If you love the idea of hacking IKEA pieces, but not so much doing it yourself, then it’s time to meet B.ARC.
At its heart, the company, which is short for “Beyond Architecture,” focuses on taking existing IKEA pieces and transforming them into some of the hottest, trending furniture, minus the high-end price tag.
From IKEA Designer to Business Owner
B.ARC’s founder, Shein Oh, worked as an interior designer at IKEA Korea for about five years, so he was quite familiar with the store’s various product lines.
Although he appreciated the quality and look of the pieces, he started to wonder, “There are so many components in one piece of furniture; could there be another way to assemble it? What if I can make them more fun?”
He may not have realized it at the time, but he was thinking exactly like an IKEA hacker. Shein started searching online for ideas and inspiration as he thought about how he could take IKEA’s already-good furniture and make it even better.
During his research, he discovered IKEA hack culture and IKEAHackers.net and decided that it was something he wanted to be a part of and make more accessible to others.
Seoul was the perfect place to start testing out his ideas because of its diverse cultures, ongoing development, and fast pace.
Shein explains that trends come and go quickly there, but that means “people adapt quickly,” making the city a “good place to study trends and receive quick feedback. A manifest trial and error field to test our designs.”
Even the Seoul streetscape plays a role, with its use of metal and stainless steel influencing B.ARC’s designs.
Staying True to Their Tagline: “We Make IKEA Pop!”
B.ARC’s tagline is, “We Make IKEA Pop!” This phrase encapsulates the company’s mission to enhance the design of IKEA pieces.
Shein explains that when it comes to IKEA hacking, B.ARC has two rules. “To not damage or harm the original furniture” and “to make the original product recognizable.”
The company’s goal is to provide “casual versatility that allows for effortless replacement and reuse.”
In other words, it aspires to create aesthetically pleasing products that elevate IKEA’s functionality while remaining easy to assemble.
Customers should never experience frustration or regret when trying to install or assemble one of B.ARC’s products.
For example, one of its best-sellers, NLC, is a shade for IKEA’s NYMANE lamp that you can remove and attach effortlessly. When items look good and are easy to use, customers are more likely to keep them and enjoy them for a long time.
How Does B.ARC Choose Which IKEA Products to Hack?
“We do market research on what furniture people are using currently, and how and where they’re using it in their homes,” Shein begins, “Then, we look at some high-end pieces and every good design we can think of for reference. We go over the IKEA furniture to find potential possibilities for development and stop when everybody agrees on ‘this is it, we can make this pop.’”
Additionally, the team considers the customer. Is this something people want and need? If the answer is yes, they start with a simple sketch and proceed to 3D modeling, converting them into drawings and samples. They apply the vision to the IKEA furniture to determine what needs development and repeat the process several times before producing the final product.
As for parameters, when it comes to which products get the final green light, there aren’t any clear guides. Instead, the team focuses on what pieces they believe will fit their vision, but they do try to stick with bestsellers.
Shein found that the IKEA products with more staying power were less risky. But it took a few unfortunate occurrences to realize this. The company had a few regretful moments when IKEA discontinued or updated a piece as B.ARC was in the process of developing a new product, forcing them to cancel the design.
Overcoming Obstacles
In addition to IKEA discontinuing or updating pieces that B.ARC is currently working on, Shein shares several other obstacles. He admits that he never thought running a business would be so hard, especially after being a member of such a giant organization.
Between growing followers through social media, developing the product, branding, and marketing, it took a year to officially launch the first products in March 2022.
Even today, explaining the concept of IKEA hacking and its benefits to customers is a challenge because it’s such a new world for so many. He’s working on coming up with the perfect sentence to present the idea in a concise, enticing way.
Customer Insights
For the first few years, B.ARC’s typical customers were mostly locals; however, starting in 2025, its audience has been growing. Social media has played a large role in the business, gaining a wider reach. It’s now officially in Germany and in the process of entering the Japanese and Taiwanese markets.
Shein is also up for learning from his customers. He’s seen them apply products to different types of IKEA products and had people reach out about different ideas. He considers it an honor that people are willing to apply B.ARC’s products to different furniture.
What’s Next for B.ARC?
The company is focused on entering more countries as the IKEA hacking movement grows. In Shein’s opinion, where there’s an IKEA, there should be B.ARC.
Since he’s not one to make something from scratch, he loves the thought of B.ARC making DIY more approachable. “I believe that our pre-made products of stools, lamps, and storage units can provide access for people like me into the IKEA hacking ecosystem.”
He’s excited about the company’s growth so far, pointing out the excitement he feels when people recognize the brand. The business has come a long way from when the team had to take product pics with their phones because they couldn’t afford professional photography.
Today, they have 27 products and are working on lowering shipping costs to enter more countries. They officially ship to Taiwan, Japan, and Germany for limited products, and international customers can email or direct message them to make a purchase.
Shein would love a future collaboration with IKEA, stating that IKEA KOREA is aware of their existence, so maybe one day, who knows? Presently, he’s working on several designs that feature the BEKVÄM step stool, GLADOM coffee table, and the LAMPAN lamp. We can’t wait to show them off on IKEAHackers when he’s ready!
Q & A With the Founder
What do you think drives the global IKEA hacking phenomenon?
A focus on sustainability. Reusing, repurposing, and expanding the lifespan of furniture is a key feature of IKEA hack culture. It’s also a relatively budget-friendly way to create some amazing spaces compared to other high-end designs.
Plus, people can customize and express their personality through their own unique furniture. Creating something yourself also provides a sense of accomplishment that you can’t ignore. It’s a memory that people can share, a conversation starter, and for some, even an emotional experience.
Who are your IKEA hacking heroes or inspirations?
All the hackers throughout social media, like Reform, Superfront, Frontiers, Pretty Pegs, and Bemz, are my heroes and inspirations. I love their ideas, how they present them, and how they share them online, especially with IKEA hacking brands. It’s inspiring how they collaborate with other designers and take IKEA hacks to the next level.
If you could hack any IKEA product line without limitations, which would it be and why?
I would try the IKEA PLATSA wardrobe system and the METOD kitchen units. I believe they have a lot of potential and endless possibilities with composition, movement, and design in any type of home or space.
What’s your best-selling product, and why do you think it resonates with customers?
B.ARC’s icon is KB1, one of our first products ever made. It’s a backrest for the IKEA KYRRE stool. I think it’s one of the clear products that mirrors our design philosophy. It’s easy, affordable, fits well in different spaces, and has various colors.
Learn more about b.arc (website) or follow them on Instagram.
Could Your IKEA Hack Company Be an Upcoming Feature in Our Designer Spotlight?
This post is part of an ongoing series that celebrates the imagination and skills of indie designers who create for the IKEA aftermarket. If your idea of a good time is turning a basic flat-pack into something extraordinary, we want to hear about it!
Have you transformed your passion for reimaging IKEA pieces into a business? Tell us about it—your story could be next!