IKEA Living Room Hacks

chaise FRIHETEN

When it comes to furnishing your living room, IKEA is a go-to destination for many. With its affordable prices and stylish designs, IKEA furniture is a popular choice for those looking to create a comfortable and functional living space.

But there's the risk of your living room looking like an IKEA showroom if you use mainly IKEA furniture. With a little creativity and a few DIY skills, you can take your IKEA furniture to the next level and perhaps even get a few people saying, "I can't believe it's IKEA!"

From easy IKEA hacks like adding new legs to your sofa to creating custom built-in storage solutions, there are so many fabulous ways to tweak your IKEA pieces into pieces that are uniquely you. 

In this page, you'll find some of the best IKEA living room hacks to inspire your own DIY projects and help you create a space that's both stylish and functional.

Most Popular Posts on Living Rooms

Take ordinary IKEA furniture and transform them into something extraordinary. From custom built-ins to clever hidden work spaces, these living rooms showcase the creativity and ingenuity of IKEA hackers.

Whether you're looking to add some personality to your space or simply want to make the most of your IKEA furniture, these living room hacks are sure to inspire. So why not take a closer look and see how you can create a space that's stylish and functional?

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Bookshelves Sideboards Room Dividers

Living Room Storage

The wonder of IKEA hacking! Take IKEA furniture and modify them to fit your specific needs and space requirements.

You not only create a storage system that's tailored to your living room and the items you need to store, but also seamlessly match your style and taste.
home office in living room ikea hack

Clever hack for a Home Office in the Living Room

I moved recently and needed a new furniture set for the living room. High on the list was an out-of-sight home office workstation that flowed with the living room layout.…

built-in living room cabinet

2 IKEA cabinets for this beautiful living room built-in

The initial plan was to have floor to ceiling alcove units next to the fireplace so Claire hacked two IKEA BRUSALI cabinets and placed them on the left and right. …

ikea nesting console tables

IKEA nesting console tables – Hidden in full view

I needed a place to put the console table, taking it out only when needed. And at the same time, I needed some more storage space. My solution was to…

IKEA RAST dresser makeover to flat file cabinet

Rast Dresser gets a makeover and it’s so good

For the last few months I’ve become a big fan of furniture makeover videos on YouTube and felt really inspired to craft something on my own. As I was both…

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Coffee table and side table hacks

IKEA coffee table hacks are very popular on IKEA hackers. They are smaller DIY projects and a great starting point if you're beginning your DIY journey. But they are no less amazing. Here are some popular IKEA coffee table hacks.
elliptical coffee table ikea ingo hack

$5 thrifted dining table takes on the elliptical shape

I picked up an INGO dining table at a church sale for $5. So, I thought I’d have a shot at turning it into a coffee table for our small…

skogsta natural wood coffee table

Natural wood coffee table hacked from 2 benches

We bought a SKOGSTA dinner table, two SKOGSTA benches for the table and also some SKOGSTA (bar) stools. Back home, when everything was assembled the only thing missing was a…

Transform your TV dinners with this uplifting hack

Transform your TV dinners with this uplifting hack

When I started to live on my own I bought the MELLTORP square table. First it was a dining table. Later, when I could afford more space, I got another…

IKEA LACK Accent Table for succulents

IKEA LACK Stencilled Accent Table for succulents

Hi, my name is Elyse and here’s an IKEA hack inspired by Nifty, on how to upcycle an IKEA LACK side table into a beautiful stenciled accent table complete with…

How to disguise your Bike Trailer as a end table

How to disguise your Bike Trailer as a end table

I created this hack for two reasons. It saves space by not having to store my bike trailer and I really thought it would look interesting to use the trailer…

Extendable Board Game Table made from IKEA TV stands

Extendable Board Game Table made from IKEA TV stands

We have a small apartment but wanted to host board game nights without a huge table taking up space. This board game table IKEA hack took around 2 hours total,…

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IKEA Bookshelf Hacks

Other than the fact that IKEA bookshelves are made to store a lot of stuff, they are affordable and so hackable. Which makes them a popular choice for built-in bookshelf hacks and so much more. Here are our top IKEA Bookshelf Hacks.
ikea wall anchor kits alternatives

3 EFFECTIVE METHODS TO HELP YOU ANCHOR BOOKCASES TO THE WALL

Moving to a new home can be exhilarating, but it also comes with its share of tricky challenges. A common hurdle in that situation is rental agreements that restrict drilling…

ikea havsta built in

IKEA HAVSTA, THE NEW FAVOURITE FOR BUILT-IN BOOKSHELVES

Who doesn’t look having a classic bookshelf as a backdrop to their office or living room? The only challenge here is that built-in bookshelves like HEMNES can cost you quite…

cube shelf lighting

How to add lighting to a KALLAX cube shelf

I decided to make this change because I like to customize objects. Adding the cube shelf lighting to the KALLAX took me a couple of hours. The total cost is…

sloped ceiling bookcase

BILLY bookcases hacked to fit under sloped ceiling

The space under a sloping ceiling is always a bit of a challenge. Costantino has an attic with a sloped ceiling where he wanted to fill with bookcases and free…

crate bookshelf

Crate bookshelf made from only IKEA items

Here’s the crate bookshelf that I made just previous to the KNAGGLIG/ HEJNE magazine rack. IKEA products: Six (6) large KNAGGLIG crates Two (2) HEJNE shelves 30-3/8″ x 11″ One…

billy corner bookcase

90 degree corner installation of IKEA BILLY with Doors

BILLY corner bookcase installed without the angled unit in the middle. I came up with a solution for my home office that would enable me to use two 80cm and…

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IKEA Hacks for sofas, poufs and stools

Upcycle or customize an IKEA sofa, armchair, stool and pouffe to create a unique piece of furniture that reflects your personal style and meets your specific needs. We go beyond adding new legs to the sofa or reupholstering the cushions to show how much more you can do with your IKEA sofa, armchair or ottoman.
Mid-century SÖDERHAMN

Mid-century SÖDERHAMN

IKEA Items used: SÖDERHAMN chaise Wanting to match a chaise to our existing sofa, we purchased the SÖDERHAMN chaise, but not the upholstery covers. There would be three parts to this…

My IKEA KIVIK Sectional Grows Up

My IKEA KIVIK Sectional Grows Up

Materials: plywood, bolts, bed risers About a year ago we bought a Kivik sectional from IKEA. We liked how comfy it was compared to the some of the other Ikea…

NILS stool goes glam

NILS stool goes glam

I wanted to glam up my 3 Ikea NILS stools. I taped off the legs and left about 1 ½” of the bottom of them exposed and spray painted them…

Chunky Kivik Chair

Chunky Kivik Chair

IKEA items used: Kivik 1 seat section (x2) I liked the “seat” of the Kivik, but it was too low, and I wanted arms. The original arms aren’t available for…

IKEA LACK Storage Bench

IKEA LACK Storage Bench

I decided to update my hallway so I converted my Lack Storage unit into a seating bench. First I removed the top panel and inner shelf dividers. I left the bottom panel attached to…

Poang Massage Chair

Poang Massage Chair

I’ve had an Ikea Poang chair since ~1990 and used it regularly for many years, then it became a driving chair for video games, but in the last few years…

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All our IKEA Living Room Hacks

chaise FRIHETEN

FRIHETEN sleeper sectional downsized into a chaise

Our cats had basically destroyed this poor couch (see photo of side arm) and we’d already decided that it was time to change it out. I had even posted it free on Craigslist. Related: FRIHETEN sofabed /couch Hack – Add bass to your couch for ultimate movie experience! BUT I…

ikea havsta built in

IKEA HAVSTA, THE NEW FAVOURITE FOR BUILT-IN BOOKSHELVES

Who doesn’t look having a classic bookshelf as a backdrop to their office or living room? The only challenge here is that built-in bookshelves like HEMNES can cost you quite a hefty sum. But luckily, with some DIY skills and IKEA magic, you’ll be able to build a built-in bookshelf…

ikea lack upcycle

2 easy ways to upcycle the IKEA LACK side table

I had two old LACK tables that were left over from a house remodelling.  Both the IKEA LACK tables took a couple of hours to upcycle. The comics were a free gift from the thrift shop and the Mod Podge cost 8 dollars.   The tiles and grout were left from…

cube shelf lighting

How to add lighting to a KALLAX cube shelf

I decided to make this change because I like to customize objects. Adding the cube shelf lighting to the KALLAX took me a couple of hours. The total cost is €67.73. IKEA item used: KALLAX shelf unit (42×147 cm)  KALLAX Insert with door TRÅDFRI Dimmer kit E27 Other materials: Transparent synthetic…

solsta pallbo footstool with storage

Old IKEA footstool gets makeover and new storage

I’m coming back with what I love the most, giving makeovers to old stuff and making them not just nicer but also giving them a new purpose. I had an old IKEA footstool laying around my home for a while (so old it’s already discontinued). The cover looked not only…

ivar folding screen cane

8 ways to turn IVAR into a super useful folding screen

A folding screen is a quick way to divide a room and create private spaces. IKEA currently sells the RISÖR room divider and that’s it. Nothing much in this department. But fret not, it’s easy to make one. The IVAR side units are perfect for this DIY project and can…

sloped ceiling bookcase

BILLY bookcases hacked to fit under sloped ceiling

The space under a sloping ceiling is always a bit of a challenge. Costantino has an attic with a sloped ceiling where he wanted to fill with bookcases and free up the living room. before IKEA item used: IKEA BILLY bookcase x 4 His bookcase of choice was the cheap…

lighted room divider

IKEA Trellis as a brilliant lighted room divider

Outdoor trellis comes indoors as a lighted room divider. As many of you do, due to COVID-19, we spend most of our time at home. We wanted to make the home environment more cozy and charming and designed a lighted room divider. Our project is called Velumen. We wanted to…

crate bookshelf

Crate bookshelf made from only IKEA items

Here’s the crate bookshelf that I made just previous to the KNAGGLIG/ HEJNE magazine rack. IKEA products: Six (6) large KNAGGLIG crates Two (2) HEJNE shelves 30-3/8″ x 11″ One (1) EKET Base on Legs 13-3/8″ x 9-1/2″ The EKET Base on Legs appears to be discontinued, but never fear,…

candle fireplace hack

Hello 2021! Light the year up with a candle fireplace

A cosy candle fireplace to set the mood for 2021. Happy 2021! I’m back after a week’s break. It was refreshing to be away from my devices and reconnect with family and friends. I hope you had a wonderful time closing the year and ushering in the new one. To…

billy corner bookcase

90 degree corner installation of IKEA BILLY with Doors

BILLY corner bookcase installed without the angled unit in the middle. I came up with a solution for my home office that would enable me to use two 80cm and one 40cm wide BILLY, all with glass doors. Now this would all only FIT into my office space if I…

faux fireplace mantel

Faux fireplace mantel, all ready for stockings and more

I started this project because I’ve always wanted a mantle for hanging Christmas stockings. Et voilà! Here it is — the IKEA faux fireplace mantel. Finished and ready for Halloween.  I wanted something simple and easy to put together without too much carpentry skills required. So this is something that requires…

virgil abloh markerad cabinet

MARKERAD display cabinet, stacked and elevated

The MARKERAD glass door cabinet is a really nice, simple piece of modern furniture made from solid pine. It has a really nice pop of colour on the ‘nail’ shaped orange handle for the glass sliding doors. before My only issue is it’s a bit low to the ground and…

cane wall cabinet

Cane wall cabinet ups the charm in this bedroom

SVALNÄS wall mounted cabinet gets a touch of cane. While I liked the soft white color of the metal brackets and cabinet doors that came with the SVALNÄS range, my husband thought it was too juvenile for our bedroom. He asked me to spray paint them in bronze color. However,…

double poang hack

IKEA snuggler – 2 seater POÄNG style

First things first, I wouldn’t have been able to do this Double POÄNG without looking at a previous Triple POÄNG article by Ian Fish. Mine is similar, but different at the same time. Thank you so much, Ian, for the inspiration. I kind of did this in two stages — the…

room divider desk ikea

KALLAX tall room divider with integrated desk

We used the IKEA KALLAX modules to build a room divider with a desk. The main structure is a KALLAX 4×4 unit propped up by two 1×2 KALLAX units. Together they work perfectly as a room divider with an integrated desk. The materials we used: 1 KALLAX 4×42 KALLAX 2×12…

DIY succulent table

From regular side table to succulent centerpiece

Turn a plain IKEA LACK side table into a conversation piece. Take it from a regular coffee table to a living centerpiece, a beautiful succulent table. IKEA items used:  LACK side table LACK side table | Buy on IKEA.com Other materials and tools:  Measuring tapeDuct tape Pen and cutterPlastic wrapExpanded…

billy room home office

Carving out a special room for a home office

BILLY bookcases are awesome as walls for a temporary room. Working from home is becoming a reality for more and more people. But not everyone has the luxury of a dedicated room for a home office. In Carolina’s case, they carved out a spot in their living room to fit…

bookcase room divider before

Barcelona Studio Apartment So Cosy After This 2-day Hack

A lovely bed nook with the BILLY Bookcase as a room divider. I hated being able to see my bed from the “kitchen” and vice versa, so needed a cheap way to hide it! Here was how it looked when I first moved in: The Before Before Before Quotes for…

kallax birkeland

Transforming the KALLAX to a movable magazine stand

We have a guest/library room with two BIRKELAND pieces and needed a matching magazine stand for our file holders. BIRKELAND chest of drawers (discontinued) | IKEA.com The plan was to hack the more streamlined KALLAX to match the design of the BIRKELAND. The result is a matching movable magazine stand…

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