Five of the best IKEA hacks: five simple DIY tricks to help transform your home on a budget

These simple IKEA hacks can transform your standard issue flat pack furniture into something more unique.
Sophie Warner7 July 2017

Investing in new furniture for a home makeover isn't always easy on a budget, so why not consider updating the furniture you already have?

IKEA is convenient and cheap for cash-strapped Londoners furnishing their homes but it can look uninspiring after seeing the same pieces time and again.

Thankfully it's easy enough to give the old standards a new lease of life — or disguise them altogether — with some simple yet effective DIY hacks from bloggers, pinners and Instagrammers.

With these five projects, no one will even know it's from IKEA...

1. Rose gold shelving unit

A easy metallic spray paint can help to transform a boring white metal Vittsjö shelf into a chic rose gold statement, proving IKEA furniture doesn't have to look generic. Here's how to transform your shelving with Rust-Oleum spray paint without breaking the bank.

Find more IKEA hacks and upcycling ideas at makeityours.co.uk

2. Textured chest of drawers

This one will take a little more time and effort but you'll never guess it was once a plain wooden Rast nightstand. Be creative and cut wooden dowels to a shape of your preference before gluing them on the front of your furniture. Let it dry before updating the colour of the main frame.

Visit Houseologie to find out how to do it yourself

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7">&#13; <div>&#13; <div>&#13; <div> </div>&#13; </div>&#13; &#13; <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BVUaIjSA6q-/" target="_blank" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-111526-https://www.instagram.com/p/BVUaIjSA6q-/" data-vars-event-id="c23">Raise your hand if you have a boring IKEA RAST nightstand in your house 🙋🏻Who'd like it to be less boring?! I gave ours a makeover using wood dowels and Pewter paint from @thefatpaintco . . . . #sponsored #thefatpaintcompany #inFATuated #FATpaint FATittude #diy #diylife #homedecor #paintsomething #IKEA #IKEAhack #RASThack</a>&#13; &#13; A post shared by Leigh Anne Watts (@houseologie) on <time datetime="2017-06-14T11:48:41+00:00">Jun 14, 2017 at 4:48am PDT</time>&#13; </div>&#13;

3. Nautical-themed round mirror

Blogger Farm Fresh Therapy gave a plain round Skogsvåg mirror a trendy nautical vibe using rustic rope, two large eye hooks, a drill and tape measure. It's the ideal project to take on over a lazy weekend.

For more DIY projects visit Farm Fresh Therapy on Pinterest

4. Trendy bar cart

Impress your friends at a dinner party by transforming a Sniglar baby changing table into this stylish bar cart. Simply paint the wood with your preferred colour in a high gloss acrylic craft paint and add mirrored tiles where the baby changing mat would sit.

Visit My Domiane for a how-to video or Ikeahacksdiy for more inspiration.

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7">&#13; <div>&#13; <div>&#13; <div> </div>&#13; </div>&#13; &#13; <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ6hdB0j5tn/" target="_blank" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-111526-https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ6hdB0j5tn/" data-vars-event-id="c23">Change a IKEA changing table into a stylish bar cart fit for fabulous fêtes - so easy ⭐️ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ #ikea #hack #diy #home #ikeadiy #ikeahome #ikeainterior #ikeadiy #ikeahack #ikeadesign #ikeainterior #design #home #interior #bar #diybar #easy #easydiy #homeinterior #interiorhack #easyhack #party #barhack #diyhack #designhack #blackbar #smart #savespace #redesign #drinks #alcoholbar #drinkingbar</a>&#13; &#13; A post shared by 🔓 IKEA Hacks Do It Yourself (@ikeahacksdiy) on <time datetime="2017-02-25T00:26:49+00:00">Feb 24, 2017 at 4:26pm PST</time>&#13; </div>&#13;

5. Stylish concrete planters

Cacti and succulents are the hottest houseplants right now. Give yours a special home with these concrete effect planters made from a spray painted Intagande glass tumbler dipped in concrete powder.

Visit HomeDit to find out how to make them