Rolling the clock back to 2015, when I turned a cheap IKEA shoe rack into sweet little bathroom bench seat, in this Ikea bench seat hack.
I’d been desperate to do something lovely with this sad little shoe rack for a while — it was the perfect size for our bathroom and offered great storage but it was so ugly.
With a little bit of creativity, some fabric and paint, this little shoe rack got a makeover — a shoe rack IKEA hack, if you will!
Quick View of What You'll Find on This Page
What Else Can I Use an IKEA Shoe Rack For?
The IKEA shoe rack certainly didn’t look like bench seat! But with a little bit of creativity and TLC it transformed from an ugly shoe rack, to a sweet little wooden storage bench with a cushion.
Perfect for the boys to sit on when they were getting dry; whilst still giving us the same storage as before and looking a LOT more pretty too.
Here’s what I did.
How To Tranform a Shoe Rack To a Storage Bench
Turn a Shoe Rack into a Bench Seat (Ikea Bench Seat Hack)
I turned a cheap IKEA shoe rack into sweet little bathroom bench seat, in this Ikea bench seat hack.
Materials
- Wooden IKEA shoe-rack (you can also get a similar version from Amazon.
- 18mm MDF
- 2 inch foam
- Wood glue
- Screws
- Fabric
- Piping Cord
- Zip
- Chalk Paint
Tools
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Scalpel or sharp knife
- Sewing Machine (or you can hand-sew with a needle and thread)
- Screwdriver
Instructions
- Firstly, I measured the shoe rack then created a rough template to work to.
- Then I cut some 18mm MDF and some 2inch foam to fit the top of the shoe rack.
- I cut my fabric into cushion sized pieces. I made sure I left a couple of cm around each piece so I could turn them over and make a hem.
- Next, I made a simple piped edge. This is optional though — you could skip this if you don't feel confident creating fabric piping.
- I inserted a zip.
- Then finished off and sewed up all of the edges, so it looked nice and neat. And put the foam inside.
- Next, I painted the shoe rack using Annie Sloan chalk paint. I used 01 Old White.
- When it was dry, I re-assembled it; glueing the joins and screwing a piece of painted MDF board to the top of the shoe rack. Then added the cushion. Et voila! One Ikea bench seat hack completed!
Notes
I found a few internet tutorials on making piping.
Most of the tutorials I looked at said that the fabric needed to be cut on the bias but there really wasn't enough fabric to do that. This one by A Summer Gypsy said that you don't need to cut it on the bias and she was right! I'm sure it could have been neater but it's not bad for a first attempt!
Using Chalk Paint To Transform a Shoe Rack
I used some Annie Sloan left over from my chest of drawers makeover but, I must say, I hadn’t anticipated how long it would take to paint!
Because of all the tiny slats, it seemed to take forever; not on a par with painting the Forth Bridge, I grant you, but longer than I’d estimated!
If I was to do this again, I would use spray paint, rather than hand paint using a brush.
For such a small item, it took a crazy amount of time to paint! But it was worth it.
From Shoe Rack To Storage Bench
Here’s my finished bench seat in pride of place in the bathroom!
The Ikea Bench Seat Hack
I was so delighted with how this little Ikea Bench Seat turned out! This hack was a really creative way of using a shoe rack that was destined for the log-burner!
It fit in so nicely with our bathroom. And having a little bench seat — as well as storage — is so useful.
Do you have any favourite IKEA hacks that you’d like to share? I’d love to know if you’ve transformed anything from something you didn’t use very much to something super-useful.
Let me know in the comments!
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
Well done! You deserve to be pretty pleased with yourself: that looks lovely and makes such a difference to your bathroom. And it’s a very impressive first attempt at a bench seat pad – I say this as someone who makes soft furnishings for a (part-time) living! Clap, clap!
Aaah that’s so lovely of you Kate — and that means a lot too as you do it for a living!! Thanks so much :)
Very pretty. A total transformation!
Thanks so much pet — I’m so happy with it!!! Looks a million times better than it did before!! :) x
That is bloody amazing!! What a talent you have, and that material is really gorgeous. I am so impressed with your finished towel holder/bench!
Aaah thanks SO much gorgeous!! SO pleased with it :) Looks a million times better than it did before. Totally loved seeing you this weekend — absolutely LOVED hanging out with all my blogging bests! x
It was amazing to see you!! How can you be even lovelier and more gorgeous in real life than you are on your blog? How is that possible? Must get together again really soon x
Aaah that’s SO lovely of you pet *blushing* fanx :) Can’t wait til the next time!! :) xx
This is gorgeous Caro! I am seriously impressed and I LOVE the fabric… And your bathroom! X
Thanks so much sweetheart — that’s lovely of you. The fabric was lush — VERY Orla Keily ;)
This is fantastic! What a gorgeous project – it gives your whole bathroom a new feel! xx
Thanks SO much Elsie :) I’ve been desperate to paint it for a while but the little cushion has totally transformed it from a sad little shoe-rack :)
This is adorable (and a great excuse for cake)! xx
Thanks so much lovely :)
Ahhh I used the same fabric! I love what you’ve done, it looks perfect! Haha, this was the first time for me with piping, I didn’t even know that was what it was called before this project. You’ve done it so neatly, well done! Sabrina xx
The fabric was such a gorgeous pattern wasn’t it? Although I found it really difficult to worth with because it frayed quite a lot — can’t wait to go and look at your cushion! :) x
Wow, who would have thought that little shoe rack could become so magnificent.
You did a fabulous job!
Aaah that’s so lovely of you Natalie!! Thanks SO much :)
looks 100% BETTER!
Thanks SO much pet!! I’m delighted with it :)
This really is gorgeous! You would have never known that was t it’s original use! Well done :-) #twinklytuesday xx
Thanks so much lovely :) It’s been sitting in the bathroom for ages and I kept meaning to update it!! SO happy with how it turned out!! :)
Oh my gosh how much better does that look! Love it! I am shortly embarking on my first adventures with Annie Sloan chalk point, is it wrong to be this excited??? xx
Thanks lovely!! And nope — not wrong in the slightest!!!! I’m obsessed with the stuff — the only thing is, I just want to paint everything!!! ;)
This is gorgeous and you are quite a dab hand with a sewing machine. I have one, and really should get it out more. I have forgotten all the basics though, so need to find a course locally. I love the new seat and rack, a fab idea! #twinklytuesday x
Thanks so much lovely :) I’m pretty scared of the sewing machine if the truth be told!! I’m happy to hand sew, although this was good practice for me and the machine :) Nice straight lines!!! (ish!!) x
I can’t believe the difference, what a transformation! I can’t sew for toffee, I wish I could though as I have so many ideas in my head. I love that chalk paint too, I used that shade to makeover an old bookcase and tv unit. It’s great stuff.
#twinklytuesday
Chalk paint is a marvel isn’t it?! Love the stuff :) I didn’t think I’d be great at the sewing but it was easier than I’d anticipated. So chuffed with it :)
Wow, I find it hard to believe that this is your first attempt at piping- you did a fantastic job! And I always love a good IKEA hack ;) I’m very impressed! #TwinklyTuesday
Just don’t look too carefully that’s all!! :) No — seriously — I’m pretty pleased for a first attempt! :) I’m going to try again with something else and see how I get on :)
This is amazing Caro – what a transformation. I cannot believe this your first attempt either – it looks so professional. :)
Good luck in the competition. :)
#twinklytuesday
Thanks SO much lovely!!!!I’m chuffed to bits with it — gonna make some caravan cushions next!!! :)
Wow – very impressive, not one of my strong points I am afraid! #TwinklyTuesday
I didn’t think it was one of mine either!!! I’ve never given myself much credit for sewing ability — I’m happier with a paintbrush!! :)
Wow, I blooming love that. You are a clever bunny!
Thanks SO much lovely!! I’ve had it in my head to paint it for a while but the Hillarys comp gave the perfect excise to make a little cushion for it. So chuffed with how it turned out :)
That’s a brilliant idea! It looks amazing! For not being a seamstress that’s a brilliant bit of sewing! x #TwinklyTuesday
Aaah thank you SO much :) Funnily enough, I’m happier at hand-sewing than using the machine!! The machine absolutely terrifies me!!! ;)
I LOVE how this turned out! It was such a great idea and it looks wonderful! This makes me want to try a project with piping. Thanks for sharing and hosting the #TwinklyTuesday link up!
Thanks SO much Nicole :) Really nice to know that you don’t need to necessarily cut the fabric on the bias for the piping too — gotta love the internet!! :)
Amazing!! You are so clever and patient. I’d have had a little strop with all the painting and faffy bits. It looks great. A bench in the bathroom is one of my wants!! So fab to meet at Brit Mums xx #twinklytuesday
Thanks so much Sarah! I was getting stroppy with all the painting — it took AGES!! ;) Gorgeous to finally meet you! So lovely to chat in ‘real’ life! x
Wow, that looks amazing! It looks so fantastic in your bathroom too, you should be dead chuffed with yourself. Thanks for being such a fab co-host at #TwinklyTuesday – I hope you win the competition!
Thanks lovely! I don’t think I have a hope in hell’s chance of winning — some of the other entries are AMAZING!!! But hey! At least I have a lovely little bench for my bathroom :)
I love this! What a great idea, we used to have one of these shoe racks, but I hated it and got rid of it. Now I wish I had kept it to do this! :) x
Aah thanks so much Jenny!! I love upcycling stuff!! Especially things that weren’t so pretty in the first place ;)
Hey Caro,
What a cute bathroom shelf/bench you have made! I like what you have created!
I’m new to the Twinkly Tuesday, and I ‘m glad to find your site.
Blessings,
Melanie
Thanks so much Melanie! Lovely to meet you — thanks for stopping by and linking up to Twinkly Tuesday :)
Oh what a good idea!! I wish I was more creative so I could tackle something like this. Want to make me one? ;) #twinklytuesdays xx
You could do it Rachel!! It was more time consuming than anything! ;) Honestly — get your paints out and give it a go :)
Wow, that looks fab! We have the same shoe rack in our hall and although it’s practical is rather ugly. I will have to give it a paint (I will set aside a few hours!)
#TwinklyTuesday
xx
Funny isn’t it? I bet there are BILLIONS of these little shoe-racks up and down the country!! Bet none of them look quite like mine though :) Get your paints out — I’d love to see it when you’ve finished :)
Oh my goodness you have transformed that space!!! Check out your mad sewing skills too! x
Thanks so much lovely :) I really enjoyed this little project!
Well done – what a pretty transformation! I love the fabric :) Its great the amount of tutorials online to help with just about anything! Your cushion certainly doesn’t look like your first attempt – it looks very professional xx
p.s I have pinned onto my ‘Ikea Hacks’ Pinterest board! Love a good Ikea Hack! xx
Gosh — me too — it’s so lovely to take something relatively cheap and cheerful and turn it into something totally different!! Gotta love IKEA! :)
Aaah that’s so lovely of you Tracy!! Thanks so much :)
Love this! Great transformation :)
Thanks :)