The Internet at large is full of ideas for how to “hack” IKEA furniture. Some are unbelievable in a good way. Some, in a bad way. Others make you go “well…as long as you love it.” But anything that requires power tools or even a sewing machine might prove too much for some of you out there—I get it…DIY can often feel more like WDIDT, “why did I do this?!?”. Sure, you can turn a sidewise bookcase or kitchen cabinet box into an upholstered bench, or create a custom design using wooden dowels on the door fronts of an IKEA armoire, but there’s a much easier way to make an enormous impact on your Swedish imports thanks to the plethora of companies out there offering their third-party “after market” products.

I especially like this option for those buying second-hand IKEA or trying to breathe some new life into what they already have on hand (a kitchen being the exception!), as there is a part of me that winces just a bit at buying something new and full-price just to go and spend even more money to make it “better.” In some instances, the math totally works out, but in others, not so much. IKEA pieces are a dime a dozen on peer-to-peer marketplaces, so be sure to check those out if you have something specific in mind and know that there are things you can buy to refresh them if needed.

So, from cabinet doors for kitchens, bathrooms, and closets to “I can’t believe this is IKEA!” slipcovers and even very cute and cool legs, I did some work for anyone who has ever wanted to put their stamp on their big-box purchases without the hassle of true do-it-yourself. Here’s what I found:

The Best IKEA Cabinet Doors

We’re starting with the grande dame of IKEA after-market products: Doors for their cabinetry systems and storage units (typically the Besta, which I have four of and love). Cost-conscious but make it custom-looking—that’s what many of these companies that sell doors and drawer fronts sized to fit Sektion boxes (etc.) offer with their product. I find that most of these places sell very similar looking product with the exception of some specialty things like Plykea (see below), so find the one that matches your budget and time window best, has a design system that you find easiest to use and gives you the option for custom colors or DIY paint if you are after a specific hue or finish.

Semihandmade

What They Sell: Doors for Sektion & Akurum kitchen cabinet systems and Besta storage systems, drawer faces for Godmorgon bathroom vanity; one-stop-shop offerings of Caesarstone countertops, floating shelving, and hardware, as well.

Why We Like It: Semihandmade has possibly the most visibility when it comes to IKEA after-market door fronts likely because they tend to work with a lot of designers and content creators. We’re fans of all things Sarah Sherman Samuel, and her line with them is beautiful. They also recently released their painted collection where you can opt for a custom paint job instead of one of their signature brand colors, as long as it’s a swatch from Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams or Farrow & Ball.

What We Like:

Walnut Slab Drawer for Sektion (Vertical Grain) | Custom Painted Slim Shaker Door for Sektion | Black SSS Beaded Front for Besta

Fronteriors

What They Sell: Doors, drawers, sides for Sektion kitchen systems, Pax wardrobes, and Besta storage systems

Why We Like It: Fronteriors is woman-founded and run with some super chic design options we don’t see elsewhere. We also love that they have door fronts for the Pax wardrobe. I personally Pinned many of their products for years before they started selling in the US, at which point I went through a deep exploration of their Besta doors to upgrade my living room media cabinet.

What We Like:

Burgundy Curved Loop Single Door for Sektion | Oak Door for Besta | Linen Textile & Oak Drawer for Besta

Plykea

What They Sell: Bespoke plywood door and drawer fronts (even plywood countertops) for Sektion kitchens and Pax wardrobes.

Why We Like It: Plykea definitely has a modern look (very Domino or Clever AD), but a great avenue for anyone wanting something different that is still warm and friendly feeling. You can’t really get a sense of individual products on their website, though, as you have to work with them for quotes to buy a full bespoke kitchen package.

What We Like:

Bespoke Pax Wardrobe Doors w/ Regular Semi-Recessed Grab Handle 400mm | Half Arc Grab | Bespoke Plywood Sektion Cabinety Drawers & Doors

The Cabinet Face

What They Sell: Door and drawer faces for Sektion (including for panel-ready appliances), Pax and Godmorgon

Why We Like It: Much of what you’ll find in kitchen door markets is MDF, but The Cabinet Face also offers solid wood (and wood slab veneer). As I highlight below, the red oak and the quarter sawn oak are beautiful! But yes, you can also opt for their DIY paint grade MDF for your own finishing. For anyone daring enough, they also have high-gloss, metallic gloss or matte finish acrylic slab and Shaker if you prefer that look.

What We Like:

Red Oak Slab | Quarter Sawn Oak Shaker | DIY Shaker Paint Grade

Nieu Cabinet Doors

What They Sell: Sektion and Akurum kitchen system doors, Pax wardrobe doors and Besta storage unit doors

Why We Like It: Nieu sells a good variety of Shaker profiles (I like the stepped or skinny Shaker, below) that you don’t see elsewhere—a flat Shaker, skinny Shaker or slab are the most common across the board. Plus, their lead times are great, with raw MDF taking only 3-4 weeks (note that their painted orders could take 6-7 weeks, however). Another great selling point for anyone looking to get their doors painted themselves: You can order primed doors, as well, to save you a step in the process.

What We Like:

Stepped Shaker in SW2851 | Bevelle Skinny Shaker in SW7015 | Wood Grain Slab – Vertical Grain Door in Natural Oak

Modern Twig

What They Sell: Doors for Ikea Sektion, Godmorgon, Besta, and Pax

Why We Like It: Modern Twig’s wood offerings are fantastic. You can pick between beautiful wood veneer slab doors, solid wood Shaker varieties and faux wood laminate if that’s your thing. But don’t worry, they also hate matte painted in a handful of popular modern colors and two unfinished designs.

What We Like:

Clay Outline Door for Sektion | Solid Wood Walnut Shaker | Marine Blue Shaker 4-Drawers for Godmorgon

Our Favorite IKEA Sofa & Sectional Slipcovers

Honestly, after virtually shopping around for slipcovers for this post, IKEA sofas have gotten a lot more alluring to me. I have never owned one, so I cannot speak to the quality of the cushions or frames, but if your old Kivik or Ektorp has seen better days, one of the below companies definitely has something to make it look fresh again without having to throw in the towel and get a whole new sofa.

Bemz

What They Sell: Slipcovers for IKEA sofas, sectionals, dining chairs, armchairs, footstools and beyond.

Why We Like It: There are plenty of companies doing the IKEA slipcover game well, but Bemz takes it to the next level with some very cool designs. Some of them can get pretty pricey, so keep that in mind if budget is top of mind for your new couch cover. Everything is made to order so there is no overproduction, and they’re also B Corp certified!

What We Like:

Hyltarp 3-Seater Sofa Cover in Recycled Linen Micro Stripe | Söderhamn 3-Seater Sofa Cover
Megamalist Fit in Simply Linen Vintage Blue | Färlöv 3 Seater Sofa Cover w/ Long Skirt in Recycled Linen Block Stripe, Sun Yellow

Comfortly

What They Sell: Covers for 62 IKEA upholstery collections in at least a dozen fabric types (pet-friendly, stain-proof, linen, poly, velvet, etc.) in a variety of colors

Why We Like It: Comfortly holds a 4.8 rated on Trustpilot from over 2,000 reviews, so you can trust there are plenty of satisfied customers. Their covers are handmade in Europe, come with a 3 year warranty and a 14-day return window if it’s not just right for you. Oh, and don’t forget to peruse their Outlet, too.

What We Like:

KIVIK 3 Seat IKEA Sofa Cover in Tiffany Dark Green | NOCKEBY 3 Seat IKEA Sofa Cover in Como / Blue | KARLSTAD 3 Seat IKEA Sofa Cover With Long Skirt in Pure French Linen / Moonstruck

Soferia

What They Sell: Slipcovers for all the usual suspects of IKEA sofas, chairs, ottomans and beyond.

Why We Like It: Another Trustpilot favorite (has a 4.9 rating), I find Soferia has a vast offering but at a bit of a lower price point than others. Another pro? They have 12 fabric types for indoor furniture and three for outdoor, with a ton of colors and even some patterns thrown into the mix.

What We Like:

IKEA EKTORP TULLSTA Armchair Cover in Stewart Beige Pattern | IKEA STOCKHOLM 3-Seat Sofa Cover in Premium Cotton Grey | BERGMUND Chair Cover Long in Kaya Cognac

Comfortworks

What They Sell: Slipcovers for nearly all IKEA upholstery items, as well as for other brands such as Pottery Barn, Article, Crate & Barrel, West Elm and Restoration Hardware.

Why We Like It: All the fabrics offered by Comfortworks are OEKO-TEX certified and machine washable, and sofa cushion covers have a non-slip lining to stay in place (though note this means you can’t flip them over without removing the cover).

What We Like:

Vimle 4-seat Corner Sofa Cover in Everyday Cotton White | Poang Armchair Cover in Signature Microfibre Silver Sage | Ektorp 3 Seater Sofa Cover in Care+ Linen Natural

Masters of Covers

What They Sell: IKEA covers, Pottery Barn covers, and even armrest protectors

Why We Like It: While Masters of Covers production lead times are very reasonable at around one to three weeks not including transit time, they also have an in-stock section and outlet if you need something *right now*.

What We Like:

Fagelbo Loose Fit Left Chaise Sofa Cover in Premium Cotton Olive Green | Karlanda Bench Cover
in Premium Velvet Dusty Rose | Harnosand 1 Seater Sofa Cover in Premium Cotton Grey

Where to Buy Cool Legs & Accessories for IKEA Furniture

A good amount of the aforementioned cabinetry and slipcover companies sell legs, hardware and other accessories for your IKEA systems and upholstery, but nothing is overly worthy of its own mention like Pretty Pegs below, and even Etsy.

Pretty Pegs

What They Sell: Furniture legs, hardware, IVAR DIY Hack collection

Why We Like It: Most of the removable legs on IKEA furniture comes with an 8mm thread, and that’s what Pretty Pegs sells. That’s not to say you couldn’t use non-IKEA marketed legs, you just have to check the thread size. Pretty Pegs has been in this game for well over a decade and have some very distinct designs we love.

What We Like:

Hedda 100 Dark Wood Finish Furniture Leg | Otto 80 Ash Natural Furniture Leg | Barbro 100 True Blue Furniture Leg

Etsy

What They Sell: Well…basically everything, but you’ll find a plethora of hack-friendly products under search terms like “IKEA hack”, “IKEA accessories” and simply just “IKEA”, though you’ll have to filter out vintage and second-hand products.

Why We Like It: Again, you an find anything on Etsy. Decals, cool legs, add-ons to make something like a peg wall turn into a giant spool holder for quilters…you name it, you can probably find it. I leaned into some more kid-leaning things below, but search, and you shall find.

What We Like:

IKEA DUKTIG Play Kitchen Decal Set in Green Tile | IKEA Trofast Storage Bin Ziggy Striped Decal | Legs for IKEA Kallax Bookshelf – Set of 4

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Phew! What a selection, huh? I used to write about IKEA hacks all the time when I was at Apartment Therapy, and let me tell you, the things they are selling now to make your DIY life so much more seamless are far and above what used to be around. Chic, design-forward and high-quality…what more can you ask for?

Go forth and make your IKEA newer/better/cooler…and as always, I just ask you come back and post some pictures so we can all marvel at what you’ve done.

Until next time, friends…

Opening Image Credits: Design by Arlyn Hernandez | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Arlyn’s Moody Dining Room Reveal Is All About the Insane Power of Paint