Are you looking to make your home a little more fashionable? Do you have an Ikea furniture piece that needs a facelift? If so, you’re in luck. You don’t have to throw out your IKEA furniture, with a few modifications, you can transform it from ordinary and drab to extraordinary and stylish!
You might be wondering how this is possible. All it takes is a little bit of creativity and the right tools. Yes, it does take some extra effort that might not be for everyone. But if you’re up for the challenge, customizing Ikea furniture can be an incredibly rewarding experience - not just because of the stunning results but also because of the wonderful feeling of pride and accomplishment!
In this article, we will show you step by step how to turn your ordinary Ikea furniture into something truly unique that stands out from all the rest!
Making Design Choices: Paint, Hardware, Finishes
Having picked the perfect IKEA piece to customize, now comes the fun part: designing. You can make your furniture go from basic to beautiful in no time flat. Here are some of the design choices to consider:
Paint: Go bold with a bright color or take a more subtle route with classic neutrals—the choice is yours. Use waterproof, high-quality paint and a primer for extra longevity.
Hardware: Whether it's replacing the existing hardware or adding new pulls, knobs, and handles, this is an easy way to make even an IKEA dresser timelessly chic.
Finishes: This is where you can really let your creativity shine by adding interesting textures and finishes like distressing, staining, and glazing. The possibilities are endless!
Have fun putting together your own unique design that perfectly expresses your personal style!
Updating Furniture With Custom Upholstery
Are you in love with the shape and design of your basic IKEA furniture, but feel like it needs a bit of an upgrade to make a statement? Then why not consider adding custom upholstery for a unique look?
Upholstering pieces can be a great way to add a personal stamp to furniture, from something as simple as recovering your chair seat cushions with fabric you’ve chosen to completely reupholstering your couch, armchair, or ottoman.
If the idea of tackling the task seems daunting, never fear! While the actual process of upholstering can be complex and time-consuming, it’s much easier than it looks if you have the right tools and know-how.
Here are some tips to get started:
- Invest in good high-density foam
- Plan out where you'll put buttons or tufts
- Calculate fabric amounts based on size and pattern repeats
- Cut fabric carefully with sharp scissors
- Use strong needles and thread for stapling
- Use batting for extra softness and texture
- Iron fabric before applying it
- Take your time to get that perfect fit
With a bit of patience and some basic know-how, you can breathe new life into classic IKEA pieces that stand out from the rest!
Adding Creative Lighting Solutions
Adding creative lighting solutions is an easy way to add a unique and eye-catching twist to your IKEA furniture. It’s a great way to draw attention to the piece and make it stand out.
For a few simple lighting ideas, try these:
Install wall sconces on either side of an Ikea shelf or mirror. This will create pleasing ambient lighting that emphasizes the piece's form and texture.
Place plug-in or battery-operated puck lights on the underside of shelves or behind furniture for an unexpected glow that catches the eye from across the room.
For a creative touch, try adding LED strip lights around furniture edges for a contemporary ambiance that highlights modern lines in your decorating style.
Incorporating see-through elements like glass or lucite furnishings with different colored light sources makes for a fun visual effect, as well as an elegant appeal — all with minimal effort. When added with creative lighting solutions, Ikea’s basic furniture can really come alive and make a statement in your home!
Creating Texture With Rustic Accents
Have you ever walked into a room and noticed that the furniture isn't just flat, boring, and predictable? Instead, all the pieces seem to be working together to create a unique and textured look? Chances are, those pieces were given new life with some rustic accents.
Rustic accents can make any piece of Ikea furniture—or any basic furniture, really—look custom and put-together. But where do you start?
Here are some tips for adding rustic accents to your basic furniture:
Wooden Finishes: Whether it's distressed wood paint or a reclaimed wooden applique, adding wooden finishes is an easy way to spruce up your furniture. You can use wood to highlight the edges of dressers or door frames, or you can use it as decorative hardware on chests of drawers or tables.
Soft Upholstery Fabric: If you’ve got an old armchair that needs updating, consider reupholstering it in linen or other soft fabric for a more rustic look. This is an especially nice look if your chair has classic lines and interesting details that need highlighting.
Vintage Hardware: Old-fashioned knobs and handles can make all the difference when you’re trying to add rustic charm to your furniture pieces. Go for vintage brass, bronze, or nickel tones for a more unique touch.
Industrial Elements: Need something more modern? Try incorporating industrial elements like metal brackets or pipes into your projects for an edgy feel. You can use these elements as legs on sofas or chairs to give them a cool industrial look without having to buy
DIY Decorative Ideas Using Wallpaper
Wallpaper is one of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to customize your IKEA furniture. Whether you want to make a statement piece or just give it a subtle hint of style, wallpaper is the way to go. Here are a few DIY decorative ideas to get you started.
Cover the Legs
Swapping out boring legs for something more decorative is a great way to take any plain IKEA furniture from basic to bold.
Choose a wallpaper print that will make your furniture stand out — whether it's a fun pattern like animal print, metallic or florals, or something more subtle like a soft repeating geometric pattern. Then use wallpaper to cover the legs and lightly glue them in place.
Change Up the Drawers
You can make your IKEA drawers into an eye-catching piece with the help of some wallpaper. Simply remove the drawers from their cabinet, cut out pieces of wallpaper that fit perfectly on each drawer front and glue them in place. Make sure you use removable wallpaper so that you can switch up the design whenever you want!
Dress Up Your Chair Seats
Why settle for plain fabric seat covers when you can customize them using removable wallpaper? Measure the seat of your chair so that you cut out an exact fit before adhering with spray adhesive or fabric glue (depending on what type of wallpaper you choose).
This is an easy and fun way to spruce up plain chairs without spending too much money — plus, you can always switch up your design as often as you like!
Tips for Incorporating Greenery Into Your Space
You want to add some life to your space, but buying plants and flowers every week isn't realistic. Never fear, there are still ways you can incorporate greenery in ways that will make a statement without having to worry about upkeep. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Hang plants
Hanging planters are really on-trend right now, and they can be a great way to inject some life into your space. You can find IKEA's wall-mounted SOCKERBIT boxes for pretty cheap, and for a more budget-friendly option, you can also use regular pots with rope or chain hangers. Plus, if you have pets it's safer than having plants or flowers on the ground.
Shelves with pots
Shelves are always a great way of adding storage, but if you combine them with some eye-catching pots or even some terrariums? Now we're talking about something that just looks amazing! Whatever your style is, you'll be sure to find the perfect combo. With IKEA's shelves, it's easy to choose the right size and material since they carry so many varieties.
Succulents as statement pieces
If you're looking for an easy way to create something really special, why not try adding succulents into the mix? They don't need much water and they last forever if taken care of correctly, plus they come in really cool shapes and sizes that make them a real stand-out piece!
Conclusion
So, whether you're in the market for DIY home decor or looking for a fun weekend project, customizing furniture from IKEA is an easy and affordable solution that not only stands out but also adds character to your home.
With just a few simple materials, some patience, and a bit of imagination, you can transform basic items from IKEA into unique, personalized, and eye-catching pieces. So go ahead, get creative and make your furniture stand out from the rest!
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