If you own any of these items above, don’t worry, there are plenty of ways you can hack them into one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

For example, here's a hack by architect Andrew Dunbar, who used 6 kitchens' worth IKEA cabinets to create this stunning feature that cost him just 1/10th of a custom storage unit .

If you're feeling inspired, give these tried-and-tested hacks a go:

• The IKEA BILLY bookcase gets transformed into a built-in storage unit.
• Got yourself a MALM vanity? Turn it into a sleek and glossy work of art!
• Give your LACK coffee table the rustic, reclaimed look with this easy hack.

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4. 3 pieces of furniture you should invest in.

When it comes to creating a classy living space, it pays to spend more time and money on key pieces that will stand out and get plenty of use.

Have a budget for each room to help you figure out which items you can splurge on, and if certain design decisions need to be made in phases.

IKEA has some great big ticket items that come with a 10- year warranty (IKEA fans, you know which ones we're talking about, don’t cha?).

Don’t let the fact that you have rowdy pets or messy kids scare you away from investing in beautiful pieces of furniture that you truly love.

Here are 3 items that you should be paying top dollar for:

• A bed and mattress. The focal point of any bedroom, this item should be given extra attention as it needs to stand the test of time and yet be neutral enough to change with you as your style preference changes.
• If you already have an IKEA bed and mattress, we recommend investing in bed sheets with a higher thread count. Pro-tip: Always get duvet covers one size up as it will flow nicely over the sides of the bed, giving it a luxurious look.
• A sofa. This is the anchor of any living room and its one of the places we spend the most time in. Get one with neutral lines and a clean, durable design. A combination of down and dense foam will ensure its ability to retain its shape for many years to come.
• If you already have an IKEA sofa, try dressing it up with a slipcover that's made from fabric that you can't get at IKEA, like linen, velvet, or leather to give it more personality or even protect it from everyday staining, wear and tear.
• A dining table. This is one of those multifunctional pieces that can be used for eating, homework, projects, special occasions, or even as a home office, so it’s best to invest in one that will fit your lifestyle. Whenever posisble, pass on the ‘trendy’ table in favour of a sturdy staple’.
• If you already own an IKEA dining table, be sure to mix and match dining chairs from different stores, and throw in a bench with some colourful cushions to create a cozy shared space.

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5. Play with textures and layers.

Think about sinking down into a velvet sofa, running your hand along the surface of a ridged, wooden coffee table while squishing the super-soft fibres of your carpet between your toes.

Now imagine you are looking at this very same picture in a magazine, can you feel its varying textures?

Use fabrics and surfaces of varying textures to create visual depth and dimension.

Here's how:

• Start by first placing the biggest accessory or statement piece in your room, then work your way down, size-wise until you’ve decorated with your smallest accessory. Each time you add a smaller item, stand back and take a look; if it looks too cluttered, remove some items that don’t need to be there.
• If you're decorating with items that have a similar or predominantly neutral colour palette, go for a variety of materials. Upholstery and fabrics are a great way to layer. Fabrics such as open weave linen, distressed leather and cotton velvet can add a lot of visual warmth to any room. This same effect can be achieved with other items like rugs, throws and sofa slipcovers.
• Use items with varying heights and widths, and try displaying them differently: Stack, prop or hang them for visual interest. Whenever possible, go for balance, not symmetry.
• When in doubt, throw a plant in to add a fresh element with a layered arrangement that’s impossible to achieve with man-made objects.

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6. Do your patterns right.

When you're decorating a home, the last thing you want to do is to have every room and surface covered in the exact same type of material and colour.

Infuse your space with contrast and visual interest in a cohesive way by combining the right colours and patterns.

Here's how:

• Edit your colour palette down to 3 main picks, and get rid of the rest so that all the elements in your space look cohesive.
• Make sure your space isn't dominated by just one type of pattern (ie. small, medium and large) by decorating with a balanced number of each. This makes sure they complement, rather than compete with each other. Tip: If you’re able to squint your eyes and still see the patterns, they’re different enough. Otherwise, keep editing!
• Limit the number of patterns on your sofa to 2-3, and that for your entire room to 3-5 so that the overall look is easy on the eyes.
• Have your colours and patterns evenly distributed throughout your room instead of concentrated in one area or corner to even out their visual weight.

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7. Experiment with metallics and mirrors.

Your chosen metallic elements don’t have to be actual metals. Look for metallic tones in anything you can think off: Glass, wallpaper, upholstery or artwork.

If your home is comprised mostly of wood and other materials that have minimal sheen, try giving it a touch of luxe and drama with some shine from gold, brass, silver, bronze or rose gold.

Add sparkle to your home with hints of metal and reflective surfaces.

Here’s how:

• Choose a dominant metal finish and combine one or two different metals accents for a stylish impact, such as silver with gold, or white gold with copper. Having a primary metallic element will give your space unity.
• Use warm metals (such as copper, brass and gold) to complement warm hues like red, brown and yellow, and cool metals (like silver and chrome) to enhance cool hues such as blue, green and violet. Combine matte, polished, brushed or hammered metal finishes to create a truly visually-rich atmosphere.
• Unsure about adding shine to your space? You can always experiment with smaller items, such as an antique silver tray or silver-framed mirror to decide how you feel about it before adding larger metal elements, like cupboards or a coffee table.
• Have an IKEA project that you’ve been dying to upgrade, here’s how a little gold paint can go a long way.

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8. Use accessories that never disappoint.

What should you put on bookshelves besides books? What goes on top of that coffee table? How should you dress your sideboard? We’ve simplified the process for you:

Put small but impactful touches on your space using thoughtfully-selected accessories. Loving stuff isn’t the same as just displaying it.

Display items that reflects an interest, hobby or memory. Be it a tapestry that you fell in love with while exploring Turkey or that black sheep skin rug you snapped up in New Zealand, display them proudly on your key pieces of furniture. Here are some go-to items you’ll want to consider jazzing up your space with:

• Baskets and bowls. From modern-chic to global boho- inspired, these functional pieces double as storage for loose items while adding visual depth to your flat surfaces.
• Sculptures and candlesticks. These items are great for adding visual height. Stick to similar colour schemes, using an odd number of items that vary in height.
• Trays and platters. Streamline your items elegantly. Try placing a circular platter on a circular ottoman or a solid-coloured tray on a glass coffee table.
• Paintings and mirrors. Items like a painting or mirror are great for creating a focal point over large-scale piece like a bed, sofa or fireplace. The aesthetic ‘weight’ of a work of art lasts far longer than just one more pretty object.
• Vases and flowers. Consider adding a random-coloured bouquet of flowers or vase to offset your room’s palette and let mother nature shine.
• Sofa throws and cushions. Nothing says home and comfort like a cosy blankets and cushions. Throw one of each on every sofa, chair and ottoman. Use these to break up that sea of beige in your room.

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9. Layer your lighting.

No matter how carefully you've furnished, arranged and accessorised your space, it won't feel complete without the right lighting.

The biggest mistake that most people make when it comes to illuminating their home is to use only one type of lighting. The result: A room that looks dull and two-dimensional.

Add to the ambience you want in a room by layering on your lighting.

Here's how:

• Establish one source of ambient or overhead lighting that illuminates the entire room.
• Use windows to invite natural light into your space, and curtains to control the amount of light you allow in.
• Layer your ambient light with task lights such as a stand lamp for reading or under-cabinet lights in the kitchen for cooking.
• Install accent lights that highlight particular items, like beautiful wallpaper, a unique piece of wall art or an antique vase.
• Get creative and look for little nooks in your rooms where you can sneak in a small table lamp or additional stand lamp to give it an added glow.

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10. Stay organised, clean and clutter-free.

The better you're able to keep things clean and where they belong, the easier it'll be for you to make the pieces you truly love stand out. This way, your home will look the way you want it to: Classy.

Focus on keeping your space clean, in order and free of items you don't love for that effortless touch of class.

Here’s how:

• Keeping only things that you love. If a particular item doesn't spark any joy in you or you haven’t used in years, discard it so you can zero in on your favourite key pieces.
• Try storing your belongings in drawers or shelves such that they're not stacked on top of each other (a common practice that organisation guru Marie Kondo says is 'unkind' to the items at the bottom) and can be easily seen at first glance.
• Keep your items in clear boxes and folders, then label them for easy identification and access.
• Develop the consistent habit of cleaning your furniture to make sure they’re dust-, grime- and stain-free. This will help them look newer, for longer.
• Spend 10 minutes a day at the end of your day putting things away to make sure your everyday belongings are organised and clutter doesn’t build up.

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11. Design with empathy.

It can be tempting to load up on everything IKEA when you're on a decorating roll, but it’s easy for even the best of us to get caught up in the curse of creating an IKEA showroom in our homes.

Make your home an oasis from the stresses of the outside world.

If you do find yourself in this situation, don’t worry, we’ve got your back!

Start with your comfort in mind, especially when it comes to functional items that you’ll be lounging on, flooring that you’ll want to feel good under your feet, and a dining table where you’ll be having important conversations at.

Remember that you’re designing a space for you and your loved ones, so the way a room “feels” is often just as important as how it looks.

After creating your foundation of comfort, here are some other aspects you’ll want to consider to make your house, a home:

• Pick items that remind you of who you are, your values and the things you love. This could be a painting from your favourite artist, a wall collage featuring beautifully-framed photos of family and friends, or even souvenirs that you bought on recent holiday.
• Don't be shy: Go ahead and showcase your hobbies in your decor. For example, if you love making pottery, feature the glazed, handprinted bowls you just made on your dining table; if you love knitting, display balls of yarn in your favourite colours in a decorative bowl on a shelf or coffee table.
• Display your memories and accomplishments: If you're a runner, show off the collection of medals that you've won over the years, or feature the seashells that you've collected from beaches around the world on a shelf as a constant reminder of the memories that come with them.

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