My First Ikea Hack: Painting Miniature Chairs For Shelf Decor

Does anyone remember the home decor and blogging trend from years ago, where everyone was featuring their latest Ikea hack?

There were bookshelves made to look like custom-built-ins, wall decor created from small tables taken apart, storage containers repurposed as tabletop decor, not to mention how to repaint anything to match your style.

I always thought they were cool, and who didn’t appreciate the budget savings of these hacks?

I’ve admired IKEA hacks for years—saving them, pinning them, and telling myself “one day I’ll try that.”

Well… this month’s craft challenge finally gave me the opportunity to stop admiring and actually do one.

And while this project is small, I have to say—it might have completely won me over.

This post contains affiliate links, which help to support this blog, at no additional cost to you. I hope you find something amazing for your home through these links.

This post is part of the monthly Creative Craft Blog Hop, where I co-host each month with Sara of Birdz Of A Feather blog. 

At the bottom of this post, I will direct you to the next blogger on the list to continue your journey of some wonderful and creative projects. 

If you are joining me from Suzanne’s project on How to Make Liquor Bottle Tags, I know you enjoyed it!

My First IKEA Hack (And Why I’m Already Hooked)

On my very first trip ever to Ikea at the first of the year, I purchased a package of FJANTIG Miniature Chair wall hooks.

I can’t even say it was an impulse buy. I have always loved miniature architectural and design items. Especially houses and tiny, crafted pieces of furniture. So it wasn’t an impulse buy. I walked by the display and knew they were coming home with me. That was it.

It didn’t matter if I had a project idea for them or not. Which I didn’t.

Part of a bigger project.

I have had a goal since the beginning of the year to finish as many incomplete or never-started-but-bought-the-supplies type projects around my home as possible.

As part of that goal, I decided to complete the refresh of my living room.

Displayed on a corner wall are a series of black floating shelves that need a pop of color and some quaint conversation pieces to make them more interesting.

Figuring out a way to actually use these miniature chairs is one project closer to being able to walk into my craft room again.

Starting Simple with the FJANTIG Mini Chairs

The FJANTIG miniature chairs are the perfect size and a quirky addition to the shelves.

They just have a few issues. 

First, they only come in black plastic, which is a bit boring on a black shelf in a corner.

Second, the mounting holes to hang them on the wall are on the front of the chairs. Not a good look if you want to use them as decor and not a hook.

I had to figure out a creative solution for both issues.

The holes on the front of the miniature chairs were the first things I needed to figure out.

The Small Step That Made a Big Difference

I thought the tiny chairs would look charming with ribbon or twine looped through the hardware holes and tied in a bow.

That idea was a big NO.

Obviously, I needed to plug the holes in some way.

I debated many ideas, such as the ends of wood skewers or using cork. Something that would also hide the holes well with spray paint.

What I ended up trying was plastic wood filler.

As part of the living room refresh, I was using this product for another, human-sized, furniture makeover at the same time. I figured it couldn’t hurt to try it on miniature plastic furniture, too.

I sculpted small amounts to plug the holes in all three pieces of the FJANTIG hook set and let it dry overnight, just to be sure it stuck.

Adding a Pop of Color

The next day, I sanded down the rough edges and started spraying all three chairs a rustic orange that matches the accent colors in my living room and the adjoining dining room.

I used Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Paint and Primer spray in Satin for plastic, so the chairs are well covered, though not a flawless paint job over the original black plastic. In hindsight, I should have started with a coat of primer, because the first coat of paint barely stuck to the plastic. Prep work is always important for the best results!

However, the best part of the makeover for this little piece of Ikea furniture is the different color. I considered several color options, but the rustic orange had the most pop.

Sometimes a pop of color is all that a space needs.

Styling Them On My Shelves

And this is where I really fell in love with the project.

I styled the chairs on my floating shelves, mixing them in with a few navy blue pieces and some greenery. That rustic orange adds just the right amount of contrast and draws your eye without overwhelming the space.

It’s such a simple addition, but it makes the whole shelf feel more intentional and layered.

As I often change the look of these floating shelves, these little chairs may be styled sitting together as in these photos, perched on a stack of books, or just tucked between other items as an unexpected accent.

With just the right amount of whimsy!

I Learned These FJANTIG Miniature Chairs Have Become A New Trending Ikea Hack!

Since I tried my first and fun Ikea hack, I have found that others are also reusing these little chair hooks as doll furniture, as wall hooks to hold cell phones while charging, and even spray-painted and mounted in large groups as wall art.

And I just thought they were cute! Such fun to see how others are using them.

Pin For Later

Visit the other bloggers who joined the Creative Craft Hop this month:

I hope you will take the time to visit the other talented crafters and bloggers who joined the Creative Craft Hop this month, starting with Carol’s Acrylic File Organized Covered With Decorative Paper.

How to Make Liquor Bottle Tags

Painting Mini Chairs For Shelf Decor

How to Cover an Acrylic File Organizer with Decorative Paper

Crochet Leaf Earrings

Upcycle Picture Frames to Trays

How to Crochet a Cozy Tablet Case

Each month I participate in the Creative Craft Hop. Other posts I have shared this year are A Boho Wall Hanging, and Adorable Outdoor Pillows.

Until next time,

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.