The 10 Most Glamorous Ikea Hacks That You Can Easily Recreate

BAGGEBO Shelf Unit ($25)

Whether it's used for textbook storage or bar cart essentials (don't go too crazy), this simple shelf unit will save you on floor space if your dorm room or college apartment feels a tad... cramped. The clean design allows for easy pairing with the existing dorm furniture your university may offer!

MICKE Desk ($80)

This minimalist desk easily fits into tight corners if you're working with limited space. The pull-out drawer can fit plenty of notebooks, chargers, and other desk-side necessities! It offers the perfect home base for study seshes, FaceTime calls, or quickly scarfing down your dorm room dinner in-between classes.

NISSAFORS Utility Cart ($30)

Consider yourself blessed if you scored a dorm room with a kitchen! This swanky rolling cart will be the sturdy host of spice jars, cooking oils, snacks, small kitchen appliances, and really, whatever else you picture yourself (and the roomies!) using it for.

MÖJLIGHET Headset + Tablet Stand ($6)

You know your study game wouldn't be the same without your trusty iPad and headphones, so keep them close using this sleek stand. It'll hold your gear all nice and stable, so you can keep on learning – distraction-free. Bring it from your dorm to the library in a cinch!

SOMMARVICKER Twin Duvet Cover + Pillowcase ($25)

Dorm time is not the time to be boring – make it your own! If you're a certified color-lover like us, this reversible sheet set will excite you to no end. ✨​

ÖVNING Utility Cart ($80)

This bookcase-turned-rolling cart has the capacity to carry everything you'd need for class. Take your dorm room storage a step further by inserting bins and boxes into the shelf spaces – you'll feel prepared and squared away before the semester even starts!

ÖVNING Desk Accessories Organizer ($15)

Every student from the cool art majors to the biochem baddies will love this pick. This organizer has tons of pockets at the ready to help you carry pens, sticky notes, highlighters, and the like from class to class! The handle on top makes transportation laughably easy, all while keeping your dorm room desk mess-free.

KLASSRUM Rug ($80)

Checkered patterns have taken over, and this rug is filled with *so* much checkered personality! The neutral-leaning color palette (with a pop of vibrance, of course) lets you match this pick with the rest of your IKEA dorm shopping list – it's too easy.

MÖJLIGHET Twin Duvet Cover + Pillowcase ($15)

For a milder, yet equally statement-worthy bedspread, this speckled set comes in handy. It carries *a lot* of different colors so you can accent your bed with solid-colored pillows and eye-catching blankets! If you're lucky enough to not be sleeping on a twin bed come school time, IKEA has a plethora of sizes to choose from.

PÄRKLA Storage Case ($2)

Don't let your clunky, chunky winter-wear clog up your closet. With these extremely affordable storage bags, you can pack up everything you're not wearing, and stow it away under your dorm room bed for safe keeping. Trust me, you'll want that big winter jacket handy, come October. 🥶​

GLADHÖJDEN Sit / Stand Desk ($299)

Standing desks are surging in popularity RN, and I'm *so* jealous of anyone who gets to bask in all their glory during college. In just the pull of a lever, you can manually adjust the height of this desk – so when you're tired of sitting studying, you can study... standing up. Fancy!

TINGBY Side Table on Casters ($65)

It's a dinner table. It's a bar cart. It's a bookshelf. It's whatever you want it to be! This cart-on-wheels is straightforward in design and offers open, visible space for storage.

HÄSTVISKARE Mini Drawer Chest ($17)

No clutter in this dorm! This mini drawer has reachable slots for junk, notebooks and all that dreaded homework you have to do between parties and orientations. It's hardy enough, so you could potentially stack several drawers atop one another – or just opt for one to prop your laptop on.

RIGGA Clothes Rack ($25)

I really loved the look of an open closet when I was about to move into my dorm. This clothes rack gives you just that – plus, more than anything, you've got a 'fit conveniently locked and loaded whenever you're jetting out on the weekends! 🔥​

FIXA 17-Piece Tool Kit ($13)

Because you never know when you'll need to play Bob The Builder in your dorm room. Can you fix it? I hope you can, because your parents won't be able to when you're away from home! 🤪

LOTE 3-Drawer Chest ($35)

This micro-sized drawer chest would make the *perfect* entryway dumping spot – that is, for keys, mail, and other miscellaneous items. If you find you don't like it in a certain spot, this piece is easily transportable, thanks to the top handles.

OLSERÖD Side Table ($40)

You'll find yourself not having the energy required to even get out of bed to do homework (while working, I still face the same dilemma), which is where this side table comes in. Pull it out or tuck it away with ease by your bed or sofa when it's work or play time.

STUK 7-Compartment Storage ($14)

Your dorm closet alone won't cut it. *Especially* if you've already hit all the back-to-school clothing sales. Trust me, you're going to need some extra storage hacks to accomodate all your lewks. This hanging compartment from IKEA is a game-changer for storing folded jeans, pants, and other garments that don't exactly work well on hangers.

PRUTA Food Container ($2 / 3-pack)

These cheap food storage containers are going to save you immensely during late-night library seshes, so you can pack your own midnight snack to munch on. You could *also* use them for leftovers, or sneaking out some food from the dining hall. Guilty! 🧐

BILD Poster Set ($6)

You can't forget the walls, of course! Dorms would be pretty boring (and not very home-y) without some cool wall decor. This poster set brings some zing to your bland white interior – just make sure you're using dorm-friendly Command strips to tack 'em up!

NÄVLINGE LED Clamp Spotlight ($16, was $20)

The very last thing you want to be in college is the annoying roommate. If you're a night owl, and your roomie's simply not, opt for a beside spotlight to illuminate your side of the room and keep them from grumpily waking up at 2AM. This one can clip onto most surfaces to accomodate your own night gremlin hours. 😵‍💫​

BOLMEN Toilet Brush + Holder ($1, was $2)

Keep that dorm bathroom clean – I beg of you! This toilet brush is *so* cheap, there's really no excuse not to get one.

RÅNEN Basket ($3)

Communal showers are not the move IMO, but if you have to put up with them, you can at least make getting clean a pinch more enjoyable. This waterproof basket can carry all your soaps, shaving essentials, and other shower items from place to place without everything getting lost in a jumble! Don't forget to stock up on some shower slippers, either.

TISKEN Suction Cup Basket ($8, was $9)

Alternatively, if you're set with your own suite bathroom (like I was), these suction cup baskets are easy to apply to tile walls to hold your shower stuffs in place. I *still* use these in my bathroom to this day!

HÖLASS Bin with Lid ($4)

Opt for another IKEA dorm pick with longevity – I have this one in my bathroom, too – this lidded trash bin. It keeps your waste out of sight, no matter what it may be, and keeps scents inside to preserve the smell of your dorm!

Different Types Of IKEA Materials

Before I share my tips, let’s identify a few key materials that IKEA sells because the treatment of each will vary. ☝️

Wood

While IKEA lists wood as the first source on their “choosing materials” page, I've yet to own a real wood piece from IKEA. They do sell “untreated,” or “raw” pine products like this IVAR Cabinet which can be used as is or easily painted or stained to your desired color. Ordinary primer, paint, stain, and sealant are all you need to transform these pieces with ease.

Composite

However, more likely than not, if you’ve purchased any IKEA piece in the past, it’s been made of a composite material — which is just a combination of two or more materials. The Swedish superstore says they use composite because “it’s strong, low maintenance, low price, and light.” All of which are true, however, composite cannot be treated as wood or any of its components.

IKEA’s famous BILLY line — with an estimated purchase of once every 5 seconds — is made of a myriad of materials including particle board, fibreboard, and melamine. This gives it that classic shiny, smooth surface that’s synonymous with affordable furniture.

Unlike wood, composite can’t be painted, stained, or even sanded. The laminated surfaces of these kinds of pieces require special attention if you want to make it your own.

IKEA sells these pieces as “finished,” meaning they’re non-absorbing — a trait you typically want in brand-new furniture. However, this means that any paint added to its surface will simply sit on top of the composite finish, rather than soaking in. You may also notice that they’re more likely to chip, scratch, and show more overall wear than traditional wooden furniture or other single material furniture. This, of course, will likely lead you down a paint rabbit hole to revive them.

How To Prepare Your IKEA Furniture For Paint

While it’s not impossible to paint, whether to save an older piece or customize a new one, it does require a few extra steps before cracking open a paint can.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Drop cloth
• Fan or respirator mask
• Painter’s tape
• Paint brush and paint roller
• Deglosser or liquid sandpaper OR a high-grit sanding block (around #150-180)
• Primer
• Paint

Prep Your Workspace

You will be using several products with high fumes and the potential for spills, so I recommend placing your IKEA piece on a drop cloth, in a highly ventilated area or outside. Otherwise, I suggest using a fan or respirator to protect yourself.

Reminder: The higher the grit number, the smoother the finish. You typically want to start with a lower number and work your way up. The lower grit numbers are coarser, removing dirt, grime, paint, and any shiny materials, while a higher grit number is for finishing and leaving a smooth surface.

Say Goodbye To Shine

Since these materials are designed to repel water and other materials, they will repel paint too. To knock back some of the shine and prepare the surface for paint, use liquid sandpaper, a deglosser, or simply sand the surface until you get the piece to a flat or matte finish.

Keep in mind that this is composite and not actual wood, so you don’t want to sand too hard and expose the “center” below the thin layer of laminate or melamine. The goal is simply to remove the “waterproof” layer without damaging the structural integrity of the piece.

Clean The Surface

Next up, you want to remove all that dust or residue that comes from step 2. To do this well, I recommend using a lint-free, microfiber cloth and a cleaning solution like vinegar and hot water or mineral oils.

My secret weapon for any painting project is tack cloth. It’s a sticky, mesh cloth that you can get for a few dollars at any hardware store, and it grabs any lingering sawdust, hair, or dust in general, ensuring that your surface is clean.

Prime With Shellac

There are plenty of paints that claim to be both a primer and paint in one, and while this works beautifully for ordinary wood or drywall interiors — I highly advise against it when it comes to IKEA composite materials. It may save you some time upfront, but in my experience, any paint without the correct primer scratches off far too easily.

Best practice is to use a shellac-based primer. You'll see three main types of primer at the store: oil-based, latex, and shellac primer. Shellac is by far the most expensive and smelliest of the three, but it works wonders in preparing previously un-paintable surfaces. I recommend using Zinsser B-I-N Shellac Primer.

Next, you'll want to roll the primer with a high-density foam roller. These rollers are designed for smooth surfaces and won’t leave paint roll lines the way a roller with a nap would. You should only need one coat, unless your piece has significant damage or you’re covering a darker color.

Be Patient

Another common mistake when prepping IKEA furniture for paint is rushing through this process. While you may only need one coat of shellac primer, you still need to give it proper time to dry and adhere, which often means waiting until the next day to actually roll on the paint. Each primer will have its own specific instructions on dry-time, but a good rule of thumb is to wait 6 hours for it to dry before applying paint.

Finally Time To Paint

If you’ve prepped the piece properly, you’re free to use latex, acrylic, or even chalk paint. I prefer an ordinary interior latex paint — the same stuff I use on our walls — because it’s affordable and I usually have it on hand already. That’s the beauty of shellac-based primer: you can then customize it to your heart's content with any color or kind of paint.

Get Inspired To Customize Your IKEA Furniture!

A quick search for IKEA hacks online will yield millions of results. In addition to paint, here are a few of my favorite ways to take your IKEA piece from basic to brilliant.

New Hardware

Hardware is so inexpensive and can really elevate a standard piece of furniture. Even if you’re just looking to refresh an older piece, you can often get an entire set of new door knobs or handles for under $40. Many of IKEA pieces come without hardware and it’s a simple DIY anyone can do with just a drill and measuring tape.

Wallpaper

I’ve seen so many creative uses of wallpaper and contact paper when it comes to IKEA hacks. Whether you utilize a textured wallpaper for dimension or add a surprisingly pop of color inside your drawers, you have plenty of options to choose from!

Pole Wrap/Wood Texture

Pole wrap has made a big splash in the DIY scene, but it can be pricey. Adding any sort of molding, trim pieces, or wood texture to your IKEA piece will make it look custom and high-end without breaking the bank. Whether you add something simple like this or cover the entire face of your cabinets or drawers, new texture will breathe new life into any piece.

Built-In Look Or Adding Height

Custom cabinets or bookcases can run you into the tens of thousands, but IKEA pieces like the BILLY bookcase, can be customized to look “built-in.” You can add arches, unique trim, or other decorative elements to create a similar look for much less.

Functionality Hacks

One of my favorite DIY projects was an IKEA hack I did for a friend. She wanted built-in bookcases with arches with plenty of space. While we were busy working in her home, her four cats made it known how much they also loved the bookcase. So naturally...we built a cat door into the bookcases and added a magnetic front for kitty safety and easy cleaning.

As you decorate your home, don’t write off IKEA as the college-kid starter pack it used to be. There are so many ways to elevate these simple pieces and achieve designer looks for less. Think of these budget-friendly finds as starting blocks for your creativity to run wild. From color to function, you can make these pieces your own with a little DIY elbow grease.

The sky is truly the limit when it comes to transforming these seemingly boring pieces. Tag us in your IKEA DIYs on Instagram!

Clothing Finds

Faherty Stretch Terry Wide Leg Pants

These 35%-off wide-leg pants are such a steal. Inspired by workwear, they'll hold up extremely well through years of use. The material they're made of has a "touch" of stretch, so you're always comfy.

Topshop Cable Stitch Cardigan

I adore the retro look of this cardi, thanks to the multitude of buttons and textured cable knit. It makes the ultimate cold weather layer, plus it's 40% off right now!

Levi's Quilted Faux Fur Short Teddy Jacket

Originally $180, this paneled faux fur jacket is now only $80! Sounds like the perfect piece to get on sale right now if you live somewhere that's still super cold.

Topshop Oversize Rib Sweater Dress

When it comes to sweater dresses, I only want an oversized fit. This Topshop pick (25% off, BTW!) checks all the boxes since it also boasts a fuzzy feel and subtle ribbing details along the hems that don't feel overly distracting.

Reformation Haisley Ribbon Accent Organic Cotton Peplum Top

It's not every day you find a Reformation piece as cute as this top for a whopping 40% off. Yep, I'm obsessed.

Reformation Alistar Halter Vest

This spring- and summer-ready one is 55% off! It has a flirty open back detail that wears well with everything from jeans to maxi skirts.

Skims Stretch Cotton Jersey Long Sleeve T-Shirt

This "tried-and-true classic" long sleeve tee makes a cozy base layer for cooler days, plus this 30%-off pink color is simply too cute.

Mother The Dodger Sneak Wide Leg Jeans

Everything about these 40%-off jeans is perfect: the mid-ride, the wide legs, the loose fit, and the medium wash that pairs with anything! I'd easily rock these year-round.

BDG Tie Front Cardigan

This sweet sweater ties in the front so you can really get playful with your looks. It currently comes in 4 adorable colors – light blue, navy, red, and cream white – for up to 55% off.

Reformation Josefina Off The Shoulder Knit Dress

Though it has quite the sophisticated look, this off-the-shoulder number is made of a "super soft and stretchy" blend of lyocell and organic cotton to keep you feeling comfortable as ever. It originally sold for $198, but is now on sale for $109!

BP. Oversize Cozy Mock Neck Sweater

You can never have too many oversized sweaters in your closet. Snag this one for 25% off in so many different colors!

Zella Zelfit High Waist Wide Leg Pocket Pants

I love these wide-leg pants (40% off) because they can work for everything from a gym sesh to a chill movie night at home. They're fitted with pockets, too, which can be hard to find in good, stylish leggings.

Free People Movement Hit the Slopes Fleece Jacket

This iconic Free People fleece is an entire 30% off right now!

Shoe Finds

Nordstrom Miah Water Resistant Chelsea Lug Boots

New Balance 9060 Sneakers

There are limited sizes available for these 25%-off New Balance sneaks – run to see if they're still in stock!

Adidas Gazelle Indoor Sneakers

This unique color combo of fashion's current "It" girl shoe is on sale for 40% off. I am in love with the serene green!

Sam Edelman Michaela Mary Jane Flats

With 7 on-sale colors, these Mary Jane flats are unquestionably iconic, plus they won't break the bank since you'll literally save 50% off the OG price of $130.

UGG New Heights Lined Clogs

I'm a certified clog lover, which is why I was pumped to see these platform UGGs on sale for $90 (35% off the original price)!

Hoka Clifton 9 Running Shoes

Hokas are often in high-demand, meaning they're not on sale often. Luckily, I found this cream white pair for 24% off, so they now go for $110, not $145.

Naturalizer Edda Knee High Boots

Oh, these tall black boots are everything. The thick block heel and squared-off toe combo qualifies them as super trendy for 40% off!