20 Best IKEA Hacks of 2013


This past year brought us a heap of amazing hacks on the web and none are more funner than the IKEA versions.  From mid-century modern to the fauxdenza, here's 20 of some of our favorite IKEA Hacks from 2013.

1. A Mid-Century Style Expedit
This Expedit shelf has been beautifully modied (so much so) it's our favorite hack of the year! 12mm ply board was added and stained in a maple satin finish, along with legs from a recycle yard.  More info at ikeahackers.net.

2. EKBY Bracket Love
This shelf was created using EKBY Brackets, then painted various colours to add interest.  From stilsucht.de via Apartment Therapy.

3. DIY Marble Coffee Table
Coming in at number three, this marble coffee table idea from the folks at Livet Hemma. Using the KLUBBO Coffee Table, marble-style contact paper is applied giving it a faux marble top look. More info here.

4. Cutting Boards Hack
This is a beautiful idea, again from Livet Hemma. Cutting boards are fixed up set up with leather handles and wraps. So simple, and looks amazing. More info here.

5. Hanging Planters
Using thrift store leather belts, the ASKER containers are made into some cool hanging planters.
By Liesbeth Smit, Amsterdam. Get the instructions here.

6. Found Wood Kitchen Cabinets
Ikea kitchen wall cabinets are covered in some beautiful recycled wood to make for a nice credenza.
More info at ikeahackers.net.

7. PS 2012 Marble Upgrade
A PS 2012 kitchen table is modified with a former coffee table marble top. Check out the details here.

8. Table from the Fifties
Take 3 Ulsberg tables, cut one of the legs and that's it apparantly! Via ikeahackers.net.

9. RAST Dollhouse
A RAST nightstand gets a little hack to make this sweet dollhouse filled with the HUSET living room. Get the how-to here.

10. Butcher Block Klubbo Tables
The Klubbo nesting tables are topped with solid maple cutting board tops. Via ikeahackers.net.

11. Domino Does a PAX Hack
Jenny Komenda, Domino's DIY expert transforms a PAX wardrobe and vanity. Get the instructions here.

12. A Black and White Kitchen
Not really a hack but more of a mix.  A two-tone cabinet look is successfully achieved using the Lidingo (white) and Ramsjo (black). By thediymommy.com via ikeahackers.

13. Breadbox Becomes Mailbox
This is a rather clever hack if we ever saw one.  Turning a Ordning stainless steel breadbox into an outdoor mailbox. Get the info here.

14. Industrial Vittsjo
The glass of the Vittsjo is removed and replaced with a stained wood to create a more industrial-style shelf. Click here for the how-to.

15. DIY Extra Long Horizontal Stripe Curtains
Lengthen some Ikea Ritva Curtain panels with this simple sewing tutorial on ikeahackers.net.

16. Doll Furniture Chair and Coffee Table
Probably one of the more cuter ideas for a hack.  Creating a doll chair and coffee table out of wooden salad bowls. These using the Blanda Matt Bowls. Check out the how-to here.


17. Lack Turns Mid-Century
A simple idea adding midcentury-style legs to a Lack table top. Get the info here.

18. DIY Fauxdenza from Ikea Kitchen Cabinets
A fun idea using kitchen cabinets to create a modern-looking credenza.

19. From Basic to Mid-Century Modern
A basic Jokkmokk table is transformed by removing the legs and trim and adding mid-century modern style legs. More information at ikeahackers.net.

20. An Accordian Sconce
Make a wall sconce using an IKEA FRACK accordian mirror and a clamp light. Get the how-to at here.

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Jan Halvarson

18 comments:

h. said...

"More funner"???? Seriously?

Also #2 is not real. It's a photoshopped mock-up. Top points for research there.

I can't believe you write a blog for a living...

Josien said...

Though it might be photoshopped i love the nr 2! As well as the hanging planters.
Thank yu for posting!

Mary said...

Don't be distracted by criticism. Remember - the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you.
Zig Ziglar

Jan Halvarson said...

h. (interesting you comment anonymously). but just for the record - there is nothing that says it's photoshopped. but like Josien (the comment just below yours) mentions, if it is, i love it too! and wow, have a nice day! seriously i send you nothing but good vibes. i think you need them.

Jan Halvarson said...

Mary - thanks! :)

Pinecone Camp said...

I still love your Accordian sconce! The coloured brackets are pretty cool too.

Jan Halvarson said...

Thanks Janis!

Kirsten said...

I loved number 2 so much when I first saw it, my husband and I made it. So, it's possible whether the original is Photoshoped or not and I would say it looks pretty nice!

It is a bit wobbly so we only went four shelves high but it holds our books and looks great so we love it.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...


Just because I am annoyed at both the comments, and the author comment that "there is nothing that says it is photoshopped". Commentor, you're jerk. Author, it's your responsibility to look it up, not assume it's real. Since both of you seem to not have bothered, I looked it up, and it's real. Here's the website with more photos: http://www.testedilegno.eu/lato-b/unalibreria/

And it looks great!

Jan Halvarson said...

Jo Co - I'm sorry for any misunderstanding on my part. I didn't say I didn't look it up. I only said " there is nothing that says it's photoshopped"... In fact I did look it up and saw that it wasn't, but failed to mention that in my comment. I was only making a point that even if it was photoshopped, it was still a cool idea for a hack, was all. :) Hope that clarifies it. But thanks for reading, and making me realize I need to be clearer with my explanations. Appreciate it!

ANNA DEEM said...

First of all - I really like your blog, and I don't know what the fuss is all about with #2 - what would give anybody the idea that it was photoshopped? It's a good idea, it's cute, and if it's balanced I don't see why it wouldn't work. Keep up the good work Jan!

Jan Halvarson said...

Anna Deem - thank you - and I agree - it's cute and balanced and would work!

ntilla said...

Jan, Thanks for making the world more funner. Top points to you for writing a blog for a living, because you do a great job.

Jan Halvarson said...

Thanks ntilla - for stopping by and saying such nice things, so sweet!

jennifer draper said...

AT has never been user-friendly. So confusing. Can't you make it easier?

kate said...

A bit late to the party, but wanted to say I'm really enjoying discovering your website (via Domestic Sluttery), and these ikea ideas in particular - I so do not get why people think it is worth their while trying to drag down a freely given resource such as yours.

DIY Photography blog said...

My DIY IKEA loudspeakers.
http://www.stockholmviews.com/gallo-ikea-speaker.html