12 IKEA LACK Shelf Hacks That Prove This IKEA Favorite Doesn’t Lack in DIY Potential
A good shelving system can go a long way in effectively organizing your home. Take IKEA’s LACK shelves: With a simple shape and a few finishes, they’re extremely versatile and can be purchased for a steal (starting at just $6.99!). They work well anywhere — tiny kitchens, offices, bedrooms, closets, and more — and their sleek, minimalist style plays well with a range of decor styles.
And here’s the best part: These simple shelves can be anything but. Like many IKEA products (think: KALLAX shelves), these LACK shelves are easily hackable for whatever it is you need to organize. Not up for a major DIY? There are also plenty of innovative ways to arrange the shelving in your space to make it work for you, with no additional crafting required.
1. Paint them to match a statement wall.
LACK shelves come in a few different colors, but you don’t need to feel limited to neutrals. In this 1,600-square-foot row home, LACK shelves got a colorful treatment with a striking coat of blue. The wall they’re on is painted to match, making this look like one singular built-in unit. If you want to paint your LACK shelves, make sure to follow these tips for painting IKEA furniture the right way.
2. Hack wall-mounted nightstands.
The headboard featured in this Toronto condo’s bedroom is an IKEA model that’s been discontinued in the U.S. (but is still available abroad for Australian IKEA fans). But you can steal the storage idea by stacking two LACK shelves on either side of your bed to create floating nightstands for decor and bedtime essentials. This is a great hack for small rooms, as it preserves floor space!
3. Add under-mount lighting for your laundry room.
LACK shelving can be a way to create a budget-friendly DIY in your laundry room, like the one shown here by @caterina_immobile_home_stylist. She’s used shelving to house laundry essentials, and even added LED strip lights to the bottom of each shelf to add proper lighting to this chic laundry space.
4. Create a custom vanity.
Need a jumping-off point for a custom vanity? Why not incorporate a few IKEA LACK shelves? In this DIY by @ourhomereno_47, you’ll see the iconic shelving on both sides of the mirror to hold everything needed for that all-important morning routine.
5. Make a home for bathroom essentials.
Bathroom decor and hand towels often take a backseat to more essential items, or get pushed aside altogether. Instagram user @mary_lia.new_home22 found a way to keep these items clean, on display, and out of the way with a set of LACK shelves in the corner of the room. The white shelves and white wall work together for a beautiful, clean look.
6. Squeeze storage into a tight corner.
In this display, @ourhome_ox stacked used a multi-ledge LACK shelf to create a clever corner shelf that’s just right for displaying a few of their favorite trinkets.
7. Create a restaurant-worthy bar setup.
Consider this a level-up from your standard bar cart. Blogger Kayla Rivers used LACK shelves to design her own at-home drink station, grouping together shelves of various sizes (some short, some long, and some medium length) to make an arrangement that fits within her space. Hardware on the bottom of one of her shelves conveniently cradles her stemmed wine glasses.
8. Fake a built-in look.
For an easier way to create the look of built-in shelves, copy blogger Lindi Vanderschaff. She complemented her existing cabinetry by using medium-length LACK shelves that she covered in wood veneer for a luxe look. Once mounted between existing cabinets, the shelves look completely built-in.
9. Add legs to make a console table for small spaces.
The LACK shelf can be transformed into a table in just a few easy steps — and in the case of this particular DIY, it only takes 10 minutes. Blogger Megan Duesterhaus created this beautiful cottage-y piece in an instant using a 74-inch LACK shelf and some extra IKEA legs that she already had on hand.
10. Make a small entryway drop spot.
Blogger Cori George also made her medium-length LACK shelf into a small table, which is an ideal, budget-friendly choice for a particularly narrow entryway. Add a bin on top to hold keys, mail, the dog leash, and other front door essentials. Like Duesterhaus, George also used IKEA legs to bring this piece to life. She mounted the back of the shelf to the wall so it would only require two legs for the front.
11. Craft a rustic picture ledge.
Corey Decker transformed an ordinary long LACK shelf into a rustic-chic picture ledge using stained wood that she glued and nailed on to the laminate surface. Because the floating LACK shelf already has built-in hardware for mounting, this hack is as simple as using veneer and glue to complete the rustic look.
12. Mount in a group to show off a collection.
LACK shelves, particularly the wall shelf units, can make a great home for any large collection. Rashida Banks used her LACK shelves to display shoes for a boutique-worthy look. You could do the same with any collection worthy of display, such as plants, artwork, ceramics, and more.