I’ve had my IKEA IVAR shelf and cabinet setup for over two years now, which feels like the right amount of time to actually review it instead of guessing how it’ll hold up.
I live in a small apartment in San Francisco, and storage is always the challenge. Two years ago I did a kitchen and hallway refresh to make better use of our space, and the IKEA IVAR shelving unit ended up doing way more work than I expected.
This isn’t a styled-for-Instagram situation. These shelves get used every single day for pantry storage, plants, recycling, mail, keys, random life stuff. After two years of real use, I feel very confident saying whether the IVAR shelves are worth it. And they’re dang cute.
Why I Chose IKEA IVAR In The First Place
We needed storage that didn’t feel bulky or permanent. Our apartment is narrow, especially the hallway, and most storage furniture just eats up walking space. I also didn’t want to spend thousands of dollars on furniture.
What sold me on IKEA IVAR is how modular it is. After renovating our cabin, I knew I wanted something I could build out exaclty how I wanted it. You can build the IKEA Ivar Shelf exactly how you want, add shelves, remove shelves, mix open shelving with cabinets, and change it later if your needs change.
It’s also made from solid pine, not particleboard. That mattered to me because I wanted something that would last and age well, not fall apart after a move.
All The Products I Used In My IKEA IVAR Kitchen + Hallway Setup
IKEA IVAR Shelving System (Kitchen)
- IKEA IVAR Side Unit (11 ¾ x 49 in)
Used as the vertical supports for the kitchen shelving. These are what make the IVAR system so flexible since shelf height can be adjusted over time. - IVAR Shelf (33 x 12 in)
Used for the main pantry shelves in the kitchen. These hold food storage containers, baking supplies, and everyday items. - IVAR Shelf (17 x 12 in)
Used in tighter sections where a full-width shelf wouldn’t fit. - OBSERVATÖR Cross-Brace (39 in)
Added for extra stability. This is especially important when the shelves are loaded with heavier items or anchored to the wall.
IKEA IVAR Cabinet Setup (Hallway)
- IVAR Cabinet (31 x 12 x 33 in)
Used for closed storage in the hallway. This hides clutter like gardening tools and random household items while keeping the space visually clean. - IVAR Shelf Unit (31 x 12 x 33 in)
Stacked on top of the cabinet to create vertical storage without taking up much floor space. Perfect for narrow hallways.
Storage + Organization Accessories
- KALLAX Wire Basket (Brass color, 15 ¾ x 13 in)
Used as a catch-all for mail, papers, and everyday items. Adds texture and keeps open shelving from looking messy or overstyled. - UPPDATERA Storage Box (Light bamboo, 9 ½ x 12 ½ x 6 in)
Used for organizing smaller items. I love this one because it looks good out in the open and works in multiple rooms, including kitchens and hallways. - OXO Food Storage Containers
Used on the kitchen IVAR shelves to store pantry staples like flour, rice, nuts, and baking supplies. These help open shelving feel intentional instead of cluttered.
Styling Elements
- Plants (Various Sizes)
Placed on the top shelves and surfaces to soften the pine wood and make the shelving feel more lived-in and homey. - Candles for pops of color
- Nearby paintings for depth and warmth
Installation Help
- TaskRabbit Installer
Hired to anchor the kitchen IVAR shelving to the wall for safety. Assembly itself was easy to DIY, but anchoring made it feel rock solid.
Cost Overview
- Total spend: About $600 for both the kitchen and hallway combined
This includes shelving, cabinets, accessories, and hardware.
How I Styled The IVAR Shelf In Our Kitchen
Our kitchen desperately needed more shelving for pantry items, so we built a custom unit using IVAR side units with multiple shelves. I spent a lot of time measuring and planning out how I wanted to use the shelves to meet our needs.
This is the power of IKEA – everything they make is designed to be mixed and matched, and customized.
We assembled everything ourselves, then hired TaskRabbit to anchor it to the wall since we suck at that. Once it was anchored, it felt extremely sturdy.
Here’s how we use it:
- Bottom shelf is for recycling
- Middle shelves are styled with OXO containers holding flour, rice, nuts, and pantry staples
- One shelf has as KALLAX Wire basket
- Top shelves are plants, which keeps it from feeling overly utilitarian and in fact makes it feel warm and bohooxo
We also added a smaller IVAR section near my husband’s desk that holds an herb garden, bread making supplies, cookbooks, candles, and everyday kitchen items.
This is where an Ikea ivar shelf hack mindset really helps. Most people think of IVAR as a bookshelf, but it works beautifully as flexible storage furniture if you treat each shelf intentionally.
What I Love About The Natural Wood Look
Once anchored, the Ivar shelf doesn’t wobble. It’s easy to clean, and I genuinely love the untreated pine.
It gives our kitchen a slightly boho feel without looking trendy or try-hard. Because it’s solid wood, it also ages well. After two years, it still looks good and hasn’t warped or loosened.
The IVAR Cabinet In Our Hallway Is A Game Changer
Our hallway is narrow, which makes storage tricky. Finding cabinets shallow enough to work there is harder than it sounds.
The Ivar cabinet solved that problem immediately. We stacked a shelf unit on top of the cabinet so it visually connects with the kitchen IVAR shelves. Since they’re in the same sightline, it makes the whole apartment feel more cohesive.
Here’s how we use it:
- Top shelf holds keys, mail, plants, and a catch-all basket
- Inside the cabinet is storage for gardening tools, supplies, and things we don’t need to see daily
The cabinet isn’t anchored, but it feels stable as long as heavier items stay in the base. Assembly was straightforward, and like the shelves, you can customize it endlessly with baskets or inserts.
Customization And Planning Tips Before You Buy
My biggest recommendation if you’re considering IVAR shelves is to measure carefully and plan ahead.
Think about how you’ll actually use each shelf or cabinet. Pantry storage, entryway catch-all, books, plants, closed storage. IVAR works best when each section has a purpose.
That flexibility is what makes the system so good. You’re not locked into one layout forever.
Cost And Value After Two Years
We spent around $600 total between the kitchen and hallway, including shelves, side units, cabinets, braces, and baskets and shipping to our apartment.
For solid pine furniture that we use daily, that feels like a great value. Everything has held up well, it still looks good, and I wouldn’t hesitate to buy it again.
Final Thoughts On IKEA IVAR
After living with it for two years, this IKEA IVAR shelf review is an easy one to wrap up.
The shelves and cabinets are affordable, sturdy, and genuinely adaptable. They work as real furniture, not just storage, and they can move with you from apartment to apartment.
I plan on keeping ours for years, and if we ever move, they’re coming with us.
FAQ: IKEA IVAR Shelves And Cabinets
Is the IKEA IVAR shelf sturdy?
Yes, especially once it’s anchored to the wall. We anchored our IVAR shelving unit in the kitchen, and it feels very solid with daily use. The shelves don’t wobble, and the solid pine holds weight well when items are distributed evenly.
Do IKEA IVAR shelves need to be anchored?
I recommend anchoring them if you’re using taller units or loading them with heavier items. We assembled everything ourselves and hired TaskRabbit to anchor the shelves, which made a big difference in stability and safety.
Can IKEA IVAR shelves be used as furniture, not just storage?
Absolutely. While many people use IVAR as a bookshelf or garage storage, it works well as real furniture when styled intentionally. I use IVAR shelves in my kitchen and hallway for pantry items, plants, and everyday storage.
Is the IKEA IVAR cabinet stable without anchoring?
In my experience, yes, as long as heavier items are kept in the bottom. Our IVAR cabinet in the hallway isn’t anchored and feels stable with normal daily use.
Can you customize the IKEA IVAR system?
That’s one of its biggest strengths. You can add or remove shelves, combine open shelving with cabinets, and use accessories like baskets to make the system work for your space. This flexibility is what makes IVAR so popular for small apartments.
Does IKEA IVAR work in small apartments?
Yes. IVAR pieces are narrow and modular, which makes them especially useful in tight spaces like hallways, kitchens, or entryways. It’s one of the reasons I chose it for our San Francisco apartment.
What is IKEA IVAR made of?
IVAR is made from solid pine, not particleboard. The wood is untreated, which means you can leave it natural or paint, stain, or oil it depending on your style.
Is IKEA IVAR worth the price?
For solid wood furniture that’s lasted over two years of daily use, I think it’s a great value. We spent about $600 total across multiple units, and I’d buy it again without hesitation.
Can you paint or stain IKEA IVAR shelves?
Yes. Since the pine is untreated, it takes paint, stain, or oil very well. Many people customize IVAR this way to match their home. I recommend opting for a dark stain instead of paint. I plan on using these shelves again in the future when I live in other spaces and I would love to stain a set a dark brown, it would look so good.
After living with it for over two years, I still really love our IKEA IVAR setup. The shelves and cabinet have held up to daily life, constant rearranging, and real storage needs in a small apartment. They’re sturdy, flexible, and feel like actual furniture, not a temporary fix.
What makes IVAR stand out for me is how adaptable it is. We’ve used it in both our kitchen and hallway, styled it to fit our space, and adjusted it as our needs changed. That’s rare, especially at this price point and with solid wood.
If you’re considering IVAR, take the time to measure carefully and think about how you’ll use each shelf or cabinet. When it’s planned well, this system really shines.
If you already own IVAR, I’d love to hear how you’re using it. Drop a comment with your setup, hacks, or long-term thoughts. And if you’re still deciding and have questions, leave those below too. I’m happy to help based on what’s actually worked in my home.
