Some of the best things about IKEA products are their versatility and endless storage capabilities. Sure, you can hack the RAST and the KALLAX, which make great storage units on their own, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put them — and dozens of other IKEA items — to work in other creative or beautiful ways with a little hack action. To keep it all contained (and stylish!), check out the IKEA storage hacks below to add a little extra storage to every room in the house. After all, no apartment makeover is truly complete until it involves a good IKEA hack, right?
Bar Cart Nightstand
Bar cart, shmar cart — that IKEA classic goes from the kitchen to the bedroom without skipping a beat. It’s small enough that it can fit in the tiniest space, but the three tiers mean you get plenty of storage for your never-ending reading list. (via The Everygirl)
DIY Retro Storage Makeover
Give those wooden pullout drawers a trendy makeover by flipping them around and drilling circular holes. For a more classic look, add hardware instead. (via Curbly)
Craft Storage
Use the RIBBA picture ledges in your office or craft space to display favorite books, prints, ribbons and spools of washi tape. The casual display is both pretty and practical and you can easily move things around as inspiration strikes. (via Decor8)
Media Console
Go long and low by purchasing multiple IKEA kitchen cabinets, setting them on the floor and adding a surface. You can create a media stand that perfectly fits across your living room wall, whether it’s two or ten units long. (via Villa Luova)
TRONES Hallway Storage
Just because the TRONES units were designed to store shoes doesn’t mean they can’t be super useful in other rooms. Since they come in sets of threes, you can put them together like LEGOs to fit your space. The units are only seven inches deep, which makes them perfect for narrow spaces like hallways. (via Apartment Therapy)
DIY Faux Brass Drawer Fronts
Those plain white drawer fronts were practically made to be covered in gold foil. This is definitely the quickest way to take your IKEA desk from serious to seriously gorgeous. (via Sugar and Cloth)
DIY Mudroom Bench
The STUVA benches offer plenty of space to store shoes. You can also make the bench more durable by screwing it right to the wall and adding a seat of wood planks. (via The Mombot)
DIY Picture Frame Tray
When it comes to organizing your closet, trays are a lifesaver for corraling accessories and jewelry. Hack a basic picture frame into a tray and use it on your dressing table, bathroom countertop or your coffee table to hold remotes and other clutter. (via Melodrama)
Topped With Marble
If you like the basic structure of your IKEA dresser, but you want it to look a bit more expensive, dress it up with a marble top. You can also hack the legs by adding new ones or dipping the existing legs in gold. (via Design Love Fest)
DIY Floating Credenza
In a small homes and apartments, floating cabinets are great storage solutions that combine side table surface space and storage. They’re also a great DIY for a nursery or kids’ room since they’re the perfect height for little ones to easily open and close the doors. (via Sugar and Cloth)
IKEA Changing Table Makeover
Use cute nursery wallpaper to update the plain IKEA HEINSVIK changing table. This is a great alternative to painting since the paper is easy to remove and you can play with patterns. (via Poppinette)
DIY Retro Sideboard
It’s not exactly a hack, but this DIY sideboard was too pretty not to include. A pair of oversized knobs — or in this case, door handles — can really make that IKEA storage look like a million bucks. (via Sugar and Cloth)
DIY Bathroom Organizer
Transform an IKEA towel holder into a leaning ladder where you can store towels, bottles of pretty shampoo and a few spa-night necessities. (via Thistlewood Farms)
Spice Rack Bookshelf
Paint the IKEA spice racks in bright and bold colors and use them in a nursery for a colorful book display. It’s way easier for little ones to find their favorite reads when the covers are facing them and they don’t need to dig through a traditional bookshelf. (via Misspfui)
DIY Wardrobe Hack
DIY your own custom closet using two RAST dressers and a chest of drawers. Paint the entire unit the same color to make it look like it’s one piece, then add a few extra bells and whistles for even more storage, like hooks for scarves and jewelry. (via Homemade by Carmona)
Bathroom Storage
Pedestal sinks are pretty, but nothing’s more frustrating than a sink without any storage. This narrow IKEA shelf fits above your sink so you can add space to keep soap, candles and toothpaste. (via Yasam Stil)
DIY Modern Vanity
Pair the EKBY ALEX shelf with stained and tapered wood legs and mount it right to the wall to make a little vanity. Add a tall bench with a comfy cushion and you’ve got yourself the perfect place to put your face on. (via A New Bloom)
Plate Display
Use IKEA ledges to display collections like decorative plates. This is a fun option if you like switching out your art display and don’t want a constellation of nail holes to remind you of every change. (via Yvestown)
Back in January, we introduced you to a feel-good cause to inspire your New Year's resolution: a walking challenge to help raise funds for the amazing cancer fighters at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I took part in the challenge with the Brit + Co team and ended up walking 105+ miles in January — it was awesome.
This spring, there's a new challenge on the horizon, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Big Climb. The ask: On May 15, 2021, you can step up to take cancer down by committing to climb 1,311 steps, walking 3.2 miles, or doing 440 chair step-ups at home as part of the Big Climb. If you need some motivation to bring movement back into your daily routine — look no further!
As always, it's free to sign up, but climbers are encouraged to set a fundraising goal to help beat cancer. We'll be organizing another Brit + Co team to step up, and I hope you'll join us too! Keep scrolling for a peek at where I'll be completing the challenge in my Los Angeles neighborhood around the hidden Silver Lake Stairs. Happy climbing!
Never underestimate the power of an accountability buddy! I asked my in-laws, my partner, and a few friends to join me so we can keep each other motivated and accountable in completing the challenge — virtual high-fives all around! Also, my dog Fox is a great climber, too.
An aesthetically pleasing backdrop is a huge motivator for me! I'm fortunate to have all sorts of painted steps around my neighborhood to keep the challenge interesting, but you can also keep cool inside with at-home chair step-ups.
Don't forget to share your progress on social — #BigClimb!
Feel free to break the challenge up if you need to by tackling half the distance in the AM and half at sunset. Here's me 1,311 steps later and ready for a break — but, think I earned this one!
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