IKEA IVAR Double Shelf Assembly + Review | Clueless Dad

How to assemble the IVAR shelf from IKEA, I'll demonstrate on the 174x50x226 cm double shelf unit, but the same procedures apply to other IKEA sizes. It's simple pine wood, untreated, but works well. I've been using IVAR shelves for several years with zero complaints!
My IVAR (89x50x179cm / 35"x20"x70") shelf assembly video is here - • IKEA IVAR Shelf Assemb...
Thanks and please give this video a thumbs up!

[@SuperLittleTyke]

Quasi conveyor belt assembly! The Ivar posts are now packed separately with loose cross pieces, necessitating self-assembly. I've found the easiest and quickest way is as follows. Unpack the posts and cross pieces. Lay one post flat on the floor. Kneel down and insert the first cross piece. Now slide the post to your left, as if on a conveyor belt, so that the next position is directly in front of you as you stay knelt. Insert the second cross piece. Repeat until all the cross pieces are in place on the first post. Now lay the second post down and guide the cross pieces into it. It's easier this way than trying to "find" the slots from above. Insert just a millimeter or two of each cross piece at a time. I think most people will employ a hammer or mallet to bang home the posts over the cross pieces, but I used a much more sophisticated way with the aid of a very wide F clamp. Clamp at each cross piece position and tighten the clamp screw a little to see the cross piece slide into the post. Repeat at the remaining cross pieces. Don't try to squeeze each cross piece into the post at once. Just squeeze a few millimeters on one, then the next, and so on. Repeat until all cross pieces are tightly butted up against the posts both sides. Now you can bang in the locking dowels.

[@JimWitschey]

Thanks for this. I'm considering buying some IVAR for my office and wanted to see what I was getting into. You got me all the info I needed!

[@SuperLittleTyke]

It really is an excellent storage system. I've been buying Ivar off and on since the 1970s.

[@SuperLittleTyke]

I've just purchased the tallest ones at 226cm. Although the gap between the top shelf and the ceiling is small, you can still store things like document boxes up there. I have a nifty step ladder with three steps to make reaching the upper shelves easy.

[@erickafarfan8582]

Thanks so much really perfect ❤

[@bmart73]

Had to give a thumbs up after all those given out to us.

[@SuperLittleTyke]

4:50 get a piece of 15mm x 50mm timber and use G-cramps to brace the structure temporarily. (Similar principle to fitting the cross brace later.)

[@SuperLittleTyke]

7:24 If you've got a red laser line you can shine it vertically on the wall, then line up the side post by eye.

[@danieltoland2728]

How do you adjust the shelves? I’m worried about breaking the shelves when disconnecting the prongs from the shelves

[@markbower7493]

Cool

[@ahmadnazmiazman5849]

Sorry, 1 question. Is it possible to, in this case, add another layer from 6 layer to 7 layer?

[@user-jv5kl7sd9m]

Great video -- really helpful. One question, you mentioned a strap to anchor it to the wall. You didn't use that right? Did you add it later?

[@CluelessDad]

No, in this particular closet, its basically impossible for it to tip over because the place is so narrow. also the walls here are concrete (and its a rental...) But if you're putting a lot of heavy stuff on top, its a good idea to anchor it...)

[@piotrk328]

Came here because I was wondering how do you install Cross beam on second and following shelfs, when the first shelf is already placed against to the wall. So one cross beam is fine?

[@CluelessDad]

yeah, I only used one and its fine. I suppose if you're doing like many many shelves chained together you'd want more than one... but for two sets of shelves, one is enough.

[@superglo1000]

I have had Ivar for many years and I agree it does go darker with age I have them in my Kitchen and living areas of small 48cm and 89cm. 226 height and 179 height But now you have to make the side pieces and put it all together before you even start to put the brace on, I am 71 and managed to do the same put the whole thing against a door

[@SuperLittleTyke]

Yeah, I just made one side piece from the posts and cross pieces. It took about 15 minutes and I'm 78! Only another two side pieces to go! I bought exactly the same double unit as shown in this video, except his sides were already assembled.

[@user-tl2wg3nv8k]

thanks for the info - can you give an estimate on how much weight you think each shelf can hold? I'm looking to store music equipment such as amps which are a bit heavy.. considering between the Ivar and Bror, is one of them better for heavy music equipment? thanks in advance!

[@CluelessDad]

Good question. It doesn't seem to give a weight rating on the website or in the instructions, and I suppose the exact amount depends on the number of shelves and the size of that exact version of Ivar. But having had both, I don't like Bror at all, because it was quite wobbly for us once assembled (even when we moved and reassembled it). Some people claim its fine if you hammer the shelves in place hard enough, but overall I'm not a fan. Ivar is definitely pretty strong. In this case I had a few of those Samla boxes with 50+ lbs in them. Also I used to keep my laser printer on my original Ivar which is also in the 50lb range.

[@inescferrao]

I have a question about these shelves that I don’t find anywhere! What is the distance between the different fixed wooden bars that support the sides?? I would really appreciate the help!! Best regards

[@CluelessDad]

which ones? the vertical frames?

[@inescferrao]

@@CluelessDad the small horizontal bars that support the vertical frames

[@iFish12]

How do you feel like the IVAR compared to the BROR system? I just bought a bror for my Lego room but I also got a really nice pine bench from IKEA that got me wondering: maybe the ivar would’ve even better for my Lego. They’re the same price here in Canada

[@CluelessDad]

I had a really bad experience w/ the Broar shelves, it didn't lock well and was too wobbly. (especially after re-assembly when moving). According to some of the comments, it needs to be hammered in a lot harder to get it to lock nicely.... anyway I like the IVAR for storing big things, if you don't care about the finish (this was the second time i bought a set).

[@iFish12]

@@CluelessDad yeah I didn’t have fun with the assembly of my Bror. The hammer / mallet experience made me feel scared haha. I might try both. I like the pine finish

[@misshleighton]

I’m so frustrated with this unit. I put it together relatively easy but each corner of each shelf has an 1/8th inch gap between the shelf and the side unit. Did I do something wrong? If I lay it down and try to make the shelf’s flush the holes and metal rail don’t line up.

[@CluelessDad]

with the pins snapped in place? yeah I think that's how it's designed, there's a gap. (I am away from home so I can't measure on my own, but that's what I recall...)

[@misshleighton]

@@CluelessDad yeah, with the pins snapped. It’s a pretty significant gap. I’d love to see a close up of your shelves if you have a chance!

[@phroz3n]

I'm so upset I can't buy the 20" deep parts anymore. Never in stock.

[@CluelessDad]

doh! I know there's a lot of supply chain problems in multiple countries. Try looking for 2nd hand ones on craigslist?

[@SuperLittleTyke]

I didn't have a problem (April 2024) ordering the tall deep units as shown in this video. All sides and shelves were in stock online. But IKEA charged me £25 for delivery!

[@lozoft9]

As a future Clueless Dad, exactly how do you get your kids to chill out and not interrupt your filming of these videos? lol

[@CluelessDad]

now that they're a bit older they want to help, which may or may not actually be helpful. (But I often film stuff when they're sleeping or at school....)

[@lainiwaku]

i wonder if it's strong enough to make ... elevated bed it's maybe a bad idea but that could be cool to put a bedframe in top and drawer under for small bedroom maybe need to customize it a little by adding extra reinforcement but ... maybe...

[@Goodnewsglobal]

Over $2000! I thought IKEA was cheap..

[@CluelessDad]

@@Goodnewsglobal it’s Hong Kong dollars. That’s like $250 us.