Every year, this is one of the toughest decisions I have to make - shortlisting my 10 favourite hacks for The IKEA Hack of the Year poll. Trust me, it is awfully hard to choose just 10 from so many clever, beautiful, useful and crazy hacks.
I thought about segregating the poll into 2 categories, as some suggested last year but decided not to. Let's keep things simple and focused, alright? After all, it's the best IKEA HACK that we want to crown.
Nevertheless, in the following days, I will be posting some worthy mentions - hacks that didn't make the shortlist but amazing, nonetheless. I'll also highlight some re-purposings/embellishments that are just too good to go unmentioned.
So, without further ado ... I present my top 10 favourite hacks of 2012 ... (in no particular order).
Tipsy over this trunk bar
Leather, metal and booze. What's not to like? This is the best bar hack I've seen. Two Besta units, leather, castors and some pretty clasp did it. Well done, Csaba. See more.
Sofa so good
Susanah designed a box frame around the Karlstad to transform it from meh to marvellous. I would buy this in a heartbeat if IKEA made this version of the Karlstad. See more.
X-treme makeover for Frosta
Andreas made 3 eye-popping hacks with the Frosta stools. I went back and forth between the X and the Z before deciding on this one for the top 10. The X could work as a shelving, a cat tree or even just as wall decor. See more.
A sexy catwalk
I've seen many cat-____ (fill in the blank with litter, tree, box, etc) but none as sleek as this one by Jason. The very pedestrian Hyllis shelving units were cut up and made model material. See more.
Knuff said
imchaser's coffee table was one of the most surprising hacks of 2012. Knuff magazine holders and a rotating artist stool make a beautiful combo. Better yet, the "table top" configuration can be changed by rearranging the magazine holders. See more.
Expedit extension
The Expedit is one of the most hacked range in IKEA. I love what Marie did to hers - the very pretty doors and super smart pull out counter top. Extra work space when you need it. See more.
Work out of a box
Enough of thinking out of the box. Brilliant work can happen inside a box too. Ian proved that with his roll away home office made from a IKEA steel kitchen work table. See more.
One for the guests
When space is a premium, hacks like Lynn's day-bed to full-sized-bed hack takes the cake. Such a simple, yet well thought out and executed solution to a common problem. See more.
See it in print
Charles' hack does not look pretty and perhaps many won't understand this or hack it. But as far as drawers go, this is the most innovative use of one that I have seen. See more.
Got to LÖVA this
A bed canopy, in Anke's hands, takes flight. I love how whimsical it is. See more.
That's my list. Which should take the IKEA Hack of the 2012 title? Tell me by clicking below.
Voting will end 16 January 2013 at 11.59pm (EST time).
And, the winner gets a prize from PANYL.comPANYL, one of our site sponsors, is giving away their fantastic products to the winner of the Ikea Hack of 2012. PANYL is not your grandmother's contact film but a technological marvel, with hundreds of colors and organic, life-like woodgrains.
Better yet, PANYL is giving the winner a choice of either:
a) A fully customized ODDA 3-drawer dresser (including the actual chest, which be will prePANYL for the winner using their newest custom "HackPack" concept. (This prize would be USA only).
Visit their website for more ideas and inspiration.
Start voting before time runs out.
This was a tough one. A bumper crop of great ideas.
ReplyDeleteThis was hard thing to vote for. It was a 5 way tie, but since I put the X-treme makeover for Frosta on my christmas wishlist I kind of felt that it was just a little better.
ReplyDeleteAll the good stuff here! Loveth!
ReplyDeleteMy vote is for "Sofa so good". It is a true hack, easy enough to accomplish, and gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI had to vote for the sofa... and I might have to copy it.
ReplyDeleteSofa. Its so bright and beautiful
ReplyDeleteI think the real IKEA hack winner is the one, that you can do from ONLY things from IKEA... Love the Sofa, but I really think the FROSTA is more 'qualified' if you get what i'm saying? :)
ReplyDeleteWow, these are 10 great choices! I was tempted to vote for the most practical and useful piece, which I think is either Home box office or Expedit extension. But in this case, I voted for the most elegant and original creation, which I think is Frosta X (with Knuff coffee table a very close second place). Congratulations to the top 10 finalists! Great job!
ReplyDeleteFrostaX and Knuff Coffee Table should be the top 2, its 2 of the most original and out of the box design ive seen in this website. So brilliant they should be the icon for ikeahackers. I voted for Knuff cos its so simple yet it blew my mind off. Makes me smile looking at it. Going to make myself one over the weekend.
ReplyDeleteHaving only just discovered this site this year, I have managed to scroll through just about every entry - love it.
ReplyDeleteSo glad I get to have a vote this year - but the decision is so tough!!!
I notice this years voting only open for like a week compare to last years almost 3 weeks? Not a lot of people get the chance to vote then.
ReplyDeleteI always vote for the things even I could build (with some effort of course) but never ever have thought about.
ReplyDeleteI made the Karlstad sofa but that Knuff coffee table ROCKS!
ReplyDeleteMy criteria for HOTY is something practical that solves a problem that you can't get anywhere right out of the box (because it doesn't exist OR the item is too expensive). It also has to impress me enough not only to comment on it, but to want to do it. That being said, I have to go with the HYLLIS catwalk.
ReplyDeleteCome on, people - if we all do the printing press, we can eliminate photocopiers worldwide!
ReplyDeleteX-treme makeover for Frosta
ReplyDeleteIt'll be interesting to see how they PANYL the KNUFF-stool-table!
ReplyDeleteHi all. Hi im the creator of the KNUFF coffee table. I want to say thanks everyone for voting. Thanks PANYL for the gift sponsor, and most importantly, Jules as well.
ReplyDeleteBtw I really do think the Frosta X is awesome and one of the best hack in Ikeahackers. Looking forward to 2013 entries cos i think we will see more and more inspiring hack coming.