An IKEA pet collection is on its way to provide four-legged friends with everything they need to live their best lives at home. 

UTSÅDD, as the line is formally known, will win over the hearts of furry friends and owners alike with picks like a rattan cat bed and striped dog bowls that rival your favorite dinnerware staples, to name just a few offerings. What's more, it'll all perfectly complement your Scandi-style decor. 

Without further ado, have a look at the pet accessories your fur baby soon won't be able to live without. 

Have a look at the new IKEA pet collection

UTSÅDD, the buzzy IKEA pet collection, will officially hit shelves in April, but you can rest assured you'll find a few treats for your little nuggets (and swoon over the new IKEA trends for yourself).

"Based on the expert knowledge of veterinarians, pet product experts, and a demanding panel of cats and dogs, the UTSÅDD pet collection is a range of products truly dedicated to the life at home of pets," IKEA reps said in a statement. "Divided into the four main activities: eating, sleeping, playing, and hiding, the collection combines comfort, style, and functionality."

Consider it all Scandi decor, but for those with four legs and a tail. Dogs and cats everywhere are about to turn into major homebodies — err, homeanimals? — if they aren't already. 

A sneak peek at the selection includes a felt cat tent, checkerboard plush bones in yellow and white, fluffy dog beds, and minimalist striped blankets, but prices have yet to be revealed at the time of publication.

Since we have a feeling you'll stock up, we asked experts for cute ways to store pet essentials.

What to shop in the meantime

Even though the IKEA pet collection hasn't arrived on shelves yet, you can still shop current IKEA pet items. We've also rounded up interior buys for your pet that are just as cute as man's best friend. 

Love your furry friends, but not the mess they make? That's completely understandable. We've rounded up the 10 best vacuums for pets that will help you stay fur-free and the best pet-safe cleaning products. Plus, we've asked experts how to get rid of pet odor in a small space. No need to thank us!

Wondering where to buy cheap furniture? If your rental came without the essentials (like a closet, tables, and chairs), then you've landed in the right place. 

When leasing and decorating an apartment, unless you've got yourself a pad that's already furnished, sourcing furniture that doesn't blow the budget can be a tricky task. Whether you've got a studio apartment or your landlord won't let you bang nails into the wall, we've found some small-space star buys that won't break the bank.

These retailers are known for their affordable price points, and durability, and many of them have fair refund and exchange policies. In some cases, you won't even have to bribe a friend that drives to collect the goods, because many stores we've featured offer free shipping to your door.

How "cheap" is cheap you ask? Well — everything you see here is under $200. That's less than some self-drive hire vans for the day.

5 places to buy cheap furniture

Here, I've shopped all of my affordable furniture finds (without having to rearrange my car or hire a man-with-a-van setup. Most of these finds have 4-star ratings, and thousands of customers have contributed to on-site reviews.

The prices below were correct at the time of publishing this article.

1. Ikea

Forget about the meatballs and Lingonberry sauce at the end of the finishing line. When it comes to cheap furniture, Ikea hit the sweet spot for price, quality, and style.

Think lighting, rugs, and of course, I can't speak about the Swedish retailer without namedropping the Kallax series or Billy/Oxberg bookcase. On the hunt for smaller items? Our staff writer, Eve Smallman has put together nine Ikea must haves. 

2. Wayfair

It doesn't need to be Wayday or Memorial Day to bag a bargain at Wayfair. Score yourself some affordable furniture 365 days a year online. There's fast and free shipping over $35, with expert customer service, and you can even shop some great black-owned brands on Wayfair.

3. Walmart

W is for Walmart. And you'll defo be taking a W when buying from this retailer. There are so many reasons why it's my go-to. Yes, the website could be a li'l prettier, but once you find that diamond in the rough... All will be forgiven.

I just got married recently and wish I'd known about the registry gift list where you can create your own portal to share with guests.

Oh, and if you sign up for Walmart+, you can save up to $1,300 a year. This includes a Paramount+ essential plan, free delivery from your local store, free shipping with no minimum order, member savings on gas (if you drive to the store), returns from home, video streaming with Pluto TV, and much more. Get a 30-day free trial rn.

Ready to "Save Money. Live Better?" Shop the links below if you're after something in particular

• Shop Walmart closet organizers
• Shop Walmart shoe organizers
• Shop Walmart organizers

4. The Container Store

Most people assume that The Container Store is the place to go to if you're after a few storage baskets, storage cubes, and maybe a desk organizer or too. But take a deep dive into the top nav and you'll find some absolute gems (especially in the storage, shelving, and college shop tabs).

Head over to our round-up of The Container Store organization products that'll help you get your sh*t together if keeping things tidy and in order isn't your strong point.

5. Target

"Target" all your furniture wants and needs in this store. As well as its own "house" line, it's also quite partial to collaborating with other designer brands. In-store, everything is organized, and online — I've personally had a great website experience. Browsing the site, there isn't much "clutter" — just how I like it!

Know what you want already? I've included some helpful links below:

• Shop Target closet organizers
• Shop Target shoe organizers
• Shop TikTok Target home finds
• Shop Target mirrors
• Shop Target organizational products
• Shop Target rugs
• Shop Target storage bins and cubes

Other places to buy cheap furniture

If the aforementioned don't tickle your fancy — try these shops for size. I know you might turn your nose up at say, Amazon, but you'll be pleasantly surprised!

• Shop cheap furniture at Amazon — trust us, and thousands of customers
  Shop cheap furniture at Bed, Bath & Beyond — Expectently low prices from this e-store.
• Shop cheap furniture at The Home Depot — "home" to hundreds of savings
• Shop cheap furniture at Kohl's — the more you know, the more you Kohl's
• Shop cheap furniture at Urban Outfitters — it's giving Gen-Z energy

Combined, the Real Homes team has 33 years of rental experience across more than 20 properties and three countries. Learn our tips for renting your first apartment.

Here at Real Homes, we're all for home accessories that make day-to-day living that little bit easier – and, more fun.

So when we heard about IKEA's newly released smart pendant light, we were all ears! Especially given that the brand sells some of the best smart home tech around.

The stylish NYMANE smart LED pendant lamp is the latest addition to the Swedish company's smart light range, and we reckon it's the perfect way to finish off almost any space in your home. 

IKEA's NYMANE smart lamp

IKEA's newest smart lamp is round in design, and perfectly rides the line between stylish and functional – arguably, the very thing that IKEA do best.

The pendant lamp has been inspired by the KLANG light, a product IKEA sold in the 1960s. We're yet to find any pictures of the lamp, but we quite like that this new accessory has come from deep in the archives of the classic and affordable home brand.

The NYMANE light has been fitted with a built-in LED, which allows you to dim, and turn the light on and off, wirelessly – e.g. from your phone, or an app.

Handily, there are three different color light settings to choose from, including a warm glow, for creating nighttime ambiance, a warm white, for day-time, and a cool white, if you need to be able to see something (such as your meals) super clearly.

The pendant lamp measures at 38cm in diameter, and comes in both a white colorway and a black option.

IKEA advise hanging the light over your dining table or kitchen table for an on-trend industrial style kitchen look – or, placing it closer to your ceiling as your main light source in a room. We agree that this kind of pendant lighting generally looks best in kitchen and dining areas –  it would also be a perfect addition hung over a kitchen island.

In order to use the NYMANE lamp, you'll need to get your hands on the TRÅDFRI gateway, which allows you to connect all of IKEA's smart home products.

From there, you'll need to download the IKEA Home app onto your phone or other device in order to control and dim the light. Or, you can purchase a smart remote from IKEA with which to control the lamp.

Will you be adding one of these smart lamps to your next IKEA haul?

IKEA has just made an undisturbed sleep possible, no matter where you are. The solution comes in the shape of GUNNLAUG – a new soundproof curtain that absorbs noise and filters light – so you can filter out the traffic beyond your window. 

So, if you didn't already love the Swedish chain for their Scandi-cool furnishings and IKEA hacks  – you certainly will after a good night's sleep. 

The GUNNLAUG absorbs lights and sound through its special fabric – which is a combination of chenille yarn and a unique weave construction. This material decreases echos and reverberation in medium and high-frequency waves – so you can rest easy whilst the science gets to work. 

The lightweight product is certified according to ISO 354 (a way of measuring sound absorption), meaning it has a 50-100% greater absorption of medium and high noise frequencies than other fabrics of similar quality. 

The Swedish chain suggests the most effective way to absorb sound is by draping the curtain with folds, 9-15 cm from the wall – before suggesting you use the GUNNLAUG on a curtain rod or a curtain track. This bedroom idea will 'capture the sound waves and maximize the sound absorbency' because the folds emphasize the distance between the wall and the curtain.

While the GUNNLAUG protects you from the clangor of cutlery and the traffic buzz that comes with city life – it also creates a space for you to enjoy your playlist in private – so you can party on long after sunset. 

Yes, IKEA has saved your home disco – albeit a small home disco. This is the living room idea you need to know about just before party season. 

Plus, in all its functionality, it is easy to overlook GUNNLAUG's aesthetic, but despite its purpose, IKEA has designed the curtain to suit all schemes – with its choice of white and gray hues that elevate minimalist homes and maintain any neutral palette. 

The GUNNLAUG also allows you to break up with your open plan – by creating a private zone that feels separate from your workspace without sacrificing style. 

And in true IKEA style, the GUNNLAUG is made using recycled polyester – as the brand looks to make 'sustainable living more affordable, attractive and accessible,' according to Peter Jelkeby, Country Retail Manager and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA UK & Ireland.

Not only are IKEA good-looking, but they are also one of the best sustainable furniture brands too. Thanks to them, we're going to sleep (and party) throughout the entire night.  

IKEA is experiencing product shortages on both sides of the Atlantic, with some product lines out of stock. Some shoppers, especially those based in the UK, may have noticed a low availability of mattresses. Meanwhile, on its US website, Ikea advises that 'due to system updates and high demand, there is a chance an item with low stock may not be available for purchase.'

IKEA has been a worldwide favorite for affordable and durable furniture for decades, and IKEA hacks are increasingly used by savvy home decorators for achieving stylish look for less. What is happening to the flatpack giant's supply chains?

IKEA product shortages in the US

On its US website, IKEA simply refers to 'supply delays due to COVID-19' as the reason for any product availability disruptions. Specifically, in the US there is a significant problem with major ports being overwhelmed by large amounts of cargo coming in, to the points where, as an article in Bloomberg puts it, there are 'queues of anchored ships  and yards of containers piled as high as local fire departments will allow.'

This is a structural problem that has been really exposed by the increased amount of goods being shipped during the pandemic as consumer demand soars. IKEA is looking for road solutions to this problem of sea cargo, explaining that 'we will use rail transport from China to Europe to free up container capacity that we can use to ship more to US.'

IKEA product shortages in the UK

In the UK, the problem is similarly linked to transportation, but the exact reason is quite different. The UK is experiencing a severe shortage of lorry drivers which has been affected everything from medical supplies to food supplies. IKEA has been affected substantially, with product shortages affecting approximately 1,000 of the company's lines, or 10 per cent of its stock. 

IKEA told the BBC: 'What we are seeing is a perfect storm of issues, including the disruption of global trade flows and a shortage of drivers, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic and Brexit.' 

The retailer giant's apology came with the hope that the situation will improve 'in the coming weeks and months.' For the time being, you may have to look for the best mattress elsewhere. 

IKEA is now selling a battery charger that looks just like a book, freeing up space in our overflowing man drawers. The sleek IKEA TJUGO battery charger is not only a handy battery organization idea, but it should also make the more eco-friendly option of rechargeable batteries a little more appealing for the uninitiated.

Traditional black and bulky battery chargers fall into the wholly 'functional' category of items in our homes, and certainly aren't objects we would ever want on display. IKEA's new offering, on the other hand, looks cute tucked on a shelf or on a desk with other books.

The charger, which costs $17.99, comes in a pale blue-green shade and has a textured spine similar to that of a book. It's much more aesthetically pleasing than standard battery chargers - one reviewer even described it as the 'best-looking charger I’ve seen.'

Enough about looks - does it work? The product charges AA and AAA batteries, and you can charge up to eight batteries at a time. This sounds very satisfying, particularly for those of us with an assortment of loose batteries in a kitchen drawer and no idea whether they're brand new or depleted.

It also lets you charge an odd number - handy if your regularly-used cordless devices, from fans to torches, take three batteries. The TJUGO charger is also great for those who want to reduce the amount of waste they create at home - i.e. everyone - and saves you money on panic-bought replacement batteries for your alarm clock.

Batteries can be stored in the charger when it's not actually on, as it shuts off when the batteries are fully charged. A red LED light will indicate if a battery is defective and needs to be taken to the recycling center.

Check out the TJUGO battery charger on the IKEA website. IKEA also sells LADDA rechargeable batteries ($7.99 for a pack of four) so you can buy both in one go if you're thinking of making the switch to renewable batteries.

Investing in one of the best power banks will also stop your phone running out of juice at festivals and on day trips. Eco-friendly, aesthetically pleasing and an effective way to reduce clutter, what's not to love?

Wondering where to buy a sofa bed? We've rounded up our first ports of call when looking for a stylish sleeper sofa, whether you're searching for the best place to buy a corner sofa bed (a tricky style to find!), a space-saving futon, or just the cheapest sofa bed around.

If you're in need of some style inspiration before you buy, then check out our guide to the best sofa beds on the market first. This buying guide features the Real Homes team's top picks of the best sofa beds across the board, plus the lowdown on the key details to look out for when sleeper sofa shopping.

But if you're looking for something more specific - perhaps you have an exact colour in mind, or specific size requirements you need to satisfy - then this edit of sofa bed retailers will help to kickstart your search for the perfect piece of furniture.

Where to buy a sofa bed

The Swedish homeware giant is often our first port of call when it comes to design-led furniture at refreshingly affordable prices, and IKEA sofa beds are always worth a look.

In past years we've found the brand's sleeper sofa range has been a little bit hit and miss, with some very affordable - the two-person IKEA Hammarn sofa bed is just £99! - yet very firm options that haven't always reflected the brand's usual design aesthetics. However, its showrooms are brilliant for testing before you buy, and it's one of the few retailers where you can test and walk away with your sofa bed the very same day.

If you're looking for some extra sleeping space in a larger bedroom or playroom we do love the IKEA Hemnes day bed. It definitely looks more like a bed than an archetypal sofa bed, but it makes a great lounging spot during the day and extends into a properly comfortable double sleeping space at night. Plus it offers super useful storage and matches with the rest of the very popular Hemnes bedroom furniture range.

The Argos sofa bed offering now includes the Habitat range, which has increased the options available considerably and injected some contemporary style into the collection.

Prices start from a super reasonable £60 for a chair bed and around £100 for an entry-level double sofa bed in the brand's own label designs, although the low prices are achieved by offering ready-to-buy models only, so you won't get much choice on upholstery at this retailer. 

Argos' lack of showroom space also makes testing before you buy pretty difficult. On the plus side though, its off-the-shelf, online-only formula does mean your sofa bed is likely to be delivered pretty fast.

The simple yet effective Habitat Patsy single sofa bed at £150 is one of the retailer's most popular lines, alongside the bargain £580 Habitat Reagan Right Corner Sofa Bed with fold-out design and handy storage chaise, and the chunky Habitat Kota Sofa Bed that adds colourful comfort to a contemporary room.

The John Lewis sofa bed range features a really good mix of styles, from classic-look sofas with hidden pull-out mattress that echo its bestselling sofa designs, to ingenious contemporary solutions from sub-brand Innovation Living.

A good selection of showrooms across the country mean you're usually not too far from being able to test a model out, and many options come with a large selection of upholstery choices on offer.

A good range of price points are also on offer, from the affordable £299 Clapton Fixed Back Sofa Bed to the smart Innovation Living Cubed 140 Sofa Bed that we think is perfect for a home office/guest room, and the versatile Bailey Double Sofa Bed that matches perfectly with John Lewis' most popular living room furniuture range of the same name.

Although you may pay a little more for a Sofa.com sofa bed than some of the other retailers on our list, the investment is well worth it in terms of choice and quality. 

The sofa specialist has developed its sofa bed collection from its bestselling sofa designs, including the popular Bluebell sleeper sofa with its elegant turned wood feet, and the laidback loose-cover Isaac corner sofa. 

Unusually, the brand offers a similar level of versatility with its sofa bed offering as it does in its sofa range, with a fantastic diversity of size options in each sofa bed model - generally including loveseat, two-seater, two-and-a-half-seater, three-seater and more - plus a great selection of upholstery choices, from relaxed linen to smart velvet or leather upholstery.

The sofa bed range also features Sofa.com's usual seat cushion quality - made from foam cores wrapped in feathers - that make for a really comfortable sitting experience.

The MADE sofa bed collection has over eighty models on offer, so it's a great place to get a feel for which kind of style of sleeper sofa you prefer, especially if you're a fan of modern design, as most of its range errs towards contemporary.

On the downside, there are only two showrooms across the country - in Yorkshire and London - so trying before you buy can be difficult, and it always pays to doublecheck the lead-time before you buy as many lines have quite a long wait for delivery.

Design-wise MADE's Haru Small Sofa Bed is one of the most luxe-look compact sleeper chairs we've come across for its £299 price tag. Perfect for a kids bedroom, additional seating in a boudoir, or an extra accent chair in the living room, it only sleeps one but upholstered in colourful canvas or stylish velvet, it's a chair bed you won't want to hide away. And for only £80 more there's the Haru Large Double Sofa Bed which sleeps two.

If your tastes are more classic, then the Orson Chaise End Sofa Bed with turned wood feet and rolled back arms is a great option to consider at a very reasonable £1199. Plus there is some handy hidden storage under the chaise section.

Bag the best price with one of our Made discount codes.

If you want the ultimate flexibility in your upholstery choice, then a Sofas & Stuff sofa bed may well be the option for you.

Unlike most other retailers on our list Sofas & Stuff offer thousands of fabric choices, - in fact, they offer to upholster in any fabric in the world! - from statement florals to smart pinstripes and, of course, more great neutrals than you can shake a stick at. 

Sofa bed styles are classic and brilliant for period properties. We love the traditional detail of the Upperton Sofa Bed that's available in relaxed loose covers for a laidback, slouchy feel or fitted upholstery for a smarter look, plus the plump seats and rolled back arms of the Alwinton Sofa Bed.

The best thing about the Next sofa bed range has to be the ease with which you can test its most popular models out. Most large towns now have a Next showroom on a retail park or in their town centre, so getting to sit and sprawl across the actual sofa bed you're hoping to buy can be an easy reality. 

Designs are simple and contemporary classic, meaning they're pieces that are likely to weather changes in interior styles and stand the test of time well.

There are also some good leather options, from the versatile Michigan Leather Occasional Sofa Bed that comes in a range of subtle tones, to the compact Stamford Leather Occasional Sofa Bed.

There may not be the biggest selection of styles on offer, but Dunelm sofa beds and chair beds are very affordable, with a basic single futon starting from £129.

The product choice is mainly contemporary, with limited but colourful upholstery options that can make a useful budget addition to a kid's or teenager's bedroom.

Although Dunelm stores are plentiful across the UK, it can be tricky to find shops that have a good sofa bed selection on display, so trying before you buy is sometimes difficult. 

Comfort can also sometimes take a backseat to affordability, with most designs made with a fold-out click-clack mechanism and fairly firm foam seating, but if a bargain fold-out bed is your mission, this could be a store worth trying. 

If you're an apartment dweller, or just live somewhere with awkward access, then the Swyft sofa bed in a box has been designed with you in mind. 

Perhaps better known for its sofa-in-a-box, Swyft's Model 04 sofa bed is its first sleeper sofa offering, and the simple no-tools self-assembly and compact packaging mean it can be delivered to any room - including up tricky flights of stairs. 

Although there is only one mid-Century influenced sofa bed style currently available, this model comes in seven good colour options, with two neutral linen blends and five on-trend shades of velvet. 

This design is fairly expensive for a sofa bed that doesn't have a dedicated pull-out mattress - in this design, the seat pulls forward and the back folds down to form the sleeping surface - but the option is all about convenience, with Swyft able to deliver your guest's new favourite overnight bed within just 24 hours. 

If you love the laidback look - and are willing to pay for an investment piece of furniture - then the Loaf sofa bed collection offers some super comfortable options that you'll be very happy to snuggle up on in their sofa (or chair) form. 

If you only need a single bed's worth of sleeping space, then the plumptious Pudding Love Seat Sofa Bed is an accent chair you'll be happy to give pride of place in your living room, whilst if you want more room there are several good corner sofa beds on offer, including the versatile Chatnap Modular Corner Sofa Bed to which you can add or subtract sectional sofa units to create a design bespoke to your home, or the Cloud Corner Sofa Bed which combines contemporary design with Loaf's usual super comfy feather-wrapped foam seat cushions.

What else should you know about sofa beds?

Not yet convinced a sofa bed is for you? We've rounded up 11 reasons why a sofa bed is better than a sofa to put any concerns... to bed... And if you want some more top tips on what to look out for when buying, make sure to have a read of our full guide to how to choose a sofa bed. 

IKEA is selling two new rainbow-colored items in honor of Pride month, with a third of proceeds going to charity. 

The Swedish flat-pack furniture retailer has launched a limited-edition version of its classic blue shopping bag, plus a fabulous cover for the portable ENEBY Bluetooth speakers.

• See also: The best IKEA hacks we saw this year – 21 creative ways to update your furniture

These budget items are purchases you can be proud of as they go towards good cause, as well as brightening up your home.

The ENEBY Bluetooth speaker covering costs just $8 and is a simple way to show your support to the LGBT community at home or at a Pride event. 30% of proceeds will go towards GLSEN, a New York-based organization whose mission is to create safe and inclusive schools for LGBT youth.

The charity works to ensure all students experience a supportive K-12 education, with programs such as No Name-Calling Week and an annual Day of Silence to protest the harmful effects of harassment of LGBTQ people in schools.

'Who you share your life and your home with is your choice,' reads the IKEA website. 'We at IKEA want to pay tribute to that freedom and support everyone's right to be themselves.

'This ENEBY rainbow panel is much more than just a front for Bluetooth speakers. It's a statement.'

For Pride, IKEA's famous blue and yellow shopping bag has also been given a colorful makeover. The limited-edition, multi-colored STORSTOMMA bag costs $0.99 and is available in-store and for delivery in select areas.

It's much more durable than you would expect for a bag that's less than a dollar, and with two sets of handles, you can throw it over your shoulder or carry it in your hand. Perfect for packing a picnic or picking up groceries.

The classic bag also comes in a large size which will come in handy on day trips to the beach and for carrying laundry.

• See also: This DIYer's IKEA shoe storage hack is simply stunning (and oh-so affordable)

Up to $50,000 will be donated to GLSEN from sales. Last month IKEA flew the Progress Pride Flag for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

Putting together IKEA furniture can be an incredibly satisfying, 'adult' achievement. Sometimes, however, assembling flat-pack items is not as easy as you first thought. If you're doing it with the help of a friend or loved one, it can become a source of arguments as you both grapple with the DIY task.

• See also: This DIYer's IKEA shoe storage hack is simply stunning (and oh-so affordable)

Whether we fail to read the instructions properly, lose screws or accidentally scratch a part of the brand new furniture, it can soon become a complicated task.

HouseHoldQuotes analyzed nearly 50,000 IKEA-themed tweets using TensiStrength to identify stressed-out homeowners. Then, they figured out which designs cause the most anger, and where in the world the flat-pack-induced frustration was coming from.

The online service designed to help customers get a good quote from tradespeople found that the IKEA furniture most likely to cause stress is the sofa. 50.6% of IKEA sofa tweets showed signs of agitation, which you could argue isn't all too surprising. If you're compelled to tweet about your sofa, it's most likely because you want to express frustration rather than rave about it.

The sofa is one of the most hard-working items of furniture in our homes, so it's not something you can wing it with. If parts aren't secured correctly on your best sofa, it'll soon show once put to use.

The cupboard, nightstand, dresser, and crib came close behind the sofa in terms of how stressful they are considered to be. Other stressful items included the headboard, bookcase, and chair, while the cabinet was deemed the least stressful of all.

Mississippi was shown to be the US hotspot for IKEA furniture-related stress, and the most cool, calm, and collected IKEA fans were revealed to be in Kansas. In Kansas, less than a quarter of IKEA tweets betray an angry tone. Instead, Kansans say things like 'Yo!!!!!!! I put a piece of furniture from IKEA together by myself. This is seriously an accomplishment.'

• See also: This clever rattan IKEA drawers hack is the perfect weekend DIY

If you're investing in new IKEA furniture, give yourself twice as much time as you think you need. Ask for help, as some furniture parts are heavy, and give yourself plenty of space. There are now disassembly instructions, so if you're passing old furniture on, you can take it apart properly. There are so many ways you can make IKEA furniture your own, for inspiration, look at our favorite IKEA hack.

Don't forget that IKEA provides a furniture assembly service, so if the prospect alone of doing it yourself is making you panic, consider calling in some help.

Think of architectural design - think of George Clarke. That is certainly the case for his many admirers across the UK who tune into his Channel 4 shows Amazing Spaces and Ugly House to Lovely House, so, just like his mass of fans, we’re taking notes on everything George has to say. 

Over the years, George has revealed his fair share of unconventional design ideas; however, speaking exclusively to Real Homes, he highlighted his most controversial tip of all - before sharing why it works and how you can bring it into your own home. 

‘My most unconventional tip would be multifunctional furniture and multifunctional design,’ George begins. 

• Read: 17 small living room ideas to prove small can still be stylish

‘It was really unconventional when I started Amazing Spaces; nobody thought about how you can design one space to do many different things, or, more specifically, one piece of furniture. I was designing things with Will Hardie on the show, and I suggested that we should not design a space to do one thing but to do three or four different things. That was interesting for small space design,’ George explains.

‘How could you design a wall storage unit that could turn into a dining table, that could flip to become a sofa bed? It’s not easy to do.’ The architect continued, emphasizing the complexities of this tip but arguing the controversial design method is worth the planning. 

‘It’s really challenging from a design point of view, but when you get it right, it’s amazing.'

This design tip has never felt more relevant than now as many of us are trying to cram working from home spaces into our homes. Kitchen tables have become desk and cupboards have become offices. For more home office design ideas check out our dedicated gallery. 

He continued, however, suggesting that since his show, this tip is becoming more accepted: ‘Multi useful things - to be able to design something to adapt to do more than one function - is one of the most unconventional things I’ve done, but since Amazing Spaces, more people have tried it now.’

Following closely from the subject of multifunctionality, George explained how to create a ‘Recharge Retreat,’ which is, as he explains, is a therapeutic circular space in the middle of a room in our homes. 

‘Most of the rooms in our houses are square with corners, so all of a sudden, to put a circular form into the corner of our space is one of the most simple, but also the most radical ways of changing a room,’ George shares. 

The retreat was created by George after research from Belvita uncovered that seven in ten people found themselves with a need to reclaim their home, after finding themselves suddenly working from a space they previously found relaxing. 

George also emphasized the radical unconventionality of the retreat, suggesting these therapeutic spaces are a uniquely interesting way to change a space. 

‘You have to think about your own personal needs. Think about how you can transform that space. I think, in quite a radical way, if you are going to do it, it needs to be a really interesting change, but just because it’s radical doesn’t mean it has to be different. Even though you can be radical, you can do that by changes in fabric, changes in color, changes in texture, and choosing something that you love. It sounds like a cliche, but it’s got to be something that’s personal to you. It’s your house; it’s your retreat.’

The architect also suggested that you can bring a Recharge Retreat into a compact urban apartment because everybody needs a place to detox, wherever you are. 

• Read: How to decorate a living room – 10 expert tips for creating the perfect space

‘If it’s in a small-scale apartment, it is small-scale thinking. It has to be personal, it doesn’t have to be big, but it can still be radical, and it has to be your own personal choice,’ he adds. George has teamed up with belVita to help us Reclaim Our Space. For more information, visit here. 

The king of multifunctionality and radical spaces is here to save us throughout the rest of our WFH days and beyond. Thank you, George. 

If you need to furnish a very small space, who you gonna call? IKEA, of course. The Swedish retail giant has transformed the world of home decorating. Now they've taken it one step further and collaborated with tiny homes designer and maker Escape to manufacture an IKEA tiny house!

The IKEA Tiny Home Project has involved designing and making a completely bespoke Vista Boho XL – one of the company's most popular tiny home designs. 'It was a natural pairing,” says Escape Homes founder, Dan Dobrowolski. 'We feature many Ikea products in our various tiny home designs around the country, as they mirror the renewable, reusable and recycled materials we incorporate into the actual structures.'

• Tiny home-owner shares a clever kitchen storage hack that saves cupboard space

The home's exterior features Shou Sugi Ban (the Japanese technique of charred siding) and is built on Escape's custom trailer that easily hooks up to a vehicle and can be transported anywhere. Inside, the home is wrapped in ESCAPE’s signature sustainably grown pine and features Low-E, thermopane windows and energy-efficient lighting. IKEA's design team selected a metal roof, solar paneling and an on demand RV water heater to provide the home with off-grid capabilities. 

'Our entire mission with ESCAPE Homes is to provide consumers with ways to simplify their lives, reduce their carbon footprint and live in a beautiful home,' says Dobrowolski. 'The IKEA Tiny Home Project illustrates that is is possible to live sustainably and affordably with style.'

If you've always been curious about off-grid living but have thought that it looks, to put mildly, uncomfortable, then this project may just change your mind. Sure, it is, well, tiny, but the clever design proves that most of us need a lot less space than we think that we do.

If you've always dreamed of living closer to nature, then having less space while being surrounded by breathtaking scenery may well be an acceptable trade-off. 

The IKEA Tiny Home is in Rice Lake, WI.

Looking for the best IKEA hacks? Well you are in the right place, because nothing gets us excited quite like a good IKEA hack. And the easier the better we say because at the moment getting your hands on loads DIY supplies isn't the easiest. 

We all know that IKEA has some of the best and most affordable furniture around – including some of the best sofas, and best office chairs, for example. But did you know that there are many hacks to 'hack' your IKEA furniture to either change its use, transform its style, or to make it just work better for your home?

Whether you're a renter looking for a weekend project that won't enrage your landlord, or a homeowner who simply loves to put a personal stamp on your flat packs, upcycling and hacking IKEA furniture is an easy, budget-friendly way to ensure your place doesn't end up looking just like everyone else's. 

21 best IKEA hacks

We've rounded up the best (and easiest) IKEA hacks, so keep scrolling for a load of inspiration. Don't worry if you haven't got IKEA furniture – lots of these hacks will actually work on other pieces, too. Make sure you check out our crafts hub page too, if you are itching for more projects. 

1. Turn an ottoman into office storage

Not all of us are blessed with home offices, spacious desks and room for a snazzy ergonomic office chair. For some of us, working from home involves a soft office (bed or sofa), piles of unorganized papers with no home, and a niggle in our back for the rest of the week.

But, fear not, while this Ikea hack might not help with the backache, it can help you make the most of the space you have and get yourself more organized.

All you need to do to recreate this fab hack is a mix of storage inserts. Here a combination of Kuggis and Kvissle have been used, but you can customize the inside of your ottoman to suit your storage needs. Ikea has loads of home office storage for you to pick from. 

2. Use a memo board to create an indoor trellis

How awesome is this Ikea hack? They've created a climbing wall inside using a memo board? Recreate this look by using a couple of Mryheden wire memo boards and either standing your plants on the floor or, if they are smaller, you could use Ikea storage baskets to hold your plants as they have here.

We have rounded up loads more ways you can use Ikea storage to display your house plants, so check out those too. 

3. Transform a chair with a lick of paint and twine

We love the simple silhouette of the Ivar chair from Ikea, and we love it even more with this sleek and stylish upgrade. Here's how to achieve the look...

• Start by priming your Ivar Chair. While this step is tempting to skip, it's worth the time if you want to achieve a quality finish. We'd recommend using the Dulux Undercoat and Primer. 
• Choose your brush. If you're working with an oil-based paint, opt for natural bristles, or for water-based choose something synthetic. The Chalk Paint Wax Brush is an affordable option. 
• Start painting your chair with your choice of paint color. In terms of brands, we'd recommend choosing something from the chalky furniture range at Rustoleum or Annie Sloane's chalk paint. A good match to achieve this look would be the Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish Furniture Paint in Belgrave. 
• Decide whether you're looking to achieve a shabby-chic, or block color look, as this will determine how many layers of paint you opt for. To achieve this look, we'd recommend two thin layers of paint.
• Choose your twine. For this look we'd recommend this Mustard Yellow Bakers Twine from Amazon.
• Start by tying your twine to back of your chair, as close to the base as possible, and simply wrap round and round, keeping the twine tight. 
• We'd recommend tackling one section at a time; neatly tying them off at the end before moving onto the next section. Tuck in any ends twine ends sticking out. 

Want detailed tips on how to paint furniture? Our specialist guide was designed with you in mind...

4. Make an Ikea play kitchen more aesthetic

Probably the biggest Ikea hack on  Instagram (check out #duktig and you'll see), we love this take on Ikea's Duktig play kitchen. Easily achieved, all you'll need is some paint, wallpaper and a bit of creativity. It's easy and the kids (read: you) will love it. Follow our instructions below to achieve this look.

• Start by considering which parts of your Dutkig Play Kitchen you'd like to paint, and tape off sections that you'd like to leave unpainted – we'd recommend using Frog Tape. Remove (or don't add) the handles and sink section, as this will make painting much easier. 
• The next step is priming. As mentioned above, while this step is tempting to skip, it's worth the time if you want to achieve a quality finish. We'd recommend using the Dulux Undercoat and Primer. 
• Start painting the sections of the play kitchen's you've decided need it in your choice of color. We'd recommend choosing something from the chalky furniture range at Rust-Oleum or Annie Sloane's chalk paint. To achieve this look, the shade Winter Grey from Rust-Oleum is a good color match. You'll want to paint two, thin layers.
• While the paint is drying, it's time to spray paint your handles, as well as the sink section. The Plasti-Coat Premium Spray Paint in matt white is a good choice.
• As the Dutkig Play Kitchen doesn't come with a back panel, you might want to source your own if, for you, this is an important part of the finished design. 
• After that, it's time to start wallpapering. This Pressed Leaves Blue Wallpaper is available from Cam Cam Copenhagen, though we also love the idea of using the Salina's Tile Wallpaper from Wallpaper Direct.
• Once all your sections are dry, you can start putting your finished play kitchen together. Using some pins positioned at regular intervals and a hammer, attach your back panel, and then your freshly sprayed handles and sink.
• Finish by attaching some wooden knobs, if it takes your fancy, and decorate with play cutlery and crockery.

5. Paint basic pine cabinets for cheap but chic kitchen

Designing a kitchen and looking for unique, yet affordable, kitchen cabinet solutions? This Ivar cabinet hack has you in mind. Whether you like the unfitted look of mismatched, complementary colors or prefer something a bit more uniform – we're thinking dark blue or black to channel our love of moody interiors – check out this Ikea hack to achieve this stylish finish.

• The first step to achieving this look is priming the cabinets you plan to paint. While this is a step that's tempting to skip, it's worth the time if you want to achieve a professional finish. We love the Dulux Undercoat and Primer. 
• Take time to choose brushes. As a general rule, oil-based paint works best with natural bristles, while it's best to choose synthetic for water-based paints – pick these Chalk Paint Wax Brushes if you're on a budget.
• When picking paint, we'd recommend opting for chalk based furniture paint, Rustoleum or Annie Sloane's chalk paint are great options. To achieve this look, choose paint in three complementary shades of blue – Paris Grey, Graphite and Louis Grey , along with a blank cabinet, would be perfect for recreating this look.
• For an even finish, opt for two, thin layers of paint and a coat of yacht varnish for a hard-wearing top coat.
• Once dry, you're free to organize your cabinets as you wish. Easy, or what? 

Top tip: Considering mismatching, complementary colors, but not taken with the idea of blue? The trick is to ensure the colors you pick have the same tone, so you could opt for any number of shades.

6. Transform a chest of drawers with colour blocking

Love the color-blocking trend but can't – we feel you, renters – or don't want to commit to it on your walls? This Ikea hack on the Moppe chest of drawers is a great way to experiment with this (or any other) trend, incorporating it into your space on a non-permanent basis. Follow our super simple instructions for your own block-colored storage solution. 

• If you want to achieve the color-block effect, you'll need to decide where you want to use each color. It's advisable to use a pencil to lightly draw in lines that can guide you towards achieving your desired finish.
• Once you've decided on a design you're happy with, start taping off the first section (we'd advise using Frog Tape), ready for painting.
• When it comes to choosing paint, we'd recommend using a chalk based furniture paint – one from Rust-Oleum or Annie Sloan will work nicely. Pick colors that suit the look you want to achieve, or to recreate this look opt for Strawberry Vanilla, Winter Grey, Powder Blue and Chalk White. 
• Tackle one section at a time, painting two thin layers and ensuring they've dried completely before peeling off the masking tape and taping the next section in preparation for more painting.
• Repeat this process until all of your sections are painted. Finish off with a coat of yacht varnish.

7. Create an alcove office

In small spaces, alcoves can't be ignored! Put that space to use and use Ikea furniture to help you. This idea is super simple, just pick out some Ikea shelf brackets and shelving and use them to create a desk and some office storage. 

If you want to customize the size and look, you could pop down to a hardware shop and buy some planks of planed timber. Cut them to the perfect size to fit your alcove and mount them using the Ikea brackets. 

For loads more easy alcove ideas that are perfect for small spaces, head over to our dedicated feature. 

8. Create a bespoke, built-in look with basic cabinets and paint

We love how simple, yet effective, this Ivar cabinet hack is in transforming Ikea's most basic cabinets into a unit with a distinctly bespoke and built in feel. Achieve the same result using our step-by-step instructions below.

• The first step to achieving this look is priming the cabinets you plan to paint. We'd recommend using the Dulux Undercoat and Primer. 
• Take time to choose brushes. As a general rule, oil-based paint works best with natural bristles, while it's best to choose synthetic for water-based paints.
• To achieve a built-in look, it's vital that you use the same color for your cabinets as you have for your walls. To recreate this look, we'd recommend opting for Dulux Teal Tension, which is available at B&Q.
• For an even finish, opt for two, thin layers of paint and a coat of matt yacht varnish.
• Once dry, attach these Osternas Leather Handles and mount your painted cabinets on the wall. Style with house plants, framed prints and other quirky curiosities.

9. Malm-a-Mia, your dated chest of drawers need a new lease of life

Probably one of the easiest Ikea hacks out there, it's worth having a think about upgrading your old Malm or Hemnes chests of drawers, before throwing them away in exchange for newer models. Find out how below...

• Start by finding decorative stickers that work with your space – we love these Ikea Vanity Stencils Decals  and Minimalistic Tropical Leaf Furniture Stickers, both from Etsy.
• Once your stickers arrive, simply peel of the back and stick (as straight as possible) on each of your drawers. We told you this one was easy!

10. Find a solution that saves space 

The great thing about the best Ikea hacks? Sometimes they're just about finding practical solutions (though it's even better when they're attractive, too). We love the idea of using the Tjuig coat rack to store pans. 

11. Create a landlord-friendly gallery wall 

Love the idea of a gallery wall, but got a landlord who doesn't approve? We've found the perfect compromise. Once attached to the wall, the Mosslanda picture ledge is perfect for displaying prints and can simply be left in place when you move out, ready to be enjoyed by the next tenants. One of the best Ikea hacks for renters.

12. Mix budget, flat pack pieces with one-offs for an expensive looking finish

A great example of the power of mixing flat pack basics with one-off pieces, this hack achieves a stylish, yet affordable finish. All you'll need are two Alex drawer units , two Alex storage cupboards and a desk top of your choice. Try your local salvage yard if you're looking for reclaimed wood.

13. Hoard your stationery in a Raskog

Need more home office storage but don't have a ton of room? Hello Raskog. Use it to get all your stationery organized and keep all the important stuff on hand. The Raskog has a really small footprint too, so even if your 'home office' is a desk in the corner of your living room, it won't be taking up a load of space – you could even store it underneath your desk.  

Find loads more ways to use the Raskog trolley in our feature. 

14. Recover your couch, armchair or footstool

If you are renting and your landlord's taste in furniture is... questionable... or you can't afford to replace the tired looking sofa you bought years ago/inherited from a distant aunt, don't write off gorgeous looking furniture just yet.

If you're working with a piece from Ikea, Bemz are the brand you've been looking for. Producing stylish looking covers and legs for your sofa, armchair, footstool and much more, it's never been easier to instantly upgrade a space for much less than the cost of buying new.

For an even more budget option, pick up new cushions and a couple of throws to revamp your sofa and, in turn, your living space.

15. Make a really easy bedside light

Bedside tables are very lucky if they make it into a small bedroom (although don't miss this DIY bedside table, made with one of the best Ikea hacks). Yes they are invaluable, but if you are working with a tiny space there simply might not be room. But if you need a bedside light, the answer is to wall mount it! 

Copy this idea by taking a Ekby Valter shelf bracket and wrapping around a lamp cord, there is already a hole in the top of the bracket for you to thread it through, add a nice warm bulb and voila. 

16. DIY a wallpaper headboard

Headboards are beautiful, but when space is tight they can take up just a little bit too much room, so DIY one with some wallpaper! We love how this banana leaf print looks framed by the iconic Gjora bed – a super easy way to make a very popular piece of Ikea furniture look like your own. One of the best Ikea hacks for customizing your pieces.

For more DIY headboards head over to our feature.

17. DIY a 'walk-in wardrobe' 

Always dreamt of a walk in wardrobe? Oh, we've all dreamt of a Carrie Bradshaw-esque dressing room, and the great news is that you can create your own, no matter what space you have to work with. No room will be too awkward or too small for this genius IKEA hack. You just need to think outside the box, invest the right kind of storage and choose the perfect curtain cover-up as the finishing touch! 

Find out how to recreate the look over in our step-by step guide to this Ikea hack.

18. Get creative with Ikea lighting 

No matter how much you doubt your own artistic abilities, we think even the most inept will be able to manage this easy hack – which is why it had to be on the list of the best Ikea hacks. All you need is a paintbrush and some paint. You don't have to copy this pattern either, just get creative painting your paper lampshade, mix up the colors, patterns, add some decoupage – go crazy.

The Regolit Lantern is affordable too, so get a few and give on to each member of the family to decorate. 

19. Create a rainbow wall 

For the Ikea hack, all you need is a piece of Ikea furniture (or any furniture for that matter) some paint (leftover will do) tape and brush. Use your piece of furniture to plan out the shape of your rainbow so it sits directly above it, and then use tape to create what will become the gaps between each arch.

Paint between the masking tape lines, let it dry and then remove the tape. You could also add a cute picture ledge to sit in the middle of your design and display some cute prints or books. 

20. Turn an Ikea cabinet into a retro beauty 

We love the texture of this cabinet and you would never know it was a simple IVAR cabinet – and the hack is so easy too! @treehousethreadsblog's Ikea hack was inspired by @hotpinkpineapples project, and you can check out her video for the full step-by-step, but essentially it's all done with half-round trim.

21. Make Ikea furniture 'vintage'

Love the look of apothecary cabinets but don't want to fork out for the real thing? This amazing Ikea hack by @diydanie is for you – all done with paint, some new handles and cute vintage style labels. One of the best Ikea hacks for vintage-looking affordable furniture.

Yasss the Ikea Christmas tree deal is back! As you are probably aware, at Realhomes.com, the serious countdown to Christmas begins in October, but we've been planning Christmas since July so we are already feeling preeeetty festive. As it would seem is the rest of the country, so many people have started decorating early this year, and hey why not? If any year was the year to be a bit extra with the festive cheer 2020 is it. 

So yes, once again our fave Swedish home store is giving all customers a £20 voucher to spend in-store when they buy a real £29 tree. So, you can either see that as an excuse to buy £20 worth of whatever after Christmas or you can think of it as your tree costing just nine quid. Or both. Either way, it's a gigantic bargain that shouldn't be missed.

But obviously, this year things look a little different, so the way you can get your Ikea Christmas tree is a little different too. Keep scrolling for details and for all our Christmas tree decorating ideas check out our gallery. 

The Christmas trees are sourced from around the UK and are available from available at participating IKEA stores in the UK from Sunday 22nd November. 'But Ikea will still be closed then' we hear you shout, yes yes we know, so how it works is you reserve a tree online and then pick it up from the car park of your nearest Ikea –how festive. 

You will pay for £29 for the tree on collection and then you get your £20 voucher to spend in-store in the New Year (between the 18th January to 28th February 2021). Something to get you through the January blues at least… 

'For many, a beautifully decorated tree is the heart of the home at Christmas time, so we’re proud to continue to offer our customers affordable fresh trees through our much-anticipated Christmas tree deal.' says Anna Liakh, Commercial Activities Leader, IKEA UK and Ireland.

'The delicate scent of pine needles throughout the home is one of our favourite Christmas fragrances, lifting everyone’s spirits during the festive season and we want as many people as possible to be able to experience that, particularly as Christmas will likely look different this year. What’s more, shoppers can redeem their £20 voucher across a whole range of homewares in-store, making the offer a gift that truly keeps on giving this Christmas.' Sounds like a fab deal to us!

As if Ikea couldn't get any better. They are now taking their efforts to become more sustainable with their new 'Buy Back' scheme. Essentially, Ikea wants to buy any of your old Ikea pieces so they can go to a happy new home rather than end up in landfill. The new programme is set to launch on 27th November (Black Friday who?) in stores across the UK.

So how will it all work and have much can you make from your old Ikea furniture? Keep scrolling to find out more, and while you patiently wait for one of these new Ikea stores to come to your country, check out our Ikea hacks feature (perfect for upcycling those pieces you just can't let go of). 

How this new Ikea Buy Back scheme will work is you will receive Ikea vouchers, with the amount depending on the quality and type of furniture you are selling. Well used pieces will get voucher for 30 per cent of their original price, and 'new' pieces can be exchanged for voucher of up to half the price they were first bought for. 

The items will then be put on sale in stores (like the Bargain Corner but even bigger and better) for a reduced price and anything that can't be sold Ikea will recycle. What's not to love here? You can basically trade in your old furniture for new pieces! So good for the planet and good for your bank balance. Win win. 

Read more:

• 42 kitchen ideas: the latest design and decor inspiration
• Shelving ideas: 16 #shelfie styles to inspire Instagram likes
• Scandinavian bedroom: 13 cosy ideas for long winter nights

As if Ikea couldn't be lovely enough, they are taking their efforts to become more sustainable even further and opening their first second-hand store. Right now it's only planned to open in Sweden, but if this takes off (and obviously we are crossing all our fingers it will) this could be a total game changer! 

So what exactly is an Ikea secondhand store? Well, you know after you have done your shop and you're just about to hit the checkouts (and you're already dreaming about picking up a hot dog for the drive home), there is that section of 'used' Ikea products at reduced prices? The bargain corner? It will be like that, but a whole store of it! Imagine...

Keep scrolling to find out more, and while you patiently wait for one of these new Ikea stores to come to your country, check out our Ikea hacks feature (perfect for upcycling bits from the previously mentioned bargain corner). 

So there haven't been a lot of details yet on this new Ikea venture, but the first store is set to open later in the year in Eskilstuna, Sweden. It's said to be a pilot, with the idea that it might expand if it's a success (eeeek). 

The store will be filled with pieces that can't be sold as new in store, due to being slightly scratched, or already built and returned. Whatever the reason they have ended up there, all the products sold will cost way less than you would pay for them in an actual Ikea store.  So good for the planet and good for your bank balance. Win win. 

Read more:

• 42 kitchen ideas: the latest design and decor inspiration
• Shelving ideas: 16 #shelfie styles to inspire Instagram likes
• Scandinavian bedroom: 13 cosy ideas for long winter nights

Read more:

Is it just us, or does the idea of saving 20% at Ikea make your heart beat a little faster? You're right, we've probably spent too much time at home over recent months... although once you've checked out some of the items in the sale, you'll probably (maybe) understand what we're talking about. 

Whether you're on a mission to maximise the potential of your teeny tiny back garden – or perhaps even your balcony – want to create the perfect space to unwind in a larger outside space, or foresee a summer of al fresco dinner parties and want to make sure you're prepare, Ikea's 20% sale is the place to start. 

But, there's a catch. You need to have one of Ikea's Family Cards to benefit from some of the amazing offers we'll be talking about below. Good news is it's free and easy to sign up, so you'll be able to start making savings straight away. Rejoice.

Discover everything you need to know below, along with some of our favourite Ikea garden furniture that's currently available with an impressive 20% off for Ikea Family members. And if you're desperate to make a saving now, check out our deals hub.

• Shop the Ikea Family garden furniture sale now

As we mentioned above, by becoming an Ikea Family member you'll have the opportunity to make savings across the store straightaway. Some of our favourite perks include:

Member discounts

Ikea offer store-wide discounts to Ikea Family members, with the opportunity to make savings on everything from garden furniture (which we'll talk about more below) to everyday essentials. Items available with a discount vary from month to month, so you'll get the opportunity to pick up many new and exciting items with a tasty discount throughout the year.

Specialist workshops

Members also have the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of Ikea employees, with regular workshops providing everything from design inspiration to practical renovation advice and much more.

Free tea and coffee

Ikea Family members can also claim a free tea or coffee from Monday to Friday on presentation of their Ikea card.

Ikea garden furniture: save 20% with a Family member

Signed up or thinking about it? Here are our favourite Ikea garden furniture savings.

1. Make the most of a super small outdoor space

2. Create custom garden furniture with this modular set

3. This set-up offers garden furniture and storage in one

4. Add interest with these stylish outdoor dining chairs

5. Make the most of stylish garden storage

6. Prepare for summer dinner parties with this extendable outdoor dining table

Make more savings on gorgeous garden furniture

• Garden furniture sales – make a saving on some of our favourite pieces

So you've got your eye on some lovely Ikea garden furniture. Want 20% off? Of course you do!  And it's so easy to start saving, all you need to do is become an Ikea Family member. If you haven't heard of it before, it's basically a club for Ikea lovers. It's totally free, and you get discounts, free tea and coffee in store plus loads more one-off benefits like events and workshops.

All you need to do is sign up over on the site and you will get discounts immediately! You will also receive a card in the post that you can use in store. So keep scrolling to sign up now and see the best bargains you can bag with your new discount.

For more garden ideas make sure you check out our hub page. 

• Sign up to Ikea Family and get the discounts here

1. Find garden seating with a tropical feel

First off, how gorgeous is the new Ikea garden furniture collection? It's called Solblekt and is so beachy and tropical we love it!  Very holiday at home, which is something we all need right now. Plus it's also included in the Ikea Family members discount so you get 20% off the whole range! 

This rocking chair is just £75 which the Ikea Family discount, so cute, definitely gives us a retro vibe with the muted stripes. The sunbed is down to £100 – that pale green colour is just so lovely a summery, perfect for adding a subtle hint of colour to your garden. 

2. Make the most of a super small outdoor space

3. Create a laid back look with Ikea hammocks and parasols

Oh if you invest in one piece of Ikea garden furniture, let it be a hammock! This one is only £25 and it's the perfect addition to your garden if you want to create a real staycation feel. Chill in there reading your book with an iced coffee and be transported to a beach on the Med. And of course for some shade, you are going. to need a parasol – this one is also only £25 and how gorgeous is that print please?! 

4. Create custom garden furniture with this modular set

5. Take a load off with Ikea's mega deckchair

And we just couldn't resist this very cute beach chair. It's a little bit 80s Hawaiian shirt vibes, but we are okay with that, it's just £55 and folds completely flat so great for storing and carrying to the beach/garden/balcony. 

6. Add interest with these stylish outdoor dining chairs

7. Make the most of stylish garden storage

Read more:

• Garden design: expert garden planning advice and inspiring ideas
• Garden furniture sales: the best deals on garden chairs, storage and more
• Decking ideas: 22 ways to transform your garden

2. Create custom garden furniture with this modular set

Well, if we didn't love Ikea curtains enough already, they've just made them even more brilliant. Now, not only do they look great for a really affordable price, but the new GUNRID curtains also reduce the air pollution in your home! 

How, might you ask? How will a humble curtain help you breathe better air? Keep on scrolling to find out more about this innovative new lKEA launch...

So, how does the GUNRID curtain work? Ikea has collaborated with universities in Europe and Asia to create a mineral-based surface treatment that breaks down common indoor air pollutants including odours and chemicals from common cleaning products. Using a unique technology, that we won't even attempt to explain, the process of purifying the air is activated by both outdoor and indoor light.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently named pollution as the single largest environmental health risk, and it's estimated that around 90 per cent of people worldwide breathe polluted air. With indoor pollution causing 4.3 million deaths annually and with proof that air pollution inside our homes can be five times worse than outside, this is scary stuff that we should be acting on and Ikea has definitely taken a step in the right direction.

Ikea is the first brand to mass produce a product like this, and when we are all aware of how harmful air pollution can be, there couldn't be a better time to try and get it under control in our own homes. Read on to find more information on this innovative product and you'll find links to other useful articles on creating a clean home environment too.

Lena Pripp-Kovac, Head of Sustainability at Inter IKEA Group, says:

'Besides enabling people to breathe better air at home, we hope that GUNRID will increase people’s awareness of indoor air pollution, inspiring behavioural changes that contribute to a world of clean air. 

'GUNRID is the first product to use the technology, but the development will give us opportunities for future applications on other textiles. We know that there is no single solution to solve air pollution. We work long term for positive change, to enable people to live healthier and more sustainable lives.'

Of course, Ikea are also all about making these kinds of innovative ideas and designs, accessible and affordable, so it's amazing to see these new curtains cost just £25. They will be available online and in-store from February 2020. 

Read more:

• The sustainable materials you need to know about in 2020
• Energy saving lightbulbs: here's how much can you save
• 5 ways to reduce single use plastics in your kitchen right now
  

Selling a home quickly can be a challenge in the currently slower-than-average property market, but there are things you can do to sell your house more quickly. However, what do you do if you don't currently live at the property you're trying to sell? 

Research shows that prospective buyers respond better to properties that look lived in – it is much easier to imagine living somewhere that looks cosy and well decorated than a house without any furniture or window dressings. 

Temporarily decorating the place with some of your own furniture if you have some in storage could be an option, but that's relatively rare. Which is where home staging can come in as a solution. Not only will it maximise your chances of a sale, but also, according to the Home Staging Association UK, home staging could get sellers an offer that's up to 10 per cent higher than if the property were left untended. 

So what is home staging, and how can it be used for an empty property to maximise those viewings and offers?

How does home staging work? 

A home stager will decorate your home in a way that makes it look lived-in for the purpose of a sale, or revamp existing décor to make it more attractive to potential buyers. Don't worry – you won't be buying lots of expensive furniture you don't need, you'll just be renting it until the house is sold. Home stagers have lots of experience in decorating houses especially for the purpose of selling, and will choose the furniture and other decor that will appeal to as many people as possible. If your current decor is dated or garish, they'll help you tone that down, too.

Can I try home staging myself?

Of course – there's no reason you can't try staging a home for sale yourself, but be prepared to spend a lump sum on some new furniture and furnishings. Ikea is always a good candidate for cheap furniture and homewares that look good, although we'd also give somewhere like Next a good look. 

The thing you'll need to consider before buying lots of stuff, though, is what you will do with it afterwards. If you have a garage to store it in, great; if not, think about how you'll get if off your hands. Some buyers might want the furniture, but not all will. 

Which is cheaper: professional or DIY home staging?

This really depends on the kind of look you'll be going for: if you're selling a large property in an affluent area, paying a home stager will likely be cheaper than buying expensive furniture in the hope that you can add it to the house sale. However, if you're selling a smaller property with first-time buyers in mind, then you may well benefit from keeping costs down by decorating the place cheaply yourself.

As a general idea, it's worth knowing that many UK companies will often offer a free initial consultation, but if there's no one in your area that does, expect to pay between £50 to £200 for the initial meeting then from £20 to £75 per hour for the staging work.

In the USA, where this is an established business, expect to pay from $300 to $600 for an initial design consultation, and between $500 to $600 per month per room.

Need more practical advice? Find out how to sell a house or flat in our expert guide. And find the best mortgage with our mortgage comparison tool, below. 

If you have a small bedroom, you are probably already familiar with Ikea bedroom furniture. We can always trust in Ikea to have us covered when it comes to making stylish, affordable pieces that will squeeze into the smallest of spaces. What you may not yet be familiar with however, is that Ikea have a new bedroom furniture range! And it's GORGEOUS. Just keep on scrolling to get a peek at these super cool new releases...

Ooooh just look at it! The new range is called Nordkisa, and we are definitely getting some Japanese style vibes here, which looks to be a massive trend in 2020. There's a mix of Ikea's Scandi style in there too, obviously. Japandi, if you like.

We love how compact the Nordkisa wardrobe (above) is, and it crams so much storage into a relatively small piece of furniture. You get hanging space and both open and closed shelving, and you could always make it more efficient by adding the Pudda baskets. 

If you have got a bit more room, Ikea have made a taller version of the Nordkisa wardrobe too. It has all the same features you just get a few more shelves and would be a better option if you have an ever-growing collection of dresses as the hanging space is taller. 

We love the simplicity of the Nordkisa bedside table. Again it comes in two sizes, one is slightly wider, but they are both really affordable and are perfect for storing your bedtime reading (don't worry, the mix of drawers and shelves means you can keep the Harry Potter you never stop reading in the drawer and have The Testaments on show). There is also a hole in the back on the drawer for you to thread a cable through for charging your devices, too.

The end of the bed can be a neglected space in a small room, but it can be the best area to add some extra storage. This lovely simple bench is part of the new range, which has actually been designed to co-ordinate with the Nordli range so you can create a seating and storage solution in the same height and depth. Clllllever. 

Whether you use it as a dressing table or a desk, this is the perfect piece of furniture for a small bedroom. It's just 76cm wide and the simple shape won't add too much bulk to a small room. 

Read more:

• Ikea hacks: 15 easy projects to do this weekend
• 6 Ikea furniture hacks for small spaces to try right now
• The 9 best Ikea bedroom furniture hacks to quickly transform your space

We've been fans of Ikea furniture for a while now. It's really affordable, super stylish and pretty durable, too. But have you thought about how you can shop for it and get even more for your money?

There is a way... and that's shopping the garden furniture section – yes, even at this time of year. Buying Ikea garden furniture for indoors gives you a double bonus: if you have a small home or tiny budget, these buys can be moved seamlessly between indoors and out so you don't have to double up. Plus, they're designed to stand up to weather, so they can more than cope with a toddler's fingerprints, a careless teenager's spills or a sozzled festive guest's dropped Christmas pud.

Keep scrolling to find our favourite finds, all available now. And if you really love finding affordable furniture, make sure you keep an eye out on our deals page for all the offers going on across all our fave brands. 

Is it a living room, is it a garden? Who knows, but all these pieces above could definitely be used in both! Especially the Mastholmen rattan chair (above) that we have been seeing all over Instagram recently – drag it inside, throw a blanket over it and there you go. 

The Havesten armchair (below) is designed as an indoor-outdoor piece – so if you're revamping on a budget, it's a versatile pick that's tough, too. It's also pretty space smart – perfect for making a small living room feel larger, while still giving you bags of comfy seating.

Fifty five pounds. We'll say it again: £55! That's all the Fanbyn chair (below) costs! This is for sure one of those indoor/outdoor pieces: great on a balcony, great in the corner of the kitchen. The design is just a classic. It comes in black and there's a table, too.

If you are after a completely new garden furniture set up, then you can't go wrong with the Ypperling chair range (below). There are chairs in green and white, and they're designed for indoors and out. Totally tough and wipeable, they're great if you've got young kids, too.

More great bargains to grab now:

Anyone else notice the arrival of the new Ikea washing machine to their kitchen and appliances range? We spotted it recently and thought we'd delve to find out a bit more about it. After all, if you're on the hunt for the best washing machine to go with your new kitchen (from Ikea or otherwise), you might be wondering... is it any good? And is it worth the money (it costs £479)? 

After all, it really is the mechanics and functionality – plus the affordability – of your washing machine that matter the most when it comes to keeping your clothes looking their best, and there's no point shopping for Ikea's washing machine if you can get better elsewhere.

There's another aspect to washing machines that many of us are increasingly concerned about – their water and energy consumption and the resulting impact on the environment. And, of course, the more energy efficient your washing machine, the more you'll be saving on your energy bill. 

• Save even more by getting a great deal on lots of different washing machines with the help of our Black Friday washing machine deals hub page 

It turns out that the Ikea Tvattad integrated washing machine fits the bill on all fronts – a valiant effort by Ikea that makes this machine well worth the £479. This is one clever device that manages to resolve a lot of the common issues people have with washing machines. 

Firstly, the Tvattad senses exactly how much laundry has been put into the machine, so it will use just enough water for that load, rather than just using the standard amount of water. It is also able to redistribute the weight of load inside the machine and adjust the spinning speed – something lots of washing machines can't do, which results in the washing machine refusing to spin. 

Next – and this is a godsend for those of us who have a tendency to put in too much detergent – the anti-foam technology in this machine automatically increases the number of spin cycles if too much detergent has been used. It also has an anti-flooding device that will cut off the water supply to the machine if it's overflowing. 

And finally (this is our favourite feature) – the Tvattad has a steam function for decreasing and freshening up clothes without having to wash them at all. Perfect for those 'dry-clean only' items that you'd rather not take to the dry cleaners. 

The catch? This is an integrated model – you can see more in our buyer's guide to integrated washing machines. Our verdict? The price is good and it's had good reviews. It's a handy buy if you're shopping for an Ikea kitchen, particularly for small or open plan kitchens, or for a utility room. 

You heard it here first: the latest Ikea lighting releases are must-buys for an autumn makeover. Not only will you find Ikea's classic selection of super-chic, streamlined minimalist pieces, but the Scandi giant is also investing heavily in smart tech. That's great news for anyone venturing into the world of smart homes without wanting to spend a fortune. 

Keep scrolling for our pick of the best of Ikea's new lighting releases, then head to our lighting page for more key trends and must-buys.

Looking for a floor lamp with Scandi flair? Look no further than this ash design, complete with a clean white shade that's actually made from recycled PET bottles. Could you be any more environmentally friendly? We think this is the perfect buy to pep up the corner of your living room and create that cosy feel we all crave as the nights draw in.

Ikea's growing range of smart home tech is one of its biggest stories at the moment, and we love the fact that our favourite homeware giant is on board with the idea of a table lamp with an integrated Wi-Fi speaker. Bonus: it's a chic-looking design for a piece of tech, too. 

For truly smart lighting, Ikea's also released a remote control kit for its smart bulbs, so you can turn lights on and off or dim to create mood lighting from wherever you're sitting. You know what that means? No more getting off the sofa to get to the switch on the other side of the room.

Emerald-coloured glass? Exposed bulbs? Be still our beating hearts! We love this colourful little table lamp – perfect for a living room or bedroom, it's a great way to pep up a space without spending a fortune. It comes in purple or white, too, so you could even go for a multi-colour scheme if that takes your fancy.

Woven lighting is still very much in this season, and environmentally-friendly bamboo gives us eco credentials, so this stylish pendant light is a buy that's good for the planet as well as your home. It's the perfect way to integrate natural materials into your scheme, which – as we all know – softens a room and adds much-needed texture to a space.

An Ikea lighting round-up wouldn't be the same without a stand-out design like this award-winning work lamp. Made with recycled plastics, it makes for a stylish but functional desk lamp or the perfect bedside lamp for a monochrome scheme. We adore the ribbed detail of the shade and the smooth curved base. And it's only £3.50. Sold!

• Best garden lighting 2019: from fairy lights to solar solutions

Think Ikea and it’s probably affordable flatpack furniture – and possibly Swedish meatballs – that come to mind. But the furniture giant’s concern for sustainability might also grab your attention. 

The company’s latest venture? Partnering with the Big Clean Switch in a bid to encourage customers to switch to renewable energy sources, saving the planet (and money) as a result.

• Find more energy saving ideas in our full guide
• We previously reported on the launch of their Ikea's rental scheme, which aims to shift its business model from a linear to a circular in a bid to reduce waste. Read more...

What is the Big Clean Switch?

The Big Clean Switch is a social project that aims to encourage and enable as many people as possible to switch to clean energy. In doing so, the project hopes to actively fight air pollution and climate change. Of course, switching could also help reduce the cost of your monthly bills.

In practice, this means switching to a gas or energy supplier which promises to return the exact amount of clean energy to the grid as is used by its customers. This could be energy produced by the sun, wind, water (rivers, tides or wave power), as well as biofuels (for example, gas produced by rotting food and plants). 

The Big Clean Switch empowers those with a concern about the environmental impacts of non-renewable energy to make a positive change. After all, money talks, and actively choosing to switch over to a renewable energy source can only serve to open up further conversation regarding clean energy.

This is particularly significant because the more clean energy that’s taken from the grid, the more energy companies are promising to put back in. 

Why should I get involved with the Big Clean Switch?

Climate change is the most important issue we’re facing and serious action needs to be taken if we want to avoid serious environmental repercussions in the coming years. Something as simple as switching energy providers can – and will – make a difference. 

Swapping suppliers could bring a financial benefit as well. Many people report saving significant amounts of money by switching over to more renewable energy sources.

Why is Ikea involved in the Big Clean Switch?

Now you know what the Big Clean Switch is, you’re probably wondering why (and how) Ikea is getting involved.

Ikea says that sustainability is part of its vision to ‘create a better everyday life for the many people’. The company has teamed up with the Big Clean Switch in order to further spread the message to its wide customer base.

Ikea will get 50% of the commission received as a result of users signing up and, at the end of the campaign, this money will be distributed among Ikea stores, where it will be used to support local community projects.

Which energy companies are involved with the Big Clean Switch?

Wondering which energy companies are part of the Big Clean Switch? The following suppliers are involved as a result of their commitment to renewable energy sources:

• Bulb
• Bristol Energy
• Co-op Energy
• Ecotricity
• Eversmart Energy
• Good Energy
• iSupplyEnergy
• Octopus Energy
• So Energy

For more information, check out the official Big Clean Switch website.

Looking for more energy saving ideas?

• The best smart thermostats will help you save money and energy
• How to reduce home energy costs

So, we've all – just about – got used to asking Alexa what the weather's going to be like, and we might even have progressed on to getting a smart assistant to turn on a coffee machine via a smart plug. But what about asking Alexa to rearrange the furniture at home? 

Sounds far fetched, right? It's not. And not only that, it's going to be Ikea furniture that does the voice-command reshuffling. Yup, the Swedish home store has just announced plans to pilot a series of robot-powered furniture, designed to save space in small homes, from 2020. 

Say what now? The system, called Rognan, has been developed in collaboration with American furniture startup Ori Living, and it's a large unit that is remote controlled via a wall unit by either an app on your smart phone or with your voice on an Alexa-enabled device. Rognan contains a bed, desk, and couch combination, that can slide around a room, dividing up the space and transforming it into two living spaces at your bidding. 

• Best smart assistants 2019

The thinking behind this new innovation? 'Cities are booming and at the same time living spaces are shrinking,' an Ikea spokesperson says. 'More and more people are living and moving into cities where approximately an extra 1.5 million people join the urban population every week. This mass urbanisation is accelerating and creates heavily populated cities that are at the same time consuming both land and resources at an unsustainable pace. Ikea wants to create a better everyday life for the many people, enabling them to create their dream homes in small spaces.'

So how does it work? Rognan is built on to Ori’s robotic platform, and works with Ikea’s Platsa range of modular storage furniture. It’s also compatible with their Tradfri line of cabinet and wardrobe smart lighting. Ikea claims the Rognan can save an extra eight square metres of living space. That might not sound like much, but if you live in a tiny flat, it could make all the difference.

The new piece is set to be launched in Hong Kong first as a pilot run. More details about the Rognan furniture are expected to be announced later this summer so we will keep you posted on this futuristic furniture as details arrive. In the meantime, keep up with the latest home tech on The Hub, our jargon-free, no nonsense approach to smart home tech.

Small Spaces Month:

This article is part of Small Spaces Month, brought to you in association with the new Real Homes Travel Edition. A compact version of our hugely respected monthly magazine, Real Homes Travel Edition brings you all the same great content as the full-sized edition, but in an even more bag-friendly format that’s perfect for inner city commutes and French riviera holidays. Get yours now at WHSmith, Easons and selected newsagents.

Earlier today, we brought you the sofa in a box, the ideal buy for renters who move a lot. This afternoon, it's all about Ikea's fab new small space collection, RÅVAROR, launching globally in September 2020 (which we hope means that it'll be available before that in some stores). Why the fuss? Well, Ikea – where, let's face it, the majority of us shop for everything from sofas to soap dishes – are markedly demonstrating their intention to meet a growing need for furniture designed with renters and small space dwellers in mind. 

As the urban population in particular grows, living spaces are shrinking and, for many of us, the idea of home is no longer a geographical constant. This new collection offers a solution to this change in the way people are living. It includes items that quickly transform a small space into a smart space that still feels homely. Then, when it's time to up and move, again, items can be packed together again, simply, and transported to your new abode. Genius.

• Find more ideas and inspiration over on our small spaces hub page.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the collection, Viveca Olsson, Creative Leader at Ikea, says, 'Our starting point and creative idea was the reality of urban life. We asked ourselves what is needed to turn a small space, such as 12 square metres, into a home? And what is needed to create that homely feeling even though you might be moving on to a new place soon?'

The result of this thinking? A collection of 20 products designed with small space optimisation (we LOVE that word), flexibility and the ability to move easily in mind. You can choose from the following items to kit out your space:

• Daybed
• Sofa
• Table
• Mini kitchen
• Open storage solutions on castors
• Storage boxes
• Textiles
• Lighting

While, for a long time, small space living has been the subject of architects' experimentation – anyone else obsessed with Big Dreams, Small Spaces on Netflix? – it's exciting to see mainstream stores recognising a need, too. Nice one, Ikea.

• 12 Ikea hacks you can do this weekend
• 5 easy ways to customise an Ikea kitchen

Small Spaces Month:

This article is part of Small Spaces Month, brought to you in association with the new Real Homes Travel Edition. A compact version of our hugely respected monthly magazine, Real Homes Travel Edition brings you all the same great content as the full-sized edition, but in an even more bag-friendly format that’s perfect for inner city commutes and French riviera holidays. Get yours now at WHSmith, Easons and selected newsagents.

When it comes to designing a stylish and functional home on a budget, flat-pack furniture giants, Ikea, have pretty much got it covered. A one-stop-shop for all things furniture, home accessories and lighting, the only area that Ikea could previously have been considered to be lacking was in the audio department. But that's all about to change.

Thanks to a stylish collaboration with audio specialists Sonos, Ikea have announced their entry into the world of sound and music. This meeting of minds is not only intended to flood homes with high spec audio and quality design, but to appeal to the senses and create a warm, inviting and homely atmosphere as soon as you step through the door.

But what sets this collaboration apart from a standard audio system from Sonos is Ikea's unique design input and holistic approach to the mood-enhancing properties of light and sound. 

Discussing the Symfonisk table lamp (top and below), which comes fitted with a Wi-Fi speaker, Ikea designer Iina Vuorivirta says, 'We knew from the start that we wanted to challenge the traditional high-tech aesthetics. The lamp-speaker partly springs from the idea of the fireplace – one single piece that spreads warm light as well as sound.'

Design-wise, it's unlike anything previously created by Sonos, and can be connected to additional speakers or a wider Sonos system.

• Best smart speakers 2019 – see our pick of the best

There's an offering for those with slightly tamer tastes, too, thanks to the handy Symfonisk Wi-Fi book shelf speaker (below). In addition to functioning as a high quality speaker, it also doubles as a bedside table with capacity of up to 3kg and can be mounted in the kitchen with the help of Ikea's Kungfors Rail and Rack.

Commenting on the mood enhancing vision behind the collaboration, VP of Design at Sonos, Tad Toulis, says, 'Sound and music have a similar transformative quality to light. They make a house a home. You can be having a horrible day, and then come home and play music and find yourself in a much better place in a matter of minutes.'

• Head over to our pick of the best smart home tech deals for more buys and reviews

It’s no secret that we are big fans of Ikea. We love the furniture, we love the Swedish meatballs and we especially love the affordability. But it can be somewhat disheartening to walk into someone's home to find it looks exactly like yours because they have also decked out their place in Billy bookcases, Malm bedroom furniture and a Metod kitchen. 

We’ve all seen the DIY Ikea furniture hacks splashed over Instagram and Pinterest, but have you thought about customising an Ikea kitchen to make it your own? It's very doable, inexpensive and a brilliant way to create a unique look on a low budget. We’ve put together our favourite ways to customise an Ikea kitchen so you can inject a bit of individuality into your home.

Want more kitchen design advice? Go and check out our ultimate guide to kitchen design.

1. Change the front of your Ikea kitchen cabinets

So as it turns out, despite their very affordable price point, Ikea kitchen cabinets are good quality, especially if they are fitted properly; in fact, they have built themselves up a bit of a cult following who swear they are the best out there. Their drawers in particular have gotten a lot of love of late. They are made by Blum, who also supply to high-end kitchen companies. 

But there are drawbacks. While the bones of an Ikea kitchen are high quality and customisable, there aren’t a ton of options for cabinet doors. Luckily, some clever people have caught on to this and there are now a load of new companies offering custom cabinet fronts that can be paired with Ikea’s kitchen systems. Here are some of our faves…

Plykea

Tim Diacon and Adam Vergette founded Plykea, an upscaling service that transforms Ikea Metod Kitchens with the help of bespoke and stylish plywood fronts and worktops; and the results don't disappoint… (see below).

Husk

This new Bristol based company are all about offering really affordable ways to add custom elements to your Ikea kitchen. They offer everything, from cabinet fronts in an array of gorgeous colours and oak worktops to sinks and handles (see below).

Superfront 

One of the pioneers of the world of Ikea kitchen customising, Superfront can provide everything you need to give your kitchen a completely bespoke look. We mean really, does this look like an Ikea kitchen (below)?!

2. Switch up your kitchen hardware

A super budget friendly way to customise your Ikea kitchen is to shop for knobs and handles outside of Ikea. You could hunt around in antique shops for some reclaimed kitchen handles or have a look around more expensive kitchen manufacturers and buy their hardware instead. 

3. Paint your cabinet doors

Want to give your current Ikea kitchen a bit of a facelift? Try painting your kitchen cabinets. Just be aware that a lot of Ikea furniture is laminate, and paint doesn’t adhere well to laminate. But we have learnt a great tip from Swoonworthy, and that’s to spray it with a thin layer of adhesion promoter, which essentially acts as a bond between the shiny smooth plastic and the primer. 

For more tips on how to paint kitchen cabinets, check out our step-by-step guide. 

4. Pick out an alternative countertop

Ikea only give you so many options for your countertops, so why not look elsewhere to give your kitchen a more bespoke look? Worktops can be a huge statement in a kitchen so if you are going to splurge anywhere, here would be a good place. To add a rustic vibe to your kitchen, pick out wooden worktops which work perfectly with clean white Ikea cabinets… 

Go for an industrial vibe with concrete worktops...

Or if you have the budget, invest in a marble (or marble effect) worktop for a more luxurious vibe. 

Find more info about the best types of kitchen worktop in our guide. 

5. Splurge on a fancy splashback

Similarly, a kitchen splashback is another area of your kitchen where you could spend a tad more money getting exactly what you want. It’s usually a pretty small square footage and installing a splashback is really easy, if you are going for tiles, you could even tile a splashback yourself. 

Go for some bold mosaic tiles, or a sheet of a really eye-catching material, investing in stuff like this is what is going to make your kitchen unique to you.  

For more kitchen splashback ideas check out our feature. 

Read more...

• 11 modern open plan kitchen diner design ideas
• Ikea trials a new scheme to rent out its furniture – including kitchens
• Kitchen storage ideas: 27 space-saving solutions

Flat-pack furniture giant Ikea has announced its intention to trial a furniture rental scheme in a bid to embrace growing interests in a circular economy, while reducing their impact on the environment. We're interested. 

A pilot project is set to roll out across Ikea Switzerland in a bid to gauge interest in this alternative model – the likes of which is unparalleled within the industry.

Speaking about this proposed change, an Ikea spokesperson said, 'At Ingka Group, we have an ambition to inspire and enable people to play an active role in making the circular economy a reality, which we can support by developing new ways for people to buy, care for and pass on products.'

Expanding on Ikea's long term aims, she adds, 'In order to become a fully circular business by 2030, this can only be achieved through collaboration. In addition to working with customers to find appealing and accessible solutions that enable them to live more sustainably, we are also partnering with stakeholders to work together and share experiences.'

Sounds good – but let's just take the time to find out what a circular economy is (it's a new one on us). Well, apparently a circular economy provides an alternative to the traditional linear economy – which is based on the principle of make, use, dispose – and aims to reduce waste by encouraging the use (and reuse) of products for as long as possible.

In practical terms, this means fixing, repurposing and recycling items, ensuring they're used for as long as possible and preventing them from ending up in landfill. 

We're right behind that.

When will Ikea's rental scheme come to the UK?

As Ikea's rental scheme is still very much in its early stages, we can't predict when you can expect to see it rolled out across the rest of Europe. 

But, here's what Ikea is already doing in the UK to reduce it's environmental impact:

• Recovery teams in every store repairing and repackaging products that have been damaged in transit so they can be sold and not wasted;
• Second life return options – providing customers with the opportunity to return a variety of products, including furniture, for resale or donation. Last year 12,240 sofas, beds and appliances were recovered for reuse and recycling; 
• Providing spare parts – in 2018 over one million orders of spare parts were made in order to repair furniture rather than disposing of it;
• In 2018, UK operations sent zero waste to landfill for the third year in a row. Yes, really;
• Ikea Greenwich, the leading sustainable store in the UK, is set to open on 7th February 2019, providing a place for customers to meet, share, learn and shop with healthy and sustainable living in mind.

Inspired to up-cycle, recycle and repurpose?

• Plykea: a new way to upgrade your Ikea kitchen (and achieve a bespoke-looking finish)
• Ian Mankin introduces a zero waste range and we love it
• Finnish furnishings manufacturer shows the way in sustainable homeware production

Just when you thought it wasn’t possible to fit anything else in your big blue shopping bag, Ikea’s latest launch means you’ll need to save some space for one of these stylish new designs when you next pay a visit to its Marketplace.  

Brand new in store, these Eneby designs are Ikea’s first ever range of Bluetooth speakers, with prices starting from a wallet-friendly £45. 

Available in two sizes (20x20cm and 30x30cm), they come in a choice of neutral white, grey and black, making them a great match for any room décor. 

‘The new Eneby range is incredibly exciting for us,’ says Evanthia Nikoglou, sales leader for lighting and electronics at Ikea UK and Ireland. ‘Sound, just like light, is an important part of creating atmosphere within the home. It is able to bring a space to life and give it soul.’

As you’d expect from the furniture giant, making sure the new speakers complement some of its most popular furniture ranges was key, so the speakers can slot neatly into the Kallax or Eket storage systems for a seamless look, or they can be fitted on a stand or attached to the wall with a bracket (sold separately).  

Need a portable solution so your speaker can be used outdoors for garden parties and barbecues this summer? That’s sorted too, as the smaller version has a handle and can be fitted with a battery pack so you can enjoy music indoors and out. 

Now you just need to fill up your blue shopping bag with your favourite speaker, choose your summer playlist and you’re good to go.