The IKEA Ivar system has been a staple of customizable shelving for over 50 years, offering endless possibilities for decoration on a budget. One of its greatest strengths lies in its modular design, allowing users to easily add or modify shelves, cabinets, doors, and desks to suit any room’s needs. This flexibility is especially valuable when it comes to personalizing the individual components to match one’s unique style.
With the IVAR system, you can transform your home without breaking the bank. By utilizing its various modules, you can create a cohesive look that reflects your personality and meets your functional requirements.
Doll Up Your Entryway
As you step into the house, it’s essential to create a seamless transition by unloading any items you’re carrying. This is where an entryway storage solution comes in handy. Consider repurposing the Ikea IVAR cabinet to serve as a floating entryway organizer. By removing one of its doors and suspending it on your wall, you’ll have a clever spot for a coat rack, mirror, and baskets to stash shoes beneath the shelf.
This space-saving hack is perfect for corners and can help maintain order in your home.
A Minimal Take on Storage
When it comes to entryways, don’t underestimate the potential of liminal spaces like hallways, corridors, and corners. These areas are ripe for creative storage solutions that can help keep your home organized and clutter-free. To breathe new life into these neglected zones, consider deconstructing and repainting Ikea IVAR units in a soft, calming color – white is a classic choice that works well with most interior design schemes. By reassembling the pieces, adding some stylish flair, and voila!
You’ve got a functional and visually appealing storage solution that’s easy to DIY. If you’re looking for an extra boost of efficiency, consider investing in an electric screwdriver – it’ll make the process a whole lot faster and more enjoyable.
Ribbed Cabinets for a Sustainable Remodel
Are you tired of looking at that old IVAR unit collecting dust in your home? Give it a fresh new look by adding a fluted profile, the perfect solution if you have some spare lumber lying around. The beauty of this project is that it’s meant to be slightly worn and weathered, giving your furniture a unique character.
To get started, cut the lumber into smaller strips and fit them to the height of your IVAR unit’s doors. Remove the doors and attach the strips using Gorilla Glue and G-clamps.
Once you’ve got everything in place, give it a solid coat of paint – white is a great option.
With this simple DIY project, you’ll be able to create sustainable furniture that’s not only eco-friendly but also adds a touch of personality to any room.
Turn-of-the-Century IVAR Facelift
Revamp your IVAR shelving system with a vintage flair by incorporating turn-of-the-century inspired DIY tricks. This unique hack requires minimal materials – extra MDF, white paint, and Gorilla Wood Glue – yet yields a striking art-deco-inspired storage solution that’s sure to impress.
To achieve this look, measure out the wood planks in decreasing sizes and glue them onto the doors in a radial pattern, creating a visually appealing arrangement that adds a touch of sophistication to your IVAR shelving system.
Get Healthier with a DIY Standing Desk
For those who spend most of their workday sitting, working from home presents an unique chance to break free from this habit. One creative solution is to construct a standing desk using IVAR cabinets. Simply stack the cabinets next to each other and place a thick plank on top, matching or contrasting with the cabinet’s wood tone. A tall stool like this one can be added to complete the setup.
This DIY project not only provides a functional workspace but also doubles as a kitchen island installation idea. For more inspiration on updating your kitchen, explore additional ideas here.
Custom Blanche-Inspired IVAR Cabinet
Inspired by Blanche’s timeless style from Golden Girls, we’re reviving a classic color combination that predates our modern obsession with millennial pink and rose gold. This dusky pink and gold cabinet makeover is a nod to the past, with a fresh twist. The gold cabinet pulls bring a sleek, minimalist vibe, beautifully balancing out the vibrant retro pink enamel paint.
You can choose to place this cabinet on the ground or elevate it on tall golden legs, creating extra space for storing shoes, baskets, or other essentials.
Clean Grey Minimalist Shelving
A refreshing spin on the third hack in this series is its understated approach to rustic ribbed shelving. For DIY enthusiasts with a keen eye for detail, milling the IVAR’s doors themselves can be a viable option. However, for those without the necessary skills or time, enlisting the help of a professional is also a feasible solution.
The key advantage of milling the doors over attaching rough-hewn wood to the front lies in its sleek and modern aesthetic, which perfectly captures Ikea’s signature Swedish style.
DIY Drinks Cabinet
There’s an undeniable allure to the art deco style, particularly when it comes to this drinks cabinet. The harmonious blend of soft teal hues with striking gold accents perfectly complements the rounded contours of the doors, evoking a sense of opulence and sophistication. To take your speakeasy-inspired setup to the next level, consider installing a wine glass rack on the interior of the tallest shelf and pairing it with a gleaming golden cocktail shaker.
The result will be a space that’s equal parts nostalgic charm and modern luxury. As you pour yourself a classic cocktail and let the jazz standards play, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a bygone era.
A Modern Industrial Facelift
Give your IVAR a sleek and modern makeover by combining it with semi-matte carpentry paint and warm leather pulls. The resulting look is undeniably masculine, and the black finish pairs surprisingly well with a wide range of design elements. Alternatively, consider using a black glaze to enhance the natural beauty of the wood grain instead. This subtle change can add a touch of sophistication to the overall aesthetic.
If you’re looking for an edgier vibe, swap out the leather pulls for some bold chrome finishes and the IVAR will take on a sleek, high-tech appearance reminiscent of a luxurious office suite.
Spice Up Your Child’s Room
Create a unique and stylish focal point in your home with this simple DIY project. With just a few basic supplies, including painter’s tape and enamel paint in your preferred color (a sleek grey looks particularly great on IKEA’s IVAR cabinets), you can transform multiple storage units into a cohesive and eye-catching design.
Simply apply the tape to create a mountain range, geometric shape or art-deco pattern across the cabinets, lining them up together to form a continuous line that seamlessly blends your storage space into one visually appealing fixture.
Decoupaged IVAR Sideboard
This modern decoupage design takes a bold step forward from its vintage counterpart. The striking sideboard is the perfect blend of dynamic home design and eclectic flair. Each cabinet boasts a unique color gradient, transitioning from light to dark in an impressive display. The pièce de résistance is the intricate decoupage design that flows across the cabinets’ fronts, masterfully rendered with chalk paint.
This show-stopping piece is sure to spark conversation among your guests, as they’ll be left wondering: ‘Where on earth did you find this stunning sideboard?’
Elevate Your IVAR Cabinets
Transform an ordinary cabinet into an extraordinary piece of furniture by giving it a floating appearance. To achieve this look, attach vertical brackets to the back of the cabinet and hang it on your wall like a piece of art. For an added touch, paint the cabinet the same color as your walls, creating a seamless built-in feel. The best part is that IVAR cabinets are ready for painting right out of the box, eliminating the need for primers.
Dark colors tend to work particularly well with this project, making it perfect for updating a feature wall or adding some visual interest to a room.
The Hack Library Cabinet
While a traditional library setting may be out of reach, this DIY project takes you one step closer to achieving that cozy atmosphere. To create the illusion of towering bookshelves, paint IVAR cabinets in rich hues like dark grey or old leather brown and add gold accents through legs and cabinet pulls. A crucial detail is ensuring only the bottom cabinet has legs, as you’ll be stacking two Ivars vertically to mimic the classic library shelf design.
For a charming touch, incorporate a leaning ladder alongside your new book nook. Finally, make sure to secure the cabinets to the wall using proper fasteners for added safety and peace of mind.
Beach-Themed Wicker Cabinet
The perfect companion for a beachfront cottage or the ultimate dream cabinet is this charming wicker-fronted piece. With the right tools – specifically, a reliable staple gun – even the most ambitious DIY enthusiasts can bring this project to life in just an afternoon. The key lies in cleverly crafting negative spaces within the cabinet doors and then covering them with lush wicker matting. Begin by carefully sketching out your design and cutting away the excess material from the door fronts.
Next, give the doors a fresh coat of white chalk paint before attaching the wicker to the back of each door using your trusty staple gun. Once complete, simply assemble the cabinet and voila – your very own beach-inspired masterpiece is ready for display.
Standalone Cabinet
It’s wonderful to discover standalone cabinet solutions that depart from built-in IVAR hacks. One such design combines natural textures, gold fixtures, and white cabinets to create a modern take on the art deco style. This hack requires only three simple materials: wooden craft circles, doorstops, and wood glue. To achieve the bevel effect, glue the shapes onto the front of the cabinet and paint over them.
The result is a professional-looking finish that adds a touch of elegance to any hallway or entryway. This particular design would be perfect for a child’s room or as a seasonal update for a sunny corner.
Wall-to-Ceiling Storage Block
For crafters who crave maximum storage, this game-changing hack is a must-try! To achieve it, dedicate a sturdy wall in your creative space or kitchen by installing IVAR cabinets stacked on top of each other, forming a seamless wall of storage. To ensure a cohesive look, paint all the cabinets a uniform color that complements your existing wall tone. When stacking, prioritize safety by anchoring each cabinet to the wall using high-quality wall anchors, guaranteeing a secure and worry-free setup.
Create a Blocked Closet
When it comes to maximizing storage in small spaces, creativity can be a powerful tool. Take for instance the humble closet – with a little bit of know-how and some basic materials, you can transform a blank space into a functional and stylish oasis. All it takes is a couple of cabinets, some paint, and a few simple wall anchors.
The process itself is surprisingly straightforward: simply paint one or both cabinets in a solid block color, stack them on top of each other, and secure them to the wall with the anchors. And just like that, you’ll have a beautiful and professional-looking storage solution that’s perfect for storing everything from kids’ toys to your own wardrobe essentials.
Hanging Study Alcove
Imagine transforming an empty space into a cozy sanctuary, where you can retreat to focus on your studies. One innovative way to do this is by creating a ‘room within a room’ using IVAR cabinets. Simply paint six of these cabinets in different colors and hang them on the wall. This unique setup will provide a defined area for your study corner. To take it to the next level, consider adding a plush day bed, a clock, a lamp, and a charging station.
This thoughtful design will make your study space feel like a true haven, perfect for your flat, dorm, or apartment.
Modern Art Deco Cabinet
Take the kid’s closet hack to the next level by applying it to your own room. For a more refined look, try pairing IVARs with gold legs and cabinet pulls. Painting them charcoal black can make for a stunning combination. To balance out the industrial feel of the setup, surround the cabinet with lush greenery. The result is a harmonious blend of styles that’s sure to impress.
The Ultimate Retro Sideboard
To pay tribute to the iconic style of 1960s English fashion, we’re combining red chalk paint, doorstop trims, and golden fixtures to revive the era’s charm. The process is surprisingly straightforward: simply trim each cabinet panel with the doorstop trim, apply a coat of paint, reassemble the cabinets, and add handles. With these simple steps, you’ll be able to create a one-of-a-kind sideboard that will surely impress vintage enthusiasts without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned programmer or just starting to explore the world of coding, it’s undeniable that Ivar Jergensen’s ingenious solutions have won over many hearts. Among his impressive collection of programming tricks and techniques, which one do you find particularly fascinating? Share your thoughts with us!
