IKEA Hacks

I live in IKEA country, close to what was – until 2014 – the largest IKEA in the world at 63,200 square meters, IKEA Kungens Kurva. I have a love-hate relationship with IKEA. I love their products but am unable to visit an IKEA without buying something I don’t need and didn’t want when I went in. I love looking at all the design inspiration IKEA offer in-store but hate that you have to go all the way through the huge building to get to the cash registers. I like that IKEA have lockers, play centres for children, toilets everywhere and great food so that you can spend half a day in there, but I hate that it takes so long to buy  just one thing. I love their furniture but am hopeless at assembling it, unlike Swedes who seem to have a genetic ability to handle that little screw thingie. IKEAs are also usually way out of town, apart from the pop up which has just opened in the city centre near where I work. I bet every single Swede has or will own a Billy bookcase or a blue or yellow IKEA bag at some time in their life!

One thing that interests me though is this site devoted to IKEA hacks. Modifications of IKEA products, ranging from repurposing to reassembling, upgrading, updating, personalisation or the creation of something totally new. It’s worth a look for inspiration on how to liven up or modify your IKEA basics. This grater lamp for example:

I use their FRAKT bags a lot – for doing my laundry, recycling, moving things from one place to another. These people go that extra mile though! Find the originals on IKEA Hackers