IKEA Hack Alert! How to Turn a Faux Sheepskin Rug into a Vest

BAGGEBO Shelf Unit ($25)

Whether it's used for textbook storage or bar cart essentials (don't go too crazy), this simple shelf unit will save you on floor space if your dorm room or college apartment feels a tad... cramped. The clean design allows for easy pairing with the existing dorm furniture your university may offer!

MICKE Desk ($80)

This minimalist desk easily fits into tight corners if you're working with limited space. The pull-out drawer can fit plenty of notebooks, chargers, and other desk-side necessities! It offers the perfect home base for study seshes, FaceTime calls, or quickly scarfing down your dorm room dinner in-between classes.

NISSAFORS Utility Cart ($30)

Consider yourself blessed if you scored a dorm room with a kitchen! This swanky rolling cart will be the sturdy host of spice jars, cooking oils, snacks, small kitchen appliances, and really, whatever else you picture yourself (and the roomies!) using it for.

MÖJLIGHET Headset + Tablet Stand ($6)

You know your study game wouldn't be the same without your trusty iPad and headphones, so keep them close using this sleek stand. It'll hold your gear all nice and stable, so you can keep on learning – distraction-free. Bring it from your dorm to the library in a cinch!

SOMMARVICKER Twin Duvet Cover + Pillowcase ($25)

Dorm time is not the time to be boring – make it your own! If you're a certified color-lover like us, this reversible sheet set will excite you to no end. ✨​

ÖVNING Utility Cart ($80)

This bookcase-turned-rolling cart has the capacity to carry everything you'd need for class. Take your dorm room storage a step further by inserting bins and boxes into the shelf spaces – you'll feel prepared and squared away before the semester even starts!

ÖVNING Desk Accessories Organizer ($15)

Every student from the cool art majors to the biochem baddies will love this pick. This organizer has tons of pockets at the ready to help you carry pens, sticky notes, highlighters, and the like from class to class! The handle on top makes transportation laughably easy, all while keeping your dorm room desk mess-free.

KLASSRUM Rug ($80)

Checkered patterns have taken over, and this rug is filled with *so* much checkered personality! The neutral-leaning color palette (with a pop of vibrance, of course) lets you match this pick with the rest of your IKEA dorm shopping list – it's too easy.

MÖJLIGHET Twin Duvet Cover + Pillowcase ($15)

For a milder, yet equally statement-worthy bedspread, this speckled set comes in handy. It carries *a lot* of different colors so you can accent your bed with solid-colored pillows and eye-catching blankets! If you're lucky enough to not be sleeping on a twin bed come school time, IKEA has a plethora of sizes to choose from.

PÄRKLA Storage Case ($2)

Don't let your clunky, chunky winter-wear clog up your closet. With these extremely affordable storage bags, you can pack up everything you're not wearing, and stow it away under your dorm room bed for safe keeping. Trust me, you'll want that big winter jacket handy, come October. 🥶​

GLADHÖJDEN Sit / Stand Desk ($299)

Standing desks are surging in popularity RN, and I'm *so* jealous of anyone who gets to bask in all their glory during college. In just the pull of a lever, you can manually adjust the height of this desk – so when you're tired of sitting studying, you can study... standing up. Fancy!

TINGBY Side Table on Casters ($65)

It's a dinner table. It's a bar cart. It's a bookshelf. It's whatever you want it to be! This cart-on-wheels is straightforward in design and offers open, visible space for storage.

HÄSTVISKARE Mini Drawer Chest ($17)

No clutter in this dorm! This mini drawer has reachable slots for junk, notebooks and all that dreaded homework you have to do between parties and orientations. It's hardy enough, so you could potentially stack several drawers atop one another – or just opt for one to prop your laptop on.

RIGGA Clothes Rack ($25)

I really loved the look of an open closet when I was about to move into my dorm. This clothes rack gives you just that – plus, more than anything, you've got a 'fit conveniently locked and loaded whenever you're jetting out on the weekends! 🔥​

FIXA 17-Piece Tool Kit ($13)

Because you never know when you'll need to play Bob The Builder in your dorm room. Can you fix it? I hope you can, because your parents won't be able to when you're away from home! 🤪

LOTE 3-Drawer Chest ($35)

This micro-sized drawer chest would make the *perfect* entryway dumping spot – that is, for keys, mail, and other miscellaneous items. If you find you don't like it in a certain spot, this piece is easily transportable, thanks to the top handles.

OLSERÖD Side Table ($40)

You'll find yourself not having the energy required to even get out of bed to do homework (while working, I still face the same dilemma), which is where this side table comes in. Pull it out or tuck it away with ease by your bed or sofa when it's work or play time.

STUK 7-Compartment Storage ($14)

Your dorm closet alone won't cut it. *Especially* if you've already hit all the back-to-school clothing sales. Trust me, you're going to need some extra storage hacks to accomodate all your lewks. This hanging compartment from IKEA is a game-changer for storing folded jeans, pants, and other garments that don't exactly work well on hangers.

PRUTA Food Container ($2 / 3-pack)

These cheap food storage containers are going to save you immensely during late-night library seshes, so you can pack your own midnight snack to munch on. You could *also* use them for leftovers, or sneaking out some food from the dining hall. Guilty! 🧐

BILD Poster Set ($6)

You can't forget the walls, of course! Dorms would be pretty boring (and not very home-y) without some cool wall decor. This poster set brings some zing to your bland white interior – just make sure you're using dorm-friendly Command strips to tack 'em up!

NÄVLINGE LED Clamp Spotlight ($16, was $20)

The very last thing you want to be in college is the annoying roommate. If you're a night owl, and your roomie's simply not, opt for a beside spotlight to illuminate your side of the room and keep them from grumpily waking up at 2AM. This one can clip onto most surfaces to accomodate your own night gremlin hours. 😵‍💫​

BOLMEN Toilet Brush + Holder ($1, was $2)

Keep that dorm bathroom clean – I beg of you! This toilet brush is *so* cheap, there's really no excuse not to get one.

RÅNEN Basket ($3)

Communal showers are not the move IMO, but if you have to put up with them, you can at least make getting clean a pinch more enjoyable. This waterproof basket can carry all your soaps, shaving essentials, and other shower items from place to place without everything getting lost in a jumble! Don't forget to stock up on some shower slippers, either.

TISKEN Suction Cup Basket ($8, was $9)

Alternatively, if you're set with your own suite bathroom (like I was), these suction cup baskets are easy to apply to tile walls to hold your shower stuffs in place. I *still* use these in my bathroom to this day!

HÖLASS Bin with Lid ($4)

Opt for another IKEA dorm pick with longevity – I have this one in my bathroom, too – this lidded trash bin. It keeps your waste out of sight, no matter what it may be, and keeps scents inside to preserve the smell of your dorm!

Different Types Of IKEA Materials

Before I share my tips, let’s identify a few key materials that IKEA sells because the treatment of each will vary. ☝️

Wood

While IKEA lists wood as the first source on their “choosing materials” page, I've yet to own a real wood piece from IKEA. They do sell “untreated,” or “raw” pine products like this IVAR Cabinet which can be used as is or easily painted or stained to your desired color. Ordinary primer, paint, stain, and sealant are all you need to transform these pieces with ease.

Composite

However, more likely than not, if you’ve purchased any IKEA piece in the past, it’s been made of a composite material — which is just a combination of two or more materials. The Swedish superstore says they use composite because “it’s strong, low maintenance, low price, and light.” All of which are true, however, composite cannot be treated as wood or any of its components.

IKEA’s famous BILLY line — with an estimated purchase of once every 5 seconds — is made of a myriad of materials including particle board, fibreboard, and melamine. This gives it that classic shiny, smooth surface that’s synonymous with affordable furniture.

Unlike wood, composite can’t be painted, stained, or even sanded. The laminated surfaces of these kinds of pieces require special attention if you want to make it your own.

IKEA sells these pieces as “finished,” meaning they’re non-absorbing — a trait you typically want in brand-new furniture. However, this means that any paint added to its surface will simply sit on top of the composite finish, rather than soaking in. You may also notice that they’re more likely to chip, scratch, and show more overall wear than traditional wooden furniture or other single material furniture. This, of course, will likely lead you down a paint rabbit hole to revive them.

How To Prepare Your IKEA Furniture For Paint

While it’s not impossible to paint, whether to save an older piece or customize a new one, it does require a few extra steps before cracking open a paint can.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Drop cloth
• Fan or respirator mask
• Painter’s tape
• Paint brush and paint roller
• Deglosser or liquid sandpaper OR a high-grit sanding block (around #150-180)
• Primer
• Paint

Prep Your Workspace

You will be using several products with high fumes and the potential for spills, so I recommend placing your IKEA piece on a drop cloth, in a highly ventilated area or outside. Otherwise, I suggest using a fan or respirator to protect yourself.

Reminder: The higher the grit number, the smoother the finish. You typically want to start with a lower number and work your way up. The lower grit numbers are coarser, removing dirt, grime, paint, and any shiny materials, while a higher grit number is for finishing and leaving a smooth surface.

Say Goodbye To Shine

Since these materials are designed to repel water and other materials, they will repel paint too. To knock back some of the shine and prepare the surface for paint, use liquid sandpaper, a deglosser, or simply sand the surface until you get the piece to a flat or matte finish.

Keep in mind that this is composite and not actual wood, so you don’t want to sand too hard and expose the “center” below the thin layer of laminate or melamine. The goal is simply to remove the “waterproof” layer without damaging the structural integrity of the piece.

Clean The Surface

Next up, you want to remove all that dust or residue that comes from step 2. To do this well, I recommend using a lint-free, microfiber cloth and a cleaning solution like vinegar and hot water or mineral oils.

My secret weapon for any painting project is tack cloth. It’s a sticky, mesh cloth that you can get for a few dollars at any hardware store, and it grabs any lingering sawdust, hair, or dust in general, ensuring that your surface is clean.

Prime With Shellac

There are plenty of paints that claim to be both a primer and paint in one, and while this works beautifully for ordinary wood or drywall interiors — I highly advise against it when it comes to IKEA composite materials. It may save you some time upfront, but in my experience, any paint without the correct primer scratches off far too easily.

Best practice is to use a shellac-based primer. You'll see three main types of primer at the store: oil-based, latex, and shellac primer. Shellac is by far the most expensive and smelliest of the three, but it works wonders in preparing previously un-paintable surfaces. I recommend using Zinsser B-I-N Shellac Primer.

Next, you'll want to roll the primer with a high-density foam roller. These rollers are designed for smooth surfaces and won’t leave paint roll lines the way a roller with a nap would. You should only need one coat, unless your piece has significant damage or you’re covering a darker color.

Be Patient

Another common mistake when prepping IKEA furniture for paint is rushing through this process. While you may only need one coat of shellac primer, you still need to give it proper time to dry and adhere, which often means waiting until the next day to actually roll on the paint. Each primer will have its own specific instructions on dry-time, but a good rule of thumb is to wait 6 hours for it to dry before applying paint.

Finally Time To Paint

If you’ve prepped the piece properly, you’re free to use latex, acrylic, or even chalk paint. I prefer an ordinary interior latex paint — the same stuff I use on our walls — because it’s affordable and I usually have it on hand already. That’s the beauty of shellac-based primer: you can then customize it to your heart's content with any color or kind of paint.

Get Inspired To Customize Your IKEA Furniture!

A quick search for IKEA hacks online will yield millions of results. In addition to paint, here are a few of my favorite ways to take your IKEA piece from basic to brilliant.

New Hardware

Hardware is so inexpensive and can really elevate a standard piece of furniture. Even if you’re just looking to refresh an older piece, you can often get an entire set of new door knobs or handles for under $40. Many of IKEA pieces come without hardware and it’s a simple DIY anyone can do with just a drill and measuring tape.

Wallpaper

I’ve seen so many creative uses of wallpaper and contact paper when it comes to IKEA hacks. Whether you utilize a textured wallpaper for dimension or add a surprisingly pop of color inside your drawers, you have plenty of options to choose from!

Pole Wrap/Wood Texture

Pole wrap has made a big splash in the DIY scene, but it can be pricey. Adding any sort of molding, trim pieces, or wood texture to your IKEA piece will make it look custom and high-end without breaking the bank. Whether you add something simple like this or cover the entire face of your cabinets or drawers, new texture will breathe new life into any piece.

Built-In Look Or Adding Height

Custom cabinets or bookcases can run you into the tens of thousands, but IKEA pieces like the BILLY bookcase, can be customized to look “built-in.” You can add arches, unique trim, or other decorative elements to create a similar look for much less.

Functionality Hacks

One of my favorite DIY projects was an IKEA hack I did for a friend. She wanted built-in bookcases with arches with plenty of space. While we were busy working in her home, her four cats made it known how much they also loved the bookcase. So naturally...we built a cat door into the bookcases and added a magnetic front for kitty safety and easy cleaning.

As you decorate your home, don’t write off IKEA as the college-kid starter pack it used to be. There are so many ways to elevate these simple pieces and achieve designer looks for less. Think of these budget-friendly finds as starting blocks for your creativity to run wild. From color to function, you can make these pieces your own with a little DIY elbow grease.

The sky is truly the limit when it comes to transforming these seemingly boring pieces. Tag us in your IKEA DIYs on Instagram!

Kristen Bell And Dax Shepard's Relationship Timeline:

2007: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Meet + Begin Dating

The couple haven't been shy about revealing their first time meeting was exactly love at first sight. Kristen Bell admitted during an Instagram Q&A in 2018 that they actually met at a party for producer Shauna Robertson. E! News recalled that the actress said, "2 weeks later I saw him at a hockey game and he asked for the gum in my mouth." Knowing Dax's personality, that actually checks out.

She also revealed his unconventional pickup line. "Truly, his first text to me was: ‘Hi. My name is Dax. I violated your privacy and got your number from Shauna. How do you feel about that,'' she remembered.

Though they did start dating, Kristen regularly trolls Dax about the time they briefly broke up. She told Popsugar, "He sat me down and said, 'I can't have this right now. I think you're wonderful, but I am still dating other people.' And then I, like, liquefied and fell to the ground, but I felt incredibly respected that he had the balls to tell me we weren't in the same place."

2009: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Work As Co-Stars During Filming Of When in Rome

Who can forget the hilarious rom-com movie When in Rome? Kristen starred as the 'unlucky in love' main character Beth who finds herself being pursued by a handful of romantic prospects after she picks up coins from a fountain that's supposed to grant love those who dare to take from it. Dax played the role of Gale, a model who was very into himself, and it was funny watching them interact on-screen.

According to People, the couple got engaged shortly after filming ended.

August 2012: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Work Together Again On Set Of Hit & Run

November 2012: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Announce They're Expecting Baby No. 1

A source relayed the news to People in 2012 by sharing the following statement, "They’re so excited — they’re both ecstatic. They can’t wait to become parents." They also shared that Kristen had been dealing with a bit of morning sickness, but she started doing better as time passed.

March 28, 2013: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's First Daughter Arrives

Several months later, Kristen gave birth birth to her and Dax's first daughter, Lincoln Bell Shepard.

June 2013: Kristen Bell Pops The Question To Dax Shepard

October 2013: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Tie The Knot

June 2014: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Prepare For Baby No. 2's Arrival

December 2014: The Couple's Second Daughter Is Born

Finally, the couple welcomed their second daughter, Delta Bell Shepard, before Christmas in 2014.

2017: Dax Shepard And Kristen Bell Star in CHiPS

September 1, 2018: Kristen Bell And Dax Shepard Celebrate His Sobriety Journey

Dax Shepard has never been ashamed to talk about his sobriety journey and shared a personal moment with that made him question everything He appeared on Blake Griffin's podcast, The Pursuit of Healthiness to talk about his struggles in 2021. "What I would do is I would get sober for movies. I cared more about movies — it was the only thing I was more addicted to was being in movies — and so I would get sober for movies and then in between movies it was getting more and more dangerous," he recalled.

It wasn't until he caught a glimpse of himself in a mirror during a trip to Hawaii that he realized something was wrong. He remembered thinking, "I have every single thing I've ever wanted, and I'm at my lowest point emotionally and something has got to be very broken about that. If I have everything I said was going to make me feel good and I feel terrible, I've got to look at some other thing."

To celebrate her husband's commitment to remaining sober, Kristen wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram to encourage him to keep going. "I'm so proud that you have never been ashamed of your story, but instead shared it widely, with the hope it might inspire someone else to become the best version of themselves...I love you more than I ever thought I could love anyone, and I want you to know, I see you. I see how hard you work," a portion of the lengthy message reads.

Addiction in any form is never easy to navigate so we admire how much Kristen's been supportive of Dax.

February 2019: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Launch A Baby Brand

September 2023: Kristen Bell And Dax Share The Secret To Their Happy Marriage

It's no doubt that Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have experienced a lot throughout their marriage, but they've managed to stay the course. Kristen actually shared some amazing advice for other couples during a conversation with Entertainment Tonight that we're thinking about applying to our own relationships. "Common goals, seek them out," she stressed.

The other thing she feels is crucial to making a relationship work is truly seeing and valuing your partner as a person. "Understanding that your partner used to be a little person is the best thing you can do. Sometimes if we're ever on the verge of a fight, one of us will say — it's usually Dax — 'I feel like 8-year-old Dax right now.' And I'm able to see him like I see my kids, which is in a very different way and go, 'Oh yeah, you're a little person that had trauma and triggers and it's not about me,'" she added.

That's powerful because it can be hard to remember that it's not just about you in a relationship. We don't think people intentionally mean to be selfish, but it can be happen and the key is to acknowledge it instead of doubling down on a particular stance that may not be helpful in the heat of an argument.