- Creative Ways to Style IKEA Hyllis in the Living Room
- Smart IKEA Hyllis Hacks for the Kitchen
- IKEA Hyllis Shelves for Bedroom Storage and Decor
- Transforming Hyllis into a Stylish Bathroom Organizer
- Outdoor and Balcony Uses for IKEA Hyllis
- Custom IKEA Hyllis Makeovers and DIY Hacks
- Budget-Friendly Styling Tips for IKEA Hyllis
- Conclusion: Make IKEA Hyllis Work for Every Room
You know those pieces of furniture that somehow manage to sneak into every room in the house? For me, that’s the IKEA Hyllis. I swear, it’s like the Swiss Army knife of shelving. It’s cheap (in the best way), super lightweight, and somehow always looks good no matter where I put it. Last year, I had one in the kitchen holding my mismatched spice jars, and this year it magically transformed into a plant shelf in my living room. Honestly, I didn’t expect it to last outdoors, but with a little waterproof spray paint, it’s been holding up on my balcony like a champ.
What I love most is how easy it is to hack. A quick coat of spray paint, maybe a wood plank or two, and suddenly it looks way more expensive than it actually is. So if you’ve got one sitting around — or you’ve been eyeing one at IKEA for $20 — let me show you all the wild and wonderful ways you can make it work in literally any room.
Creative Ways to Style IKEA Hyllis in the Living Room
I’ll be honest — I used to think the Hyllis was way too industrial for my living room. But then I realized its minimalist vibe actually makes the perfect backdrop for all the cozy stuff I love showing off. I added a few baskets on the bottom shelves (to hide the random clutter I never seem to get rid of), lined the middle with books, and styled the top shelf with a mix of potted plants and framed family photos. Instant personality.
Here’s a trick I learned the hard way: group items in odd numbers — like three plants instead of two — it just looks more natural. And if you really want to elevate the look, tuck in a small LED strip light under one of the shelves. At night, it gives off that soft glow that makes the whole setup feel intentional, not just “oh I shoved some things here.”
IKEA Hyllis shelves stacked with books and styled with vases and artwork, turning storage into a statement wall. (@fatmabekarca).
Hyllis shelves by IKEA are ideal to store books, firewood, potted plants and some other stuff in your living room.
Low IKEA Hyllis shelves used in a modern living room, decorated with books, vases, and wall art for a chic minimalist display. (@houseoffritz).
Hyllis shelves in a bathroom for storing towels, baskets with bathroom stuff, glasses, bottles and candles.
Smart IKEA Hyllis Hacks for the Kitchen
Okay, confession time: my kitchen is tiny. Like, can’t-open-the-fridge-if-the-oven-is-open tiny. That’s where the Hyllis totally saved me. I slid one against the wall and suddenly had space for my jars of pasta, a few cookbooks, and even a row of hanging mugs thanks to some S-hooks I added to the side. Honestly, I should’ve done it years ago.
If you cook often, dedicate one shelf just for spices and oils — it’ll save you so much time hunting for stuff mid-recipe. I also spray-painted mine matte black to match my cabinet hardware, and it looks custom-made. The best part? It cost me under $40, and my friends always assume it’s some fancy shelving unit.
An IKEA Hyllis shelf is great to store any cups, plates and bowls and other kitchen stuff.
An IKEA Hyllis shelf is placed into an awkward nook for storage is great to use every inch of space.
IKEA Hyllis shelves with glasses, jars for storage, a bucket and some porcelain.
A metal IKEA Hyllis in a bright hallway, neatly holding a mixer, jars, and a potted plant for a clean and functional look. (@sou.veraen).
An IKEA Hyllis shelf with glasses, cups, plates and appliances is a cool idea to rock at home.
IKEA Hyllis shelves with plates, bowls, buckets and candles plus letters and signs on top the shelves.
IKEA Hyllis Shelves for Bedroom Storage and Decor
So here’s the thing: I’m not a fan of clutter in the bedroom, but I do like having all my “pretty things” where I can see them. I used a Hyllis next to the bed instead of a traditional nightstand, and it’s honestly one of my favorite swaps. On the top, I’ve got a little lamp and my current stack of books. The lower shelves hold a woven basket (perfect for hiding my charger tangle) and a tray with candles and perfume bottles.
Pro tip: If you don’t want the all-metal look, lay wood planks across the shelves. I used reclaimed wood, and it instantly made the whole thing feel warmer and less “IKEA showroom.” Plus, it gave me an excuse to show off my mini plant collection — and nothing makes a bedroom feel fresher than a touch of greenery.
IKEA Hyllis shelves used for kids' room's storage - for toys and crates with them.
A cute Hyllis hack with white and pink parts is a very cool and soft pastel piece for your space.
IKEA Hyllis shelves with books, artworks, candles, magazines and everything else you may need.
Transforming Hyllis into a Stylish Bathroom Organizer
Bathrooms can be tricky, right? You want storage, but you don’t want it looking like a stockroom. I put a Hyllis in mine and was surprised at how airy it felt compared to a bulky cabinet. Rolled towels on the bottom, a couple of baskets with toiletries in the middle, and some cute glass jars up top for cotton balls and bath salts. Done.
One lesson I learned: definitely seal the metal with a clear waterproof spray, especially if your bathroom gets steamy. Mine started showing tiny rust spots before I got smart about it. Now it not only looks great but feels like a spa corner every time I step in.
IKEA Hyllis shelves with towels and all the possible bathroom stuff stored on them.
Outdoor and Balcony Uses for IKEA Hyllis
This one blew my mind. I had an empty corner on my balcony that just begged for a little life, so I turned a Hyllis into a plant stand. Within a month, it was filled with herbs, succulents, and even a trailing ivy that decided to show off. My morning coffee ritual feels so much better now.
If you’re worried about weather, just grab some outdoor paint or a waterproof cover. I also added a couple of lanterns on the top shelf for evenings, and let me tell you — it turned a boring balcony into my favorite hangout spot. Who knew $20 could buy so much charm?
A galvanized IKEA Hyllis on a porch filled with potted plants and baskets, blending seamlessly with outdoor greenery. (@mirellany).
A white IKEA Hyllis shelf styled as a plant stand, with cascading greenery and grow lights creating a lush indoor garden vibe. (@themindfuljungle).
Custom IKEA Hyllis Makeovers and DIY Hacks
Here’s where the fun really starts. I once spray-painted a Hyllis gold for a friend’s glam-style apartment — it looked like something straight out of a design magazine. Another time, I replaced the shelves with wood planks I stained a dark walnut, and suddenly it had this high-end rustic vibe. Both makeovers took less than a weekend.
If you’re crafty, try covering the shelves with contact paper. Marble-effect contact paper is my guilty pleasure — it looks luxe but costs next to nothing. And if you’re feeling extra creative, stack two Hyllis units side by side and secure them together for a built-in look. Seriously, no one will believe it’s IKEA.
An IKEA Hyllis hack with wood planks replacing the metal shelves, styled with decor, plants, and vintage accents for a warm, rustic touch. (@morrisonhousediy).
Black-painted IKEA Hyllis units styled as a home bar, mixed with plants, framed art, and cozy textures for a sleek update. (@ellenannakitty).
An IKEA Hyllis hack into a simple and minimal entryway rack for hanging clothes and storing shoes.
An IKEA Hyllis hack with wooden shelves and copper spray paint is a very chic idea with a mid-century modern feel.
IKEA Hyllis shelves with wire mesh on the back prevents your objects from falling from the back.
An IKEA Hyllis shelf turned into a suspended industrial garden that saves your floor space.
Budget-Friendly Styling Tips for IKEA Hyllis
You don’t need a big budget to make the Hyllis shine. My favorite hack? Thrift store baskets. They hide all the random stuff I don’t want out but still keep everything within reach. I also love mixing in plants — hanging ones especially. They instantly soften the industrial look of the shelves.
Don’t be afraid to change it up with the seasons either. In the fall, I swapped out my summer plants for little pumpkins and plaid storage boxes. It made the whole corner feel festive without spending more than $10. Small changes really go a long way when you’re working with a piece this versatile.
A Hyllis shelf done with glass shelves, pink and marble contact paper ones plus gold spray paint on the frame.
IKEA Hyllis shelves in a home office, with boxes for storage, bowls, books, animal skulls and even a globe.
An IKEA Hyllis shelving unit with books, greenery and hanging lights is a very comfrotable storage unit.
A Hyllis shelf is great for storing anything - from kitchen appliances to decor and potted greenery.
Hyllis shelves used as garden or shed storage units with pots, potted greenery and blooms, glasshouses and grass growing in a box.
IKEA Hyllis with books, photos, paintings, books, lamps and other stuff.
Shelves with books, boxes and a mini bar plus vases and lamps.
An IKEA Hyllis shelf with various jars, oils, pots, plates and kettles, such a comfy and durable shelf is great for kitchens.
IKEA Hyllis shelves with a box and bottles, potted blooms and greenery, kettles and pots plus some tin cans.
Use an IKEA Hyllis shelf to store shoes and boots, boxes for storage and a clock on top the shelf.
Gilded IKEA Hyllis shelves for storing books, lamps, candle holders and oversized vases look very chic and shiny.
IKEA Hyllis shelves with books, bottles, jars and various kitchen appliances are very comfy.
IKEA Hyllis shelves used with plastic and wooden boxes, veggies and herbs, bottles, packages.
IKEA Hyllis shelves with boxes, files, candles and other home office stuff you need.
An IKEA Hyllis shelf hack on casters is a cool idea to store all the stuff you need and it's very mobile.
An IKEA Hyllis shelf used as an outdoor garden with potted greenery and blooms and some lanterns.
An IKEA Hyllis shelf with various kitchen stuff-it's ideal for kitchens as it's durable and comfortable in using.
In your living room IKEA Hyllis shelves can also accommodate a home bar if needed.
A mobile Hyllis shelf by IKEA is a cool storage unit for any kitchen stuff you may need.
A whole library of IKEA Hyllis shelves done with books, artworks, bowls with various decor.
Shelves used as firewood storage are a genius idea.
An IKEA Hyllis shelf is ideal to place it anywhere you want and store everything you need.
An IKEA Hyllis hack with gold spray paint and marble contact paper is a veyr glam and chic idea.
An IKEA Hyllis shelf hacked in tan, grey and mint is a very bold and fun idea.
An IKEA Hyllis shelf hacked with gold paint and dark stained shelves brings a touch of rustic glam.
Conclusion: Make IKEA Hyllis Work for Every Room
At the end of the day, the IKEA Hyllis is proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to have stylish, functional storage. From the kitchen to the bathroom to even the balcony, it adapts to whatever you throw at it. And the best part? You can tweak it to match your style with just a can of spray paint, a few baskets, or some creative rearranging.
So go ahead — grab a Hyllis (or dust off the one you’ve already got). With a little love, it’ll turn into one of the hardest-working — and best-looking — pieces in your home.