16 IKEA Tarva Hacks We Can't Wait to DIY

IKEA tarva hack with grasscloth. — Photo: Sara Albers; Graphic: MyDomaine

It's no secret that a good IKEA hack can work wonders in transforming a space and making it a little more sophisticated. While IKEA furniture most definitely does the job right out of the box, sometimes a little personalization is key to making these oh-so-popular pieces feel a bit more unique and high-end.

If you're looking to get your IKEA hack on, the six-drawer Tarva dresser or three-drawer chest is an excellent piece to work with, trust us. This simple dresser can be customized in so many different ways, whether your style leans classic, modern, or somewhere in between. Additionally, this dresser really shines whether it's painted, sanded, or upgraded with new drawer pulls. I

f you're lusting over a dresser style with an ultra-high price tag and would rather DIY a lookalike or are just looking to embrace your creative side and take on a new project, why not take on a Tarva makeover of your own? Whether you're an experienced DIY expert or more of a beginner, we're sure one of the 16 hacks below will inspire you to purchase and revamp this fantastic piece ASAP.

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Weathered and Rustic

Love a rustic look? Stain your Tarva dresser so that the wood appears darker and more weathered, as seen here. What was a basic IKEA piece now looks like something you'd come across in a storied country cabin.

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Minty and Multipurpose

This Tarva dresser doubles as an adorable changing table—we love this as a solution to maximize space without forgoing function. The cheerful green hue is perfect for a nursery and looks ultra mod. Sleek black drawer pulls add a sophisticated touch to this simple piece.

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Coastal Calm

Blue and white is such a soothing color combo, and there's no reason that you can't turn your Tarva chest into a coastal style piece like this one. All you need is some paint and new hardware—we love the beautiful gold used here, which really makes this more subdued piece pop.

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Luxe-Looking Grasscloth

Grasscloth looks oh-so-luxe, but this style of furniture can often cost a pretty penny. If you're loving the style but are on a tight budget, don't fear—you can easily transform your Tarva chest into a designer looking piece with some fabric. Your wallet will thank you!

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Stained Stunner

Here's another example of a gorgeous stained Tarva dresser. Switching out the knobs is a common choice when hacking this piece—you want to select drawer pulls that complement your finished style after all. Here, black industrial style pulls do the job wonderfully.

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All the Art Deco

Go art deco! If you love the furniture of decades' past but just can't seem to find the right vintage piece, this hack is for you. Create your own art deco looking dresser with some colorful paint and funky drawer pulls. This blue green really turns an ordinary dresser into a major statement piece.

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Pretty in Pink (and Gold)

The Tarva is such a versatile piece that looks right at home in nurseries, kids' rooms, adult bedrooms, family rooms, you name it! Here, we see the Tarva painted a happy pink hue and stationed in a child's room.

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Classic White

There's nothing wrong with a classic white dresser, particularly if your style is more minimal and neutral. This Tarva looks right at home in a corner bedroom nook.

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Greek Key Glam

A Greek key design never goes out of style. If you're looking for an affordable way to bring this luxe style of furniture into your home, consider doing so with painted screen trim and other basic hardware store materials for a luxe looking upgrade.

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Geometric Beauty

Other geometric looks are always en vogue, too. This Tarva dresser features a cheerful honeycomb design and was inspired by a higher end piece but looks just as wonderful replicated on a budget.

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Kid-Friendly Design

Changing diapers definitely isn't a fun duty, but perhaps a changing table like this one will make the job less brutal? We can only hope! This green and white number is a super cute take on a Tarva hack that will transition well into a big kid room once the top component is removed.

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Fantastic Framed Drawers

This handsome Tarva dresser also serves as a changing table and looks extra substantial with framed drawers (created using wood pieces) and a dark stain.

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Lovely Light Pink

There's something about nice and long dresser pulls that is always so elegant and high end looking. These brass ones are the perfect accent for this pink Tarva. We can't get enough of the new curved legs on the bottom of the piece, either. Simple swaps like these really can make all the difference.

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Double the Drawer Pulls

Want to make your six drawer dresser appear a bit bigger? Try attaching two sets of pulls to each drawer. We love this optical illusion which also makes this standard Tarva appear higher end, if you ask us.

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Blue Beauty

A chest can make any room look so luxe, whether it's used to store clothing in the bedroom, to hold table linens in a living room or dining room, or as a way to camouflage toys in the playroom. This Tarva looks stunning painted navy blue, and this is another case where brass hardware absolutely shines. Drawer pulls don't have to be overly ornate to make a major statement.

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Fluted Fun

Transforming the face of a dresser can also work wonders in giving it a totally new personality. Fluted style furniture is always in, but, like many other styles referenced here, generally doesn't run cheap. Taking matters into your own hands and utilizing DIY skills to tweak a piece to fit your aesthetic is a great money-saving move.

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