A modern study nook with a sleek metal chair and a white desk against a dark green wall exudes an expensive charm. The desk features an abstract face sculpture, a potted plant, and a contemporary lamp. Above, three framed abstract artworks are arranged vertically—perfect IKEA hacks inspiration.
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15 IKEA Hacks that Look Expensive

ByLisa

IKEA hacks are one of my all time favorite ways to transform an affordable piece into something custom that looks expensive. Many people think that IKEA is just for college kids and your first apartment, but I highly disagree. I am never breaking up with IKEA! With a little creativity, you can elevate these affordable pieces that fit in the back of your car. Today I have rounded up 15 of my IKEA hacks that look expensive and just about anyone can do. Are you ready to get creative on a budget? 

A collage of home interiors highlights stylish IKEA hacks, featuring a modern sideboard, an organized closet, a chic office space, and creative storage solutions. Text overlay reads "15 IKEA Hacks That Look Expensive".

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15 IKEA Hacks that Look Expensive

1. IKEA Rast Desk Hack

Modern room with dark green walls featuring a stylish bunk bed, desk with two drawers, and a chair. Decor includes an elegant table lamp, plant, abstract framed art, and a head sculpture. Clever IKEA hacks elevate the space's aesthetic alongside hardwood flooring and a gray rug.

I hacked this IKEA Rast for my guest room/bunk room makeover. I needed something narrow to fit the space and didn’t block the ladder to the bunk bed. But  I also thought it would be nice to have some storage and an area to either do some work or get ready. A flex desk/vanity if you will. With a little paint and my secret weapon, pole wrap, this $50 dresser became an expensive looking and highly functional workspace with the addition of a countertop. 

2. IKEA Trofast Coat Closet

Open the closet door to reveal a neatly arranged coat closet, showcasing IKEA hacks that give an expensive look. Various jackets and coats hang from a rod, with storage bins perfectly stacked below. A blackboard section on the door holds a small plaid bag, while a green plant peeks in from the foreground.

Not only does IKEA have great pieces of furniture to hack, but they also have tons of affordable solutions for organization. The Trofast is marketed as a toy storage solution, but they also fit perfectly in small spaces like closets. It was just what our coat closet needed to house all the random items we keep here, like dog food, light bulbs, and gloves and winter wear. The bins come in multiple sizes and colors and are easy to label. All for a little over $100. 

3. IKEA Marius Side Table Hack

A small outdoor side table with a concrete top holds a red drink in a clear glass and an expensive geometric candle holder. Below, a black lantern with a white candle. A lush fern and brick patio background complete the setting, resembling creative IKEA hacks for stylish spaces.

When I gave our backyard a makeover, I was in search of affordable side tables that could stand up to being outside. Enter the IKEA Marius stool. These are less than $10 each and paired with a concrete stepping stone, they make the perfect outdoor side table. Bonus, they also come in white. They are the perfect size for a glass of  wine for an evening by the fire.    

4. IKEA Gallant Home Office

A modern home office features a white desk and chair, accented with IKEA hacks for an affordable yet stylish look. A computer monitor displays text against gray walls adorned with abstract art. An expensive-looking, yellow-patterned lamp sits on the desk above a floral-patterned rug. Shelves hold books and decor.

I designed our home office back in 2015 as an affordable built in option after being quoted thousands of dollars for a custom setup. And boy were we thankful for it when 2020 rolled around! All the main components of the office are from IKEA, the majority of which are from the Gallant collection accompanied by the Lilltrask countertops and two Bestas. I am planning a few decor changes in here, but we still love this space and literally use it every day! 

5. IKEA Pax Walk In Closet

A well-organized walk-in closet with white shelves displaying neatly folded clothes, hanging garments, and shoes. A full-length mirror on the back wall adds an expensive touch, while a round stool with an orange cushion sits on a white rug in the center—a nod to clever IKEA hacks.

For selfish reasons, this one might be my favorite! My IKEA Pax Walk in Closet. By definition, it is a walk in, but a small one at that which challenged me to pack as much in here as I could. Again I priced out custom closets and was floored by how expensive they were for what you got. But where there’s a will, there’s a way! This closet cost just less than $1,000 which was a third of the cost of the least expensive custom option. In the end, I would totally choose this again and I still love my closet!  

6. IKEA Sniglar Bar Cart Hack

A stylish bar cart with two shelves featuring expensive liquor bottles, a decanter, cocktail shaker, wine glasses, and citrus fruits. Framed wall art with cocktail graphics and "Open Bar" sign adorn the setup. Black and white patterned surface offers chic Ikea hacks inspiration.

I bet you would never know this was a changing table if I didn’t tell you. Well, it is! I transformed this $40 changing table into a custom bar cart with faux cement tile. This piece is so handy for entertaining and definitely adds an element of style to any room! So, who’s ready for happy hour? It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right? 

7. IKEA Luftmassa Hack

A chic outdoor decor piece showcases a white candle encased in sleek black wire mesh. Resting on a wooden table, with an expensive, large green succulent against a gray paneled wall, it exudes style reminiscent of sophisticated IKEA hacks.

I just couldn’t help myself with this one when I found these Luftmassa’s on clearance. The best part is, I had a chance to also use some old CDs! I bet you have some too that should probably be tossed, but repurposing is always more fun! This super easy hack can be done in a matter of minutes (after the paint is dry) and provides a high end looking candle holder perfect for patio evenings  😉 

8. Linen Closet Organization with IKEA Trofast

A well-organized closet features neatly stacked towels and patterned bins on the top shelves. Below, labeled plastic bins with lids store various items. A potted plant stands to the side, adding a touch of greenery without an expensive makeover, showcasing clever IKEA hacks.

More organization! If this looks  a little familiar, that’s because it is! I loved my IKEA Trofast hack so much, I did it again in our linen closet 🙂 I have to say, it might be even better in here. I store a lot of small items in the linen closet and they were always so hard to keep organized. But the small Trofast bins are perfect for keeping like items together. Bonus hack, I also used the Drona bins for sheets and such and they are the best! They are larger than other bins and help me keep same sized sheets and blankets together, organized, and pretty. 

9. IKEA Betydlig Curtain Rod Hack 

A cozy living room features two expensive brown leather chairs with striped pillows, a textured ottoman, gray patterned curtains, and a large potted plant. Natural light streams through a window onto the floor's patterned rug. Clever IKEA hacks complete the stylish space.

Curtain rods can be expensive, especially if you are in search of unique sizes. I needed very small rods for my decorative curtains in our family room with 10ft ceilings. So I found a way to hack it with the IKEA Betydlig for a fraction of the cost of custom rods! The outcome, high hung curtains that accent our vaulted ceilings the way they should. 

10. IKEA Lurt Towel Rack 

A modern bathroom features a sleek shower with chevron-patterned tiles in shades of gray, exuding an expensive feel. Two white towels hang neatly on a black and gold towel rack, cleverly mounted beside the shower, reminiscent of ingenious Ikea hacks for maximizing style.

When we renovated our bathroom I was unimpressed with towel rack options so I decided DIY was the way to go.  The IKEA Lurt was the perfect starting point at less than $5 and allowed me to work in the wood and gold elements in the bathroom. This was a super easy DIY and added a custom touch that tied the bathroom together. Another one that we use every single day!  

11. IKEA Malm Dog Crate Hack

A brown dog sits comfortably inside an open wooden crate, lined with a soft gray blanket. The crate boasts an elegant black and white patterned back panel, reminiscent of affordable Ikea hacks, while a plant and a small potted succulent adorn the top for a stylish touch.

Dogs need IKEA hacks too! I set out to make a few changes to our bedroom this year and finding a more attractive dog crate for our pup was high on the list. I chose the Malm 3 drawer dresser because I had an extra one and it lines up nicely with our larger Malm dresser in the room.  This is the perfect size for 20lb Marvin and it takes up so much less space than his wire crate. I was worried he may not like it, but he does! 

12. IKEA Nissedal Hidden Jewelry Hack

A cleverly designed closet includes a wall-mounted jewelry organizer showcasing an array of necklaces in diverse colors and styles, like beaded and chain designs that look expensive. On the left, clothing is neatly arranged, while shelves with shoes line the right—perfect for those seeking IKEA hacks.

I might have a problem with hoarding necklaces…let’s just say I have never met a clearance rack I could successfully walk away from, haha! But let’s not focus on the problem but rather the solution 🙂  The IKEA Nissedal was the answer to my necklace storage issue. Not only does it provide a full length mirror on the front, but it opens to reveal hidden storage on the back! I feel so 007! All you need is a box of command hooks 😉  

13. IKEA Kallax Hack

A modern living room corner showcases an expensive white sideboard with wooden front panels. Atop, a lamp with a white shade, framed art, a small plant in a black vase, and decorative items elevate the look. A textured wall art piece leans elegantly against the light-colored wall—perfect for chic IKEA hacks.

When I was making over the bunk room, I realized I needed a low profile and narrow dresser substitute next to the bunks. Enter the IKEA Kallax! I was really excited to hack this mainstream staple and I am obsessed with how it turned out! I followed a similar method to the IKEA Rast hack in number 1 and used my go to, pole wrap with some other easy additions. You don’t want to miss this expensive looking hack 😉 

14. IKEA Fniss Modern Planter Hack

A lush fern in a tall black planter decorates a brick patio, offering a touch of elegance to the space. White outdoor sofas with geometric patterned pillows, likely from clever IKEA hacks, surround a chic rug and lantern. A wooden privacy fence and trees add an expensive feel to the background.

This IKEA Fniss modern planter hack might be my easiest and cheapest hack yet! At just $1.99 these little trash cans make GREAT planters and I have used them in multiple applications all over the house, for fake and live plants. Bonus, they also come in white! Make sure you snag several of these just in time for patio season 🙂 

15. IKEA PAX Reach in Closet

A neatly organized closet showcases shelves filled with folded clothes, stacked shoes, and bins on the top shelf. A sliding wooden door partially covers the closet. Two green plants in white pots sit on the floor, incorporating clever IKEA hacks that give it a more expensive look.

I finally tackled a custom IKEA Pax closet for my husband that rivals mine 🙂  His closet is not a walk in, but honestly it’s close in usable space to mine. For about $700 I completely transformed this lackluster closet and used every square inch, all the way to the ceiling. Because the Pax units are so customizable, the options were endless. One side of the closet is used entirely for shoes, accessories, and folded items. The other side is two tiered hanging space. Definitely a must see if your closets need some love. 

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A modern room showcases a bunk bed on the left, alongside an IKEA hack: a sleek desk with a chair and drawer unit. The wall, painted dark green, is adorned with three framed pictures. A lamp and decorative items are strategically placed on the desk, creating an expensive look without breaking the bank.

This post, 15 IKEA Hacks that Look Expensive appeared first on Garrison Street Design Studio.

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