Tired of your IKEA furniture looking like…well, IKEA furniture? We don’t blame you. Don’t get us wrong, IKEA pieces are affordable and functional. But the stock legs on the furniture leave much to be desired.
They’re wobbly, uninspired, and built more for flat-pack convenience than personal style or lasting durability. The good news is you won’t have to look hard for the best alternative to IKEA legs. Your search ends here at The Hairpin Leg Co.
Our furniture legs have been trusted by DIYers for more than a decade now, with a style for every piece of furniture in your home or office - from table legs to desk legs, cabinet legs, and much, much more.
With a hassle-free 60-day return policy and world-class customer service every step of the way you can take the next step towards transforming your furniture today. Shop our catalogue and browse our legs, or learn more below!
Can You Use Different Legs on IKEA Furniture?
It’s important to start by setting your expectations - is it possible to replace IKEA furniture legs in the first place? Yes, at least, most of the time.
That said, not all IKEA furniture pieces are compatible with alternative legs out of the box. Some lighter or hollow-bodied models may need extra support. Assess your unit’s base to ensure it’s strong enough to handle screws and distribute weight evenly before attaching anything.
If the item you want to attach legs to isn't made of solid wood, a good way to ensure you get a good fixing is to glue a piece of 18mm plywood, cut a bit smaller than your top surface, to the underside using a strong adhesive to then screw the legs into that.
We encourage you to learn more about upgrading IKEA furniture with fresh legs in our support docs. We talk all about the different IKEA materials and what you need to know when installing new legs into each one.
Still, installing alternative legs is a straightforward upgrade as long as you match the new leg’s base plate to the furniture’s existing structure and make sure the screws or bolts won’t split the material.
You can skip direct attachment altogether by using freestanding table frames for heavier units or bespoke design goals. Where there’s a will, there’s a way! But, is it really worth the work to install an IKEA furniture legs alternative?
Why You Might Want an IKEA Furniture Legs Alternative
The appeal of IKEA furniture is clear: it’s affordable, accessible, and easy to assemble. But you might want a bit more from your furniture. From aesthetics to stability, there are plenty of reasons to consider upgrading to an alternative to IKEA furniture legs.
Whether you're revamping an existing piece or starting a new DIY project, changing the legs can transform your furniture without replacing the whole unit. Here’s how.
To Improve Aesthetics and Style
IKEA’s default legs tend to follow the same script: simple, functional, and often forgettable. You can effortlessly elevate a space with the right legs, whether you’re after mid-century charm, industrial edge, or something more contemporary.
Slimline hairpin legs, bold box styles, or handcrafted wooden options instantly add character and can infuse that “it factor” into your room. It can also make IKEA furniture blend more seamlessly with the existing vibe in your space.
To Increase Durability and Stability
Wobbly table legs are a nightmare. They can be frustrating and downright unsafe in some cases. Unfortunately, the low price tag you pay for IKEA furniture comes at the cost of stability. Loosened screws, wobbles, and even bent supports are common over time.
Upgrading to higher-quality legs, particularly solid steel or hardwood constructions, can reinforce the base and give your furniture a sturdier, longer-lasting foundation. This is really important for desks, dining tables, cabinets, or any other furniture that holds serious weight.
To Customise Height and Functionality
Sometimes the default furniture height just doesn’t suit your space or your lifestyle. Maybe you want to learn how to raise a sofa or perhaps you want to bring your bed up off the floor. Or, you could be interested in lifting a media unit to fit storage baskets underneath.
Whatever the case, replacing your furniture legs is a simple way to improve the usefulness of your furniture. You get more control over the furniture’s proportions.
You can also benefit from angled supports for more foot clearance or even adjustable-height features for added versatility depending on the style you choose. That said, what’s the best alternative to IKEA legs?
Introducing the Best Alternative to IKEA Legs
You have plenty of great options at your disposal for replacing IKEA legs and breathing fresh life into your furniture. Only one brand consistently delivers the perfect blend of quality, style, and reliability, though: The Hairpin Leg Co.
What Makes The Hairpin Leg Co. the #1 IKEA Furniture Legs Alternative?
We’ve been the premier provider of stylish, functional legs for all types of furniture since 2013. The goal at first was to help people build better furniture using strong, stylish legs they could rely on.
But over the years our brand has evolved and today we offer everything from legs to tabletops, doorknobs, knife racks, shelf brackets, you name it! This is your one-stop shop for DIY furniture enhancement.
Our legs are made from sustainably sourced hardwoods and high quality, cold-formed steel. Each piece is precision-crafted with a mix of CNC machining and traditional welding techniques for durability and a smooth, clean finish you’ll be proud to show off.
Whether you're assembling your first DIY project or upgrading a family heirloom, our legs are built to last. We have indoor furniture legs and outdoor furniture legs alike.
Choose from a vast assortment of sizes, finishes, and styles. From raw industrial looks to sleek powder-coated colourways, it’s easy to find the perfect alternative to IKEA legs here in our catalogue!
It’s even easier to install the legs, too. You get all the fixings you need to make the conversion and we’ve pre-drilled baseplates for you to streamline the process. We include a detailed builder’s book with every order, too.
But with world-class customer service along the way, you never have to worry about getting stuck. We’re always here for you. We back up your order with free UK shipping over £50, hassle-free 60 day returns, and a 5-year guarantee so you can shop with confidence.
See What Other Customers Had to Say!
“On a hunch, we purchased hairpin legs to convert a very ordinary IKEA cabinet into a shoe cabinet. There was a lot of choice of colours which added an element of fun into the project. Our order came very quickly and the legs were very well manufactured. We couldn't be happier with how things have turned out. Thank you!”
“Quick delivery. High quality. Sturdy and resistant, I wanted to change the old 4 Ikea legs of my desktop which were quite awful design-wise. Easy mounting. A little bit more in price than your standard desktop legs, worth every euro.”
“Used hairpin legs to upcycle a second hand ikea sideboard. Worked a treat. Fab product and excellent logistics. Highly recommend.”
Our Most Popular Styles for Different Types of Furniture
No matter the project, we’ve got the perfect legs for it. From sideboards and sofas to desks, coffee tables and dining tables, it’s easy to find the ideal fit. Here are just a few of our most popular and proven styles:
- Classic Hairpin Legs: Ideal for everything from mid-century modern coffee tables to minimalist desks. Available in a range of heights and finishes.
- Box Section Legs: A favourite for larger builds like dining tables and heavy-duty desks. These legs combine bold, clean lines with outstanding strength.
- Tapered Wood Legs: Perfect for Scandinavian-inspired pieces and softer interiors.
- A-Frame and V-Frame Legs: A strong, angular look for industrial spaces or large dining tables. Powder-coated options available for durability and style.
- Prism Wall Desk Brackets: Great for creating floating desks or compact workstations in tighter spaces.
- Chunky X-Frame Legs: Designed for stability and presence, these are ideal for heavy tops or statement pieces.
There are plenty more styles where those came from, too - whether you’re looking for different types of table legs or cabinet lets, bed feet, or anything in between. Within each style you can choose from multiple sizes and finishes to suit your vision.
So, take a look around and see what catches your eye. We’re confident you won’t go home empty-handed - the perfect alternative to IKEA legs is only a click away!
Considerations Before Replacing IKEA Legs
We know you’re excited to upgrade to our IKEA legs alternative, but there are still a few things to consider before you pull the trigger. A successful upgrade relies on making sure your new legs are compatible with the furniture you’re attaching them to, after all.
Once you have your legs on hand you can follow the detailed build manual we include. But remember the old mantra: measure twice, install once.
Measure the mounting area, check for symmetry, and mark your pilot holes carefully. Most IKEA pieces will support setting legs in from the edge at around 5 cm for better balance. This also helps minimise conflicts with internal panels or edges.
Don’t forget to account for the overall height of the new legs combined with your furniture body, either. Otherwise, the finished product may not be as ergonomic as you’d like, be it a dining table, media unit, or bedside table.
But if you follow our installation tips and reach out for help when you get stuck, you can easily convert IKEA furniture into something truly one-of-a-kind. Start by setting yourself up for success with the best alternative to IKEA legs today!
Wrapping Up Our Guide on the Best Alternative to IKEA Legs
Upgrading your IKEA furniture doesn’t require a full redesign. All it takes are the right legs in some cases. This can be a simple, affordable way to improve style, stability, and flexibility for any piece of furniture you buy from IKEA.
Whether you're after a subtle refresh or a bold transformation, The Hairpin Leg Co. has the craftsmanship and choice to bring your project to life. This is the #1 place to find the best IKEA legs alternative online.
So, build it better with legs made to last. From minimalist to industrial, find the perfect legs to match your vision at The Hairpin Leg Co. today and discover the difference firsthand!
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