The HAVSTA series sits quietly in IKEA’s catalog, but smart DIYers know it’s pure potential waiting to be unleashed. These IKEA HAVSTA hacks & ideas transform basic storage pieces into custom furniture that looks anything but mass-produced.
From media centers to room dividers, the HAVSTA’s clean lines work with almost any decorating style. The real beauty lies in how easily these pieces adapt to your specific needs and space constraints.
Ready to turn ordinary into extraordinary?
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Modernize Your Library With Bold Burgundy Storage
The deep burgundy paint coating this Havsta unit transforms it into something totally unexpected for a home library. @husetimollegata went all-in with the color, painting walls, ceiling, and shelving in the same rich tone for a cocooning effect that makes books feel like treasures.
The cabinet doors on the bottom keep clutter hidden while open shelves above display everything from vinyl records to vintage finds. A warm mustard chair breaks up all that burgundy without fighting it, and the natural wood floor grounds the whole moody vibe.
Try this with any bold jewel tone you love, maybe emerald or navy, and watch your Havsta become the room’s main character.
Energize Your Display With a Beadboard Back Panel
The soft gray exterior pairs beautifully with a duck egg blue beadboard interior that completely transforms the cabinet’s personality. @rebeccaandgenevieve added this textured paneling to the back and shelves, creating depth and visual interest that makes every displayed item pop against the grooved surface.
The brass knobs add a warm contrast to the cool tones, while the glass doors keep everything visible yet protected. This approach works with any paint color you love, whether you go bold with emerald or keep things calm with sage.
The beadboard itself is an affordable material from most hardware stores, and it installs with basic adhesive or small nails.
Painted Gray Cabinets Brighten Your Entryway Space
That smooth gray paint transforms the Havsta cabinet into something unexpectedly elegant for an entryway. The soft greige tone pairs beautifully with the oversized round mirror and creates a welcoming first impression that feels both modern and timeless.
The styling here from @angelicas.hem shows how simple paint can elevate the whole vibe. Brass hardware adds a touch of warmth against the muted cabinet, while the patterned lamp and fresh flowers bring personality without overwhelming the space.
You could try this in sage green, navy, or even a dusty pink depending on your wall colors and lighting.
Layer Blush Pink Paint With Curated Decor Displays
This Havsta gets a complete transformation with a soft blush pink paint that covers every surface, inside and out. The monochromatic approach creates a cohesive backdrop that makes decorative objects pop without competing for attention.
Cream ceramics, black-and-white books, and natural coral pieces are arranged with deliberate breathing room between items. @lustliving shows how the closed lower cabinets keep clutter hidden while open shelving becomes a rotating gallery for treasured finds.
Gold hardware adds just enough warmth against the cool-toned pink finish.
Reveal Floor-to-Ceiling Storage That Transforms Any Playroom
This wall of sage green cabinets creates a stunning focal point while hiding every toy imaginable. @byhannahjones painted these units in a soft, muted green that feels calm rather than chaotic, perfect for a kid’s space that adults actually want to spend time in.
The vertical paneling detail adds texture without overwhelming the room, and mounting the TV directly on the cabinet front keeps everything streamlined. Woven baskets hung on the doors provide easy-access storage for frequently used items, while the closed cabinets below conceal the mess.
You could swap the sage for navy, blush, or even a two-tone treatment to match your home’s vibe.
Add Rich Forest Green Paint to Your Havsta Cabinet
That deep forest green paint completely transforms the standard Havsta into something that looks custom-built. The color brings warmth and sophistication to the dining area, turning basic storage into a statement piece that anchors the whole room.
@maxine.home kept the glass-front upper cabinets to display white dishes and glassware, which creates a lovely contrast against the painted exterior. The solid lower doors hide everyday clutter while maintaining that clean, cohesive look.
You could try this with sage, navy, or even a warm charcoal depending on your space.
Curate a Warm Beige Display Cabinet Moment
This beige Havsta cabinet brings such a cozy warmth to the dining area, styled with glassware, cookbooks, and a few dried stems that feel collected over time. The soft neutral tone works beautifully against darker walls, and those glass doors let you show off your favorite pieces without the dust settling in.
@carolinashome keeps the styling simple but intentional, mixing practical items like a coffee pot with decorative touches. The lower solid doors hide away less photogenic stuff, which is honestly the genius part of this cabinet design.
Try layering books horizontally with smaller objects on top for that effortlessly curated vibe.
Highlight Gray Painted Cabinets With Built In Window Seating
The soft gray finish on these cabinets creates a calming backdrop that makes the whole room feel intentional. Flanking a window with matching storage units transforms awkward wall space into a functional reading nook, and the built-in bench with hidden drawers below adds clever storage without sacrificing style.
Wicker baskets perched on top bring in texture while keeping seasonal items tucked away. Glass-front doors let you display your favorite dishes or collected treasures, and @hydrangeatreehouse shows how white cushions and a striped rug pull the look together beautifully.
The natural wood floor grounds everything and keeps it from feeling too matchy.
Curate a Seasonal Display With Glass Door Storage
White glass-front cabinets transform into a holiday showcase when you style them with personality and purpose. Books, ceramics, and decorative objects create visual layers that shift throughout the year, while the transparent doors keep everything protected yet visible.
The real charm comes from mixing textures and heights inside each compartment, so nothing feels too rigid or planned. @ikeadeutschland shows how a few red baubles on branches above the unit tie the whole display together with minimal effort.
Swap out seasonal accents whenever the mood strikes without committing to a complete room overhaul.
Introduce Perforated Metal Panels for Textured Storage
The lower cabinet doors get a completely different treatment with perforated metal inserts that replace the standard glass or solid panels. This clever swap adds an industrial-meets-cottage vibe while keeping contents slightly visible but not fully on display, perfect for hiding less photogenic kitchen essentials.
The sage green paint across the entire unit ties everything together beautifully, while brass knobs add just enough warmth against the cool tone. @unikkerum shows how mixing materials within one piece creates way more visual interest than keeping everything uniform.
You could easily try different metals like copper mesh or even cane webbing for a softer look.
Refresh Your Entryway With Copper Hardware Accents
The charcoal grey finish on this built-in cabinet setup brings instant sophistication to any hallway or mudroom. Those copper leather pulls add a warm, tactile contrast that feels both modern and a little rustic at once.
The glass-front upper cabinets with integrated lighting create an almost boutique-style display area, while the lower drawers keep everyday clutter tucked away. @renoveringsdamm paired these units with a natural wood countertop that breaks up all that grey beautifully.
Swap standard knobs for leather pulls to instantly elevate the whole look without any major construction.
Showcase Built In Storage With Painted Backing Panels
White cabinetry gets a subtle lift when you paint the back panels in a soft sage green. The backing transforms ordinary shelving into something that feels intentional, almost custom-built, while keeping the overall look clean and uncluttered.
Woven baskets on the lower shelves add warmth and hide away everyday clutter, while the upper shelves display ceramics and small decor pieces. @renovationrivendell proves that a simple backing color change can make a huge difference in how polished your storage feels.
Try removable wallpaper if you’re nervous about commitment or want to swap colors seasonally.
Pale Gray Cabinets Inspire Built-In Storage Walls
This pale gray cabinet arrangement transforms an entire wall into functional storage that doesn’t scream “furniture.” The soft neutral tone lets decorative items pop while the brass hardware adds just enough warmth to keep things from feeling too cool.
Multiple units lined up create that custom built-in look for way less than actual carpentry would run you. @twentysevenrossdale paired the lower cabinets with open shelving above for a mix of hidden and display storage that feels balanced.
You could paint yours a different shade or swap the hardware to brass, black, or leather pulls depending on your room’s vibe.
Layer Sage Green Cabinets With Dark Olive Walls
The sage green cabinets here create a surprisingly soft contrast against the deeper olive wall color. This pairing from @sparrow_and_weston shows how layering similar tones in different values adds unexpected depth without overwhelming a space.
The white shelving frames keep things light and draw attention to the curated book collection inside. Terra cotta pots and vintage books break up the green-on-green scheme with warm, earthy accents that feel collected over time.
Try painting your wall a shade darker than your cabinet finish for that same cozy, wrapped-in-color effect.
Add a Wooden Ladder for Charming Library Vibes
That wooden ladder leaning against this dark green Havsta cabinet just elevates the whole setup. It’s not just decorative either, it actually makes those top shelves way more accessible while giving off serious old-world library energy.
The deep forest green paint transforms the basic cabinet into something much more sophisticated, and @redunnhomes styled it perfectly with books, plants, and personal trinkets scattered throughout. The geometric floor tiles add another layer of visual interest that compliments the cabinet beautifully.
You could swap the ladder for metal or paint it to match your space’s vibe.
These IKEA HAVSTA hacks & ideas prove that great design doesn’t require a custom furniture budget. With a few creative tweaks, you’ve got pieces that rival expensive built-ins.
The best part about HAVSTA modifications is how they grow with your needs. Whether you’re renting or own your space, these adaptable solutions work everywhere.
Your HAVSTA makeover starts with just one simple hack.
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