Clever Ways To Transform The IVAR Cabinet

Solid pine and plain lines make IKEA's IVAR cabinet one of the most adaptable pieces around. With paint, a few tools and some imagination, it fits small Maltese flats and family houses equally well. Here are some favourite ways people have made it their own.

A storage centre for games and gadgets

Living rooms in apartments and maisonettes often need to do several jobs at once, and a IVAR cabinet with doors can become a tidy home for family entertainment. Hooks fitted inside the doors hold headphones, a basket keeps game controllers from scattering, and a small clipboard works well for scorekeeping during family games nights. A plywood magazine file, turned on its side and screwed to the cabinet, makes a neat slot for tablets. It is a simple way to gather the clutter that tends to spread across a living room shelf.

IVAR cabinet, pine, 80x30x83 cmIVAR cabinet with doors, white, 80x83 cmIVAR cabinet, pine, 80x50x83 cmIVAR wall cabinet with doors, pine, 160x30x83 cmIVAR cabinet with sliding doors, pine, 80x30x60 cmIVAR folding table, pine, 80x30-91 cm

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A hidden vanity behind painted doors

For a teenager sharing a bathroom, a IVAR cabinet with doors can be turned into a private getting ready corner in a bedroom. Cutting a circular hole into the doors allows a mix of display and concealment, with the inside and outside painted in contrasting colours for a playful effect. A string of light chain adds a touch of glamour, while an extendable mirror fixed to the side makes close-up details easy to check. It is a thoughtful solution for compact Maltese homes where bathroom space is often limited and shared.

SKUBB storage case, white, 90x53x19 cmSKUBB box, set of 6, whiteSKUBB storage case, white, 43x53x19 cmPÄRKLA storage case, 55x49x19 cmHEMMAFIXARE storage case, fabric striped/white/grey, 44x51x19 cmSKUBB storage case, dark grey, 43x53x19 cm

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A painted mural that fills a wall

Grouping several IVAR cabinets along one wall creates both storage and a striking backdrop, especially once a mural is painted across the fronts. A rail fitted inside one cabinet keeps artwork and paintbrushes organised, with clip hangers or ordinary hangers working just as well for hanging finished pieces. This kind of project suits a hallway or a child's room in a townhouse, where a plain run of cabinets can otherwise feel a little flat. The painted finish also means each cabinet can be touched up or changed as tastes shift over the years.

TORNVIKEN open cabinet, off-white, 20x37x60 cmTORNVIKEN box, off-white, 16x34x15 cm

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A dining cabinet with baskets and drawers

Paired with children's wall storage drawers underneath, a IVAR cabinet with doors can become a dining cabinet with real capacity. Painting the cabinet and a section of wall in the same colour helps unify the pieces, while lining the back panel with newspaper gives it a vintage character. Hooks and baskets fitted to the inside of the doors add further storage for cutlery, napkins or table linen. This kind of built-in look works particularly well in a narrow dining area, where every bit of wall space needs to earn its keep.

A playful doll's house that tidies itself away

A low IVAR cabinet, fixed securely to the wall at a child's height, makes an easy transformation into a doll's house. Miniature furniture and small figures live inside, and closing the doors at the end of the day hides the lot in seconds. A hanger fitted inside gives an extra spot to keep doll clothes from getting tangled. It is a practical choice for a shared children's room, where floor space is often at a premium and toys need a proper home rather than a corner of the carpet.

SMÅSTAD bench, white, 90x50x48 cmSMÅSTAD bench with toy storage, white/white, 90x52x48 cmHÄNGIG mirror, white/round, 26 cmFLISAT wall storage, light white stained pine, 70x9x16 cmLATMASK clip-on handle, white, 60 mm 2 packSMÅSTAD top for storage module, white, 60x55 cm

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Once the imagination gets going, a plain pine cabinet rarely stays plain for long. Maltashopper brings the IVAR range to homes across Malta and Gozo, ready for whatever project comes next.

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