The Only IKEA Hack You’ll Ever Need
A couple of months ago I was looking for a new TV console to replace our IKEA Besta console..and I came across an even better solution. Apparently there’s a whole slew of businesses out there who create cabinet fronts for your favorite IKEA furniture pieces. Quite frankly I didn’t know these companies existed and on top of that I definitely didn’t think their designs would actually be good. but they are SO. GOOD. Like…so so good.
The best part about IKEA furniture is that no one needs to know it’s IKEA. I think their furniture is literally the best shapeshifter there is. It basically takes on the shape, form and expense of everything else surrounding it. Have a piece of IKEA furniture in a terribly designed room? It’s going to look like a terrible piece of furniture. Have IKEA furniture in a well designed, high-end looking living room dressed up to the nines? People will be asking you “Oooo is this CB2? West Elm? Where did you get this!?” Why is one of the best feelings in the world when people ask you if your cheap furniture from an expensive place…Oh, is that West Elm? No honey, it’s freaking IKEA.
I’ve raved to friends about my “discovery” and I’m not sure if this is so much of a discovery for everyone else…but when I strike gold, hello, I’m going to tell people about it. This is the hack of all hacks because it’s not really a hack (ie it’s really easy bc you just have to buy different cabinet fronts and pulls). Is it weird that I get somewhat giddy about this stuff? It’s just all so attainable without the grunt work and I can’t handle it.
Here are a couple of my favorite companies to “hack” and bring new life to that IKEA furniture you’ve thought about replacing.
Pretty Pegs
Pretty Pegs specializes in making (you guessed it) pretty peg legs for your Ikea furniture. You want your cabinet to roll instead of stand still? The Julia leg is the leg for you. Oh, you want brass legs on your couch instead of wood? Check out the Ester 80 sofa leg.
Pretty pegs also has a variety of knobs and modern and art-deco cabinet fronts. You have to go check out their blog. It’s filled with some pretty incredible “hacks” that require you to do literally the same amount of work as putting together your Ikea furniture together for the first time (which, to some might be anxiety inducing but I believe in you).
A couple of my favorite hacks:
Besta Cabinet with Otto 100 legs & Stina 40 Brass knobs
Image by @Bohostyleliving
The loop sphere cabinet pattern from Pretty Pegs
Image from Pretty Pegs
Semihandmade
Ok, to be honest I just discovered Semihandmade when Sarah Sherman Samuel announced her collaboration with them (cough, yesterday). But HOLY WOW. If you’re looking for a very sleek or farmhouse style upgrade to your Ikea furniture, this. is. it. Semihandmade has collaborated with a few other designers and companies all with a very different take. Needless to say there is a lot of variety and colors to choose from for your kitchen and living room cabinets and I am so here for it.
I’m really loving the SSS-Quarteline cabinet front (it has a matte finish which I love), the Lewis Dolin Hardware, and of course this Half Moon Handle (also by Sarah Sherman Samuel).
Image 1: @theheartandhaven
Image 2: @sarahshermansamuel
Superfront
Superfront has practically everything you could possibly need if you’re looking for an ultra-modern and upscale upgrade for your kitchen, sideboards, wardrobes, bathroom and any other type of IKEA storage you can think of - they have it all. Fronts, hardware, legs, you name it.
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of picking out IKEA furniture and adding all of the fixings to it, you can buy one of their pre-packaged furniture pieces.
Image by Superfront
Piece: HARLEQUIN / AERUGO GREEN / 80X80
I’ll be here figuring out which cabinet front and pulls for my BESTA TV console, so stay tuned. If you’ve used any of these companies or use them in the future, I want to hear all about it!