31 of the easiest Ikea hacks that will instantly upgrade your home

We all want a beautiful home—but with kids, things just get...ruined. So we found some awesome Ikea hacks that make your house look better.

By Alexandra Gater, Chatelaine

Updated May 31, 2018

Photo: Amy Taylor

35 DIY Ikea hacks that will upgrade the look of your home

Bracket turned wall sconce

Make this Ikea bracket the best $2 you’ve ever spent by making this beautiful DIY wall sconce for your bedside. The full DIY tutorial can be found on Sugar and Cloth.

Photo: Sugar and Cloth

Boring chair turned glam

A little spray paint and a furry throw blanket can make this simple Ikea chair look super snazzy. See the full DIY tutorial on The Key Item.

Photo: The Key Item

Basic bunk bed turned decorative

This $229 bunk bed frame offers the perfect canvas to get creative. Use these etsy stickers from Stickers Coloray to transform it into something even more beautiful.

Bunk beds with floral and dotted bedding.

Photo: Etsy

Classic rug turned fun

Grab some spray paint and acrylic paint and transform a $15 Ikea rug into an adorable doughnut that your guests will love! See the full DIY on The House that Lars Built.

Photo: Trisha Zemp

Plant pot turned pendant chandelier

Grab a few of these Ikea planters to create a genius and beautiful pendant chandelier to light up your room. See the full DIY tutorial on Kitchen Trials.

Photo: Kitchen Trials

Lantern turned disco ball décor

This glitter lantern tutorial is super easy and would be the perfect addition to the next party you’re hosting. See the full tutorial on Oh Happy Day using this $5 pendant lamp shade.

Photo: Oh Happy Day

Bookshelves turned kitchen island

These $59 bookshelves make an excellent kitchen island with ample cookbook storage. See the full DIY at Golden Boys and Me.

White and wooden storage shelf with kitchen supplies in them.

Photo: Courtney Affrunti

Kitchen drawer turned shoe storage

Slap some wheels onto this $20 kitchen drawer for some dreamy shoe storage. Get the full DIY on Ikea.

Photo: Ikea

Muffin pan turned herb garden

So many things you can do with muffin tins! Including this $15 one, which holds fresh herbs which you can sprinkle on your meals.

Photo: Ikea

Storage bench turned functional small-space mudroom

At the start of a busy day, an organized mudroom is key to geting out the door on time. This $100 storage bench is the perfect base to a functional storage space. See the full DIY at Ikea Hackers.

Read more: How to tame the front hall chaos

Photo: Amy Taylor

Storage cabinet turned headboard

$60 for a three pack of storage cabinets later, and you’ve got yourself a brand new headboard that also stores linens! Perfect for a small space. See the full DIY on Ikea.

Photo: Ikea

Dresser turned desk with tons of storage

Turn this $149 three drawer dresser into a beautiful desk which will seamlessly fit into a small space. See the full DIY on In My Own Style.

Wooden dresser turned into while desk with storage.

Photo: Dianne Henkler

Boring stool turned fun

These $30 wood stools are calling for a makeover and are easy to transform into fun dip-stools. See the full DIY on Style Me Pretty.

Photo: Erin Lepperd

Wardrobe turned statement piece

Give this $780 wardrobe a stylish, wallpapered makeover. See the full DIY at Seasons in Colour.

Photo: Jenny Kakoudakis

Plastic stool turned chic faux Mongolian perch

These on-trend stools are everywhere at the moment (and most are super expensive.) This one costs $7 (!!) plus supplies. See the full DIY on Darling Darleen.

Photo: Darleen Meier

Standard white dresser turned chic side table

Yes, this $79 dresser can look like you splurged. See the full DIY at The Blondie Locks.

Photo: Kaylee Giffin

White dresser turned rustic

This white $200 dresser looks clean and sleek. Make it look antique and completely unique by giving it a rustic twist, using stickers from Behangfabriek.

Rustic wooden detail on dresser drawers.

Photo: Behangfabriek

Wooden dresser turned modern

This $239 basic pine dresser can easily look like a modern masterpiece. See the full DIY at Kristina Lynne.

White dresser with a lamp, books, and a plant on it.

Photo: Kristina Hoyle

Steel plant shelf turned modern

Take this $27 steel plant stand up a decorative notch by adding on acacia wood details. See the full DIY at Sugar and Cloth.

Photo: Jared Rose

Heat trivet becomes jewelry holder

These $5 heat trivets (that come in a pack of three) make excellent wall jewellery holders. Get the full DIY on Ikea.

Cork heat trivets used to hold jewelry with pin.

Photo: Ikea

Plain round mirror turned stylish wall accessory

Attach some affordable leather belts to this $30 mirror for additional character and style.

Round mirror in room with a white sofa and plant.

Photo: Sarah Widman

Kitchen cart turned chic bar cart/kitchen island

Some paint, gold hardware and a new surface makes this an incredibly stylish kitchen piece. See the full DIY at Oliver and Rust.

Black, gold, silver, and marbled bar cart with dishes at the bottom.

Photo: Meaghan Gizuk

Crate turned pretty blanket storage

A coat of paint on this $15 crate is all you need to make it a beautiful storage box for throw pillows and blankets.

Photo: Ikea

Shelf turned desk

This $48 shelf makes an excellent desk when you add some stylish legs. See the full DIY at Undeclared Panache.

Room with a white and wood desk and clear chair with white fur over it.

Photo: Lauren Koster

Heat trivets turned cork board

Stay organized with a custom cork board using these $5 heat trivets. See the full DIY at Oh Everything Handmade.

Cork trivets painted white, blue, and pink on the wall.

Photo: Bettina Johnson

Bookshelves turned stunning built-ins

Ever wonder how to make the $69 Billy bookcase look like a sleek built-in? See the full DIY at Claire Brody Designs.

White shelf with books and accessories beside a brown leather chair.

Photo: Claire Brody

Drawers tuned desk

Can’t find a desk big (or small) enough? Just use these two $80 drawer units and a custom-sized surface for the top to make your own like Shift Interiors did here.

White and wooden desk with a white and blue chair tucked in.

Photo: Tracey Ayton

Bookshelves turned home library

Three $60 bookcases can be placed together to create a fabulous home library complete with an envy-worthy ladder. See the full DIY at The Makerista.

White library shelf with books and accessories on it with a black chair and grey pillow.

Photo: Gwen Hefner

Mini drawers turned rustic filing cabinet

This $30 chest of drawers can be easily transformed into a rustic filing cabinet. See the full DIY at The Painted Hive.

Rustic brown drawers with a clock and globe on top.

Photo: Kristine Franklin

Drawer chest turned chic bedside table

A fresh coat of paint and some new drawer pulls transforms a $50 chest of drawers into an elegant bedside table. See the full DIY at Vintage Revivals.