13 IKEA Products That Are Well-Loved By DIYers For Good Reason

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Furniture juggernaut IKEA creates some of the most popular furniture pieces on the market. For example, the brand estimates it sells one of the iconic Billy bookcases every five seconds. IKEA can attribute some of its popularity, in part, to the fact that its furniture is so hackable (here are some of the best hacks we've found on TikTok). The retailer is a favorite store for DIYers and home improvement enthusiasts, armed with a bevy of online resources to transform IKEA pieces. The brand's simple Scandinavian style can serve as a blank canvas for a range of creative projects. Besides a design you can build on, IKEA is also well-known for its affordability. This makes it even more appealing to DIYers, who are often looking to create on a budget.

Ahead are some of the most popular IKEA products amongst the DIY community. Sourced from project ideas online, these furniture pieces and accessories span the gamut of trendy projects, used for making anything from small decor pieces to floor-to-ceiling closets. For inspiration, we've also rounded up some project ideas you can create with these popular IKEA products.

IKEA's OSTBIT plate holder is cheap, sturdy, and very adaptable. It costs only $5.99 and serves as an excellent base for projects that requires evenly-spaced pegs. It has seven pegs, sized and spaced to hold six plates, but they are useful for organizing a wide variety of items, from cutting boards to tablets. Made of durable bamboo, this holder has a pleasant natural look that really suits Scandinavian and modern spaces, but can work with more traditional decor styles too.

For some of these DIY ideas, you don't even need to alter the holder itself. For example, this IKEA kitchen essential doubles as a drawer organizer, and you can use several and move them around to create your own storage system in a drawer. The slots are excellent for organizing all manner of small items. Use them for tea towels in the kitchen, face cloths in the bathroom, hats or clutches in the closet, or pieces of children's clothing or diapers in kids' room drawers.

Another creative use for this holder is to turn it into shelving. One cool idea from @grillodesigns is to mount it directly on the wall (it's possible to use Command Picture Hanging Strips for a renter friendly version) and use it as a unique bookshelf that makes it appear like the books are suspended in the air. Another option is to use the holder as a clever entryway organizer shelf. For this DIY, you essentially use the plate holder as a shelf bracket with an easily adjustable height. Just keep in mind that the holder only measures 3 inches high (when used normally). When placed on its side for shelving, it will only support shallow books or shelves.

The BILLY Bookcase is one of IKEA's most popular pieces, with more than 120 million sold since it was introduced in 1978. This iconic piece of furniture is basic but so versatile. It's available in several finishes, including plain ones like black and white, or with a wood-like finish. You can also customize yours with paint, peel-and-stick wallpaper, new hardware, or other hacks to try on a BILLY bookcase. This BILLY series offers a few different layouts and sizes, and it's also possible to move the height of the shelves or remove some altogether. IKEA sells a selection of doors, extra shelving, and height extension units for you to personalize your BILLY, which is useful for some DIYs. The simple design, good build quality, and low price tag is what makes the BILLY such a home improvement favorite. Also, since there are so many in circulation, units are quite easy to find secondhand. Its popularity means there's a bevy of project ideas out there too.

Many projects involve using the BILLY bookcase as intended, which is as shelving for decorations or storage. However, they just make it look better by updating its aesthetic. A gorgeous way to take advantage of the BILLY bookcase is by adding trim to make it look like built in bookshelves, like in this video from @littleinklingsdesign. Different bookcase sizes also make it possible to turn it into a media console around a TV, following this example from @agiecole. One more fabulous use for these versatile shelves is to create a closet, whether it's a standalone wardrobe or an organization insert for a walk-in closet. In this video from @imfionaho, they show how easy it is to turn a BILLY bookcase into a closet with a few hanging rods (they use a Pull Out Clothes Hanger Rod to make it look more luxe).

The KALLAX shelf unit shares several appealing traits with the BILLY bookcase. It's also affordable, so you've probably seen it in dorm rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, and more. It's available in a couple of different layouts and finishes, though fewer than the BILLY. IKEA does sell KALLAX accessories for even more organized storage. Additions of doors, bins, and drawers in the KALLAX series help to personalize the square cubbies.

Compared to a bookcase or regular shelf, the cube layout is better for organizing small items. It's also possible to mount small KALLAX units directly onto a wall, so you can create interesting floating shelving systems. But like many other IKEA DIY favorites, it's simple, so you can customize it freely, plus it's popularity means there's lots of ideas to draw inspiration from. The KALLAX is another unit that you can easily find secondhand through online marketplaces.

Some DIY ideas just involve transforming the KALLAX with paint, doors, and legs, like in this video from @learnitwithalbee. Other projects put multiple shelving units together to create larger storage systems, like the wardrobe created by @do.it.yourself.mum. One more useful and cost-saving project is to create a customizable kitchen island, following the steps of @ecomkatie.

The IVAR shelving unit is so plain that it's almost stylish again. It really is just your most bare bones shelf, with small holes so you can adjust the shelf height. Its biggest benefit for DIYers is it's made of unfinished solid pine so you can stain or paint it to your heart's content. Solid wood is also much easier to cut cleanly than particleboard. The IVAR's no-frills look will work in many spaces, but more importantly for DIYers, it serves as the perfect blank canvas for your creativity. The IVAR system is another line you can find in a range of layouts, with different combinations and door options.

Many projects involve personalizing the IVAR since it is such a fabulous base piece. Some make it pretty much unrecognizable; that's how wonderfully versatile this cabinet is. With such simple, modular pieces, it's possible to hack smaller parts of the shelves too. An example is this project from @yourtampabff, where they take fluted panels to completely transform the look of this plain unit. This video from @little_edwardian_semi shows how easy it is to turn one side of the IVAR shelf into a towel or blanket ladder.

The LACK series is one of IKEAs most economical lines, with several budget-friendly shelves and tables. The LACK side table costs only $14.99, which is cheaper than pretty much any side table on the market. The LACK coffee table and LACK console table are also two affordable picks. It's these three tables that are popular amongst DIYers, drawn to their cheap cost. Reflecting their price though, they're made of particleboard with a honeycomb structure paper filling. So unlike solid wood, they're not really suitable for taking apart for major projects. Instead, many projects involve using the table as a base to add on to and personalize.

This project from @therehablife is one excellent example, which uses a LACK side table and an additional tabletop to make a more modular and modern end table. Using the same side table, @charlotteartman adds mirrors to turn it into a reflective cube that looks futuristic and edgy. There are also lots of ideas out there for the larger LACK tables, like this one from @faizaanshariff_, which transforms the coffee table from cheap to modern. In short, many projects still use the table for its original function, but they upgrade the aesthetic, so you can DIY a nicer-looking piece of furniture for the reasonable IKEA price tag.

The TROFAST frame is another one of IKEA's offerings that comes in a few layouts, perfect for DIYers who want to personalize their storage. IKEA sells a variety of trays, bins, and inserts for the TROFAST system, making it adaptable for different uses. This is also another piece that's made of solid pine, so it's easier to paint, stain, drill, and cut — in short, easier to customize — compared to IKEA furniture made of particleboard. Its boxy, modular design is also excellent for stacking, mounting, and generally building upon.

The TROFAST system is designed with kids in mind, though there are ways to make your IKEA TROFAST work in any room with some creative DIY upcycles. Many pieces are perfectly child-height, so it's very easy to turn two units and a long, flat board into a child's desk, like @stylewithgigi shows. Adding doors and toppers for the surface instantly makes the TROFAST more adult-friendly, and is especially stylish when using the stepped unit, as @do.it.yourself.mum proves in this upcycle project.

The TRONES shoe/storage cabinet is so hackable that IKEA includes a DIY idea on the product page. This photo shows one creative use, which is to mount several cabinets behind the bed as a headboard (with plenty of storage). The TRONES is popular due to its incredibly versatile and modular design. It comes in a very affordable two pack and is designed to be stacked or mounted side by side, encouraging creative configuration options. A major draw of this cabinet is its shallow depth: at only 7 inches deep, it's narrower than many other shoe cabinets out there, ideal for very tight spaces. It's made of plastic so it can handle damp areas, and there's even some projects that take the unit outdoors (like this unique TRONES hack for outdoor spaces). The plain look means it can work with most decor styles, but you can also upgrade yours with paint, contact paper, or handles.

Most TRONES hacks aren't very transformative (there's only so much you can do with plastic). They really just involve elevating the aesthetics and adding storage to tight spaces where a more traditional shelf or chest of drawers can't fit. Many projects also take advantage of the wall-mounted design, which looks a bit more modern and doesn't intrude on precious floor space. This easy project from @thegilliamfam_ turns this shoe storage into an entryway console table. In this video from @sorryweareopentday, they put several TRONES units together to create a console table behind the couch with hidden storage.

The MOPPE mini storage chest is another popular product in the DIY community. It really appeals to those who want to make their storage piece completely customized. This chest is another IKEA product made of untreated wood. The plywood material means you can sand, stain, or paint it, over and over again. It's essentially a mini chest of drawers, designed to sit on a tabletop to hold small items like makeup, flash drives, charging cords, and paper. This chest is ideal for those looking for a smaller project if they don't have room for another piece of furniture.

Many MOPPE DIYs involve upgrading the look of the unit with paint, handles, and other aesthetic additions. The world is your oyster, and you can use decals, contact paper, and pretty knobs and pulls to customize both the inside and outside of the unit. There are also many more creative project ideas. For example, this video from @nannabodeval, where they add a fluted decorative panel and mount the entire unit to a wall, turning it into a very affordable floating nightstand. Creator @lonefoxhome does something similarly innovative, stacking a few stained MOPPE units and mounting them to make useful storage for trinkets and other bits. Renters can follow the guide of @thewhitethistle and add legs instead of mounting the chest to a wall.

The HULTARP Rail is a simple metal rail, and that's exactly why it's a favorite in the IKEA hacking community. It's made of sturdy steel and is available in three appealing finishes: silver, brass, and black. It's very affordable but durable. Shoppers can find it in two sizes: it's not adjustable, but since it's a single piece, that helps contribute to its strength. It's designed for the kitchen as a hanging rail, mounted on the wall and paired with hooks to hang pots, pans, mugs, tea towels, and other kitchen accessories. But many people take it out of the kitchen. You can use it in any room to hold small items, from the entryway for keys and hats to the bathroom for hair tools and towels.

The simplicity of this metal rail lends well to DIY projects beyond dressing it up for use in different rooms. It also makes a fabulous picture rail, as this video from @kspera3 shows. In this project from @cozydiyhome, they pair the HULTARP rail with another highly-hackable IKEA product (the BEKVÄM spice rack, more on this item next) to make an entryway shelf. The appealing colors of the HULTARP rail makes it ideal for decorative projects, like this DIY plate rack from @aprilshaus.

The BEKVÄM spice rack is extremely high-quality for its price. It only costs $6.99 and is made of solid aspen wood, so it's a great find, even by IKEA standards. The solid wood build makes it appealing to DIYers since it makes it simple to sand, stain, paint, or use decals on. The aspen offers a pleasant warm base for all sorts of projects. Again, this is another slim shelving option that people can fit into any space, whether it's on the side of a kitchen cabinet (its intended use is a spice rack) or in a tiny bathroom. The rack has a very clean and welcoming look that can be altered to suit pretty much any home decor style.

Excellent quality and at a price accessible to many, the internet is full of BEKVÄM Spice rack hacks. We've rounded up projects using this spice rack to add storage around the home, maximize kitchen organization, and to tidy up an entryway. There are so many inventive projects out there, ranging from @hannahwiththelipstick flipping it over to use as a nursery shelf and hanging rod, to following the guide of @pearinut and repurposing it as a mini desk shelf. One more popular project online follows the same process as @mimamiry, using it as a bathroom accessories shelf, where the rail doubles as a hand towel holder.

Another minimalist product from IKEA, the MOSSLANDA picture ledge can be used for more than displaying pictures. This simple ledge suits modern and contemporary spaces well, while wood effect options work in more traditional or rustic rooms. It's available in a few sizes too, and this versatility is what makes the MOSSLANDA a crowd favorite. Slimmer than a shelf and with a useful lip, it can fit in almost any space, so it's perfect for adding a little something extra (whether for storage or decor) to tight areas. Its affordable price tag and useful design appeals to DIYers.

The MOSSLANDA picture ledge is made of fiberboard, so it's not ideal for refinishing. Many DIY projects use it as-is, mounting several units together, adding hooks and rails, or even adding lighting to upgrade it. Some DIYers, like @east_shore_home, flip the ledge upside down and use it more like a traditional shelf, then hide a light strip under the lip. In this video from @cozydiyhome, they add hooks to make a useful entryway catch-all shelf. This ledge also fits picture books perfectly, as @fromwifetolife displays in this corner library shelf in a child's room.

At one glance, it's easy to tell why the EKET Cabinet is frequently chosen by DIYers. This cabinet is incredibly modular, available in a few layouts that are all boxy. They're suitable to stack or place side-by-side in geometric designs. As another one of IKEA's varied storage systems, the EKET storage system comes in several finishes, including wood-look options and some colorful hues for playful DIY projects. Units can be mounted on the wall or left freestanding with legs (sold separately). This is another affordable offering made of particleboard.

DIY projects online take full advantage of the flexibility of this boxy system. Some are low effort, like this one from @bernaslife, which lines up various EKET units to create a modern-looking TV sideboard. In this video from @jessvlyfe, they use a single EKET cubby as an affordable, floating nightstand. Even more useful, this project done by @taraxinterior turns a few of these units into a convenient low console table with hidden storage.

IKEA's PAX system is an absolute favorite for those trying to create or reorganize their closet on a budget. It's entirely modular, with so many options to configure it to your needs. With the right additions, it can also look quite high-end at a reasonable price. You can choose from different frame sizes and styles, door types, and several interior accessories to make your own fully custom closet that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Many people use them to create DIY closet systems, and this goes beyond the bedroom too. Some owners also use some as storage in the pantry, mudroom, office, living room, and really anywhere you need a wall of storage indoors. Like many IKEA products, this system is mainly made of particleboard, which is something for DIYs to keep in mind when considering cutting or refinishing pieces.

One of the most popular PAX DIYs is to make it look like a built-in shelf or closet by adding trim. Doors, a layer of paint or contact paper, and new hardware can really make this simple system look luxurious (as this clip from @laurencandy3 shows). In this video from @sk_customdesign, they offer an excellent example of how a PAX unit can work as storage and a room divider. Lastly, @simply.aligned.home shows how with some layout creativity, you can turn the PAX into a beautiful full-wall media unit and shelving.