The IKEA IVAR cabinet is a versatile and durable piece of furniture with endless potential for upcycling. If you’re looking for ways to make your cabinet look even more stylish – check out these 9 easy IVAR hack ideas!
New year … fresh start.
But some things never change. Like my unhealthy need to drink copious amounts of caffeine . . . (that’s a story for another day)
Or my obsession love affair with the IKEA IVAR cabinet.
Which I’m not ashamed to admit is a love a fair (even if it sometimes feels a little unrequited).
I don’t know why, but there’s just something about the IVAR cabinet that makes me feel weak at the knees ( I’m guessing it’s the same for you too… that’s why you’re here right?). Could it be, the beautiful wood grain? The deep storage qualities? Or maybe just the fact that once assembled, it has endless hacking potential.
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And they are endless, but due to word limits (I tend to enforce on myself so as not to bore you) , I’ll only be sharing nine today! Nine stylish IKEA IVAR hacks that wont break the bank. I think you’re gonna love these ideas… I really do.
1. ONE DOOR ON, ONE DOOR OFF IVAR CABINET
You might remember this one from my entrance makeover reveal last year. I removed one of the doors from the IVAR cabinet and screwed it directly to the wall. Probably not what most would call a hack, but why complicate things ey? This idea is both simple an effective.
2. DIY CANE IVAR CABINET
Cane is still very much all the rage right now. However, you can guarantee that furniture with any type of cane will cost you a small fortune . . which is what makes this IVAR hack so clever!! Add some cane panels, and a little height using metal hairpin legs, and voila, you have yourself a very affordable cane sideboard. Head to Burkatron blog for all the details.
Image via Burkatron
3. DIY RIBBED IVAR CABINET
I love this idea from Emma Jane Palin. It’s a really affordable way to achieve a bespoke ribbed affect (which like cane, is another look that is quite on trend ). Check out her blog for the full tutorial .
Image via Emma Jane Palin
4. DIY DRINKS CABINET
I am completely blown away by this very bold IVAR hack by Melanie. She’s really gone all out with the whole drinks cabinet idea. Not only is the outside a thing of beauty, but the inside is just as amazing. Head to Melanie’s blog for a peek inside!
Image via Melanie Lissak Interiors
5. BASKET WEAVE IVAR CABINET
Well this is different right? A basket weave affect on a cabinet with a gorgeous wooden legs to match – who’d have thought? I’ll admit, I’ve never seen anything quite like it butI’m very impressed! whilHead to Studioelwa for all the details on this one (just don’t forget to translate the page to English if you cant read Swedish!)
Image via Studioelwa
6. STAINED RUSTIC IVAR CABINET
I spotted this beauty whilst scrolling #ivarhacks on Instagram. The natural wood of the cabinet has been stained and hessian fabric has been applied to the inside of the doors. It looks nothing like an IVAR now! Check out this Instagram page for more neutral toned home inspiration.
Image via @Majasode
7. CANE IVAR CABINET – ANOTHER WAY
Here’s another stylish way to hack an IVAR cabinet with cane panels. I like the slim door frame and the black peg legs to match. Visit this Instagram page to see more Scandinavian beauty.
Image via 3skerta
8. FLUTED IVAR CABINET
Create a fluted effect on the doors of the IVAR cabinet using dowels rods cut in half. See the full tutorial on the Hemmafix blog (also written in Swedish, but easily switched over to English with google translate)’
Image via Hemmafix blog
9. PAINTED IVAR CABINET
Sometimes all an IVAR cabinet needs is a quick lick of paint to give it a completely different look. I love how these black cabinets contrast against the grey walls in this picture (and the surrounding minimal gallery wall)
So if you happen to have any tester paint pots lying around – you know what to do with them!
Image via @hosmajorkhan
Which one of these IKEA IVAR CABINET hacks is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
Hi Medina- Greetings from Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA! I stumbled across your website today and I’m so glad I did! I really like the cabinet with the basket weave wood strips. Very handsome. As a renter it’s refreshing to see someone with a home decor site that recognizes that renters don’t have the latitude homeowners have. Thanks so much!
This is awesome !!
Thanks!
Love this Medinah! My fave is no 9, painted black. Farrow and Ball railings would look incredible and it would make a stylish sideboard hung in series of 2-3 units for a dining room or even an office space!
Ahh so glad that you liked it – thanks so much for reading 🙂
Love these hacks Medina! I wondered if I may have seen them all before, but you managed to surprise me with some new ones! They’re all beautiful 😍 thank you 👍
So glad you like them – and thanks for reading 🙂