This elegant entryway sideboard is actually an IKEA hack – and probably the best a KALLAX unit has ever looked

Was there ever a more versatile flat-pack than the IKEA KALLAX? Simple, practical, and multi-functional, this storage solution epitomizes everything the Scandi homeware brand does best. It's also a DIYer favorite when it comes to customizability, and after seeing this elegant living room sideboard hack, it's no surprise why.

With pine molding, a lick of paint, and some metallic gold touches, the art-deco style IKEA hack brings a touch of Parisian chic to this living room alcove. It's all down to the work of home renovator Emma-Jo Woollin (@mysecrethouseaccount) who shares the DIY improvements to her Victorian villa over on Instagram, and this one was just too good not to share. Here, she explains the steps she took to turn her KALLAX from lackluster to luxe. 

Lilith Hudson

Lilith is an expert at following news and trends across the world of interior design. A personal fan of the Scandi-inspired interior, her job entails keeping up with everything there is to know about the Swedish powerhouse IKEA. Paired with her insight into the latest home renovation projects, she regularly shares IKEA hacks with readers to inspire their own DIY projects in home design.

Noticing that her alcove was crying out for a sideboard, Emma decided to put her skills to the test with a bespoke IKEA hack. The eight-shelf KALLAX unit was the perfect fit for her living room DIY project, measuring 30 3/8 x 57 7/8 inches. 

Using the KALLAX doors for her fluted credenza idea, Emma set to work adding molding. 'We used half round pine moulding and cut them to size (8.6 inches) using a chop saw to cover each door, using sandpaper to file the edges for a smooth finish,' she explains. 'We then attached them to the doors with No Nails glue, using a heavy object to weight them down whilst they dried.' 

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Zinsser B-I-N shellac-base primer, The Home Depot

There's a reason Zinsser's B-I-N shellac-base primer is an industry favorite. Use their white primer before painting to help make your color pop and prolong its life. The best part? It sticks to any surface without sanding making it perfect for IKEA hacks and furniture painting. 

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Gold triangle furniture feet, Amazon

The gold metal furniture feet from Amazon are made from heavy duty iron to safely raise the height of your sideboard. Easily installed with screws, they're the perfect way to elevate the look of your furniture (in every sense of the term).

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Once all the doors were attached to the unit, Emma used Zinsnsers B-I-N primer - which she calls 'the holy grail of all primers' - to prep for painting. She knew she wanted a dark, moody color to contrast with the white walls in her lofty living room and make the metallic touches pop. 'I used a KALLAX door to get a color match service, mixing the paint the same color as the unit,' she says. 'I gave the doors three coats of color in total.'

Finally, it was just a case of adding the hardware and styling the sideboard for an elegant, art deco alcove. She used gold handles from Amazon and matching feet, also from Amazon, to raise the credenza off the floor. The complimentary gold finishes in the mirror frame, plant pot, and pendant lights make for a high-end, luxe look that elevates Emma's living room. If you ask us, it's the perfect lesson in how to make an IKEA KALLAX look more expensive. 

This stylish sideboard will be living rent-free in our heads for the foreseeable!

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Champagne gold cabinet handles, Amazon

For a hint of luxury, go for gold cabinet handles like these ones, from Amazon. Made from aluminum, these handles won't rust and are easy to install, requiring just two small screws. This pack of ten is perfect for recreating this elegant KALLAX look (with a few extra spare!) 

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