IKEA hacking: can it replace bespoke carpentry?

Hello all,

I hesitated about writing a blog post about this. Mostly because I felt such a sense of relief after submitting the results of this study that I thought I would leave the subject alone for a while. But then, I thought some of you might find it interesting and so here I am, creating yet another summary for a topic I spent the last three months researching.

IKEA hacking versus bespoke carpentry in built-in installations. Why write about it?

Well, it’s something I often get asked about as a designer and I wanted to feel more equipped when discussing options. IKEA hacking is also a practice I sometimes consider for projects with a lower budget or when clients are quite handy and want to do some of the building work themselves. However, in most cases, I rely on bespoke carpentry because I’m always looking to optimise the use of space and it means I do not limit my creativity. I wanted to be able to present the benefits of bespoke carpentry in a more objective way.

It's also a subject I recurringly see discussed on various renovation forums. And so I thought, why not try and expose the differences between the two solutions, as surely it will help some people in their decision?

You can find the full results of this study here (the actual text is only about 30 pages long, including the imagery)

A study on the customisation of IKEA furniture as a substitution to traditional built-in joinery in residential environments [photo credit: Jenna LeBlanc]

But if you’d rather just get to the key findings here is my less academic take on the subject:

1.       You can use IKEA furniture to create built-in installations, such as fitted wardrobes, alcove cabinetry, under stairs storage. You will find hundreds of tutorials online. You might be lucky and the standard carcasses might fit your space well. Or you may need to alter the units significantly. Sometimes it simply won’t work.

2.       An IKEA hack will no doubt save you a lot of money but only if you undertake the work yourself. It will be time consuming, but it will also give you the opportunity to experiment with creative finishes.

3.       The IKEA furniture that is suitable for hacking (because it is cheap and simple to adapt) is made of chip board covered with a melamine finish. You will need some sharp tools to cut through it neatly and you might be left with some exposed edges, which will be prone to damage from moisture. Many DIY-ers paint the units, using a good quality primer first, but professionals will not spray these.

4.       There is limited data on the longevity of IKEA hacked furniture. The surfaces could start delaminating after a while and the hinges could pull away from the chipboard carcasses. The solution you spent a lot of time working on could look tired after only a few years.

5.       Bespoke carpentry will cost you a lot more money upfront. I’m not going to lie, a lot more. Why? Because someone will design the furniture to fit your exact space, optimising function and form. There will be no compromises. They will then build the furniture using highly resilient materials and hardware that will withstand moisture and everyday use. It will not move with time, it will remain solid. You will be able to choose the exact finish you like, be it fancy veneers or hardwearing paint. The built-in furniture will become part of the architecture of your home and it will be a selling point should you decide to move in the future.

6.       Bespoke carpentry is a much more sustainable option for a number of reasons, but primarily because it will stand the test of time. It is truly a case of “buy cheap, buy twice” (or more).

7.       Still undecided between the two? Some companies specialise in hybrid installations, using IKEA PAX internals and their own bespoke parts wrapped around the carcasses. It won’t be significantly cheaper but you’ll get the functionality of the PAX system and will be able to adjust the elements to your exact needs. This only really works for wardrobes though.

8.       My take in a nutshell is that both solutions have a place. If you’re very handy, you can achieve a spectacular result with IKEA hacking. The more strength you can add to the solution the better. Consider upgrading all hardware, especially the hinges. But if you’re in your forever home and want to do things right, invest in bespoke carpentry, even if it means saving for longer. The future occupiers of your property will thank you for it and so will the planet.

Until next time,

Delphine