Do you love scrolling through pictures of beautiful homes but feel discouraged by the high price tags on trendy decor? You are not alone. Creating a stylish space that feels like you can seem expensive. But what if I told you the secret to stunning, custom decor is already sitting in your house or waiting for you at your favorite Swedish furniture store?
Welcome to the wonderful world of IKEA hacks! These are clever and creative ways to turn basic IKEA products into something special and unique. You don’t need to be a professional designer or have a workshop full of tools.
In this guide, we will walk you through three easy and affordable IKEA hacks that anyone can do. We’re talking about projects that require no power tools and deliver amazing results. Get ready to make a designer-style rug, a beautiful pendant light, and a chic boho mirror that will make your friends ask, “Where did you get that?”
Why IKEA Hacks Are a Game-Changer for Your Home
Before we dive into the projects, let’s talk about why these IKEA DIY projects are so popular. First, they save you a lot of money. You can get the look of a high-end item for a tiny fraction of the cost. This is budget friendly home decor at its best.
Second, you get a piece of decor that is completely unique. You can choose the colors and patterns to match your personal style. No one else will have the exact same thing. Finally, it’s just plain fun! There is a special pride that comes from making something beautiful with your own hands.
Hack #1: Turn a Simple Rug into a Trendy Masterpiece
Have you seen those gorgeous African mud cloth rugs in home decor stores? They have bold, graphic patterns and add a ton of style to a room. They also come with a hefty price tag. With this IKEA rug hack, you can make your own for less than the cost of a few coffees.
We are going to take a plain, cheap IKEA rug and give it a high-end makeover with just a little bit of paint.
What You’ll Need
This project is incredibly simple. All the supplies are easy to find and very affordable.
| Item | Product Name (from IKEA) | Why You Need It |
|---|---|---|
| A plain, woven rug | SORTSO Rug | This $4 rug is the perfect canvas for our design. |
| Black craft paint | Any acrylic paint works | For creating the bold patterns. |
| A thin paintbrush | – | This gives you control for making clean lines and dots. |
Step-by-Step Guide
The best part about this diy home decor project is that you don’t need to be an artist. In fact, a hand-painted look is what makes it feel so authentic and charming.
First, lay out your rug and look at its sections. The SORTSO rug has natural seams that create four long panels. These are perfect guides for your patterns. You can lightly sketch a design with a pencil, or you can just go for it and paint freehand.
Start painting your first pattern in the top section. Simple shapes work best. Try a row of small arrows or wide V-shapes. In the next section, try a different pattern, like three vertical lines followed by three horizontal lines. Repeat this all the way across.
To separate your patterned sections, paint a simple line of dots along the seams of the rug. This adds detail and makes the design look more complete. For another section, you can try making “X” shapes with a dot in the middle of each one. Don’t worry about making every line perfectly straight or every dot the same size. The small imperfections are what give it character.
Once you are happy with your design, let the paint dry completely. The result is a stunning, one-of-a-kind rug that looks like it came from an expensive boutique. You can use it on the floor, hang it on the wall as a tapestry, or even sew it into a unique pillow cover.
Hack #2: Create a Stunning Woven Pendant Light from a Basket
Woven, natural-fiber pendant lights are everywhere right now. They add warmth and texture to any space, from the living room to the bedroom. But they can be very pricey. This easy IKEA hack uses a simple basket to create the exact same look.
Gather Your Supplies
This project turns an ordinary basket into a functional and beautiful light fixture. It’s one of the most impressive and easy and affordable IKEA hacks you can do.
| Item | Product Name (from IKEA) | Why You Need It |
|---|---|---|
| A woven basket | FLADIS Basket | Its shape is perfect for a lampshade. |
| Paint (optional) | Any acrylic paint | To customize the look of your light. White is a popular choice. |
| A plug-in light cord | HEMMA Cord Set | This lets you hang the light without any electrical wiring. |
| Scissors & a utility hook | – | For preparing the basket and hanging your new light. |
Easy Instructions for Your DIY Light
First, you need to prep the basket. The FLADIS basket comes with two handles. Carefully cut them off with scissors. The basket is woven in a way that the handles can be removed without causing the whole thing to unravel.
Next, flip the basket upside down. This will be the top of your new lampshade. In the very center of the base, carefully cut a small hole. The hole only needs to be big enough to push the end of the light cord through. Do not make it too big, or the light socket will fall through.
Now for the fun part: customization. You can leave the basket its natural color or paint it. A popular look is to paint the top half white. This gives it a modern, dip-dyed look. You don’t have to be too perfect, as the very top won’t be visible once it’s hanging.
Once the paint is dry, push the plug end of your light cord through the hole from the inside. The socket for the lightbulb should rest nicely inside the basket. Screw a utility hook into your ceiling where you want the light to hang. Hang your new pendant light, plug it in, and turn it on. You now have a beautiful, glowing piece of boho home decor that creates a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Hack #3: A Boho Tassel Mirror in Minutes
Sometimes, it’s the smallest details that make the biggest impact. This final IKEA hack is the quickest of all and adds a soft, playful touch to any wall. We will be adding simple yarn tassels to a modern mirror.
What You Need for This Quick Project
All you need is the mirror, some yarn, and a hot glue gun. For the mirror, the LASSBYN set of two is perfect because of its lovely shape. You can use any color of yarn you like to perfectly match your room.
How to Make Your Tassel Mirror
First, you need to make two tassels. It’s easier than it sounds! Tightly wrap yarn around your smartphone (the long way) about 20 times. The more you wrap, the fluffier your tassel will be.
Carefully slide the loop of yarn off your phone. Cut a small piece of yarn and tie the top of the loop together tightly. Then, take another piece of yarn and tie it around the bundle about half an inch from the top. This creates the little “head” of the tassel. Finally, use your scissors to cut through the loops at the bottom to create the fringe. Trim the ends so they are all even. Repeat to make a second tassel.
Now, simply use your hot glue gun to put a small dab of glue on the back of the mirror at the bottom two corners. Press the top of your tassels into the glue and hold for a few seconds until it sets.
That’s it! Hang your new tassel mirror on the wall. It looks adorable on its own, above a dresser, or as part of a gallery wall with other art and plants.
FAQs
Can I sell my IKEA hacks?
This can be a tricky area. IKEA owns the original designs of its products. Selling a changed item using the IKEA name can cause problems. It is safest to make hacks for your own home. If you want to sell them, it is best to check the local laws first.
How to make IKEA look like a built-in?
You can make IKEA furniture look like it’s part of your wall. First, place the furniture unit against the wall. Add wood trim or molding at the top and bottom. Then, paint the furniture and the wall the same color. This makes it all look like one custom piece.
What could IKEA improve on?
Many customers have shared their ideas. Some people wish the delivery service was faster and more reliable. Others find that popular items are often out of stock. Some also say the assembly instructions can be hard to understand at times.
What does the DIY model of IKEA stand for?
DIY stands for “Do It Yourself.” This is the core of IKEA’s business. You buy furniture in a flat box. You take it home and build it yourself. This model helps keep costs down, which makes the products more affordable for you.
Who owns IKEA in India?
A single person does not own IKEA in India. The stores are run by the main IKEA company. This global company is called the Ingka Group. It is the same group that owns and operates most IKEA stores all over the world.
Your Home, Your Style
Creating a home you love doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. As you can see, these easy and affordable IKEA hacks are the perfect way to add your personal touch to your space. You’ve learned how to create three amazing pieces: a custom rug, a designer light, and a charming mirror, all with basic items and a little creativity.
What Will You Create?
Now that you have these ideas, the possibilities are endless. Which of these IKEA hacks was your favorite? Do you have another simple home decor idea to share? Let us know in the comments below
