Add Extra Kitchen Storage Space With An IKEA IVAR Cabinet Hack

IKEA is a veritable one-stop shop for many a DIYer, thanks to its endless array of simple furniture designs that are easy to reimagine into beautiful and practical decor. It isn't just the feeling of accomplishment we get from building our furniture that contributes to the IKEA effect. There's also the pride and comfort we enjoy when we use their blank canvases to create something unique that solves everyday problems. In a kitchen with limited storage space, everyone's favorite Swedish retailer once again supplies the perfect fix in its IVAR cabinet. It may be a no-frills design, but you don't have to be too imaginative to see all the opportunities for a little DIY magic.

The IVAR cabinet is ready-made for customization. Alongside its simple, versatile design, this cabinet is made of solid pine wood rather than particleboard or MDF. It's easy to sand, prime, and paint or stain to make it seamlessly fit your style. And unlike MDF, solid wood shouldn't cause problems if you have to cut holes or add screws to attach accessories. With these features, the potential is virtually limitless!

When you're redefining your IVAR cabinet to suit your kitchen storage needs, you can do yourself some favors by scrapping the instructions. Sure, you'll need to build the basic frame. But many of the pieces don't have to work the way that IKEA intended. For instance, DIYer M.E. Gray at Curbly found that the doors, with a little ingenuity, can function as all kinds of convenient add-on features. With an open design, a door could add extra surface space as a tabletop while the bumpers can become holders for a towel rack with only a few quick cuts.

Once the doors are off, you can prime and paint the wood. The storage cavity is open to reinterpretation. Add extra shelves, cup holders, or even pullout drawers. Unfortunately, you only have 11 ¾ inches of depth, so adding a drawer may be tricky, unless you build it from scratch. You can find a few easy-to-install options that work with the depth if you go digging, like the HOLDN' STORAGE Pullout Organizer. If it has a depth under 11 inches, it will be an ideal fit, allowing for a fast, straightforward drawer installation without any modifications. You can then decide whether you want to keep the shelving below your drawers or open it for larger, taller items. Finish up by adding casters (like these ASHGOOB 2-inch rollers on Amazon) to the underside of the base, and you'll have a storage cart/work surface to roll wherever you need it.

There are a thousand hacks for an IVAR cabinet, and you may find that multiple cabinets can create even more possibilities. TikTok DIYer @lucihelen_athome proves as much by turning two cabinets into a server with doors on the ends and open shelving in the middle. With a stain application to the wood and wallpaper to the back panel, the appearance totally transforms! You can also add depth and interest with trim around the doors. Cut some ½-inch boards into strips to frame the doors, and you'll create a gorgeous Shaker-style look.

Another awesome idea to add even more style and utility is to build a frame around the cabinet and create a bookshelf extending over the top. IKEA has several matching shelf systems in the IVAR collection to coordinate with the design. But you can also craft your own with a few lengths of 1x2s and spare shelves. With your frame complete, paint your IVAR cabinet kitchen storage system in your favorite colors and patterns. Attach legs, handles, and other hardware to fit your aesthetic, and see how this simple, affordable addition can improve your space and your routine!