15 IKEA Living Room Ideas That Go Beyond the Showroom
Design by Life After Coffee / Photo by Jessica Bowen
When it comes to designing on a budget, IKEA is a go-to. Whether you're furnishing your first apartment or your dream home, IKEA furniture offers many attractive benefits. It's affordable, DIY-friendly, customizable, and favorites like the Billy bookcase or Besta storage system can look surprisingly high-end with some quick and easy hacks. IKEA furniture is also great for small spaces and fairly simple to assemble.
Looking for inspiration or ready to upgrade the IKEA pieces already in your collection? Check out these 15 IKEA living room ideas.
Craft a Custom Library
The Billy bookcase, an easily modifiable bookcase and a designer-favorite, shines in this library. Line up the bookcases, add detailing, brass sconces, and sculptural decor for a luxury design at a fraction of the price of custom millwork.
Build a Sleek Media Cabinet
Design by Velinda Hellen / Photo by Sara Tramp
The Besta storage system is known for its versatility. Here, designer Velinda Hellen used the IKEA classic with slab fronts for a sleek family-friendly media cabinet to stow living room extras, books, and toys.
Design a Geometric Option
Jessica from House Homemade opted for an IKEA Tarva unit, a budget-friendly storage option made from unfinished pine, to DIY the piece of her dreams. The geometric details and off-white color is chic and modern.
Include Airy Storage Anywhere
Living room storage is simplified with an IKEA Besta unit.
"It's great to hide children's toys or crafts, house seasonal decor, or it can even act as a TV console," says Austin-based designer Laura Williams. "The best part, there is an array of decorative doors to choose from for the cabinet fronts."
Change Out the Legs for a Luxe Look
Design by Albie K. Buabeng / Photo by Ellie Lilistrom
Another IKEA Besta hack? Swap out the legs for a one-of-a-kind design. This media cabinet from designer Albie Buabeng features black Shaker-style doors, a wood-like wrap, and acrylic legs for a design that looks much more luxe than it is.
Hand-Paint for Colorful Storage
Another favorite IKEA storage console is the Ivar system Here, three units come together for a colorful hand-painted piece from The Wall Whisper. Hang unique art, plants, or a mirror above for a vignette.
Paint It Black
Another Ivar hack? Pair two, paint them black, and top with plywood for a winning and easy combo. Now DIYed, these cabinets match with the modern, neutral look of this living room.
Add Leather Pulls
Modify your IKEA Ivar cabinets with something more stylish. This four-door storage system looks refreshed thanks to purple paint an leather pulls.
Consider Fluting
When it comes to putting your own spin on an IKEA piece, designers and homeowners alike sure love to update the Billy bookcase. Ready to test out a weekend project? Try adding fluted doors for texture and a customized look.
Button Up Your Couch
Design by My So-Called Handmade Life
Tufting is a unique way to update any IKEA couch. Easily stitch and add buttons to get the vintage-inspired couch of your dreams on a budget.
DIY a Crafty Greenhouse
@room_kew / Instagram
A bold blue IKEA Fabrikor unit, a durable glass cabinet, is the ideal spot for crafting an indoor greenhouse. Foam and moss is used for the cabinet base, while a grow light helps the plant life inside florish.
Elevate Your Storage
DIY blogger Alyssa Depew went for an IKEA Kallax unit for living storage. Wooden legs from Amazon take it from a regular shelving unit to a sophisticated bookcase to organize and display books, pictures, toys, and more.
Paint for Cohesion
@magical_manor / Instagram
These Billy bookcases come alive with a coat of blue-green paint. Make sure to paint behind the bookcases for a cohesive living space. Another tip to make sure it looks put together? Pick one type of item to display.
Frame Your Space
A custom library on a budget can easily be accomplished with the Billy bookcase. This space from A Beautiful Mess includes seven bookcases lined to frame both the window and width of the room, satin sage green paint, and plywood.
Implement Colorblocking
This IKEA hack is too good to pass up. Purchase some Billy bookcases and DIY a top and bottom for them. This quick project can easily be done in one day. For a more dramatic look, implement color blocking in your space by painting your bookcases a contrasting color from your walls.
Read the original article on The Spruce.
