DIY Custom Built-ins: Ikea Cabinet Hack Part One: The Design & Moodboard
How I turned Ikea Besta Cabinets into Custom Built-ins!
In this post on, DIY Living Room Built-Ins: Ikea Besta Hack: Part 1 The Design, I am going to break down the planning & design portion of the process of making over my living room by adding custom built-ins. I am going to break down what the Better Homes & Garden One Room Challenge and why I joined it. This post will give you all the design inspiration and the plan to building the built-ins as well as give you a glimpse at the before of the project.
What is the Better Homes & Garden One Room Challenge?
This is week one of the One Room Challenge with Better Homes & Gardens. In case you don’t know what that is…the One Room Challenge with Better Homes & Garden is the ultimate design showdown for your diyers! Each person picks one room in their house and gives it a complete makeover, while documenting the progress over the course of several weeks.
Each contestant shares the ‘before’ pics, their design ideas, and all the DIY projects and decor choices they make along the way. It’s not just about showcasing your creativity; it’s also a fantastic opportunity to connect with a community of fellow design enthusiasts .The best part – you get to see what other bloggers and designers are up to as they transform their spaces, too! It’s a whirlwind of inspiration, and you’ll pick up tons of ideas for your own home.
Choosing to Turn Ikea Besta Cabinets Into DIY Custom Built-ins
I had allows followed along with these challenges but I was a little apprehensive about sticking to a deadline and competing with other amazing rooms. Juggling work and staying home with two kids- it is hard so finding time to add DIY in there too. However, it was a challenge that I wanted to take on and so I couldn’t have picked a better project than DIY Living Room Built-ins. I wanted it to be super affordable– because custom built-ins are expensive & attainable because I hadn’t ever built cabinets before so I wanted to start slow that is why I chose to make this an DIY Ikea Hack!
Our Living room is the first room that you see when coming into our house and it has has been high on my list to redo since we moved in. It only took me 3.5 years since moving into to give this room the attention it deserves.
Before our Custom DIY Built-Ins:
Just to give you an reminder that things don’t always happen fast and exactly how you want them immediately….this is what our home looked like right after purchasing it.
That was our living room before we moved into our house. My uncle, is the handiest & knows everything home renovation (he is where I learned some of my diy skills), renovated that space before we moved in. He opened up the wall from the kitchen/ living room, laid new floors, baseboards, painted and swapped out the fan.
Below is our house right now before we start the Besta Ikea Hack: adding custom built-ins during this Better Homes & Garden Challenge.
The Vision for the DIY: Custom Built-Ins Using The Ikea Besta Cabinets
Can you even believe that is the same space? Our living room is small and right off the kitchen & front door. Having two children, we have an overwhelming amount of toys that have also taken over our living room. It is our playroom, our dining room, our family space, entertaining space…everything. So my dream for this room is to be functional, have interest, STORAGE, and feel inviting. However, I also need it to be affordable and easy to diy!
The Problems with the Before of the Space:
The couch isn’t comfortable and doesn’t offer enough seating to have people over. The entertainment unit is nice but doesn’t offer a good amount of storage. The sides of it on the wall are just dead space. I added the mirrors above the baskets so the babies could look at themselves when they were getting toys.
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The Custom DIY Built-ins Mood Board & Solutions
Below is the mood board I came up with for what I am dreaming for the space. I added additional seating so it can be more inviting and symmetrical. I added a wider rug to make the room feel warmer and larger. I So this is what I came up with for this my mood board/inspiration for this room. I obviously added the built-ins using Ikea’s Besta Cabinets which solves my storage problem and I think it anchors the room. If you are looking for other diy built-ins ideas or inspiration, check out The Spruce’s blog post on just that!
So the main projects for this room is the diy built-in cabinets and shelves. I wanted cabinets all along the bottom to maximize storage and eliminate all the open clutter (all the baby toys lol). The open shelving is for decorations and to add dimension/texture to the room. I will paint the walls white to make it feel open and allow for the other furniture/pieces to add contrast. I also wanna maximize our wall space to allow more seating options. I also want to add a gallery wall where the photo ledges are.
How are we going to Build the Custom Built-Ins?
Well check out my next post to find out what we tackle in part 2- the actual building of the built-ins. Week One we solidified my plans and design for the space, the materials I would use. I decluttered and sold some of our furniture on Facebook market place to prep the space. Excited to show my progress next week on our custom diy built-ins! Stick around to see it come together and don’t forget to check out all the other amazing designs all of the other participants have!!
Check out the other designs from the One Room Challenge participants at this link!
Maybe Custom Built-Ins Are Too Much for You to Take on And you are wondering
What you Can add instead of built-ins?
When custom built-ins aren’t quite what you’re looking for, there’s a ton of other possibilities to maximize both function and style in your living room. Check out these alternative options for homes that want the same storage and depth that custom built-ins add without the work or cost. Alternatively you could add modular shelving units, bookcases, stylish floating shelves, elegant cabinets and sideboards, multifunctional room dividers or furniture with built-in storage. Check out some of our favorite pieces to add to your living room instead of built-ins.
How to Create Custom DIY Built-Ins With Stock Cabinets?
Creating Custom DIY Built-Ins with Stock Cabinets: A Versatile Alternative
While this blog post explored the process of using a popular Ikea hack for custom built-ins, it’s essential to acknowledge that there’s an equally affordable alternative – dining your own custom built-ins with existing stock cabinets. The key distinction lies in the look and quality you are looking to achieve with custom built-ins. By selecting stock cabinets that suit your style and space, you gain the freedom to choose higher-quality materials, finishes, and configurations. The degree of customization is even better than ikea cabinets which are already painted. With stock cabinets, you can add personal touches, like decorative molding or unique hardware, to make your built-ins truly one-of-a-kind. The result is custom storage and display solutions that match your vision, all while staying within your budget. I do think the quality might be a little better to than the ikea materials. To get started, checkout our recommended stock cabinet here and follow our step-by-step guide in the next blog post part 2. Your living space will soon be filled with beautifully crafted, custom built-ins tailored to your unique taste and storage needs.
Mood Board Finds
More on the DIY Built-ins Series:
Check out the other posts in this living room makeover series to see the end result and the progress along the way.
