8 × best IKEA hacks on Kotona—these makeover ideas solve challenges in the entryway, children’s room, and bookshelf
We picked the best IKEA hack ideas from the homes featured on Kotona. A marble table, a child’s dream bed, a budget-friendly storage solution—check out all the ways these familiar Swedish furnishings can be reinvented!
1. Entryway cabinets in just one evening
Exposed pipes and electrical panels often complicate entryway décor, and they’re hardly showpieces. This entrance was transformed in just one evening when the couple assembled cabinets from IKEA frames to hide the unsightly view. Because they wanted warmth and coziness instead of stark white, the entryway cabinets were painted in a red-brown shade.
2. A bookshelf fit for a salon
Influencer Eeva Kolu created a café-like salon in her home, combining a dining area and library. The main attraction is a bookshelf customized from IKEA open shelves and cabinets with doors, which she already had in her previous home. The entire unit comes together by painting it in the same green shade as the wall.
3. A clean-lined bed with plywood surfaces
In this compact loft apartment renovated from an old fire station, the children’s and work spaces were combined. The children’s side of the long room looks polished thanks to a stylish bunk bed. It was built from IKEA pieces and clad in plywood for a sleek, cohesive look, creating a cozy hideaway on the lower bunk.
4. A marble top from a patio table
A marble tabletop found at a thrift store gives a small IKEA Tärnö balcony table a classic, elegant look. The metal folding table appears delicate but is sturdy and durable. The finished table can be used indoors or outdoors, and it easily disassembles for storage. Check out Katja Rinkinen’s instructions for the table here!
5. A building-block approach with drawer units
A corner of the children’s room was created with IKEA wardrobes and drawer units. A cushioned bench on top of a pull-out drawer extends into a work surface. This leaves plenty of open floor space for play, and an open shelf in the corner holds books.
6. A shoe cabinet flush with the wall
The IKEA shoe cabinet blends into the wall because both are painted in the same shade. Its look is finished with terrazzo-patterned knobs found at H & M Home.
7. A slatted surface for the cabinet
The IKEA Ivar cabinet was given a unique look by attaching wooden slats side by side on the doors, then painting them in the desired color. The light hue and the wall-mounted design help keep the cabinet’s appearance airy.
Rattan, hairpin legs, bunny-shaped knobs... Check out more IKEA Ivar cabinet makeover ideas here!
8. Add an antique touch to your mirror
This ordinary IKEA mirror was beautifully revamped with wooden decorations and chalk paint. A wooden bow detail and bead molding were attached to a thrifted Songe mirror frame, and the entire piece was painted a soft grayish-green. Check out Katja Rinkinen’s guide to transforming the mirror here!
