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Prettypegs>IKEA Hacks>Storage hacks

3 Easy Ways to Hack Your IKEA IVAR Cabinet

Dec 29, 2025

Three IKEA IVAR hacks showing how to customise an IKEA IVAR cabinet using Prettypegs furniture legs, knobs and simple DIY upgrades

The IKEA IVAR cabinet is a classic for a reason. Made from solid wood and designed to be modular, it’s practical, flexible and built to last. But it’s also one of the easiest IKEA pieces to customise. With a few thoughtful updates, IVAR can easily be transformed into something that feels more personal, expressive and tailored to your home.


Below, we’re sharing three IKEA IVAR hacks, each created by a member of the Prettypegs community. From playful colour accents to smart storage solutions, these ideas show different ways to update IVAR using colour, legs and small but impactful details.

IVAR HACK 1: Playful and bold accents

Created by: @matildamelin.design

Painted pink IKEA IVAR cabinet transformed into a statement storage piece using Prettypegs Hedda 100 furniture legs in burgundy

Matilda’s take on the IKEA IVAR cabinet shows just how much impact colour can have. By painting the cabinet and pairing it with our Hedda 100 legs in Burgundy, she turns simple storage into a confident statement piece. The deep leg colour adds contrast and character, while lifting the cabinet off the floor makes it feel more like furniture and less like built-in storage.

Hedda 100 Burgundy red

Hedda 100

229.00 SEK

Close-up detail of Prettypegs Hedda 100 wooden furniture leg in burgundy used to elevate and customise an IKEA IVAR cabinet

If you’re drawn to this kind of colour update, painting IKEA furniture is very doable, even if you’re not a seasoned DIYer. Solid wood pieces like IVAR are especially forgiving, as long as you take the time to prep properly.

👉🏼 Easy step-by-step guide on how to paint IKEA furniture


Once the paint has dried, adding legs is a simple final step that really completes the transformation.

👉🏼 Changing furniture legs made easy: style, tools & answers

IVAR HACK 2: Seamless storage

Created by: @jessicadelanour

Step-by-step DIY process showing how to attach Prettypegs furniture legs to an IKEA IVAR cabinet using mounting plates

This IKEA IVAR hack is all about scale. Instead of styling one cabinet at a time, Jessica connected several IVAR units to create one long, cohesive storage piece. Using our IVAR connecting plate, the cabinets are joined neatly together and then lifted with Siri 160 legs in Blue Pop.

The result feels more custom and far less modular. Ideal for living rooms or hallways where you want generous storage that blends in rather than stands out. The added leg height also gives the cabinet breathing room and helps balance the larger setup visually.

Siri 160 Blue Pop

Siri 160

195.00 SEK

Ivar Plate

Ivar Connecting Plate

59.00 SEK

Several IKEA IVAR cabinets connected into one long, seamless storage unit and elevated with Prettypegs Siri 160 legs for a custom look

To keep everything aligned and stable over time, our IVAR connecting plate does the behind-the-scenes work.

👉🏼 How to use our IVAR connecting plate

IVAR HACK 3: Color-blocked character

Created by: @made_of_sundays

Step-by-step DIY process showing how to attach Prettypegs legs and knobs to an IKEA IVAR cabinet using universal mounting plates

This IKEA IVAR hack was created in collaboration with Made of Sundays and shows how a few playful elements can completely change the look of the cabinet, without making the process complicated.

Instead of painting, this version uses striped peel-and-stick wallpaper from Made of Sundays to add colour and pattern to the doors. It’s an easy way to create a bold, graphic look while keeping the option to change things up later.

DIY using Prettypegs Siri 160 legs and Bill wooden knobs on an IKEA IVAR cabinet during a custom makeover project

The cabinet is finished with our Siri 160 legs in Cloudy Pink and Bill 40Ø knobs in Cloudy Pink, which tie the colours together and soften the overall expression. Small details like knobs make a big difference, especially when balancing playful patterns.

Bill 40Ø Cloudy Pink

Bill 40Ø

89.00 SEK

Siri 160 Cloudy Pink

Siri 160

195.00 SEK

Finished IKEA IVAR hack featuring striped peel-and-stick wallpaper, Prettypegs Siri furniture legs and wooden knobs for a playful, colour-blocked look

If you’re curious about the full process behind this makeover, Made of Sundays has shared their complete DIY walkthrough in their blog.

👉🏼 IKEA IVAR Hack: 5 easy steps to transform your cabinet

FAQ: IKEA IVAR Hacks

IKEA IVAR can be used as a sideboard, TV bench, hallway cabinet, storage unit, office credenza or even a kitchen pantry. Its modular design and solid wood construction make it highly versatile for different rooms and purposes.

Because IVAR comes in multiple widths and heights, it can be adapted to both small apartments and larger spaces. A single unit works well as compact storage, while multiple cabinets can be combined to create longer, built-in style solutions. By adding legs or updating the finish, IVAR can shift from basic storage to a more defined furniture piece that suits living rooms, dining areas or home offices.

Color contrast, leg height, and knob choice change the cabinet's proportions and expression. Small details can make IVAR read as standalone furniture instead of floor-level storage.

Adding legs to IKEA IVAR changes its height, proportions and overall function, making it feel more like standalone furniture rather than floor-level storage.

Shorter legs create a grounded sideboard look, while taller legs make IVAR lighter and more suitable as a TV bench or hallway console. Raising the cabinet also improves cleaning access underneath and can visually balance larger setups. Simply changing the leg height can redefine how the cabinet works in a room, both practically and aesthetically.

Prep the solid wood carefully, then paint in your chosen color and let it dry fully. Finish by adding legs to lift the cabinet and give the piece a more furniture-like look.

Use reversible upgrades like peel-and-stick wallpaper, new legs, and replacement knobs. These changes add color and character while keeping the option to switch styles later.

Linking units creates one long, cohesive storage piece that feels less modular. A connecting plate helps keep cabinets aligned and stable over time.

You can connect IKEA IVAR cabinets together using IVAR connecting plates that securely join multiple units side by side.

An IVAR connecting plate is mounted discreetly between the cabinets to keep them aligned and stable over time. Using a dedicated solution such as the IVAR Connecting Plate makes it easier to create a longer, seamless storage setup that feels more custom and less modular. This approach works especially well in living rooms, hallways or offices where a continuous row of cabinets creates a cleaner, more intentional look. Once connected and elevated with legs, multiple IVAR cabinets can function as one cohesive piece of furniture.

More IKEA IVAR inspiration

One of the best things about IVAR is how flexible it is. You can keep it simple, go bold, or change it again later when your style shifts.

If you want to see more ideas, we’ve gathered additional IVAR projects from the community.

👉🏼 6 inspiring IKEA IVAR hacks you’ll love

Share Your Project

Tag @prettypegs to share your upgrade!

Prettypegs

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