IKEA is cheap, accessible, and better looking than most affordable furniture, but no one really wants a whole house full of it. Marie Claire Maison has come up with a few hacks that transform standard IKEA furniture into customized pieces that stand out from the crowd. Click below for ways to breathe new life into your BILLY bookcase, RAST chest, or standard-issue dining table...
This cluster of red light was assembled from IKEA paper lanterns. For step-by-step instructions, see Maxwell's post on how to make a paper globe chandelier.
This wardrobe was painted with Farrow & Ball colors to blend into the room's wallpaper. For tips on painting wooden furniture, see this post.
These colorful shelves act as room dividers and storage pieces. Three IKEA Billy Bookcases were customized by replacing the standard backs with acrylic plexiglass plates cut to size and screwed into the backs of the cases.
A large IKEA table top has been fitted with 8 different wooden legs, all the same height. After priming the legs and table top, they were screwed together and painted a bright red.
This headboard with storage was made from a set of IKEA's unfinished wood Rast Chests. Designers painted the wood and cut a chipboard panel to cover the back of the chests. The panel was upholstered using batting, fabric, and a staple gun. To attach the headboard, the drawers were removed, and the panel was then nailed to the back of the chests from the inside (to hide the nails). The resulting piece combines an upholstered headboard with storage on the opposite side.
For all projects from Marie Claire Maison, click here.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Ooh I love the idea of the acrylic panels used on the back of the bookcase. Wondering if AT could post a "How To" on doing this? It really looks fantastic
view suzy8track's profile
Those acrylic backs would look better if they were in bookcases that had finished backs and the panels were set into grooves like the old Techline bookcases (now discontinued) - with the Billy, you'll still see the exposed particleboard cores from the back (see the bottom of the bookcase on the left in the photo to see what I mean)
view bepsf's profile
Regarding the particleboard of the Billy showing thru the acrylic shelves, all you need do is paint the shelf back edges first.
view SherryBinNH's profile
Oh snap! The colorful plexiglass on the Billy bookeshelves is gorgeous. I too request a how-to tutorial!
view Monica's profile
Those are fantastic bookcases. You could probably do the same thing with an Expedit unit. It might even be easier with Expedit pieces, because you could just screw the acrylic panel right on the back.
The eight-legged table is a little too arachnoid for me, but the color is great.
view heather77's profile
Regarding the particleboard of the Billy showing thru the acrylic shelves, all you need do is paint the shelf back edges first.
Or use color-matched contact paper or laminate, depending on how much money you want to spend.
Those Billy bookcases are really stunning.
view sunspot42's profile
i love this bookcase, its very easy to create in home no???
view mateogajardo's profile
i too would love to see an explanation on the acrylic backing on the billy book cases. I clicked on the PMMA link and it seems that they are more of a commercial plexiglass supplier and not really for the DIY'er. Where could you purchase plexiglass like this from a chain store or in Chicago?
view hekela9's profile
The acrylic idea is cool, but it'd get pricey buying custom sheets in different colors..
view tashar's profile