When I look at the plain old IKEA Duktig play kitchen, I see endless potential just waiting to be unlocked, it’s like a little blank canvas for creative parents. Messing around with new ikea duktig kitchen hacks flicks the switch from basic playset to swoon-worthy toy you almost wish was your own real kitchen.
Seriously, these upgrades give main character energy to an underdog toy you probably considered for a birthday gift by default. If you’ve got five minutes, a glue gun, or a roll of peel-and-stick wallpaper, you can transform this thing with some truly pro-level flair.
I’ve rounded up the most ingenious, fun-loving improvements, guaranteed to inspire your next “why didn’t I try this sooner?” project.
This post may contain affiliate links. See my full disclosure here for more info.
Bold Brick Backsplash Steals the Show
That moody teal blue paint turns the classic IKEA Duktig kitchen into an actual showstopper, doesn’t it? All the details, like the real brick-effect backsplash and the shiny brass faucet, just make you wanna play pretend chef right now!
The leather strap handles, marble-look counter, and copper feet? Perfection! There’s even a geometric yellow towel for a pop of fun, every swap makes you want to try mixing colors and textures like @saoirsefindlay did at home.
Seriously, grab some paint and peel-and-stick wallpaper and just go for it!
Verdant Charm With Lush Plants and Bold Green
No way you’ll miss that deep forest green on this upgraded DUKTIG kitchen hack, it’s just stunning and instantly modernizes the set! Those tan faux-leather handles give it real grown-up vibes, honestly makes me wish my own kitchen was this cool.
I spotted @lolaahmadu‘s sweet spin and fell head over heels for the herringbone tile backsplash, sleek but playful, and easy to mimic with peel-and-stick tiles. If you’re feeling fancy, those terracotta pots with greenery up top soften everything up and make the whole scene feel fresh and lived-in.
Try adding your kiddo’s favorite colors or swapping materials to match your home, because honestly, with a little paint, you can totally make this classic stand out!
Marble Backsplash Brings Luxe Vibes to Playtime
The way @housebybella styled this IKEA Duktig kitchen just feels super fancy and inviting, like it belongs in a mini designer home instead of a playroom. That marbled backsplash with the brown and soft grey veining totally elevates the look next to the gold faucet… honestly, who wouldn’t want this in their space?
I love those chunky woven baskets for storage up top, plus the soft creamy white finish that ties the whole piece together with natural wood handles. Swap in different peel-and-stick backsplash designs or mix metals if gold’s not your thing, there are so many ways to remix it!
Seriously, copying this look doesn’t just make your kitchen cuter, it makes you want to play right along with the kids.
Bold Black Paneling Adds Instant Modern Drama
If you want your IKEA Duktig kitchen to look extra fancy, check out this awesome setup inspired by @hannahdgriffin. The sleek black paneling makes the backsplash feel so grown-up, while that gorgeous gold faucet gives total mini chef vibes!
Love how the butcher block effect countertop and those wooden accessories tie everything together, don’t you? Try swapping the standard handles for chunky wood ones like these and go for a ceramic canister to score big on cozy style points.
Honestly, just playing around with stains and hardware makes the whole play kitchen feel super custom.
Boho Chic Rattan Details Steal the Show
This hack by @thefrenchfolk turns the plain IKEA Duktig kitchen into the dreamiest little boho nook! They swapped the basic doors for gorgeous paneling and natural woven cane that completely changes up the vibe.
Even the kitchen faucet got a glam upgrade with a touch of brushed gold paint, while soft blush and beige tones on the backsplash tie in with those dried florals up top. You can totally play around by using stick-on tiles or acrylic paint if you’re into more color, or change up the handles for something unique.
Don’t be nervous to add your own flair, you’re gonna fall in love with how joyful and creative this looks in any space!
Genius Microwave Timer Addition
This IKEA Duktig kitchen microwave hack is next-level cute and so smart! I love the time, effort and ingenuity that went into creating a working microwave timer!
It’s a little detail that will engage their kids for longer every time they play with it, bravo @bytebasics!
Your tiny cooks will want to help every time when their kitchen looks this cool!
Wicker Accents Elevate This Minimalist Play Kitchen
If you’re all about calm and cozy neutrals, this dreamy Ikea Duktig kitchen hack from @ohfridayishere will grab your attention. Just look at how the painted wood stove top panel in warm cream and soft oak-y beige totally changes the vibe, it instantly feels more stylish and Scandinavian, right?
I’m obsessed with how the matching faux-burners plus those rounded knobs keep it playful while making it look super modern. Dried grass baskets totally pop against the creamy kitchen wood, and if you don’t have wicker accessories, try pale bamboo trays or cotton textiles for a similar effect!
You could even try a whitewashed pastel, seriously, it makes this classic kitchen so much more fun and personal.
Cafe Vibes Shine with a Modern Menu Board
Can’t stop staring at this ultra-cool forest green Duktig upgrade from @cheflely. That deep, chalky green color paired with warm under-cabinet lighting seriously makes this whole pretend cafe vibe work.
There’s a woven little potholder, matching textiles, and those silvery pulls look just like something straight out of a real kitchen renovation show. I love how the marble-look countertop just pops against the darker shade, and the custom “OLLES CAFE” sign makes it super personal too.
No joke, this definitely makes me want to bust out some paint and create my own miniature espresso bar for the playroom!
Glamorous Modern Play Kitchen with Gold Tap
There has been a lot of thought put into the design of this Duktig hack from Nos.Enfantillages on Instagram.
There are several great details to pick out here, not least the marble counter top and gold tap and handles. The counter top is created by using a marble effect vinyl adhesive sheet and the tap and handles are spray painted gold. These upgrades should be made before assembling the kitchen to make it easier!
The back splash is a lovely decorative tile that is also a sticker. The units have been painted a gorgeous pale blue to match the other finishes.
We would be happy to have a real kitchen that looked like this!
Ikea Duktig Kitchen and Shop Hack
Turn your Ikea Duktig play kitchen into a shop to have two toys for the price of one (plus a few extra materials).
This brilliant idea from Gaensebluemchen and Sonnenschein (I copied and pasted their name!) is a great way to create a play shop on the back of your play kitchen. Complete with produce baskets, awning and signs.
Role play is such a great way for kids to develop many different skills and this play shop is another tool to help make that happen.
Match your Grown Up Kitchen to Your Duktig Kitchen
Which came first, the grown up kitchen or the Duktig kitchen? This lovely idea from Miss Jess Wanderer creates a mini version of the family kitchen for kids to pretend they are like mummy or daddy.
It’s a gorgeous Ikea Duktig hack that uses some of the same tricks as the first entry (marble effect vinyl counter top, spray painted tap and handles). They go for a more neutral colour in their kitchen(s) though and it’s a really lovely calming space.
We love the mini oven mits too!
Under Mounted Sink for the Ikea Duktig Play Kitchen
You might think there couldn’t be much variation in what you can do with the Ikea Duktig play kitchen. To a certain extent you might be right! But there are always little details that make each one unique.
In this case, this stunning Ikea Duktig hack from Jyll.Mackie on Instagram includes a counter top with the sink mounted underneath. It’s a simple piece of work and involves using the same counter top but just gluing the sink underneath instead of just sitting it on top.
The leather pull handles and gorgeous grey/green paint add to an amazing finish that feels quite bohemian.
Bohemian Brown Duktig Play Kitchen
Talking of bohemian, I don’t think you can get more so than this great Duktig hack from The French Folk. We love the sumptuous brown of the kitchen, the cane webbing inserts in the doors and the wooden hob they have added.
All it needed was a replacement wooden tap to complete the look (asking a bit much there thought I think!).
It looks so great with the vintage kitchen accessories too!
Classic Kitchen Style with Added Refrigerator
This lovely Ikea Duktig hack from Saving Amy creates a classic play kitchen with a botanical back splash. There has been a lot of work put into creating little details such as the hob plates and oven door outline.
The real work, however, has gone into creating an amazing refrigerator to go with it! This has been done with a couple of Eket wall units, handles and spray paint. The added possibilities for play are endless!
The great part of creating something so original is that your kids get to see the process of making something amazing yourself. Get them involved in the project so they develop a creative streak themselves!
Gorgeous Mid Century Modern Ikea Duktig Hack
We love the mid century modern styling of this Duktig hack from A Beautiful Mess. Especially the globe light fitting!
They’ve stuck to a palette of pink, white and gold and that helps it fit nicely into the surrounding decor.
A little bit of embellishment adds some character with the star and the retro knobs.
Colourful and Floral Ikea Duktig Kitchen Hack
This gorgeous Duktig hack from Anchors and Honey is so colourful with it’s pink paint job and floral background. It’s a great contrast to the more neutral ones we’ve seen earlier, if you prefer something a bit more bold.
Again, the good old spray painted gold tap and handles have made an appearance, but with the other alterations it’s a completely different look.
Dark and Bronze Duktig Play Kitchen Hack
We love the dark chalk paint finish in this hack from Lust Living. Combined with the bronze spray painted finish of the taps and handles (and accessories) this is a really stylish play kitchen.
The stick on hexagon tiles are a perfect way to add a real tile effect on the back splash.
I think the real success story on this Duktig hack though is the stone effect spray paint on the counter top!
Light and Bright Ikea Play Kitchen
This is such a stunningly light and bright Ikea Duktig hack from Hello Hello. We love the light blue finish combined with the leather and wooden stove knobs.
This is another hack that has made great use of stick on tiles!
I think my favourite part of it is actually the white spray painted tap and sink! It seems to work so well in this design and looks so clean and fresh!
Graphic Back Splash on This Ikea Duktig Hack
The green on this play kitchen from GildedHearth on Instagram is gorgeous and combines so well with the large scale graphic tile pattern used on the back splash.
The great thing about all of these Ikea Duktig play kitchen hacks is that they are made to fit in so well with their surroundings. It’s almost another piece of furniture in the room’s scheme.
Bohemian Stipped Back Duktig Play Kitchen
Something a little bit different to finish with. This beautiful bohemian Duktig hack from indi_and_bear (no longer available, but featured on Momo Design) does away entirely with the upright section at the back of the kitchen for a more freestanding style.
We love the wooden bead handles and the use of the trellis above the kitchen to add a playful, bohemian storage solution.
There are so many ways to style the Ikea Duktig play kitchen to either suit the surroundings it is in or just to make it more appealing.
You can even add more detail to it with extra stove knobs, a back splash and rails. The possibilities are endless!
Hopefully you’ve seen enough to be inspired to create your own Ikea Duktig hack and create something that will be well loved!