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Founded in 1943, the Swedish giant Ikea has changed the way we shop design and furniture forever. In a rapidly evolving industry where new trends are born every day, while new products emerge to improve our lives, Ikea has remained relevant for almost 80 years with its solid fanbase.

And fans, they know what they are getting into – from Scandinavian minimalist design and ready-to-assemble furniture anyone can nail, to friendly prices, weird (or rather, charming!) product names, that iconic blue and yellow plastic shopping bag and simply unbeatable Swedish meatballs with cranberry sauce. How can you not love this?!

No wonder Ikea aficionados gather together in communities online to share their interest and love for all things Ikea. One such group is the Reddit community “Ikea Hacks” which presents itself as “a smart community focused on helping people build the perfect furniture for their living space using items sold by IKEA.”

With 109k members, the subreddit has become a destination for smart interior and furniture ideas to make out of Ikea products, and this is basically a treasure box for anyone in the mood for a home makeover or a full-on renovation.

Scroll down below through the smartest hacks! And when you're done with this post, be sure to check out more Ikea hacks right here.

#1

I Finally Finished My "Library" With Floor To Ceiling Shelves (Still Need To Put In New Flooring)

I Finally Finished My "Library" With Floor To Ceiling Shelves (Still Need To Put In New Flooring)

atari_guy Report

#2

I Hacked An Kvistbro Table To Be A Cute Pet Crate For My Dog (And Cats)

I Hacked An Kvistbro Table To Be A Cute Pet Crate For My Dog (And Cats)

mokey-moke Report

#3

A Simple Hack Cutting A Keyhole Shape Into An End Table For A Handy Tree Table!

A Simple Hack Cutting A Keyhole Shape Into An End Table For A Handy Tree Table!

AviatorCam Report

Bored Panda reached out to the moderator of the Ikea Hacks subreddit who goes by the handle u/6745408 to find out more about this community that gathers Ikea aficionados from all around the world. The moderator told us that they actually adopted the sub. “I’m not sure who started it, but one night I was looking for a way to make the POÄNG chair more ergonomic or even less bouncy,” they recounted.

That’s when u/6745408 stumbled upon the Ikea Hacks subreddit. “I found /r/ikeahacks with a few hundred subscribers and a lot of spam and no moderators. I figured I’d request the sub, set up some simple automation to clean it up and find someone to mod it,” the moderator said. They gave up on the POÄNG chair, but never left the sub. “I love seeing all of the stuff people come up with,” the mod added.

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#4

My Solution To Keeping The Cat Off The Desk

My Solution To Keeping The Cat Off The Desk

Markbro89 Report

#5

An Unusual Ikeahack - This Regency Gown Is Made From An IKEA Duvet Cover! It’s A Perfect Print For Around 1800 And Is 100% Cotton! Even A Single Duvet Cover Contains Quite A Lot Of Fabric

An Unusual Ikeahack - This Regency Gown Is Made From An IKEA Duvet Cover! It’s A Perfect Print For Around 1800 And Is 100% Cotton! Even A Single Duvet Cover Contains Quite A Lot Of Fabric

Pauline-Loven Report

The moderator assured us that the audience of Ikea Hacks is “a really nice community, for the most part. The ideas people come up with are really great, too.” According to the moderator, everybody in the subreddit has an interest in modding flat-packed furniture, even if they don’t actually do it.

#7

Duktig Doll Bed And Handmade Covers For My Little Buddy

Duktig Doll Bed And Handmade Covers For My Little Buddy

EvelienZ123 Report

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#9

Kind Of Silly, But I'm Proud Of My Ingenuity. The IKEA Lamp (Fado) Was Brighter In Home Than In Store And Hurt To Look At So I Cut A Hole In The Back Of The $5 IKEA Basket I Also Bought (No Product Name Online). Super Cool Mood Light!

Kind Of Silly, But I'm Proud Of My Ingenuity. The IKEA Lamp (Fado) Was Brighter In Home Than In Store And Hurt To Look At So I Cut A Hole In The Back Of The $5 IKEA Basket I Also Bought (No Product Name Online). Super Cool Mood Light!

Whoopiskin Report

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When asked how, in their opinion, Ikea has managed to remain relevant in this competitive industry of interior and furniture design, the moderator said there are reasons for its enduring popularity, according to them. “Flat-packed furniture isn’t far off from LEGO. Even simple hacks like adding legs to a shelving unit can elevate a piece of furniture. A lot of IKEA furniture is nice enough on its own, but building in shelving units, for instance, can really make a place feel like a permanent space, which is important,” u/6745408 explained.

“When it comes down to it, if your space needs something, you can usually find the parts to create the perfect piece of furniture, even if it takes a little planning and elbow grease,” they added.

#10

I Decoupaged Prints Of Starry Night To The Drawers, And Layered Metallic Paint And Medium Over Them For A Painterly Texture. Base Is Stained With Watered Down Paint And Sealed

I Decoupaged Prints Of Starry Night To The Drawers, And Layered Metallic Paint And Medium Over Them For A Painterly Texture. Base Is Stained With Watered Down Paint And Sealed

360inMotion Report

#11

Simple Hack, I Mounted My Ekby Hall Wall Brackets Inverted So I Could Use The Brackets As Natural Bookends For The Shelf

Simple Hack, I Mounted My Ekby Hall Wall Brackets Inverted So I Could Use The Brackets As Natural Bookends For The Shelf

thebassics917 Report

#12

Using Toilet Paper Holder As Headphone Stand

Using Toilet Paper Holder As Headphone Stand

sharks_teeth Report

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When it comes to the content that gets shared on the Ikea Hacks community, the moderator said it’s a mix of show-and-tell and questions. “There are lots of simple mods like painting or using Mactac, plenty of offices/battlestations, elaborate shelving setups, bars, and even greenhouses using cabinets (see /r/IkeaGreenhouseClub).”

#15

Upgraded My Cat's Toilet With This Bestå Litterbox Hack

Upgraded My Cat's Toilet With This Bestå Litterbox Hack

Nemo1ner Report

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Francis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my cat wouldn't use it. she needs to make eye contact while doing her business... and she doesn't like dark spaces/places (she cries when it too dark in the guest room WHILE SHE SLEEPS)

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With so many wonderful ideas and tips shared on the Ikea Hacks community, it may be overwhelming to pick out the best ones. So moderator u/6745408 shared a couple of their favorite ones that you may find just as interesting. Check out this unbelievable library, this mirror wall, this bar the moderator said they send to everybody, this smart greenhouse with the pegboard and, last but not least, this dress made from a duvet.

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#16

I Painted A Kullen Into A Nintendo NES For My Son’s Room

I Painted A Kullen Into A Nintendo NES For My Son’s Room

MomOnALedge Report

#17

My Fjallbo Hacked Bar

My Fjallbo Hacked Bar

Braikenb Report

#18

Billy Bookcase With Plywood Front For The Built-In Look

Billy Bookcase With Plywood Front For The Built-In Look

haekleobsessed Report

#19

100% Recycled Material, Some Hot Glue And Duct Tape, And A Fathers Imagination And A Happy Kid

100% Recycled Material, Some Hot Glue And Duct Tape, And A Fathers Imagination And A Happy Kid

korkmazk Report

#20

My 17oz DIY Ultralight IKEA Camping Backpack Made Out Of Frakta Bags

My 17oz DIY Ultralight IKEA Camping Backpack Made Out Of Frakta Bags

SanDiegoMitch Report

#21

I Built This Mirror Wall, Using Lots Of Mirror Tiles And Some Wood

I Built This Mirror Wall, Using Lots Of Mirror Tiles And Some Wood

clehn8ok Report

#22

Who Says You Can’t Have A Shed In An Apartment? 42 Units Of Trofast Units Into A Single Pax Wardrobe

Who Says You Can’t Have A Shed In An Apartment? 42 Units Of Trofast Units Into A Single Pax Wardrobe

danielharkin Report

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#24

I Needed A Crafting Nook, So I Removed My Track Closet Drawers And Created This Space In My Guest Bedroom Closet!

I Needed A Crafting Nook, So I Removed My Track Closet Drawers And Created This Space In My Guest Bedroom Closet!

daisypaisy Report

#25

I Found An Hemnes Shelf In The As-Is Area And Upholstered Some Fabric To The Top To Help My Dogs Get On The Bed. They Could Never Use Pet Steps And This Is Shorter The Normal End Of Bed Furniture So They Are Able To Hop On It

I Found An Hemnes Shelf In The As-Is Area And Upholstered Some Fabric To The Top To Help My Dogs Get On The Bed. They Could Never Use Pet Steps And This Is Shorter The Normal End Of Bed Furniture So They Are Able To Hop On It

whydid_i_eatsomuch Report

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QueenRhye
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can hear the voices Why would you want your dog to get on your bed? But I totally get it. Lovely job.

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#26

This Was A Pain In The A** But Well Worth The Effort. Sektion + Grimslov, Saljan Top, Billy Bookcase Hack

This Was A Pain In The A** But Well Worth The Effort. Sektion + Grimslov, Saljan Top, Billy Bookcase Hack

R0B5000 Report

#28

First Time Staining... I Love How This Turned Out! (Ivar With Foldable Table!)

First Time Staining... I Love How This Turned Out! (Ivar With Foldable Table!)

1kiki09 Report

#29

Finally Finished My Custom Home Office Using Eket And Alex Cabinets!

Finally Finished My Custom Home Office Using Eket And Alex Cabinets!

Arkade_Blues Report

#30

Rudsta Greenhouse Cabinet

Rudsta Greenhouse Cabinet

BringPlutoBack Report

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Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful. It reminds me of the greenhouse cabinets you can buy in Animal Crossing.

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#31

Fintorp Used To Hang Plants On My Ceiling

Fintorp Used To Hang Plants On My Ceiling

cookingandcursing Report

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#32

I Gave My Old Hemnes Dresser A Lick Of Paint

I Gave My Old Hemnes Dresser A Lick Of Paint

dave113 Report

#33

IKEA Waste Buckets, Attached To Door With Pulley System For The Lids

IKEA Waste Buckets, Attached To Door With Pulley System For The Lids

MontagoDK Report

#34

Turned The IKEA Ps Lamp Into A Disco Ball And I'm In Love With It!

Turned The IKEA Ps Lamp Into A Disco Ball And I'm In Love With It!

cesarmunir Report

#35

I Built A Sliding Bookcase Out Of 3 IKEA Besta Bookshelves With 6 Casters Screwed To A Large Bottom Plate

I Built A Sliding Bookcase Out Of 3 IKEA Besta Bookshelves With 6 Casters Screwed To A Large Bottom Plate

_gameoverman Report

#36

Window Benches With Storage, Made With Sektion Over Fridge Cabinets, 2x4 Base With Baseboards, 2x6 Appearance Boards On Top, Painted

Window Benches With Storage, Made With Sektion Over Fridge Cabinets, 2x4 Base With Baseboards, 2x6 Appearance Boards On Top, Painted

coneybeare Report

#37

Hemnes Bookshelf Hack From Cabinets And Shelves

Hemnes Bookshelf Hack From Cabinets And Shelves

dtspmuggle Report

#38

Havsta Units Turned Into A Built In

Havsta Units Turned Into A Built In

dynamictype Report

#39

My Use For The 3 Inch Gap Between Cabinets

My Use For The 3 Inch Gap Between Cabinets

130designs Report

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#40

I Used The Fabrikor Cabinet To Build An Indoor Greenhouse!

I Used The Fabrikor Cabinet To Build An Indoor Greenhouse!

elliotte02 Report

#43

Like Many, I Used The Kura As A Starting Point For Something More Fun

Like Many, I Used The Kura As A Starting Point For Something More Fun

Bob_Chris Report

#44

Wall Panel Made Out Of IKEA Cabinet Doors

Wall Panel Made Out Of IKEA Cabinet Doors

_Miezo_ Report

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Vanessa Richardson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For anyone else wondering, I looked it up. You can buy just the cabinet doors by themselves! (Apologies if I’m the only one who didn’t already know that😅)

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#45

Our Hemnes Dresser Was Falling Apart, So I Gave It A Slight Makeover

Our Hemnes Dresser Was Falling Apart, So I Gave It A Slight Makeover

clehn8ok Report

#46

Karlby Laundry Room Counter + Custom Shoe Rack/Cat Litter Drawer

Karlby Laundry Room Counter + Custom Shoe Rack/Cat Litter Drawer

Atom800 Report

#47

Was Told To Post This Here. I Built A 3D Printer Enclosure From 2 IKEA Lack Side Tables. All The Blue Pieces Are 3D Printed

Was Told To Post This Here. I Built A 3D Printer Enclosure From 2 IKEA Lack Side Tables. All The Blue Pieces Are 3D Printed

HollyMacXx Report

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Issey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A 3d printed 3d printer case. Could you... by any chance... print a 3d printer?

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#48

Built In Pax Wardrobe

Built In Pax Wardrobe

b96d98g97 Report

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Michaele
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We did this in all our bedrooms! I love this hack so much. My mom is a professional interior designer and she recommends this to all her clients.

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#49

Repurposed Kallax For Camping Gear

Repurposed Kallax For Camping Gear

kevinthewild Report

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CaptainDinosaur
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I need something like this to sort out the nest of chaos that is my archery c**p.

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#50

Tired Dad Hacks Feat. Gamleby

Tired Dad Hacks Feat. Gamleby

Dr5ushi Report

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Emi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That probably would have taken more time and effort to make than to get a chair from another room. But that is kinda cool!

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#51

Turned 180cm Knoxhult For 110$ Into 120cm Unit That Holds Built-In Fridge + Hot Plate + Washing Machine, This Is More Like Full DIY Not As Easy As It Looks But Can Be Done, Great For Tiny Apartments That Are On A Budget

Turned 180cm Knoxhult For 110$ Into 120cm Unit That Holds Built-In Fridge + Hot Plate + Washing Machine, This Is More Like Full DIY Not As Easy As It Looks But Can Be Done, Great For Tiny Apartments That Are On A Budget

CxTillDie Report

#52

Billy!! Girlfriend Is Happy With It. My First Thing To Build Ever

Billy!! Girlfriend Is Happy With It. My First Thing To Build Ever

nesanfidde Report

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Zoe's Mom
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been contemplating doing something like this in my dining room and I may borrow this design. Well done.

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#53

Added Legs To The Alex Drawer Unit On Casters To Make It The Same Height As The Standard Alex Drawer

Added Legs To The Alex Drawer Unit On Casters To Make It The Same Height As The Standard Alex Drawer

japantourist Report

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#54

Completed The Billy In Wall Bookcase Hack

Completed The Billy In Wall Bookcase Hack

MrCallahan Report

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iBlank
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nice! Even transferred the floor register to the front panel

#55

Kallax Inserts Dresser Transformation!

Kallax Inserts Dresser Transformation!

reddit.com Report

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#56

I Made My Pax Look A Bit More Early 1900's

I Made My Pax Look A Bit More Early 1900's

imgur.com Report

#57

I Turned A Boring Kallax Into Something More Pretty For My New Board Game Room

I Turned A Boring Kallax Into Something More Pretty For My New Board Game Room

EvilNassu Report

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HannEli
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look at all of those board games!! I love playing board games but it seems that I am the only one. I hope to have a collection like this in the future!

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#58

Decided To Try My Hand At Customizing The Tarva Dressers. Gotta Say I'm Pretty Satisfied With My First "Hack" And First Time Staining Too

Decided To Try My Hand At Customizing The Tarva Dressers. Gotta Say I'm Pretty Satisfied With My First "Hack" And First Time Staining Too

VortenFett Report

#59

Upside Down Billsbro = Tiny Shelf For Holding Your Phone While Doing Paperwork

Upside Down Billsbro = Tiny Shelf For Holding Your Phone While Doing Paperwork

imgur.com Report

#60

Skådis Propagation Station

Skådis Propagation Station

corydora_mama Report

#63

I Made Zero-Space Bedside Lamps Out Of 2 Malm Glass Tops And 4 Crashed Trådfri Classic Brown Bulbs

I Made Zero-Space Bedside Lamps Out Of 2 Malm Glass Tops And 4 Crashed Trådfri Classic Brown Bulbs

TBNecksnapper Report

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#64

First Time Hacking Anything, What Do You All Think?

First Time Hacking Anything, What Do You All Think?

CapitanDirtbag Report

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Zoe's Mom
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More of a paint job than a hack but beautiful never the less.

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#65

Two 31" Godmorgon Sink Cabinets With Plywood Top As Bedroom Dresser Drawers

Two 31" Godmorgon Sink Cabinets With Plywood Top As Bedroom Dresser Drawers

downroar Report

#66

Akurum Kitchen Section With Hacked 3-Into-1 Tall Corner Shelf And Adjacent Hacked Tall Shallow Cabinet

Akurum Kitchen Section With Hacked 3-Into-1 Tall Corner Shelf And Adjacent Hacked Tall Shallow Cabinet

potpourripolice Report

#67

Hemnes Dresser Transformation!

Hemnes Dresser Transformation!

PompousClock Report

#69

Got This Used Malm Nightstand For $10 And Transformed For Another $20. Not Perfect, But Was A Great First DIY Project

Got This Used Malm Nightstand For $10 And Transformed For Another $20. Not Perfect, But Was A Great First DIY Project

margosmango Report

#70

I Made An Entryway Shoe Rack Out Of 2 Of Those $10 TV Stands

I Made An Entryway Shoe Rack Out Of 2 Of Those $10 TV Stands

jenashbeee Report

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#71

Boring Hacks For Renters: In A Tiny New 1br And The Only Wall That My Malm Pair Would Fit On Was The Same Wall As The Only Power Outlet. Had To Leave A Gap To Access The Outlet, But Didn’t Want All My Stuff Falling Down The Gap. Enter Mosslanda Photo Shelves And A Large Packet Of 3m/Command Strips!

Boring Hacks For Renters: In A Tiny New 1br And The Only Wall That My Malm Pair Would Fit On Was The Same Wall As The Only Power Outlet. Had To Leave A Gap To Access The Outlet, But Didn’t Want All My Stuff Falling Down The Gap. Enter Mosslanda Photo Shelves And A Large Packet Of 3m/Command Strips!

stepstothelefts Report

#72

45 Degree Built In Shelving From Two 5x5 Kallax’s

45 Degree Built In Shelving From Two 5x5 Kallax’s

Atom800 Report

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mulk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know why, but imagine some heavy object in that, make me feel uncomfortable...

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#73

Reupholstered Older IKEA Chair, Not Sure The Name Of The Chair

Reupholstered Older IKEA Chair, Not Sure The Name Of The Chair

S4BB Report

#74

Pretty Happy With How My Modified Drawer Turned Out On IKEA Micke Desk

Pretty Happy With How My Modified Drawer Turned Out On IKEA Micke Desk

Ambitious_Yoghurt_59 Report

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#75

Added A ‘Wooden’ Back To My Kallax TV Stand, Using A Sheet Of Fibre Board And Sticky Backed Wood Effect Film, Makes A Nice Difference I Think

Added A ‘Wooden’ Back To My Kallax TV Stand, Using A Sheet Of Fibre Board And Sticky Backed Wood Effect Film, Makes A Nice Difference I Think

confidentclown Report

#76

Glued Some Lack Shelves Together For My College Dorm

Glued Some Lack Shelves Together For My College Dorm

Pcpie Report

#77

My Twinned Hemnes Shoe Cabinet

My Twinned Hemnes Shoe Cabinet

houwy Report

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#78

Finished Building Our New Pantry. I Used Sektion Wall Cabinets Without Their Bases To See More Countertop

Finished Building Our New Pantry. I Used Sektion Wall Cabinets Without Their Bases To See More Countertop

Buckaletta Report

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#79

Mega Built-In With Section Cabinets!

Mega Built-In With Section Cabinets!

shi_guy36 Report

#80

IKEA Elvarli Used As A Media Console - Not The Most Ingenuitive But I Hadn't Seen It Done Like This Before So Thought I'd Share!

IKEA Elvarli Used As A Media Console - Not The Most Ingenuitive But I Hadn't Seen It Done Like This Before So Thought I'd Share!

dylanyoung3333 Report

#81

Kitchen Island With Added Drawers And Wine Storage. Tornviken With Ekby Alex Is A Perfect Fit!

Kitchen Island With Added Drawers And Wine Storage. Tornviken With Ekby Alex Is A Perfect Fit!

jamesgfilms Report

#82

My IKEA Cabinet Wasn't Going To Have Shelving Because Of My Plumbing So I Just Cut Around It And I Got Two Shelves!