IKEA Living Room Hacks

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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?

Jump directly to these categories:
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.
rattan cabinet ikea ivar hack

Missed out on the Stockholm rattan cabinet? Make this!

My inspiration for this one, was the rattan cabinet from the IKEA…

TARVA Dresser hack inspired by this expensive one

TARVA Dresser hack inspired by this expensive one

Part of Jessica’s Reading Room transformation for the One Room…

Mind the gap: Fit IKEA MALM over a tall baseboard

Mind the gap: Fit IKEA MALM over a tall baseboard

I forgot one thing when I ordered the MALM dresser:…

Got 2 free Kallax units and here’s what happened

Got 2 free Kallax units and here’s what happened

I wanted a challenge to see if I could make…

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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.
Hidden Coffee Table Hack

Hidden Coffee Table Hack

Used IKEA modules: Besta Frame 60x40x192 (W,D,H) 2xBesta Shelf 56×36…

Evolution of Quad LACK coffee table

Evolution of Quad LACK coffee table

This is the logical evolution of ZAMIR BOIANGIU’s Quad LACK coffee…

Low Profile Coffee Table Lack Hack

Low Profile Coffee Table Lack Hack

Hi! I’ve always wanted one of these low profile coffee…

An illuminated side table: A LACK and DIODER hack

An illuminated side table: A LACK and DIODER hack

First posted hack with hopefully many more to follow! I…

Quad LACK coffee table

Quad LACK coffee table

Materials: 4 LACK tables with 2 different colors, 4 small…

From kitchen stool to sofa tables

From kitchen stool to sofa tables

Materials: FROSTA stool and BILLSTA table top I used two…

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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.
Custom Built-in Entertainment Center hacked from HEMNES units

Custom Built-in Entertainment Center hacked from HEMNES units

We wanted a built-in entertainment center / wall unit in…

SVALNÄS…reloaded

SVALNÄS…reloaded

When I was a child in the 70s, some of…

Mid-Century Modern Shelving from IKEA Rast

Mid-Century Modern Shelving from IKEA Rast

IKEA items used for this Mid Century Modern Shelving Unit:…

BILLY Wrap-Around

BILLY Wrap-Around

IKEA items used: 4x BILLY 80cm Shelves + 3x BILLY…

KALLAX Wall Unit with Smart Tiles

KALLAX Wall Unit with Smart Tiles

Materials: 4×4 KALLAX 102.758.62 1×4 KALLAX 402.758.46 4* KALLAX drawer…

A hanging rope shelf

A hanging rope shelf

IKEA items used: IVAR board You need four boards with…

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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.
BESTA Window Seat for Little Girl Room

BESTA Window Seat for Little Girl Room

We wanted to create a window seat for our four…

FJELLSE Chaise Longue

FJELLSE Chaise Longue

I first added 2 wooden boards at the FJELLSE headboard…

Applaro window bench

Applaro window bench

We don’t have a ton of closets in our house…

box sofa ikea karlstad hack

Box sofa … the IKEA Karlstad version

DIY your version of the gorgeous Autoban box sofa Two…

Ektorp storage using Trofast

Ektorp storage using Trofast

Materials: Ektorp sofa (2seater) and 4 Trofast containers Description: Requirements:…

Built-in with Bench

Built-in with Bench

Materials: Hemnes Wardrobe and Hemnes TV Unit Description: I put…

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All our IKEA Living Room Hacks

POÄNG Gravity Recliner

POÄNG Gravity Recliner

Items used: 1 Poäng chair 1 Poäng ottoman 2 5/16 inch pins drywall screws (does not have to be drywall screws, they were just what I had available) My chair and ottoman were already assembled as I have had it for some time now. 1. Replace the cross support for…

NORDLI hack: Drawers hiding useful tables

NORDLI hack: Drawers hiding useful tables

IKEA items used: IKEA Nordli modular drawer chest A simple hack for IKEA Nordli modular drawer chest. Now each drawer not only has storage space it can also hide a useful table. Follow the instruction and make your own by laser cutting a wood panel. What you need: Wood panel…

LACK side table with CAPITA legs

LACK side table with CAPITA legs

IKEA items used: LACK Side table, birch effect CAPITA Leg, stainless steel 4 pack Size 6 1/4” Table #1 Trim legs to desired height Legs are hollow trim with care…low pressure Install legs to table top as per Ikea instructions Table #2 Attach CAPITA Legs to bottom surface of table…

IKEA EXPEDIT turns into beautiful blue sideboard cabinet

IKEA EXPEDIT turns into beautiful blue sideboard cabinet

Open shelving to sideboard cabinet with doors. I used to have 2 IKEA EXPEDIT shelves in my living room, one next to the other. I actually really liked the look of it, but after almost 2 years I got bored. And I totally fell in love with the idea of…

IKEA IVAR grows up into gorgeous red cabinet

IKEA IVAR grows up into gorgeous red cabinet

This IKEA IVAR cabinet spent some time as a plain IVAR cabinet with white paint and two knobs. It was finally time to give it a makeover and turn it into the red cabinet I’ve always wanted. Materials needed: 1″ x 2″ boards 2″ x 2″ boards 1 x 3″…

Double multi-position Tingby Coffee table

Double multi-position Tingby Coffee table

Materials: 2 TINGBY tables by IKEA (we used the 64x64cm) 1 Pack of FIXA stick-on floor protectors also from IKEA 6x M8 nuts (8mm inside) 3x threaded rods M8 (8mm diameter) each 5cm long Contact adhesive (strong all purpose glue) Keys, supplied by IKEA with each table. Put a drop…

Ekby Valter brackets as legs for a chest

Ekby Valter brackets as legs for a chest

I am so pleased with this hack! I was looking for legs for this G-Plan style chest of drawers which had been part of a Ladderax-type system. I decided to use some Ekby Valter shelf brackets that I had spare. Simply fill the screw holes on the down post that…

Plant screen

Plant screen

I have transformed the IKEA SOCKER plant stand to create some privacy on my balcony. The plant stand originally has rings on it to hold the pots. I removed the rings and sawed 4 wooden boards so they would fit inside the metal construction. I made 2 holes on both ends…

The eX(pedit)-BOX – An arcade coffee table

The eX(pedit)-BOX – An arcade coffee table

IKEA Items Used: Expedit 2×2 shelving unit (white) Algot Metal Shelf Non Ikea Items Used 1 x 21” TV 1 x Raspberry Pi 2x full packs of 10cm panelling 3.5m of 3cm corner edging 2m of 1.cm corner edging wood to make a drawer and drawer inserts The build In…

Klippan Armchair Project

Klippan Armchair Project

IKEA items used: Klippan two seater sofa We are in the process of changing our sofa, and wanted to make use of our old Klippan sofa rather than just throwing it out. We had space for an armchair so decided to shorten the sofa to create an armchair. The tops…

IKEA LACK multi-purpose side table

IKEA LACK multi-purpose side table

IKEA items used: LACK side table (birch effect), wood panel (with red paint), TROFAST (flat box) + sliding elements (they didn’t have them anymore), SLUGGER casters, BYLLAN (laptop holder) and second wood panel some screws and IKEA hooks (not found them). At first I assembled the LACK side table. Then…

Easy DIY TROFAST Doors: Use the TROFAST shelves!

Easy DIY TROFAST Doors: Use the TROFAST shelves!

I had an old IKEA TROFAST frame sitting around that was a remnant from my daughter’s early childhood. Rather than let it continue collecting dust, I decided to give it a total makeover and transform it into something useful once again. The first step was to clean the frame thoroughly.…

7 easy steps to transform an IKEA stool into a cute table

7 easy steps to transform an IKEA stool into a cute table

I propose to you to transform a piece of furniture that almost everybody has in their homes, the FROSTA stool from IKEA. Materials: – An IKEA FROSTA stool – Spray paint – Drill – Cork – Paper tape – Double-sided tape – Sandpaper – Compass Budget: Approximately 40€ Steps: If…

Hickory Trickery (part two)

Hickory Trickery (part two)

If you loved our previous post a few weeks ago, titled “Hickory Trickery“, you will enjoy this transformation too! We’ve harmonized our hacks in an open concept condo. IKEA items used: 3 BESTÅ wall hung shelf units, 6 grey lacquered doors and UTRUSTA push openers. Hickory faced 3/4 inch thick…

KALLAX Wall Unit with Smart Tiles

KALLAX Wall Unit with Smart Tiles

Materials: 4×4 KALLAX 102.758.62 1×4 KALLAX 402.758.46 4* KALLAX drawer 902.866.49 4* BULLIG bamboo box 302.648.86 10* SMART TILES “Bellagio Keystone” SM1034-0 (www.smarttiles.com) To give credit where credit is due, I saw this IKEA Hack and I liked the usage of the Smart Tiles. I used one tube of Gorilla Glue…

Scandinavian Bamboo Sideboard

Scandinavian Bamboo Sideboard

Item List: BRYNILEN bed legs x2 | 602.996.91 METOD / FÖRVARA Base cabinet w 2 doors/2 drawers, white, Veddinge white 80x80x37 | 199.157.33 METOD Base cabinet 80x40x37 | 302.056.32 VEDDINGE Door, white 80×40 | 002.054.31 HILVER Table top, bamboo | 802.782.87 Steps: I assembled both base cabinets and screwed them…

Zhuzh my Ektorp!

Zhuzh my Ektorp!

Ikea items used: Ektorp armchair, Ektorp Abyn armchair cover (discontinued), Brattvag legs It was time to upgrade my beloved Ektorp sofa range. I decided on the Stocksund, which I’m really pleased about, but I just couldn’t bear to part with my trusty old Ektorp armchair. I wanted to put it…

A hanging rope shelf

A hanging rope shelf

IKEA items used: IVAR board You need four boards with the following measurements for your shelf: 7 cm X 80 cm. Since I still have a few IVAR shelves lying around, I sawed my smaller boards from a single IVAR board. After sawing the boards I sanded them down slightly. In…

custom fireplace with mantel

Custom built-in fireplace surround with mantel

I really needed to build a fireplace surround for an electric fireplace. I looked online for all kinds of information on various surrounds, and ultimately fell in love with some concepts that were pre-built to be hung on the wall. The problem was that I wanted it to have a…

OaKallax Display Unit

OaKallax Display Unit

After turning my old Expedit units into full-time bookshelves, I ended up with a bunch of spare red inserts which needed a new home. I also had a lack of storage in my study, and nowhere to put my larger models. With the Kallax saving weight over the outgoing Expedit, it…

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