20 Amazing IKEA Hacks To Upgrade Your Space in 2026
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It’s no secret that I LOVE IKEA hacks! I believe there’s no better way to get the look you want for a lower price than to utilize IKEA products. In this roundup post, I’m sharing some of the best IKEA hacks I’ve used for easy storage solutions, organization ideas, and beautiful decor updates. Whether you’re looking for ways to update furniture, create wall hangings, store your shoes neatly, or just make something pretty and unique, I’ve got an IKEA hack for 2026 that’s just right!
Follow along, fellow IKEA hackers! You’re going to love this post.
DIY IKEA Hacks That Anyone Can Do
Entryway Hacks
Entryways are some of the most difficult spaces to organize! I’ve collected my most brilliant and beautiful solutions for an entryway that is both functional and pleasing to the eye. All with help from IKEA, of course!
Easy IKEA Hack: Entryway Organizer with MOSSLANDA Picture Ledge
If your entryway feels like a cluttered mess of keys, bags, and random odds and ends, I’ve got an easy and affordable solution for you: the $10 MOSSLANDA picture ledge from IKEA! With just a few small additions, you can turn this simple ledge into a chic and functional entryway organizer with underside hooks that takes up zero floor space. Let me show how easy this IKEA hack entryway organizer is to put together!
Small Entryway Makeover with IKEA Shoe Storage Hack
Do you have an awkward or narrow entryway like we do? Come see how I gave our small entry a makeover with DIY trim, organization hacks, IKEA shoe storage ideas, and tons of hidden hallway storage. This one is perfect if you have a serious shoe storage problem like we did!
Small Entry Makeover with a DIY Mudroom Storage Bench
Do you need more storage in an awkwardly small entryway? No room for a built-in closet? Come and see how I used an IKEA hack to create a storage bench with seating and a hook wall in our tiny lakehouse cabin. Before the makeover, our mudroom was a cramped, uninspiring space. It was far from functional, and even farther from beautiful. I used a cheerful paint colour, trim, and beadboard panelling to make an IKEA HEMNES TV stand into a beautiful, functional bench + storage area. Now the space is beautiful and functional, and you’d never know the bench isn’t a truly built-in expensive custom job! I love turning small spaces into something beautiful and useful, and this project is a perfect example.
Furniture Makeovers
One of the reasons I love IKEA so much is how easy it is to take a plain piece out of the box and turn it into something else entirely that is customized to your style. See what I mean with these furniture makeover examples!
How to Paint IKEA Furniture (so it actually lasts!)
Are you thinking of painting a piece of IKEA furniture, but you aren’t sure where to start? Maybe you’re wondering if it will hold up, or if it’s worth the trouble. I’m here to tell you that IKEA furniture can absolutely be painted if you use the right products and techniques. From identifying the best paint to my easy DIY tips — I’m showing you how to paint IKEA furniture for a custom look that will last! This is an IKEA hack that will help you keep up with all the 2025 colour trends for a modern look without buying new stuff!
Easy DIY TARVA IKEA Nightstand Makeover You’ll Love
Want to turn a plain TARVA nightstand from IKEA into a stunning, modern piece for your bedroom? Let me show you this simple IKEA nightstand makeover that transformed these plain pieces into the perfect accents for our Tiny Lake House bedroom. All I needed was the TARVA nightstand, some pole wrap material for texture and interest, deep green paint to modernize the look, new pull hardware, and contact paper to line the inside of the drawers. These simple changes turned this into a brand new piece of furniture!
Step-by-Step Guide to a Beautiful TARVA Dresser Makeover
Speaking of TARVA, the nightstand is not the only piece I have transformed in my day! This line of furniture is the perfect candidate for making over because it is simple and the lines are beautiful. Inside this DIY TARVA dresser makeover tutorial, I’m going to share how I used some inexpensive paint and stain, thrift store accents, and some simple tools to create the perfect industrial modern dresser for this space. The upcycled leather pulls really make this project next-level!
Bench Ideas
There’s nothing handier than a good bench! I’ve hacked my fair share of benches out of IKEA furniture in both the kitchen and bedroom using a variety of furniture lines and basic designs, and I’m excited to share them with you here.
How To Build A Bench Seat From IKEA Cabinets
As part of our breakfast nook makeover, I wanted to create a built-in-looking dining bench cabinet. Not only do dining benches look cute and cozy, but they’re a practical space-saver, especially in a small kitchen. I used IKEA cabinets to make a dining bench that looks built-in, but is actually movable. Let me show you how to DIY a simple dining bench seat from kitchen cabinets!
Build a Bench Seat for the Kitchen Table – DIY IKEA Hack
There’s more than one way to build a dining room bench using IKEA products! In this makeover, I transformed a tiny, neglected space in my sister’s home into a charming breakfast nook that’s perfect for enjoying morning coffee or working from home. I made it complete with a built-in IKEA hack dining bench! This time I used IKEA NORDLI dresser units as the base for my bench, and I cannot wait for you to see how it turned out.
Easy IKEA Hack: Window Seat from Kallax Shelves
Looking for extra storage and function in your space? Let me show you how I made a simple window seat from IKEA KALLAX shelves! When I redesigned my middle daughter’s bedroom, one of her requests was to have a window seat. We didn’t have the budget for a proper built-in unit, so I used IKEA KALLAX shelves. IKEA cabinets and shelves are my favourite bases for DIY projects because of their price and ease of assembly, and this project is no different! Plus, the KALLAX shelves left lots of room to store toys and blankets and anything else in closed basket storage too. And, the modifications to make it into a “seat” were super easy: just add cushions!
Kitchen Hacks
Whether you are doing a full kitchen cabinet renovation (the hack here is the price compared to others!) or hacking a piece of furniture to make it work in your space, remember IKEA when you’re redoing your kitchen!
How I Created My Dream DIY Coffee Bar with an Epic IKEA Hack
Do you love coffee and wish you had a stylish place to prepare it? As a coffee lover and DIYer, I’d long been dreaming of a beautiful, functional coffee bar that would not only take care of our caffeine needs but also add style and coziness to our home. The before pic shows a cluttered old dresser overloaded with coffee makers, syrups, and mugs—it wasn’t pretty! I decided to tackle a full-on coffee station makeover, transforming that messy corner into a built-in, high-end DIY coffee bar using IKEA HAVSTA cabinets. Let me take you step-by-step through the project that added so much style and function to our dining room!
IKEA Kitchen Review – 10 Years Later!
Are you considering installing an IKEA kitchen in your home? Wondering if it’s good quality? Budget-friendly? How about customization and how long it will last? Today I’m answering all your questions in this IKEA kitchen review, ten years later! Spoiler: I LOVE my IKEA kitchen and wouldn’t change a thing. But I’m ready to convince you, so read along with my review and see for yourself.
Bedroom Ideas
And of course, IKEA hacks can work wonders in bedroom spaces too!
DIY IKEA Closet Makeover Before & After
Our small walk-in closet was in dire need of some re-organization and an aesthetic upgrade. Come see how we did this DIY IKEA closet makeover on a budget with the IKEA PAX wardrobe units and get some budget-friendly closet inspiration for yourself! The brilliant thing about the PAX system is that you can use all kinds of different configurations to really make the space your own, and as you will see it’s possible to change things up whenever you want, even years after you install it!
IKEA Hack: Make a Brilliant DIY Jewelry Storage Tray
Are you ready to add a touch of elegance and organization to your jewelry collection? Say goodbye to cluttered countertops and lost earrings with this brilliant IKEA hack! With just a few simple supplies and some creativity, you can transform an ordinary IKEA plate into a stylish and functional DIY jewelry storage tray.
For the Bathroom
And of course, I LOVE IKEA hacks for the bathroom as well.
DIY IKEA Farmhouse Sink Vanity: Budget Bathroom Remodel
Who says kitchen cabinetry is only for the kitchen? In this post, I’ll walk you through how my parents and I transformed two IKEA kitchen cabinets into a stunning custom bathroom vanity with a farmhouse sink as part of a complete cottage-inspired bathroom DIY remodel. And we did it for half the cost of a retail bathroom vanity with the same style sink!
How to Make a DIY Tissue Holder with IKEA Finds
Have you ever looked at those standard tissue boxes and thought, “There must be a better way”? Well, you’re in luck! I’m going to show you how to transform some simple IKEA finds into a chic and functional DIY tissue holder. I think most tissue boxes are ugly, so creating a Kleenex storage solution that looks beautiful was a fun challenge! I made two: one using a CHIAFRON pot and one that features the FEJKA pot. Either one is super cute and really easy to make. These are a great addition to your own home decor, or they’d make a fun and unique gift too!
Decor Items
When we think of IKEA hacks, we usually think of the bigger projects mentioned above: building a dining room bench or making over a dresser. But IKEA hacks can be small and fun too, and some of my favourites are beautiful decor items made from tweaking an IKEA product made for a different purpose. Let me show you what I mean!
Create a Picture Hanging System that Looks High End
Are you coveting a beautiful hanging art rail system for displaying art or photos on your wall? Let me show you how to get the look for less using IKEA and Amazon products! This is one of my favourite hacks for picture-hanging and it’s so easy and affordable.
Easy Table Lamp DIY Using a Jar & Battery Bulb
Looking for a way to add a little personality to your space? Try this incredibly fun and budget-friendly project: a charming and customizable table lamp made from an IKEA VARDAGEN jar. This lamp DIY project is perfect for adding a personal touch to your home decor while staying easy on the wallet. Whether you’re sprucing up your living room, bedroom, or even your home office, this simple yet stylish lamp will bring a warm, inviting glow to any space. I chose some faux fern greenery to display inside, but you can get creative and use fabric, wallpaper, or whatever you like to get the effect you want.
Make a Gorgeous DIY Wall Plant Shelf from IKEA Baskets
Do you have a boring, blank wall you need to fill? Look no further than this DIY project that’s both easy and oh-so-pretty. I’m talking about creating a charming DIY wall plant shelf using inexpensive IKEA baskets. Not only does this project add visual appeal to any room, but it also requires minimal upkeep. Let me show you how to turn two grey wicker IKEA BYHOLMA baskets into eye-catching wall decor that showcases faux trailing plants in a unique and beautiful way!
Organization
Here are some examples of how simple IKEA products can really make your life better in a measurable, concrete way.
16 Best IKEA Organization Products under $10
When it comes to organization, IKEA is my favourite place to find affordable and functional solutions that can transform your home into a well-organized space. Whether you’re tackling clutter in the kitchen, bathroom, or kids’ rooms, IKEA’s lineup of organization products under $10 proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to create a tidy home! Let me share some of the best IKEA organization finds and clever ways to use them.
Transform Your RV Living with These Brilliant IKEA RV Hacks
Camping in an RV has its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to maximizing space and functionality. Luckily, IKEA has a ton of affordable and versatile solutions to make RV life more organized and stylish. Today, I’m excited to share some ingenious IKEA RV hacks and products that will revolutionize your mobile home. Whether you’re looking to spruce up your kitchen, bathroom, or living area, these tips will help you make the most of every square inch.
No matter what kind of IKEA hack idea you were looking for, I hope you found it here! Whether you want to paint furniture, clean up your jewelry, or create a beautiful lamp, I would love to see what you tackle first. Leave a pic in the comments or tag me @thediymommy! (And if you want even more IKEA-inspired ideas, you’re in luck! There’s a whole section devoted to all things IKEA on my website, like hacks, finds, and reviews.)
Happy IKEA shopping!
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