Whether you live in an apartment or in your forever home, an IKEA hack has its benefits. They enable you to become a designer and utilize your imagination to create something unique and personal for your space. The Swedish superstore is filled with minimalist products just waiting to be transformed — and while there’s no shortage of inspiration, the best are the ones you least expect. Take content creator Dalia Aly’s (@dalia.ea) Ikea scalloped ottoman, for example, which completely transforms a simple garden box into a chic storage ottoman.

Takeaways New Hide ▲

Flower box transformed

into a chic scalloped

ottoman with storage

Deep walnut stain

and velvet cushion

add luxe custom finish

DIY furniture projects

let you personalize

and maximize small spaces

Ottoman also doubles

as hidden storage for

entertaining or relaxing

❮

❯

DIY Ikea projects usually fall into two categories: large items, such as dressers, console tables, or closets, and small decorative items, like candlestick holders and pillow covers. But Aly’s ottoman takes things to a whole new level. As a seasoned Ikea hacker (her TikTok page is dedicated solely to these projects), she finds beauty in unexpected items and uses them to create stylish pieces. That is precisely what she did with Ikea’s Askholmen Flower Box. Continue reading to discover how to recreate this DIY project for your own home.

@dalia.ea

He was a flower box, she said see you later box. A year later, and this is still my favorite IKEA hack 🦦🤎 #interiordesign #homedecor #diy #ikeahack #scalloped #furniture

♬ headlock x jinx from arcane – ZOMBIE

Like many interior enthusiasts, Aly’s project began with luxe design elements. Scalloped furniture is having a major moment in the design world and often comes with a price tag to match its growing popularity. Creating the scalloped look on furniture is a much bigger project, which is why the Askholmen Flower Box was perfect for the job. As Aly notes, the rounded posts at the bottom of this simple flower box mimicked the scallop shape, making it ideal for the trend.

From Flower Box to Ottoman

With the scallop trim already in place, she went to work giving the box a luxe makeover. This began with staining to add a richer color to the wood. Since Ikea products are sold unassembled, she didn’t have to break anything down beforehand. After sanding each piece, she added two coats of a deep walnut shade and reinforced the inside of the box with a thin piece of wood. This step was crucial as it filled the open spaces between the slots to create a discrete storage space.

Once all the pieces were stained and dry, she assembled the box according to the instructions and added one last coat of polish to enhance its luxurious look. The next step was the cushion, which was created with a plywood base topped with foam and covered in a rich, olive-toned velvet fabric. Adding the cushion to the frame was also a breeze. Since the ottoman is designed to double as a storage space, the cushion lid didn’t need to be nailed down and is placed on top to be removed when necessary.

Aly’s ottoman proves that with a little creativity, even a simple flower box can become a chic, functional piece that elevates your space. Whether you’re short on square footage or just love a good design challenge, this hack is a reminder that great style doesn’t have to come with a high price tag.