The 5 items from IKEA you didn’t realise you needed
Nandini Dhir explores the hidden treasures from IKEA
If you’re anything like me and you like going to IKEA just to get lost in the labyrinth of kitchen displays, kids’ toys, rugs and plants, then take a look at this list of IKEA must-haves. They’re simple, affordable, and practical!
Bamboo phone stand
I can not emphasise enough how useful this $3 purchase is. It’s such a simple stand that can hold your phone or even a tablet. It is cut with two slots of different widths to accommodate the thickness of any phone or case. This stand is great for video calling at your desk or watching videos while you eat. You can even stand your device both portrait and landscape making it the perfect tripod for filming or photography. I’m not joking when I say the Bergenes changed my life, I use it every day- without fail.
3 tier trolley
Surely you’ve seen these trolleys around- the Raskog is a bigger model that can stand by your desk, whilst the Rashult is smaller and ideal for fitting under tables. It’s multipurpose makes it great for toiletries, makeup, kitchen utensils, stationery, tools, you name it! The great thing about these trolleys is that it acts as an aesthetic, mobile, storage unit, which doesn’t require installation like a cupboard or shelf. This is super useful for when you’re renting a small space.
Breakfast-in-bed tray
Klipsk- $14.99, Djura- $19.99, Resgods- $24.99
Although breakfast-in-bed isn’t a reality for many of us, the IKEA bed trays work great as a mini desk. Ranging from about $15 to $40, having a breakfast tray is really good if you want to study on the floor or in bed, but not screw your back up with horrible posture. It’s also really practical for doing computer work on the sofa. Of course, you can also actually use it to have breakfast-in-bed!
Wooden crate
If you’re a fan of the wooden aesthetic, you need to get yourself a crate, or two, maybe even three. With a number of different sizes, these crates are so useful for storage. Building bookcases and installing floating shelves can get pretty expensive, aren’t great if you’re renting, often require power tools, and overall it just isn’t a fast and easy option. A great hack is stacking a couple of crates on their side (horizontally or vertically) on top of a desk or bedside table. It’ll clear up table top clutter and give you an easy storage option that’s ideal if you’re moving places consistently. You can even stack two of the bigger crates on the floor and make yourself a bedside table that doubles as a shelf.
Utility organiser
Let’s end this off with another one of IKEA’s multifaceted products- the humble desk organiser. This simple toolbox-style carrier is useful as a desk organiser to hold a couple of notebooks, a diary, some stationery, a calculator, and all sorts of study essentials. This is ideal if you’re someone who likes to change up their study environment but doesn’t want to deal with moving all their resources around. This organiser can also be used for things like tools, art supplies, condiments and makeup.
If you’re looking for some affordable storage or useful tips, consider these must-haves next time you trek to Rhodes, Tempe, or Marsden Park. From one IKEA fanatic to another, I hope you find the bamboo phone stand that will change your life.