I have conflicting opinions about Ikea. A conflict which is fueled by my beloved decorating instructor’s blatant hatred for it and my decorating guru’s (Sarah Richardson) frequent use of it. But one thing I know is that Ikea furniture is everywhere, therefore customizing is necessary for a unique look. The quality may not be the highest but the furniture has good lines and lends itself to customization.
On that note, here are my top ten favorite ideas for customizing Ikea furniture (in no particular order).
1. Application of Overlays from myoverlays.com
(Since everyone and their mother has these expedit bookcases here are a couple examples of how overlays transformed these pieces:
For more great examples of how overlays are used to customize Ikea furniture check out their blog.
2. Paint, new nobs, and other bling:
Sarah Richardson often spray paints Ikea cabinetry to give her kitchens a custom look:
3. Stenciling:

For a great how-to on stencilling curtains check out the tutorial on twentysomething
4. Custom Slip Covers from Bemz (or homemade if you’re handy!)
What’s not to love about that! Except maybe the cost of shipping it from Latvia…(been there, done that, at least the quality is excellent).
5. Dying White Slip Covers:
6. Adding trim to curtain panels:

It looks like this seamstress added some light weight microsuede to the bottom of these heny rand curtains.
This topic will ring a bell if you follow my blog. Check out “Customizing Store Bought Curtains” for more ideas.
7. Creative use of Fabric:

Love the fabric backing on these shelves. I’m considering it for the expedit in my daughter’s room. This would work well with wallpaper too.

I customized this liatorp bookcase in my powder room with new knobs and some fabric to hide the cleaning supplies and linens I store there (and I know, the blah walls really need to be painted).
8. Hack and Stack:

Beer anyone? Oh, expedit, so little money and so many uses. See ikeahackers.net for the instructions as well as many more ikea hacks.
9. Add some wallpaper:

I know what I’m doing with my kid’s table now. I also saw the top of this table painted with chalk paint.
10. Simply Accessorize:
Avoid going Ikea on top of Ikea and get creative with your accessories. Look at the pizazz added to the hemnes daybed below with some cheery pillows and bed linens:

I just bought this bed for my daughter. I’ve changed out the drawer knobs and the duvet and pillows are in the makes.
True confessions…net surfing for this post has kinda made me fall in love with Ikea (a creative approach to Ikea that is). I guess the moral of this blog post is that if you can’t afford the fancy stuff, fake it with Ikea!