One thing is certain: Ikea knows kitchens. It can cook up a whole lot of function into a little price tag, which is what we’re all looking for when it’s time to renovate and decorate. The one caveat: The Scandinavian giant’s mass-produced furnishings tend to make your home look like a carbon copy of any other Ikea-filled abode.
That’s where the wonderful world of DIY projects comes into play. With a little bit of inspiration, you can make your Ikea-festooned kitchen all your own. No idea where to start? The internet has your back. These #ikeahacks will spark your creativity.
1. Make your own island
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A kitchen island is one of the most popular asks when it comes to kitchen design, but the installation can be costly and time-consuming. For a quick hack that looks convincingly stylish, take a page from this savvy DIYer who turned a Kallax shelf unit ($79, Ikea) on its side. Add an oversize countertop, and it can even accommodate a few chairs.
2. Create more storage space
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Home chefs who enjoy cooking know the value of a small appliance. Some are extremely useful (a miniature food processor), and others are destined to collect dust in your cabinet (a quesadilla maker). If you have a wide selection of small appliances, you know how challenging it can be to find spots for all of them. This Ikea hack fixes that problem.
This basic Kallax shelf ($79, Ikea) is almost impossible to see under all these extras, but we promise it’s there. The shelving unit has been turned on its side, given six legs, and topped with a large piece of countertop.
Voilà —storage space below and plenty of additional counter space for your kitchen.
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3. Install open shelves
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Who says plate racks only hold plates? The Ostbit bamboo plate holders ($2.99, Ikea) can hold up entire shelves! At about $3 a piece, it’s a much cheaper way to mount your shelves to the wall, and all those extra pegs add a ton of functionality that would be hard to find any other way.
4. Bring in the bar cart
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Any good host needs a great bar to hold spirits, mixers, and soda—and someone with limited space needs a bar on wheels.
If it’s not time to party, it’s nice to be able to wheel it out of the way, and the Sunnersta utility cart ($29.99, Ikea) does just that. Unfortunately, the all-white look it comes in doesn’t give off a celebratory vibe. But a touch of gold paint adds just the right amount of fun to this functional piece.
5. Choose your own cabinet doors
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Ikea cabinets are cost-effective, but they’re also plain. An easy fix? Buy the cabinets from Ikea and order upgraded custom doors. They’ll give your kitchen a tailored look at half the price.
6. Get creative with a dresser
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Always be ready to host with a bar cart that doubles as a conversation piece. This cart started out as a Koppang three-drawer dresser ($99, Ikea), but it didn’t stay that way for long. Take out a drawer and mount wineglass holders for total convenience. To personalize it even more, paint the dresser and add your favorite drawer pulls.
