The Smart Hack That Makes An IKEA Shoe Cabinet Look Like Built-In Storage

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While it's great to be able to match each one of your outfits with the right type and style of footwear, having too many shoes can be challenging to organize, especially with limited storage. It can mean a shoe rack carrying more than it was designed for, overflowing closets, and piles of shoes cluttering the entryway. So now you need additional storage, but don't want just another random piece of furniture sticking out in your living space. The solution? Make an IKEA shoe cabinet look like built-in storage. This clever hack will not only mean your shoe storage blends in seamlessly with the rest of your furniture, but also, the built-in furniture has a way of making the room look larger.

If a smart, custom built-in storage solution sounds like something complicated to put together, don't fret. Creator @creating.a.casa on TikTok demonstrates how straightforward the DIY project is. Actually, there are essentially two main tasks: adding wood trim, and painting the cabinet to match the rest of the room. To recreate this for yourself, buy two (or more) IKEA GULLABERG Shoe Cabinets with 4 compartments (get the white ones as they'll be much easier to repaint), and decorative wood trim (thin and thick versions). Get new cabinet knobs, wood filler, caulk, and wood adhesive. The tools needed are a measuring tape, putty knife, sandpaper, and a paint brush. You also want to have a few power tools to make your work easier, including a power saw, drill, and a pneumatic nailer. If you don't have any of these tools, especially the power tools, you can rent them at Home Depot.

Begin by cutting the thin decorative trim and adding it to the front of the cabinet drawers. You'll first measure the wood trim pieces to ensure they fit within the width and length of each drawer. Cut the ends at 45 degree-angles, then, using a strong wood adhesive like Titebond-3 wood glue, attach the trim one piece at a time on each drawer's front end. To reinforce the hold, add a few brad nails to the trim using the nailer. 

Next, join the two cabinets together by cutting out the small overhanging wood bit on the top shelf of both cabinets, stand them right next to each other, then secure each to the wall. A strip of thick wood trim running from top to bottom will hide the seam in the middle, adding more detail to the cabinetry. Add another thick strip of trim on the top shelf to complete the look. And finally, achieve the built-in appearance by laying some baseboard trim at the bottom of the shoe cabinet. 

The next step involves filling gaps that might be lurking either on corners or along the seams. Use a putty knife to apply wood filler like DAP Plastic Wood-X with DryDex Wood Filler, wiping off the excess with a rag. Afterward, caulk all the seams. After the filler and caulk dries and hardens, sand down the storage cabinet to smoothen it. Finish by applying a primer all over, then painting the IKEA shoe cabinet to match the rest of the room.

The last step is upgrading the cabinet hardware. This is one seemingly small change that can instantly transform your wood cabinet and make it look truly custom and high-end. Something like these JOY DECOR Cabinet Knobs on Amazon are great for a minimalist look in black, gold, silver, and white. If you want more color and patterns, try these Royal Kraft Vintage Multicolor Printed Ceramic Pull Knobs. Or give your cabinet an unexpected look using one of the unique cabinet hardware options you may not know about, such as bird- or animal-shaped knobs. 

For more customization ideas, test out different wood trim designs on the front of the cabinet drawers like half-round wood beaded trim, or a wavy design. And instead of basic wood trim, why not pick from an assortment of intricately designed decorative panels at O'verlays®? The best part is that they're specifically made for IKEA furniture, so fitting them on your GULLABERG shoe cabinets will be a breeze.