The Best IKEA TARVA Dresser Hacks
The IKEA TARVA dresser has been around for a while. It’s a popular item from IKEA because it’s one of the few pieces that is made from solid wood. This allows for so many finish options to make the dresser your own.
In this article I am sharing 10 stunning IKEA TARVA dresser makeovers that take the plain pine dresser from basic to high end. I spent hours scouring the internet to see what everyone has done to upgrade the simple TARVA dresser and I wasn’t disappointed with what I found.
If you have one of the dressers or are considering purchasing one I hope that you find this post inspiring! I love this collection from IKEA and used the 5 drawer a few years ago to build a custom walk in closet.
IKEA Tarva Dresser Lineup
Before I share the best TARVA Hacks on the internet, we’ll first need to cover what the TARVA dresser looks like when you buy it from IKEA. They actually have three different dresser options including a 3 drawer, 5 drawer and 6 drawer.
They are an affordable option for a solid wood dresser but as you can see, they are very plain. The pine wood is completely unfinished which allows for so many customization options.
Here is some inspiration for hacking an IKEA TARVA dresser to make it more interesting. I rounded up my 10 favorite TARVA dresser makeovers.
10 Creative Ways to Hack an IKEA TARVA Dresser
Add Paintable Wallpaper
Get the tutorial: champagnechaos.com
This combination of paint color, paintable wallpaper and new drawer pulls looks so great together. I’d question the durability of those drawer pulls but dang does this look good. Annie did a fantastic job transforming the 6 drawer dresser.
Add Trim and New Feet
Get the tutorial: Antrhopologie Fern IKEA hack
The feet on the TARVA dressers don’t look very good in my opinion. With the dressers being solid wood it’s super simple to add some different decorative feet. These DIY Anthropologie Fern dresser inspired feet give the TARVA an elegant high end look at a fraction of the Anthropologie price!
Mix up the drawer fronts to create a uniquely interesting piece of furniture
Get the tutorial: ikeahackers.net
The checkered and painted top drawers matched with the simplicity of the fluted bottom drawers is the perfect combination for this piece. The designer topped it all off with a simple drawer pull that didn’t distract from the unique drawer fronts.
Use fluted trim and sleek pull handles to transform the look
Get the tutorial: loveandrenovations.com
Amanda added pine screen trim to the fronts of the drawers and painted the 6 drawer dresser a mustard yellow. The new fronts and color are lovely and the simple pull knobs pair so well.
Keep it simple and transform it with paint and new pull knobs
Get the tutorial: bayonabudget.com
Honestly, with the TARVA a quality paint job and some new pull knobs is enough to make the dresser look high end. Look what Tim did here with two of the 5 drawer dressers. Stunning!
Transform the drawers with decorative wood trim
Get the tutorial: hunker.com
Ok, back to changing the drawer fronts. Trisha angled some wood dowels to give the 6 drawer dresser a modern look. I don’t typically love the feet on the TARVA but the mix of bare wood with the white paint and gold pull handles looks great!
Use contrasting paint colors to add interest
Get the tutorial: acupoflife.nl
This transformation is simple but so impactful. The contrasting colors on the top and bottom look amazing together and I absolutely love that Shifra stained the knobs on the top white drawers.
Transform it into a cane dresser
Get the tutorial: meganbellmade.com
Caned dressers are so popular these days and you can easily hack any of the TARVA dressers to achieve this look. Megan completely transformed the 6 drawer dresser with new drawer fronts, pull knobs, feet and paint.
Go all out with geometric drawer fronts
Get the tutorial: erinspain.com
If you’re looking for an easy but very high end look to spruce up your TARVA there are companies out there that make overlays for the drawer fronts. Erin used this geometric shape, added knew handles and feet and painted it a mix of white and gray. It’s hard to believe this was the simple TARVA dresser to start.
Use the dresser as drawers for built-ins or closets
Get the tutorial: DIY Custom Closet with IKEA TARVA
Finally, the TARVA dresser can be a great way to easily add drawers to your built-ins. I used the 5 drawer when I built my custom closet and it worked out so well!
Don’t forget to pin this for later!
That’s my top 10 as of today but guess what, I’m writing this post for a reason… I’ll be doing two more TARVA hacks in the coming months. One with the 6 drawer dresser and another with the 3 drawer. They are going to be pretty epic so stay tuned. I honestly can’t wait to make my ideas come to life and share them with you all.
Which TARVA makeover was your favorite? Let me know in the comments.
More IKEA Hacks
I love walking around IKEA to see what I can transform and make better. Check out what I’ve hacked thus far.
Very interesting and beautiful work with these dressers. Unfortunately, I had to give away all my dressers when we downsized and moved to a basement suite. These would have been handy years back to give them a new lease of life.
Thank you for popping over and for participating and sharing at SSPS 327. See you again next week at #328 https://esmesalon.com/tag/seniorsalonpitstop/
I haven’t been to an IKEA store in almost 20 years! They still have some great items, thanks for sharing! #Alittlebitofeverything
Hey Hannah. So glad you decided to share this post at the link party. These makeover are awesome and are giving me some ideas for how to change out the side tables in my bedroom. This post will be a feature this week. #HomeMattersParty
Thank you so much Donna!
The way you called the TARVA ‘very plain’ before showing the makeovers made each transformation feel more satisfying—like the plainness wasn’t a flaw but the whole point.