The BILLY bookcase is probably the most hacked piece of furniture on the planet — and for good reason. It’s cheap, sturdy, and a blank slate. With a single can of spray paint and a trip to your local plant shop, you can transform it into a botanical statement piece that looks like it belongs in an interior design account.

What you’ll need:

• BILLY bookcase
• Spray paint in your accent color
• Assorted plants or succulents — trailing ones look especially good

How to do it: Assemble the bookcase fully before painting. Apply two thin coats of spray paint, letting each dry completely. Arrange plants shelf by shelf, varying heights and textures for the most visual impact.

This one looks like it came from a boutique. Take a simple IKEA wooden chair, remove the seat, and replace it with a macramé weave made from cotton rope. If you want to take it up a notch, dip-dye the rope ends in earthy tones before you start knotting.

What you’ll need:

• IKEA wooden chair
• Cotton rope (3mm works great for chairs)
• Scissors
• Fabric dye — optional but makes a big difference

How to do it: Remove the chair seat entirely. Measure and cut rope lengths (about 4x the finished length per strand). Tie rope onto the frame top to bottom using square knots. Optional: dip fringe ends in dye before hanging.

The LACK coffee table is $30 and looks it — until you add storage underneath. A pair of wicker baskets mounted to the underside transforms it into a piece that’s genuinely functional and a little bit beautiful.

What you’ll need:

• LACK coffee table
• Wicker baskets sized to fit the table width
• Mounting hardware or heavy-duty adhesive strips

How to do it: Assemble the LACK table and flip it upside down. Measure and space the baskets evenly along the underside. Secure with mounting hardware or strong adhesive and let cure before flipping back over.

If you’re working from home with zero dedicated office space, this hack is for you. The EKBY ALEX wall shelf already comes with a drawer unit — mount it at desk height and you’ve got a floating workspace that disappears into the wall when you’re done.

What you’ll need:

• EKBY ALEX wall shelf
• Stud finder and level
• Mounting hardware (included with shelf)
• Paint or stain if you want to customize the finish

How to do it: Find your studs and mark the wall at desk height (28–30 inches from the floor). Mount the shelf unit securely into the studs. Use a level before fully tightening. Style with a laptop, a small lamp, and minimal decor.

Plain IKEA storage bins are functional but forgettable. Wrap them in fabric or decorative paper and they become part of your decor instead of something you’re trying to hide. This is one of those hacks you can do while watching TV.

What you’ll need:

• IKEA storage bins (DRONA or KALLAX inserts work perfectly)
• Fabric or decorative paper in your color palette
• Fabric adhesive or hot glue

How to do it: Cut fabric or paper to size, leaving extra on the edges to fold over. Apply adhesive and wrap smoothly, pressing out bubbles. Fold and glue edges neatly and let dry completely before use.

A plain IKEA mirror is fine. A plain IKEA mirror with a custom frame is a focal point. Adding wood trim, metal piping, or even rope around the outside costs almost nothing and turns a $20 mirror into something that looks like a designer find.

What you’ll need:

• Any IKEA frameless mirror (LOTS or HOVET are great bases)
• Wood trim, metal strips, or thick rope for framing
• Strong adhesive or finish nails
• Paint or stain to match your space — optional but recommended

How to do it: Measure the mirror’s perimeter and cut framing material at 45-degree angles for clean corners. Paint or stain and let dry. Attach to the mirror edges with strong adhesive, clamping while it cures. Hang and style.

Bulky nightstands eat up floor space and make a bedroom feel cramped. Floating shelves mounted bedside give you everything a nightstand offers — lamp, book, water glass, charger — without the visual weight. IKEA’s EKBY series is the go-to because the shelves are solid, affordable, and come in the right sizes.

What you’ll need:

• Two IKEA EKBY shelves (or similar floating shelf)
• Stud finder and level
• Mounting hardware
• Small lamp, tray, and your bedside essentials for styling

How to do it: Decide on height (24-26 inches from the floor, or level with your mattress top). Locate studs on both sides of the bed. Mount shelves level and secure. Style simply — a small lamp, a book, a plant.

A bar cart is one of those pieces that makes a living room look like a grown-up lives there — but the nice ones are expensive. The HEMNES cabinet from IKEA gives you the bones: good storage, clean lines, solid construction. Add four casters to the bottom and you’ve got a rolling bar cabinet.

What you’ll need:

• IKEA HEMNES cabinet or similar
• Four locking caster wheels (check the weight rating)
• Screwdriver or drill
• Glassware, a tray, and a few bottles to style the top

How to do it: Assemble the cabinet fully. Flip it carefully and attach casters at each corner, flush and secure. Flip back upright and test the rolling and locking mechanisms. Style the top with a tray, glassware, a small plant, and a candle.

Your entryway is the first thing people see, and a well-done bench makes the whole space feel more put-together. An IKEA bench is a great starting point — it’s solid, the right height, and usually comes in neutral finishes that are easy to customize.

What you’ll need:

• IKEA bench (LIDHULT or SKOGSTA are solid picks)
• A bench cushion or foam cut to size and covered in fabric of your choice
• Wood stain or paint — optional, but transformative
• Wall hooks to mount above for a full entryway look

How to do it: Assemble and stain or paint if desired, letting it dry fully. Add your cushion — pre-made or foam wrapped in fabric, secured with staples. Mount hooks above at varying heights. Add a small tray for mail or a basket for shoes.

If you love plants but don’t have a lot of floor space, going vertical is the answer. Stack an IKEA storage unit upright, fill each shelf with pots of varying sizes, and you’ve got a living wall moment in a corner of your living room or bedroom.

What you’ll need:

• IKEA KALLAX or similar open-shelf storage unit
• Pots and plants — mix trailing, upright, and compact varieties
• Paint or wood stain to customize the finish — optional
• Wall anchor for safety if the unit is tall

How to do it: Assemble and paint or stain if desired. Anchor to the wall with a furniture strap, especially for taller units. Arrange plants largest at the bottom, smallest or trailing at the top. Water with a tray underneath or remove pots to water separately.