Your living room doesn’t have to choose between affordable and stylish anymore. These ikea west elm hacks & ideas prove that mixing budget finds with designer looks creates spaces that feel way more expensive than they actually are.
Smart decorators have been secretly combining IKEA’s functional pieces with West Elm’s trendy aesthetic for years. The trick is knowing which elements to blend and how to make them work together seamlessly.
These creative solutions will transform your space into something that looks like it came straight from a design magazine.
This post may contain affiliate links. See my full disclosure here for more info.
Infuse Arched Glass Doors Into Your Billy Oxberg Cabinet
The IKEA Billy Oxberg gets a total transformation when you add custom arched glass door panels like this one. Peony and Honey created this look by cutting the existing glass doors into elegant arches that give off major West Elm vibes without the usual complications.
That soft peachy-beige paint on the cabinet frames creates such a warm and inviting feel in the room. The vertical reeded panels on the bottom doors add texture and depth that makes the whole piece look way more expensive then it actually is.
You can style the glass shelves with neutral ceramics and woven baskets to keep that organic, earthy aesthetic going strong throughout your space.
Introduce Modern Minimalist Styling With Custom Hardware Upgrades
The IKEA Tarva dresser gets a complete makeover with crisp white paint and warm wooden legs that give it that expensive mid-century look. Brass knobs replace the original hardware, which completely transforms the whole piece into something you’d expect to see at West Elm for way more money.
The simple white finish keeps everything feeling clean and bright, while the natural wood legs add just enough warmth to prevent the space from feeling too sterile. @leannelimwalkerhome styled the top with a round mirror and carefully curated accessories that don’t overwhelm the minimalist vibe.
You could easily swap the brass knobs for leather pulls or even black hardware depending on your bedroom’s color scheme and style preferences.
Refresh Your Space With Sculptural Yellow Cabinet Details
The real showstopper here is that glossy yellow cabinet with black trim sitting on hairpin legs that totally transforms the whole vibe. @taybeepboop styled this space with bold color choices that make everything feel more artistic and intentional, proving that one statement piece can change the entire mood of your room.
The IKEA Holmerud bench underneath works perfectly as a coffee table alternative with its natural wood finish and open shelving. Its got those neon green bookends and colorful accessories that tie back to the yellow tones above, creating a cohesive look thats playful without being childish.
The curved yellow cushion adds softness to all the straight lines and hard surfaces, which is a smart way to balance out geometric furniture.
Ground Your Entryway With Warm Oak Shelving
The IKEA Holmerud console is basically perfect for anyone trying to get that expensive West Elm look without breaking the bank. This warm oak finish brings so much richness to an entryway or hallway, and the asymmetrical shelving design gives you tons of styling options for books, vases, and decorative objects.
@homewithmadii styled this piece with neutral tones and natural textures that really complement the wood grain. The woven vase and sculptural lamp add those organic touches that make the whole setup feel intentional and collected, not just thrown together.
You could easily switch up the accessories with different colors or add small plants to make it feel more personalized to your space.
Pair Colorful Storage Crates With Custom Sofa Covers
The genius behind this space from @wolfnoodle_ comes from mixing practical storage with playful color blocking. Those rainbow crates stacked under a simple wood tabletop create a coffee table thats both functional and eye-catching, while the dusty blue IKEA soderhamn sofa with custom covers from Soferia ties everything together without competing for attention.
The custom slipcover transforms the standard Soderhamn into something that feels more West Elm than basic Swedish furniture. You can switch up the crate colors to match your own vibe, maybe going for all neutrals or even keeping them in there original plastic finish for a more industrial look.
The whole setup shows how simple modifications like swapping covers and repurposing storage bins can completely change the feel of affordable furniture pieces.
Tailor Soft Pink Lampshade With Vertical Fabric Panels
The IKEA Ringsta lampshade gets a complete transformation with this soft pink fabric panel design that looks way more expensive than it actually is. Katie Bookser wraps the basic white shade with vertical strips of blush fabric that create these beautiful ridges and shadows, giving it that high-end West Elm vibe everyone loves.
The vertical panels add texture and dimension in a way that flat fabric just cant do, and the pale pink color works with literally any room style. You could try this same technique with different colored fabrics like sage green or even a patterned material if your feeling bold.
The whole look is clean and modern but still feels soft and approachable, perfect for a bedroom or office space that needs some personality.
Polish Your Bedroom With a Gold Framed Floor Mirror
The Ikea Lindbyn mirror in gold completely transforms this bedroom into something that feels way more expensive than it actually is. That slim gold frame catches the light perfectly and makes the whole room feel bigger and brighter without being too flashy or overwhelming.
Leaning it against the wall instead of hanging it gives off those relaxed West Elm vibes everyone loves. The gold brass finish pairs really well with the dark wood floors and charcoal curtains, creating a balanced look thats modern but still warm.
You could also try this in an entryway or even a walk-in closet to add that same polished touch wherever you need it most.
Tailor Ivar Cabinets With Bold Geometric Wood Detailing
The IKEA Ivar cabinets get a total makeover with these incredible geometric wood appliques that transform plain pine into something that looks like it belongs in a high-end furniture boutique. @2ndstory_studio created this stunning piece by adding circles, lines, and angular shapes cut from thin wood strips, then arranged them across the cabinet doors in an abstract pattern that feels both modern and artistic.
The natural pine finish keeps everything cohesive and lets the dimensional details really stand out against that moody olive green wall. You could easily adapt this technique by using different shapes or even painting the appliques in contrasting colors for a more dramatic effect.
Those brass sconce lights and the colorful floral art above tie the whole vignette together perfectly, proving that a little creativity with basic materials can rival any designer credenza.
Tweak the IKEA Tarva With Cane Webbing Details
The IKEA Tarva nightstand gets a sophisticated upgrade when you add natural cane webbing to the drawer front, creating that expensive West Elm look everyone wants. Hunker painted the entire piece in matte black which makes the warm tones of the cane really pop against the dark backdrop.
The contrast between the sleek black finish and organic texture of the cane webbing brings in that mid-century modern vibe without trying too hard. You can find cane webbing at most craft stores or online, and attaching it is easier then you’d think with some wood glue and a staple gun.
This transformation turns a basic pine nightstand into something that looks way more custom and unique, plus the open shelf gives you extra storage space for books or decorative items.
Complement Your Table With IKEA Crockery as Vases
Sometimes the best home accessories are hiding in plain sight in your kitchen cabinets. This sculptural cream-colored IKEA cup has been completely repurposed as a unique vase, turning a simple drinking vessel into a statement piece thats perfect for holding olive branches or dried botanicals.
The beauty of this approach comes from mixing high and low design elements together, which is exactly what Katie Bookser demonstrates so well. The neutral beige tones and curved silhouette of the IKEA crockery creates that West Elm aesthetic without trying to hard, and it sits perfectly on a brass tray alongside natural wood serving pieces.
You can experiment with different IKEA cups, mugs or even bowls to create a whole collection of mismatched vases that still feel cohesive through their shared material and color palette.
Pair Fluted Panels With Brass Hardware for Elevated Storage
The IKEA Kallax gets a serious upgrade with white fluted panel inserts that completely transform its look from basic to boutique. Those vertical grooves add texture and dimension that mimics expensive West Elm credenzas, and when you add sleek brass pulls, the whole piece feels custom-made.
Prettylillawyer styled this beauty with organic elements like the amber glass vases and dried botanicals that soften the clean lines. The sage green decorative bowl sits perfectly against the crisp white finish, creating that sophisticated yet approachable vibe thats hard to achieve.
You could easily swap the fluted panels for cane webbing or even peel-and-stick wallpaper if you want a different texture but the same elevated effect.
Tailor Your Rast Dresser With Textured Wallpaper Details
The IKEA Rast dresser gets a major glow-up with vertical ribbed wallpaper that completely changes its vibe from basic to boutique. @diybydna applied thin strips of white textured wallpaper across the drawer fronts and paired them with sleek gold hardware that looks seriously expensive.
The ribbed texture catches light in such a cool way and gives off those West Elm vibes without actually being West Elm. Those gold handles and hairpin legs tie everything together and make it look like a designer piece you’d find in a fancy furniture store.
You could swap the white for sage green or even a soft blush pink wallpaper if you want something with more color personality.
Stage a Breakfast Nook With Warm Brass and Neutral Tones
This cozy setup proves that small dining areas can feel just as polished as the big ones when you focus on the right details. The IKEA Simrishamn wall lamp with its cream fabric shade and black arm creates that perfect overhead glow without taking up valuable floor space, which is honestly genius for tight corners.
The round marble-top table paired with those soft gray upholstered chairs gives off serious West Elm vibes but in a way more compact package. The brass pedestal base ties everything together and reflects that natural light beautifully, making the whole corner feel bigger than it actually is.
Check out @thegabbychristine for more inspiration on creating these kind of minimalist breakfast nooks that dont sacrifice style for function.
Add Vertical Wood Slats for Modern Textured Storage
The IKEA Tarva dresser gets a seriously elevated look with thin vertical wood slats applied across each drawer front. This hack from @ellejay.smith transforms the basic pine dresser into something that could easily pass for a West Elm piece with that clean, modern feel.
The natural wood tones create dimension and texture while the white painted frame keeps everything light and airy. Black drawer pulls add just enough contrast without overpowering the organic warmth of the wood slats.
You could try this with different wood stains or even paint the slats in a bold color if your feeling adventurous with your bedroom or entryway makeover.
Natural wood slat dresser from @ellejay.smith with white frame and black handles featuring eucalyptus styling.
Complement Raw Pine With Geometric Drawer Detailing
The IKEA Tarva dresser gets a major upgrade with these angular drawer overlays that totally change the feel of the piece. House Homemade added these geometric cut-outs to each drawer front, creating clean lines that look like something you’d find at West Elm but with way more personality.
The raw pine wood stays natural here, which actually makes those angular details stand out even more against the deep teal wall behind it. You could stain this in a walnut finish or paint it white, but theres something really nice about keeping that light wood grain visible and letting the shape do all the talking.
This hack works because it takes a basic piece and adds architectural interest without covering up the materials natural beauty.
These ikea west elm hacks & ideas prove that great design doesn’t require choosing just one store or style. Your home can have the best of both worlds when you know how to mix and match smartly.
The key is starting with IKEA basics and adding West Elm inspired touches that elevate the whole look. Remember that small changes like switching out hardware, adding textures, or combining different finishes can make the biggest impact.
Now you have all the tools you need to create a space thats both functional and Instagram worthy.
Related posts
-
41 Ikea Kallax Hacks You Need in Your Home
Researching for this article, I’ve been amazed at what you can do…
-
27 Ikea Billy Bookcase Hacks You Will Fall In Love With
The Ikea Billy bookcase has been around over 40 years and is…
-
26 Ikea Storage Hacks That Will Change Your Life
There are so many amazing ideas out there for Ikea storage hacks…
-
22 Ikea Malm Hacks You’ve Probably Never Seen Before
You may have seen a ton of Ikea Malm hacks on Pinterest,…
-
15 Ikea Lego Storage Hacks Every Parent Secretly Needs
IKEA LEGO storage hacks & ideas that turn chaos into organized building…
-
17 Ikea Montessori Hacks & Ideas for Independent Little Learners
IKEA Montessori hacks & ideas transform basic furniture into child-centered learning spaces.…
