My IKEA hacks- How difficult were they?
It is no secret- I love a good Ikea hack and my home features many.
What is an IKEA hack?
“Ikea hacks” are creations which use Ikea products in an alternative, improved, or upcycled way. Ikea designs often feature modular components which makes them perfect for hacking or upcycling projects. Their products are also quite economical, so DIYing an Ikea hack usually means cost savings!
I always consider Ikea hacks when looking for interior solutions, especially when I need more storage.
I have completed numerous Ikea projects- but just how difficult were they to DIY? I have rated each of my projects below on a scale of 1-5 - 5 being the MOST difficult and 1 being the LEAST difficult.
My Window Seat- made with Ikea’s BESTA units- 4/5
Credit: Fourth Home Interiors and DIY @fourthhome_
Window seats are the epitome of good design because they provide the practicality of seating AND storage while looking beautiful. I truly believe everyone should find space for a window seat in their home- they are just that wonderful.
I knew I needed a window seat in this part of our living room. There was a vertical soffit which created a large nook around our window which begged for something built in. Our living room is also long, containing one zone for seating/TV and another zone for a play area for the kids. I wanted the play area to look elevated and “grown up” once the toys are away. This window seat was the perfect solution!
When designing this seat, my priority was easy storage for kids toys. This is where the BESTA units from Ikea came in. I used Besta drawer frames and push/pull drawers as the storage for this project, and built a supportive frame with timber for the bench itself.
Credit: Fourth Home Interiors and DIY @fourthhome_
This hack was difficult because of how many steps there were and how involved the hack was. Majority of the build involved actually building the seat and ensuring it had the right supportive structure to hold weight and jumping toddlers! I spent a lot of time puzzling together the design. The build required extensive cutting, screwing, precise measuring and levelling.
Though this hack was on the more difficult end of the scale, it was absolutely worth all the effort.
Check out my free tutorial here for my IKEA hack window seat which can be sent directly to your email.
2. Hallway/ Bootroom Storage - made with Billy Bookcases- 4/5
When I designed my entryway, I knew straight away that storage would be key (this is a fairly obvious requirement for any hallway!). Somewhere that would be easy for my kids and guests to store their shoes, belongings, etc. was important. While it was summer when I was building this piece, I also knew I needed storage options for winter gear- all those hats, gloves, etc.
Our hallway featured a little nook with space on either side of a doorway. This was the perfect spot for a storage-centric Ikea hack. After designing many iterations of what the build would be, I honed in on the famous Ikea billy bookcase. The Billy is probably one of Ikea’s most hacked pieces- its a simple bookcase designed to fit most styles and homes effortlessly. It also has modular features- there are two width options (40cm or 80cm), two depth options (28cm or 40cm). There is also an extension unit which offers the ability to customise height of the bookcases by adding more shelving.
I took inspiration from “up and over” bookcases which are two bookcases that flank either side of a wall opening and feature shelving that goes above the opening as well (connecting the two pieces).
Credit: Studio Four Photo by Shannon McGrath
I then used plywood to create a “bridge” shelf which spans the top of the bookcases and the doorway. I installed fully enclosed Oxberg doors as well- I wanted that hallway chaos fully concealed! The shelf above takes full advantage of the vertical space providing additional storage.
This hack was difficult due to needing to ensure symmetry between the two sides and all the little details required to make the bookcases built in- the timber framing, pinewood strip moulding, and ample amounts of caulk!
This hack would be perfect in a hallway with many doors, or in a boot room. I am over the moon with how this hack turned out and it does exactly what I needed to do- provide storage. It even looks pretty to BOOT.
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3. Built in Bookshelves in our Study- made with Billy Bookcases- 3/5
Credit: Fourth Home Interiors and DIY @fourthhome_
Our study is a room of many purposes- its a home office, a gym, a library, craft room, guest space. It needed built in storage that could handle its versatility. Enter the Billy Bookcase from Ikea (yet again). I just can’t get enough of Billy bookcases! After using the bookcase in my hallway, I realised the Billy bookcase was also the answer to storage in my study.
As luck would have it, four of the 80cm wide Billy’s could fit ALMOST perfectly along the far wall of my study. This made this Ikea hack much simpler. I wanted as much space at the top of the units to fit an extension unit which would add another shelf and height to each bookcase. I didn’t raise the bookcases off the floor which made this project much easier as well. I instead used skirting board across the bottom of the bookcases to give them a built in look. I then filled the small spaces on either end of the row of bookcases with stripwood moulding.
Credit: Fourth Home Interiors DIY and Interiors @fourthhome_
For the extension units on the top, I flipped them upside down and made some adjustments to them so they would accommodate brass picture lights for the top of each bookcase. I used pine strip moulding to neaten the facade, and trim at the top, to give the illusion the units were built in. I again used fully enclosed Oxberg doors from Ikea to create concealed storage- these shelves weren’t just for pretty books, but also for kids crafts, office supplies, etc., so I wanted it all out of sight! The extension units at the top are open and showcase our books.
I loved being able to create a piece which combines practical storage and that gorgeous built in library aesthetic. We colour drenched this room and the bookcase to add drama and depth to the space. It is a little sanctuary now.
This hack was somewhat difficult in that it was a rather large piece, required some heavy lifting, and exact measuring. However, it was ultimately a simple piece and design. Any challenges were entirely worth it!
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In conclusion…
While there are some challenges in creating Ikea hacks (all three of these were not as easy as they look!), it is always worth it to have storage and function in a home. I think bigger the challenge, better the reward.
All of these hacks required a few key tools to get the job done. I have always acquired new skills with tools and knowledge of DIY when completing these hacks which is my favourite part of each hack I have ever completed!
All of my Ikea hacks would have cost 3-5 times more than it would have to hire a professional carpenter or builder. I can’t fault the professionals though- their finishes and materials would have likely been slightly more superior to my own. But, I would rather get the job done to have these hacks in my home, than either spend more to have them or not have them at all because I couldn’t afford them.
Stay tuned for more hacks as I have many planned and won’t be stopping anytime soon! Keep up to date here.