Ikea hacks: 10 budget-friendly furniture DIYs

Whose home couldn't benefit from a little snazzing up this time of year—or any time of year? Take a few pieces of affordable, big box (but sometimes uninspiring) décor and furniture, add some personal touches and voila! You’ve got a unique piece for your home.

Click on for some of the best DIY Ikea hacks from around the web.

Read more: Kids' rooms: Cute ideas for every age>

The Expedit shelving unit also works as a storage bench in a mudroom or playroom. Join two units together in a busy corner with plenty of storage cubbies below to keep shoes and accoutrements off the floor and out of the way.

What you'll need:
- Expedit 1x5 shelf units x 2
- Expedit 1x1 shelf unit
- Box seat cushion (try patio furniture cushions for durability)
- Storage boxes such as Bladis

Price tag: $250

Get the instructions here: Cathy Home Style via Pinterest

An unfinished chest of drawers lets you make an impact with minimal effort. Use a semi-gloss latex paint to infuse a shot of colour, then add brass drawer pulls and flat corner brackets for grown-up style.

What you'll need:
- Rast 3-drawer chest
- Sanding sponge
- Semi-gloss latex paint (1 qt)
- Wood filler
- Brass drawer handles or pulls
- Brass flat corner brackets

 Price tag: $90

Get the instructions here: For Chic Sake

The basic Lack table gets jazzed up with upholstery decorative tacks. Opt for the individual tacks—or easier-to-use continuous tack strips—and follow the outline of the legs and front face. A mirrored plate on top of the table will bounce light from a table lamp.

 What you'll need:
- Lack side table
- Melamine paint + foam paint brush (or opt for an existing colour)
- Mirror with rounded edge
- Construction adhesive
- Upholstery nailhead strips or individual tacks
- Small hammer

Price tag: $40

Source: Pinterest

The ubiquitous Billy bookcase gets put to sturdy use as a breakfast bar, storage space and countertop. Add some decorative paneling and mouldings for a truly custom look.

What you'll need:
- Billy bookcase(s)
- Beadboard decorative paneling
- Åkerby butcher block countertop
- Moulding
- Decorative corbels or shelf brackets (to support the overhang)

Price tag: $315

Get the instructions here: Golden Boys and Me

This amalgamation of several clamp-on task lamps takes a serious bite out of the high-end designer versions creeping into bars, hotels and fancy boutiques. Get a professional electrician’s help to wire the lamps together and install the fixture. A substantial down rod—that’s the part that determines the height of the chandelier from the floor—and round base can be found in the lighting section of any big box hardware store.

What you'll need:
- Fas Clamp spotlight
- Lighting kit
- Round base
- Construction adhesive

Price tag: $200

Get the instructions here: Ikea Hackers

Forget about hiding the markers near your white dining chairs. Grab a sharpie and go to town, creating your own doodle fabric print! Ikea’s Harry chair comes with a natural white cushion cover that’s just begging for pattern. Protect the fabric from further stains with a spray such as Scotchguard or Vectra.

What you'll need:
- Harry dining chair
- Permanent Sharpie marker
- Fabric protector

Price tag: $70

Get the instructions here: Little Green Notebook

As if you needed another reason to pour a glass of wine! Halved corks glossed with spray paint and then glued in a hot herringbone pattern will get this goth frame noticed (it's great for holding notes or even jewellery).

 What you'll need:
- Ung Drill frame
- Wine corks
- Hot glue gun
- Utility knife
- Spray paint

Price tag: $40

Get the instructions here: Suze Geeks Out

Painter’s tape and a smooth hand with a foam roller get you an on-trend printed rug in any colour that suits your décor. Mask out a pattern and then paint within the lines, choosing a flat weave rug for best adhesion and durability. Peel back the tape to reveal your design handiwork.

What you'll need:
- Morum rug
- Painter’s tape
- Foam roller

Price tag: $130 - $170

Get the instructions here: Tater Tots and Jello

Keep picture books within reach with spice rack-turned gallery shelves for your budding bookworm. Use the railed units to curate literary flavours of the moment while keeping other books in safekeeping.

 What you'll need:
- Bekväm spice rack
- Wall anchors
- Paint or stain

Price tag: Approximately $10 per shelf

Get the instructions here: Handmade Charlotte via Pinterest

Pre-cut shelving or melamine planks balance perfectly with vibrantly painted Ekby Stilig brackets. Spread the brackets wide at first, and then reinforce the centre weight by placing brackets narrower on alternate shelves.

*If you have climbers in the house you’ll want to anchor this unit to the wall.

What you'll need:
- Pre-cut shelves such as Ekby Hemnes
- Ekby Stilig brackets
- Latex paint
- C-clamps (for the bottom of the bracket)

Price tag: $160

Get the instructions here: Stilsucht

13 home makeover ideas for spring>
Quick and easy ways to update your home to celebrate spring!