Easy, Affordable & Surprisingly Chic IKEA Hacks for Your Patio or Balcony

Taryn Williford

updated May 3, 2019

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It’s finally spring! Time to dust off the door handle, step outside to your apartment balcony and start enjoying the great weather. While you’re out there, take stock at what you might need for the outdoor season ahead. A small table? Stools? A vertical garden? Planters? Whatever you need, you can source it affordably from IKEA–with just a little bit of crafty hack action to make your patio super chic.

Above, two hacked versions of IKEA’s now-defunct ROXO stool by designer Michael Garvey from Refinery 29: one covered in rope and the other two with metallic vent tape. Today, you could use the FROSTA ($19.99) or MARIUS ($4.99) stools instead.

(Image credit: Dabito)

Here’s a standing planter DIY from Lonny and Justina Blakeney, using the RUNDLIG serving bowl ($12.99).

(Image credit: Craftberry Bush)

Would you believe this vertical garden planter used to be a LACK side table ($12.99)? This is one creative hack from Lucy of the blog Craftberry Bush.

(Image credit: Frida Ramstedt)

Trendenser gave the VINDALSÖ cart (available in many countries, like the UK, but not in US stores–natch!) a sleek black makeover with spray paint. You could also try the BYGEL cart ($29.99) or the pricier KLASEN cart ($109) as an outdoor bar, garden cart or a place to store al fresco dining dishware.

(Image credit: HousePet)

HousePet turned an old IKEA TRADIG wire fruit bowl into a planter with just a coco liner cut to size. You might have one of these off-the-market bowls at home. If not, try a MÄRKLIG ($7.99), RISATORP ($12.99) or ALGOT ($6).

(Image credit: Jared Smith)

Ashley of Sugar & Cloth gave the IKEA PS 2014 plant stand ($19.99) an upscale makeover by replacing the metal plates with acacia wood.

(Image credit: Hot for Houses)

What can’t the MOSSLANDA picture ledge ($9.99-$14.99) do? Here it is as a lush little plant ledge for moss and air plants from Hot for House.

(Image credit: IKEA)

This idea comes straight from the 2016 IKEA catalog: Stack two ALSEDA stools ($29.99) together to create a side table or coffee table for the patio.

(Image credit: Succulents and Sunshine)

And finally: Yet another use for the multi-purpose RÅSKOG utility cart ($29.99): As a towering, rolling succulent garden (with drainage, thanks to the mesh bottom) from Succulents and Sunshine.

→ How To Use the $30 IKEA RÅSKOG Cart in Every Room of the House