacked” version?

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#22

Two Hejne Shelves By IKEA Turned Into An Outside Walking Space For Your Cat

Two Hejne Shelves By IKEA Turned Into An Outside Walking Space For Your Cat

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Marcellus the Third
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If these things get wet under load they bend incredibly... Source: my flooding garage.

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#25

Finished Our 98" Karlby Counter Top Desk! Pretty Happy With The Results.

Finished Our 98" Karlby Counter Top Desk! Pretty Happy With The Results.

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#26

Homebar Made With Two Fjallbo Cabinets

Homebar Made With Two Fjallbo Cabinets

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#27

Would You Have Guessed That This Gorgeous Cabinet Started Life As An Ivar Cupboard? No, Me Neither! It Makes Me Want To Cut Gorgeous Curves Into All Of My Furniture!

Would You Have Guessed That This Gorgeous Cabinet Started Life As An Ivar Cupboard? No, Me Neither! It Makes Me Want To Cut Gorgeous Curves Into All Of My Furniture!

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#28

Plastic Docksta Table Glow-Up. The Marble Table I Wanted From World Market Was $550 - So I Turned This $180 Table From IKEA Into The Table Of My Dreams With Spray Paint, Table Epoxy, And A Blow Torch 🔥 #diywin #ikeahacks

Plastic Docksta Table Glow-Up. The Marble Table I Wanted From World Market Was $550 - So I Turned This $180 Table From IKEA Into The Table Of My Dreams With Spray Paint, Table Epoxy, And A Blow Torch 🔥 #diywin #ikeahacks

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#30

Malm - Baby Changing Table

Malm - Baby Changing Table

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hrr311 avatar
Helena R
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Although this looks good, isn't there a whole corner of wasted space ?

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Note: this post originally had 142 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.