Ikea Hacker has an impressive example of someone who took advantage of an affordable resource that resulted in an expensive looking finish. Scrounging through the scrap pile of a local large format graphics print shop, James was able to customize his Malm bedframe with stunning results...
"It is just a simple digital print on adhesive backed vinyl, applied on the front of all the vertical surfaces. The hack cost me nothing more then a 1/4 tank of gas, and looks great and everyone asks where i 'bought it'" says James.
As one commenter mentions, it might be worth investigating your local vinyl graphics fabrication company about misprints and scraps, which all can be purchased for heavily discounted prices. Another option is to print out your own tiled large graphics using Rasterbator and apply/seal it with some Mod Podge.
All the details about James Ikea hack here.
[via Ikea Hacker]
The Ultimate Used Furniture Cleaning Kit
Ana Creates a Community at Home
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Z2 iPod Dock and Wi...
Soda Recipe: Homemade Ginger Ale
Recipe: Spring Fruit and Nut Tabouli
That's seriously cool
WOW!!
see, this is what i like to see! very frickin cool!
This is SOOO awesome!! It's perfectly amazing and such a good idea!
Ha, thanks everyone..
If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. I tried responding to the comments on ikea hacker about this, but for some reason they never showed up.
So smart! This is the type of thing I love to see on Apartment Therapy.
Genius, JamesM! Way to think outside the box (store)!
Very inspiring!! I've been looking at my Ikea bed, that I can't afford to replace right now, wondering what I can do to it and this is a great idea!
The glossy black floor and apparently generously sized room help too.
Great job - it looks awesome!
@ Michael. The room is only 11'x11' which isn't really that big (for Atlanta anyway), but I take the other as a compliment. Those black floors require some serious sweat to keep clean.