13 IKEA hacks to solve all your storage problems
Not enough bathroom counter space? There's an IKEA solution for that.
While we're not short of things, we are low on places to put them. Despite all the under bed baskets, clever organising tips and decluttering hacks, our homes are still in need of more storage. Step forward: Ikea storage hacks. Whether it's using a KALLAX shelf, a BILLY bookcase or a little bit of DIY, there's no end to the amount of ways to use a piece of Ikea furniture to make your home feel more organised.
Turn storage cubes into a kitchen island
Combine your need for more kitchen storage and counter top by creating an island from an Ikea KALLAX. All you need now is a decent wooden top and you're good to go.
Turn a shelf into a vanity area
No space for a dressing table? No problem: mount a shelf at the perfect height and you've got yourself a makeshift makeup area.
Turn shoe storage into a side board
Everybody needs somewhere to store their shoes, so you may as well make a feature out of it, just like this entry area DIY.
Use a storage wheelie as part of your kitchen
A bit like a butcher's block, use a RÅSKOG storage unit in your bathroom, kitchen, bedroom... really anywhere that you have small items that need storing.
Utilise the inside of cupboard doors
Truly maximise your cupboards by using the inside of your doors - whether with a filing unit as shown, or with a magnetic strip to hang utensils from. The possibilities are endless!
Turn shelves into a desk space
If you haven't yet sorted your work from home set up, consider balancing a worktop on two shelving units, to create a super efficient office space.
Use storage cubes as the base for a clothes horse
We always seem to have more clothes and shoes to store than storage space: this clothes horse attached to a shelving unit attempts to rectify that.
Turn a storage unit into a comfy bench
Speaking of shelving unit, why not go one better and turn yours into a side bench? This works equally well in an entry hall or at the end of your table.
Use a drawer as a shelf
Need a shelf? Need some storage? Combine a couple of drawers with a side shelf, so you can pop things on top *and* hide things away.
Use a spice rack to organise your products
These shelves are great for spices inside (or outside) your kitchen cupboards, but can also be used in the bathroom for shampoos and face products.
Combine your wine storage with your shelving unit
We're guilty of buying more wine than we can store, so this shelving unit meets wine display cabinet is perfect.
Create a whole storage sideboard
Really short on storage? Create a whole sideboard vibe, with added gold handles and a black top to make it feel more luxe.
Use hanging planters to tidy things away
Use the KUNGSFORS rail to hang storage pots from for an extra place to put things. This also works for pots and pans, as well as hanging planters and buckets like BITTERGURKA.
Dusty Baxter-Wright is an award-winning journalist and the Entertainment and Lifestyle Director at Cosmopolitan, having previously worked at Sugarscape. She was named one of PPA’s 30 Under 30 for her work covering pop culture, careers, interiors and travel, and oversees the site’s Entertainment and Lifestyle strategy across print, digital and video. As a journalist for the best part of a decade, she has interviewed everyone from Louis Theroux and Channing Tatum to Margot Robbie and Ncuti Gatwa, while she has also spoken on Times Radio and BBC Radio. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram here.
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