These IKEA Hacks Will Dominate 2018: A Top 10 Countdown
2018 is upon us, and do you know what that means? It’s a brand new year to iterate, embellish, alter, paint, and reconfigure IKEA stuff —we’ll use the term “hack” as shorthand— all with the goal to make them work better for us in our homes. Today I’m taking a look at the newest products from their catalog to predict all the different forms they’ll take over the next twelve months. Join me as I share ALL the ways to remake these brand new favorites….
These are my predictions for the most hack-able new IKEA products along with inspiration for how you might customize them for yourself:
#10: VILTO Storage Stool
The VILTO line is a basic, solid line of storage for small spaces, and includes this cute little double-duty stool. It also comes in black, but the light birch is probably easier to work with.
Hackability: Stools are easy, low-commitment hacks, which take barely any time to do. Change up the wood itself, or the fabric sling underneath, then find all the places in your home where you can use a little more storage or an extra surface. This item has tons of potential.
(Image credit: IKEA) 
I predict a lot of fun fabrics in this stool’s future. A simple straight stitch is all you need, then slip it on the dowels before you assemble the rest. (Image credit: I Spy DIY) 
With stains and paint, you can also easily change the look of this basic stool in minutes. (Image credit: Love & Renovations) 
Use a newly painted (and sewn) stool as a nightstand, with the fabric to store your nightly reading materials. (Image credit: En Course de Creation) 
Micasa Revisita added even another function to these stools, turning them into valet stands for coats and accessories. (Image credit: Mi Casa Revista)
#9: EKEDALEN Bench
This is a pretty little bench, with a nice rounded detail on the base. It’s great for small spaces, when when you need to cram people around the dinner table, then tuck it under the table out of sight after meals.
Hackability: This bench is like a big blank white canvas waiting for you. With a few simple steps you can personalize with paint, or warm it up with some fabric.
(Image credit: IKEA) 
Try a two-toned paint job, with one color for the surface, and another for the base and legs. (Image credit: Deuces City Henhouse) 
Get creative with a little artwork on the top. This paint-by-numbers project is easier than it looks!(Image credit: Shrimp Salad Circus) 
Make a padded cushion for the top, and things get a whole lot more comfortable. (Image credit: Curbly)
This unit joins the rest of the HEMNES line of furniture, and is a good option when you don’t have a large closet or other built-in storage. It offers a nice variety of storage options for shoes, accessories or clothing —plus another surface.
Hackability: This HEMNES product doesn’t have the clean basic lines of most IKEA furniture, but it’s still a versatile unit that can be upgraded or customized in really nice ways.
(Image credit: IKEA) 
Paint the insides of each cubby a bright new shade, with with paint or adhesive paper. (Image credit: Flax & Twine) 
If you don’t like all the open storage, add some basic doors to create closed storage instead. New hardware goes a long way to making something your own.(Image credit: That Scandinavian Feeling) 
If you don’t like looking at a bunch of clutter, install fabric panels on the face of the unit, to conceal the mess.(Image credit: Hemnes)
This piece is part of the IKEA X HAY collaboration, which yielded a number of beautiful basics. The tray-style table is made of powder-coated steel with a solid lacquered birch base.
Hackability: The black and birch is pretty handsome, but if that combo isn’t your thing, find ways to shake it up. Take the GLADOLM as inspiration, and go to town with paint and other finishes. Or break up the pieces and use them in other ways.
(Image credit: IKEA) 
If you want a high end look, swap out the tray for a round piece of marble, or cover a piece of wood with marble contact paper for less. The white and grey pattern looks great with the birch wood. (Image credit: Mr Kate) 
We spray painted a similar tray table with granite spray paint to give it a completely new look. 
Upgrade the tray bottom with various materials, like this woven cork project. (Image credit: Modern DIY) 
Try adding metal hardware — either hairpin legs or handles — to the tray and give it another use around the house.(Image credit: Craftberry Bush)
These shelving units are another part of the IKEA X HAY collaboration, and a great neutral piece of storage. There’s both a tall vertical option, and shorter ones that work well side by side in a long low row.
Hackability: If we have any complaint about this piece, it’s that the gray shelves are a little on the institutional side and could use a little pick-me-up. We foresee brighter versions in the future.
(Image credit: IKEA) 
It’s only a matter of time until somebody puts a set of casters on one of these things. (Image credit: Sugar & Cloth) 
Paint all or part of this shelf in a bright color, something dark and handsome, like black. Or try a metallic like the pink above. (Image credit: Make It Yours) 
Before you assemble, try covering the shelves in contact paper: either a fun color or pattern like the marble above. Or fabric perhaps?(Image credit: Syl and Sam)
This basic item is great for simple storage, wherever you need a place to hang items. It’s designed to work with any knobs in the existing IKEA kitchen range. For only $2.99 each, you can afford to buy multiples.
Hackability: It’s almost like IKEA wants you hack this item. Buy just the rack alone, without the IKEA knobs, and find your own, more fanciful, picks from places like World Market or Anthropologie. Or keep them more Shaker-style, and group them in different ways around the house.
(Image credit: IKEA) 
Get creative and repurpose a series of objects as hooks, or go with a mismatched approach. (Image credit: Say Yes) 
They would look especially good as the dividing line between two different wall surfaces, acting almost as a functional chair rail.(Image credit: Far Out City) 
Paint them the same color as the walls for a custom, built-in look.(Image credit: High Road House)
#4: BESTÅ Top Panels
BESTA units are staples, and these add-on pieces are just one of the ways to trick out the popular storage unit. Panels are sturdy but lightweight, and come in various sizes and finishes, depending on the look you’re going for.
Hackability: Our money’s on the panel that looks like marble, and the extra long version, which measures 70 7/8″ x 16 1/2″. We think this will be a great way to give your home a luxe look, for a whole lot less.
(Image credit: IKEA) 
Use a slab as a temporary backsplash in your rental kitchen, topped by one long open shelf.(Image credit: Emma Persson Lagerberg) 
Pair the BESTA panel with a non-IKEA piece of vintage furniture to give it another layer of interest. (Image credit: Little Green Notebook) 
Why stop at the top? Wrap all sides of a bookcase or credenza with this faux marble material. (Image credit: IKEA Hackers) 
Add some legs for a quick and inexpensive table. (Image credit: Sugar & Cloth)
This lightweight two-fer can be configured in multiple ways. Apart, it’s a pair of twin beds or a sectional sofa. When stacked, it also works as a convertible daybed.
Hackability: The beauty of this bed is its versatility and ability to adapt to any decor or room size. We think people will find endless opportunities to take advantage of its chameleon ways—and make it look like it was born to a particular space.
(Image credit: IKEA) 
Envision a wraparound, upholstered headboard that cradles you in comfort. It creates soft padding against the wall for a sofa-like hangout space and also offers a lot of versatility in small studio apartments. (Image credit: Med et lekent sinn) 
Try a loose fit daybed cover to drape over each twin bed, like these from Bemz. (Image credit: Bemz) 
Add two long bolsters along the back of each frame and make them look even more like a sectional sofa. The bright yellow really works here too.(Image credit: Ruschmeyer’s Hotel) 
And speaking of great colors, the sky’s the limit with this bed’s unfinished wood.(Image credit: Green Healthy Cooking)
#2: TARVA Chest
This gets a big ‘ol asterisk, because IKEA says this is a new product, but we all know it’s not. We’ve seen this untreated solid wood dresser before, and we’ve seen it stained, painted and waxed every way until Tuesday. Maybe they updated it in new and invisible ways?
Hackability: We’ve seen the endless numbers of things that people have done with the TARVA, and we don’t see it stopping. We’ll see glam versions, rustic farmhouse —you name it.
(Image credit: IKEA) 
This clever hacker used a saw to create a subtle geometric pattern on the face of the dresser’s drawers. (Image credit: August Et Claire) 
Paint, create detail with inexpensive molding, then add new hardware for a high-end effect that doesn’t cost much at all.(Image credit: Chippa Sunshine) 
Completely disguise it with an over-the-top stencil pattern.(Image credit: Hippo Wong) 
If you want even more of a custom look, take a miter saw to the legs and get this tapered effect.(Image credit: Petite Modern Life)
IKEA designed this bed to use in two different ways: as a nook with sides (as shown above) or flipped upside down to make a comfy perch. You can also purchase with or without the padded mattress inside.
Hackability: When the Swedish retailer recently launched a home collection just for dogs and cats, the internet’s brain pretty much exploded. Because it combines two things so many of us adore: pets and IKEA furniture. This is also small and do-able DIY, so expect many to take this basic item on. On a scale of one to five allen wrenches, I’m going to give this one a five for hackability.
(Image credit: IKEA) 
How about adorning each side with a terrazzo pattern? Very on trend….(Image credit: Poppytalk) 
Black Timber Company makes an all-wood version of this style bed, but with added tapered legs. The furry fabric is a nice touch too. A good idea to steal.(Image credit: Black Timber Company) 
Take a cue from the human versions of these beds, and build up a level. Use the storage below for your pets toys and treats. I’m only partially kidding about this. (Image credit: Stadshem, via Anita Sienudzi) 
From there, the sky’s the limit and you can build up from there. Consider adding a headboard, or a little house for your furry friend. They’ll love it. (Image credit: VT Wonen)
So tell us, what will you hack first?
