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12 unexpected ways to use IKEA HYLLIS in your home

The HYLLIS — one of the most practical and affordable ranges in IKEA. In a nutshell, it’s sturdy, lightweight and approved for use in wet areas.

It’s no wonder we find IKEA HYLLIS units everywhere. From bedrooms to kitchens to the garden.

IKEA HYLLIS shelving unit

HYLLIS shelving unit with covers | IKEA.com

With a bit of hacking, it becomes even more versatile. The IKEA HYLLIS is made from galvanized steel and takes to spray painting quite readily.

Let’s see how we can use the HYLLIS in every room of your home.

#1 To store and display your shoes
IKEA HYLLIS gold shoe rack

Chloe combined two HYLLIS units to get more shelving. She adjusted the shelf spacing according to her shoes — leaving smaller gaps for pumps and taller spaces for boots. Spray painted gold the HYLLIS shoe rack becomes worthy of her shoes. Read more.

#2 IKEA HYLLIS storage cart
rolling storage cart IKEA HYLLIS

Eleven inches was all the space Hannah had to sneak in a storage shelf. Enter the HYLLIS and out came this beautiful storage cart that’s perfect for the narrow gap. See more of the rolling storage cart.

#3 Open up shop
IKEA HYLLIS kids store

Source: Mommodesign

Stock up, drape a sign in front and your kids can open up shop. Quickly reverts to regular shelving unit when kids grow out of it.

#4 Sit on it
metal chair

A chair out of the HYLLIS? You betcha. Jonas did just that. He used ordinary tools like a drill, screwdriver, hacksaw, tin snips and a vice … and many many hours to make this one-of-a-kind metal chair. See the HYLLIS chair.

#5 Make a kitchen backsplash
galvanised steel kitchen backsplash

The galvanised steel, water resistant shelves work well as a guard against splashes. You can even stencil them for a more interesting finish. See the steel kitchen backsplash.

#6 Magnetic board
magnetic board

Source: Instructables

Gerry used the shelves to make a large scale magnetic board for his magnet collection. While not many have such an extensive magnet collection, this idea is great for your kids room noticeboard or in the kitchen. Instructions here.

#7 Catwalk in the air
catwalk IKEA HYLLIS hack

Jason hung up a stretch of HYLLIS shelves to create a fantastic catwalk across his living room. It took lots of hours and tons of patience but the result is impressive. Most importantly, the cat approves. See the catwalk.

#8 Rustic industrial look
IKEA HYLLIS rustic industrial shelves

Wood planks and blank spray paint totally transformed the HYLLIS into the Restoration Hardware/Pottery Barn-ish industrial shelves Soffia envisioned. See industrial shelves.

#9 Hanging Wall Planter
hanging wall planter
Source: Remodelaholic

Medina paired the HYLLIS posts with wood planks and it worked a charm. Drill holes to fit the terracotta pots, reassemble the HYLLIS with the wood planks instead of metal shelves and you have yourself the cutest planter. Read more.

#10 Time for metal
metal clock

Got a spare HYLLIS shelf? Grab a clock kit, then drill a hole in the shelf. Assemble the clock kit according to instructions on package. And voilà! Industrial clock.

#11 Countertop to work and eat
IKEA HYLLIS kitchen island

For this, you’ll need a table top and two short HYLLIS units. Cut the units to the right height and transform them into a kitchen island / standing desk. Bonus! Space for extra storage underneath. See the kitchen island hack.

#12 Over the toilet storage
over the toilet storage

Surprising sturdy and useful for storage in the bathroom. And so easy to hack. Details of the over the toilet storage.

How have you used the IKEA HYLLIS shelving unit? Let us know in the comments below.

The post 12 unexpected ways to use IKEA HYLLIS in your home appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

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