Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

We found the most creative ideas for the retailer's most iconic items.

IKEA products are known for their entry-level style, but you won't believe how some paint, a few tools, and creativity can transform these basics into enviable decor pieces that look downright luxurious. The best part? Giving them a fresh spin is generally an easy, affordable, and fast process, which means you can spruce up your interiors in the time it takes to watch a Fixer Upper marathon—or less! Plus, seeing how designers incorporate IKEA pieces can show you that sometimes you barely have to lift a finger (okay, more realistically, a power drill), to make the basics look high-end and cool. These unexpected ideas will have you looking at the build-it-yourself furniture in a whole new light, and get you pumped to put your DIY and designer hat on.

A simple IKEA basket was transformed into a pendant light in this sweet kid's room designed by Barrie Benson. To further draw attention to the ceiling, she covered it in a printed wallpaper.

The butcher block countertops in this kitchen designed by Leanne Ford are from IKEA. Instead of spending a fortune on custom counters, she simply secured these to the cabinet lowers for a fresh topper.

Okay, that gorgeous Bengal is obviously the best thing about this living room by Bower Studio, but the clever pet-friendly IKEA shelves are a close second. Okay, maybe it's tied with the luxe velvet sofa.

How cool is this conversation-friendly living room designed by Leanne Ford? A sisal rug is a go-to for casual flooring toppers, but this one is actually brush-painted white to fit in with the monochromatic color scheme. A custom-built light fixture was created with PVC fitted into hoops, and then the rope is also painted white.

Shavonda Gardner's Sacramento home is full of problem-solving gems. This reading nook is elevated by the deeply comfy vintage chair, and the wedding broom on display adds a personal touch while the IKEA shelving holds a library worth of books.

Simple, versatile, and inexpensive, this open bookshelf has a nondescript structure that provides endless storage possibilities but lacks personality.

Can you spot the IKEA finds? This chalet by Sarah Richardson features a high-low mix. Kelly Wearstler fabric accents the sitting area, and David Trubridge lighting sets the scene over the dining table while IKEA rugs set the groundwork in both sections.

Leanne Ford mixed in a vintage pendant, Kingston brass faucet, and stone countertops to give the IKEA apron front sink a surge of character.

Both the linens and the cabinets are sourced from IKEA in this kitchen designed by Leanne Ford. If you want to give your a more personal touch, add unique hardware!

Designed by Rayman Boozer, this media console is turned into a cubby and storage unit in a small but mighty bunk room.

Leanne Ford gave this walk-in closet a whole new lease on life by adding task lighting, repainting not just the walls but. also the floors, and piling on pillows and cable-knit throws atop two twin beds from IKEA (regular sofas would be too tall!).

A craft room or home office is the perfect venue for IKEA to shine. In the home studio of DIY extraordinaire Joy Cho, the IKEA bins and shelves keep it simple so the lovely pegboards and bright materials can shine.

In this graphic and bold bedroom designed by Anthony Baratta, the modern Malm bed from IKEA gets a surge of color from a deep ruby red Hudson's Bay blanket.

It may not seem like much upon first inspection, but the MALM bed frame is a low-key foundational piece that can be customized no matter what your personal style is.

BUY NOW Malm Bed Frame, $149

If you're looking for a simple, neutral coffee table, you don't have to spend a ton of money. Instead, opt for one from IKEA, as Leanne Ford did in this bohemian living room.

The exact item used above isn't available, but this one is just as timeless.

There's a reason this IKEA sofa is so popular. It's simple, approachable, comfortable, and endlessly versatile. In this living room designed by Tom Scherer, the natural surroundings lend an outdoorsy feel to the parlor, and rattan accents contrast nicely with the gray sofas while colorful custom pillows dress them up.

From the shelving to the cabinetry, all of the storage staples that set the foundations of this kitchen are from, you guessed it, IKEA. A metallic backsplash dressed up the room and flatters the hardware the Riverside House Interiors added.

With a little gold spray paint, you can take IKEA's Skruvsta swivel chair and turn it into a stunning accent piece. Here, blogger Alicia Tenise did just that. The best part? It doesn't take long to do this little makeover.

See more at Alicia Tenise.

SHOP PAINT Gold Spray Paint, $5

You can never go wrong with this already-stylish adjustable swivel chair. It has a nice cushion and pressure-sensitive brake, making it the ideal at-home office chair.

BUY NOW Skruvsta Swivel Chair, $179

It looks like one of those covetable but just-out-of-budget sideboards you'd find at Anthropologie, but this dresser costs about an eighth of the price. Blogger Lisa Tilse used Annie Sloan chalk paint, decoupage glue, and varnish to retool the cabinet for her bedroom, adding furniture legs from the hardware store and flower photos she cut out herself.

See more at We Are Scout.

SHOP WALL HOOKSCircle Wall Hooks, $15

It's hard to top the IVAR cupboard when it comes to endless storage capacity, but its simple, timeless shape makes it easy to group in multiples to create the illusion of built-in cabinetry in a kitchen, bedroom, or utility room.

With the addition of tiny bun feet and cast-metal cup handles, this cute curiosity cabinet is worthy of display in a farmhouse-style kitchen or library-themed living room. Plus, it can organize everything from coffees and teas on a kitchen countertop, to earrings and jewelry on a bedroom vanity, to sewing supplies in a laundry room.

SHOP PAINT Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Set, $18

It's easy to see why MOPPE may be Ikea's most hacked product ever. The diminutive chest of drawers has an unassuming birch exterior that lends itself to easy makeovers, and its small size fits just about anywhere.

BUY NOW Moppe Mini Chest, $20

Designer lighting can cost hundreds of dollars. This pendant looks just as luxe for a fraction of the cost. Simply glue feather boas to the paper lantern to turn it into an airy dining room focal point. Want to keep it white forever? Just blow dry dust away on the cool setting for a quick cleaning.

See more at Pillar Box Blue.

SHOP BOAS White Feather Boa, $5

Sure, this paper lantern works in contemporary spaces, but it's not winning any prizes for one-of-a-kind style. No wonder it's one of the brand's most popular foundational pieces for hacks.

Just try to convince your friends you didn't find this piece in a highbrow antiques store. It takes a bit of muscle and a little more DIY know-how than other projects on this list, but an Arkelstorpe can go from modern to downright Gustavian with a refined bleached-wood finish.

This beauty's elegant demilune shape, contrasting legs, and surface detail make it a stylish accent you can be proud to display in an entry or hallway.

Playful dots and squiggles transform the chair from boring to beyond—while channeling on-trend Memphis motifs to boot. Spray-painted gold legs add a chic touch and finish the piece with flair.

See more at Sugar & Cloth.

The Tullsta is, quite possibly, the perfect chair: comfortable, affordable, and endlessly adaptable. There's really no obvious reason to hack it, but what's the fun in that?

Keep electronics from cluttering your counter with this wall-mounted utility bar and basket set that lets you charge up in style. Simply place it beneath an open outlet and spruce it up, as this blogger did, with potted plants for a dose of cheery camouflage.

All you need to transform a simple towel rack into a multipurpose utility bar are a few hooks and a can-do attitude. Bonus: The sleek black rail works with lots of different decor styles, and its minimalist aesthetic means it'll never go out of fashion.

Nature lovers can bring a bit of the outdoors in with this greenery-filled terrarium. For an elegant yet low-maintenance look, pair potting soil, charcoal, and gravel with no-fuss ferns that shine with earthy brilliance.

See more at Thou Swell.

Whether they're lining an outdoor walkway or flanking the fireplace mantel in a living or dining room, a cluster of these lanterns creates just the right amount of intimate ambiance when studded with flickering pillar candles.

This project isn't for the faint of heart, as the transformation requires a drill and some serious handiwork. But a few strategically placed screws help turn the top drawer into the main surface for a fold-down writing desk—one that can be rolled into any room of the house.

See more at In My Own Style.

Like most IKEA chests, this unfinished dresser has simple lines and an unassuming frame, providing endless decorating potential. It's also small enough to fit in any room, so the possibilities are as vast as your DIY prowess.

Nothing's more frustrating than feeling around in the dark for your glasses or phone in the middle of the night. Fumble no more by pairing two Mosslanda picture ledges, one on top of the other, with an LED light to create a minimalist bedside table that doesn't even take up any floor space.

SHOP LIGHTS LED Strip Lights, $26

This skinny wall-mounted shelf may seem like it's only good for displaying pictures, but a little imagination can turn a seemingly basic product into the most useful item in your home.

BUY NOW Mosslanda Picture Ledge, $10

A fresh coat of paint and unexpected hardware give the neutral dresser new life, but it's the plexiglass-covered door—topped in repurposed wood planks for a rustic counterpoint to the brass—that really transforms the piece into a stylishly efficient workspace.

See more at Addison Meadows Lane.

With its sturdy pine construction and solid base, this dresser has a masculine feel that can anchor any room. It's also the perfect—not to mention affordable—vehicle for your own brand of creativity.

Think you can't manage a vanity in a small space? This blogger went all-out glam, pairing Ekby Alex shelving with old-school wooden legs and a sheepskin-covered bench to create a chic yet pragmatic place to spend her mornings.

See more at A New Bloom.

SHOP DESK LEGS Desk Legs, $13

We don't have to tell you about the life-changing magic that a simple floating shelf can impart to a bare wall, but a floating shelf that also has drawers for added storage? That takes the cake.

BUY NOW Ekby Alex Shelf, $50

Talk about a turnaround. This blogger took a rough find from IKEA's As-Is section and made it shine by recovering it in a cheerful floral fabric and adding more traditional bun feet.

See more at Petite Party Studio.

SHOP BUN FEET Bun Furniture Feet, $11

Ottomans are the definition of flexibility: You can use them to put your feet up or let them pull double duty as a cocktail table—just top it with a tray and some curated book stacks. The only problem with this one? Its contemporary aesthetic only works in modern homes.

Is this even the same cart? (Trust us, it is.) A fresh coat of gray paint, a chic marble top, and a shiny towel bar make this basic cook's sidekick as stylish as it is functional—and a bona fide kitchen scene stealer.

See more at Oliver and Rust.

Short of a professional sous chef shadowing you, is there any better kitchen helper than a portable cart? While convenient, this one is just a bit on the spare side.

BUY NOW Bekvam Kitchen Cart, $60

One blogger turned the basic shelving unit into a library-worthy built-in curio with help from some architectural molding and well-styled vignettes. The perfect finishing touch: a rolling ladder, of course.

See more at The Makerista.

SHOP LADDERS Unfinished Maple Ladder, $527

The classic lines and simple structure of these go-to shelves make them the starting point for all kinds of makeovers, whether they're used to increase appliance storage in the kitchen or to help contain clutter in a living room.

BUY NOW Tall Billy Bookcase, $79

Think you need to sign off on a pricey kitchen renovation to add a multifunctional island? Think again. This bookshelf hack is like the open shelving version, with organized compartments for baking supplies, books, and even snacks.

See more at Golden Boys & Me.

This half-sized version of the classic Billy bookcase is even more versatile than its tall counterpart.

BUY NOW Short Billy Bookcase, $69

How's this for a small-space solution? The bookshelf becomes a multifunctional prep station with wheels, basket storage, and a brand-new countertop—and disappears under an L-shaped table. Need to make room for seating? It even rolls away to accommodate stools.

See more at Sketchy Styles.

This highly adaptable shelving unit has plenty of room for storage, but it can also be used as a low-key display piece in any room of the house, whether it's stacked or left to its own devices.

Two drawer units and IKEA's Adils leg prop up a wooden surface from the hardware store to create a spacious workstation for optimal productivity.

See more at Beauty Ressort.

This streamlined filing cabinet is functional enough to stand on its own, but its blank-slate finish begs for personalization. After all, what office couldn't use a little more energy?

BUY NOW Alex Drawer Unit, $79

This chic plexiglass block is an ideal accompaniment to a contemporary living room or bedroom—and a stylish step up from the basic black table.

See more at Ich Designer.

Easy to assemble, this classic side table is both sturdy and portable. In other words, it's the perfect place to kick your feet up or rest your book before turning out the light.

BUY NOW Lack Side Table, $10

Inexpensive, easy to DIY, and functional? Count us in. Blogger Jen Lou Meredith installed coordinating door inserts on half of the cubby holes, then added IKEA's RILL casters and topped the shelving unit with a LÄMPLIG chopping board to build the ultimate kitchen caddy.

See more at Jen Lou Meredith.

BUY NOW Lämplig chopping board, $20

Even less expensive than the high-gloss Kallax shelves, this unit allows you to think outside the bookshelf box with its sleek size and understated style.

Francesca of Fall For DIY made these baskets her own by simply bolting legs to their undersides. Seriously, how amazing are these?

See more at Fall For DIY.

SHOP LEGS Pretty Peg Legs, $60

With its cute shape and neutral gray-and-tan color scheme, it's hard to imagine a better version of the Steinbär plant pot.

BUY NOW Steinbär Plant Pot, $30

Looking for a hygge-friendly project to get you through the winter? This high-style makeover features painted brass legs and a fur-clad foam cushion to transform the stool from an austere afterthought to a serious head turner.

See more at Darling Darleen.

SHOP FUR Faux Mongolian Fur, $23

The Marius stool is appealingly inexpensive; it also leaves much to be desired in the character department. But when you spend $6 on furniture, you can afford to shell out a little more to spice it up.

We dare you to find an easier IKEA hack. Something as simple as recasting the silver legs gold and throwing on a cozy faux fur rug, as Nathalia of The Key Item did here, instantly glamorizes even the most forgettable furniture item.

See more at The Key Item.

The VOLFGANG chair's minimalist style is both a strength and weakness. But it's easy to reinvent the piece—or, come to think of it, any simple chair—with a little ingenuity.