10 IKEA LACK Shelf Hacks that Definitely Don’t Lack in Creativity

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 $7.99!). They work well anywhere from tiny kitchens, offices, bedrooms, closets, and more; their sleek, minimalist style works in a range of decor styles.

And here’s the best part: These simple shelves can be anything but. Like many IKEA products (Kallax or EKET, anyone?), these LACK shelves are easily hack-able to 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.

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. 

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. 

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 clean look we love. 

In this display, @ourhome_ox stacked six small LACK shelves to create a clever corner shelf that’s just right for displaying a few of their favorite trinkets. 

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.

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 then stained and hung with brackets for a built-in look.

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.

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.

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. Since the floating LACK shelf already has built-in hardware for mounting, this hack is as simple as using stain and glue to complete the rustic look.

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.