When Sydney-based industrial designer Alex Arciga set out to redecorate his kids’ bedroom in early 2023, he had no intention of launching a global micro-brand.
He just wanted to make the IKEA NORDLI chest of drawers look a little more … fun.
Fresh from a trip to Legoland Malaysia and inspired by the playfulness of the hotel rooms, Alex did what any resourceful parent with a 3D printer and design chops might do: he hacked it.
Specifically, he designed and printed custom LEGO-style drawer handles to jazz up the clean (but slightly boring) IKEA NORDLI unit.
His kids were thrilled. But the real spark came when friends visiting the house started asking: “Where did you get those handles?”
Cue the creation of XOHO Design — an online shop that specializes in stylish, smart, and surprisingly functional drawer handle upgrades for IKEA favorites like NORDLI, ALEX, and now VIHALS.
He had a couple of 3D printers at the design studio already, so it was a natural transition to creating more designs.
It may have started with that one LEGO-inspired design, but once people started asking for variations, it snowballed.
From Kid’s Room to Creator Brand
What makes XOHO Design stand out isn’t just the clever idea—it’s how far Alex has taken it with a design-forward mindset. His first Etsy listing was just two versions of the handle: one with LEGO brick texture and a plain one for the minimalists.
But customers wanted more.
Requests started flowing in: anti-dust versions, handles that stop curious cats from snooping, options with built-in label holders for Marie Kondo-level organization.
And Alex listened.
“I use customer feedback as a guide for what to design next,” he says. “The ALEX handles, for instance, came directly from those requests. Now they’re our bestsellers—more popular than the original NORDLI ones!”
Why IKEA?
Since you’re on IKEA Hackers, you know this — IKEA offers the perfect base for personalization; affordable, accessible, and always good for reinvention.
“IKEA furniture is very popular here in Australia and so versatile,” Alex says. “We bought the NORDLI primarily for its storage capacity, which is ideal for two kids. They could place their LEGOs on top of the unit to play every day,” explains Alex.
Yet even the best designs can benefit from a thoughtful upgrade.
XOHO’s sleek, playful handles are great examples of how aftermarket products can extend and enhance what IKEA starts.
These custom add-ons take the solid IKEA foundation and make it smarter, more personal, and more fun—popping up unexpectedly to make IKEA furniture function better, look smarter, and way less cookie-cutter.
IKEA Drawer Pulls: Function Meets Fun
Alex says, “In the design process, I make sure the new handles do not interfere with the drawer assembly or affect in any way the ergonomics of the handle in terms of the dimensions for the hands and fingers.”
Every piece is tested for ergonomics (no sharp edges here), user-friendly installation, and compatibility with the real-world quirks of IKEA’s manufacturing.
Yes, IKEA makes quiet little design changes that can trip up any designer.
“The tricky part was when we realized IKEA had made subtle changes to drawer panel thickness on the ALEX range,” Alex recalls. “It wasn’t something you’d notice just by looking. But we managed to work it out with the help of some very patient customers.”
Each handle is made using 3D printing tech—building layers of eco-friendly PLA (a biodegradable plastic made from cornstarch) at just 0.2mm per layer for a smooth, durable finish. The results are not only sleek and stylish, but also kinder to the planet.
Alex is also experimenting with other sustainable materials like PETG, recycled from water bottles, with an eye on the future of conscious manufacturing.
What’s Next for XOHO?
With the launch of new drawer pulls for the VIHALS range, XOHO continues to grow organically.
That tiny pull handle that comes standard? It’s now got a better-looking, easier-to-grab cousin—thanks to Alex’s ever-tinkering mind.
And yes, there’s more to come. Alex hints at expanding into other types of IKEA accessories and customizations beyond handles. “Work in progress,” he says with a wink.
As for the future of 3D printing in homewares?
“I see people downloading and printing their own accessories and furniture in the not-so-distant future,” Alex predicts. “It’ll be a major shift, when the technology becomes more mainstream and people understand its advantages and applications.”
The drawer handle that started it all
With XOHO Design, Alex Arciga has tapped into something bigger: the joy of personalizing your space, one small (but mighty) detail at a time.
And at the end of the day, his favorite design is still the one that started it all—the NORDLI LEGO handles.
It has sentimental value. It’s what started all of this and changed our lives.”
You can shop XOHO Design right here (they ship worldwide) — and who knows, your next IKEA hack might just start with a handle.
Exclusive Discounts for IKEAhackers Readers
Ready to give your drawers a serious upgrade? Alex is offering exclusive discounts just for IKEAhackers readers to use at their online store.
- Use the code HACKER10 to get 10% off any product.
- 15% off when you buy 5–10 handles from the ALEX or NORDLI ranges with the code IKEAHACKER15.
- 25% off when you buy 11 or more handles from the ALEX or NORDLI ranges using IKEAHACKER25.
Love This Story? There’s More to Come.
This post is part of an ongoing series celebrating small businesses and indie designers who create for the IKEA aftermarket—clever folks who take flat-pack basics and turn them into something extraordinary.
At IKEAhackers.net, we’re passionate about spotlighting the creativity behind these homegrown brands and giving them the attention they deserve.
Are you a founder designing accessories, upgrades, or customizations for IKEA furniture? We’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line—we just might feature your story next.