The 14 Best IKEA Hacks to Create More Kitchen Storage Out of Thin Air
When it comes to affordable furniture, many small-space dwellers turn to IKEA for pieces that will provide big-time functionality in tiny footprints. Sometimes they leave those pieces as is, and sometimes they add extra paint, hardware, or pieces to the big-box builds to make them even more functional for their own needs. (Yes, I’m talking about IKEA hacks!)
IKEA hacks are great in every room, but especially the kitchen — and especially small kitchens that might not come with enough counter space, cabinet space, or clutter-containing space. Here are 14 genius hacks that add kitchen storage, from small ways to big ways.
1. This kitchen island is made from IKEA METODs.
After being quoted about $8,500 for her kitchen reno, interior stylist Pramela Morgan looked for areas where she could cut costs, and one of those places was with the kitchen island. Instead of something custom-made with luxe stone counters, she used two IKEA METOD cabinets (SEKTION in the U.S.) for the base of her kitchen island.
For the marble-look countertop, she got resourceful and repurposed an oversized floor tile (approximately 47×24 inches) that had already been cut. The result is a stunning, functional island made from scratch that’s budget-friendly, too.
2. This $9 IKEA bathroom accessory is clutch in the kitchen, too.
Although this $9 basket is technically made for bathrooms, Apartment Therapy contributor Nomita Vaish-Taylor (@yourdiyfamily) got creative. Instead of using the IKEA TISKEN as a shower caddy, she brought it into her kitchen, and it turned out to be the easiest solution. The built-in suction cups mean no drilling (because who wants to put extra holes in their cabinets?), and the drainage at the bottom keeps things clean and dry. Bonus: It matches Nomita’s clutter-free, minimalist aesthetic.
3. An IKEA appliance garage helps conceal countertop clutter.
Interior designer Jan Odesanya’s (@mondan.interiors) entire kitchen is decked out in IKEA cabinets, but I love the appliance garage in particular, which conceals her toaster, kettle, and other small appliances. It’s a hack that combines a two-door IKEA wall cabinet, BODBYN doors, plus some extras: Jan had her contractor install recessed outlets at the back of each cabinet cavity so appliances can stay plugged in within them.
She also added cable-management clips so the cords stay tidy and lined the cabinet bottoms with a removable, washable mat for easy cleanup. It’s “perfect for stashing a toaster, coffee maker, blender, or any small countertop appliance you’d rather keep hidden,” Jan says.
4. This awkward spot becomes a built-in bar, thanks to a $1,320 IKEA hack .
Laura Magee (@deco.dwelling) completely transformed her dining room with a built-in bar made from IKEA’s METOD line and a salvaged stone imitation countertop, but a similar setup would look totally dreamy in a kitchen, too. She chose a palette of pinks and brass tones. “We got our hardware on Amazon for a steal, and it looks so expensive!” she says. The walls and floating shelves are painted in Lick’s Pink 09.
5. An IKEA island hack adds 2x the storage to this small kitchen.
To create a makeshift kitchen island with storage, DIYer Sumi (@interiorfun.berlin) repurposed an IKEA dresser. (The dresser she used was recalled, but the STORKLINTA six-drawer dresser is similar.) On the front side of the island, Sumi created additional open shelving using precut birch wood panels from a local hardware store, and she attached the panels to the dresser with nuts, bolts, and a shelving bracket.
Since the back of the dresser was plain, she painted it with blue acrylic lacquer to add a bold pop of color to her kitchen. Now, Sumi has extra space to store pots, pans, and cookbooks — plus a countertop for chopping, dicing, and meal prep.
6. This TikToker used a magazine rack as countertop storage.
Not every IKEA kitchen hack requires nailing or drilling. DIYer Gülcan Öztürk (@roses.interior) just used IKEA’s magazine rack in a clever way (to store cutting boards). It’s a simple yet stylish idea that not only keeps the boards easily accessible but stores them vertically, freeing up valuable counter space. Plus, the sleek design of the FAGNING rack proves that kitchen organizers can also be aesthetically pleasing.
7. This slim IKEA GERSBY bookshelf makes an ingenious pull-out pantry.
Instagrammer Qamar (@qamarderbas) transformed IKEA’s GERSBY bookshelf into a pullout pantry by attaching a dolly similar to this one to the bottom of the tall, slender shelf, so it can slide out when it’s time to grab dry goods and other ingredients. The slim design fits perfectly into a narrow space, and Qamar added a handle to the side for easy pulling in and out.
8. A HEMNES hack gives much more expensive vibes.
While Amaia Arana appreciated her kitchen’s size (especially by New York standards), she admitted that the middle, narrow section of the kitchen “felt like wasted space.” To fix that, she added a dresser for extra drawer and prep space, and the perfect find was an IKEA HEMNES. “I wanted something that felt very ‘deVOL kitchen’ in that spot,” Amaia says
With a quick knob swap and a new marble-style top, the dresser definitely fits the bill — at a fraction of the cost. “It completely transformed the space,” Amaia says. “It feels like a built-in that was always meant to be there. Plus, it gave us so much more useful storage and counter space.”
9. Two IKEA NORDKISA nightstands become a kitchen island.
DIYer Raquel (@chez.skoli) took two IKEA NORDKISA nightstands her sister no longer needed, flipped them upside down, connected them, and added wheels to the bottom and a stainless steel top to create a kitchen island with drawer storage. “It looks just like my other countertop,” she says on Instagram. “Now I’ve got extra space for cooking, storage, or whenever my kitchen gets crowded, and I can roll it around wherever I need it.”
10. A MOSSLANDA picture ledge is perfectly at home in this kitchen.
When you’re thinking of spots to squeeze in a little extra storage in your kitchen, don’t forget to look up. Designer Sourya Venumbaka’s (@sovehome) kitchen makeover utilizes IKEA products in several smart ways. Starting small, Sourya brought in IKEA’s BEKVAM spice racks on the walls spray-painted black to match her new space. (That’s not necessarily a hack, per se, but it is worth calling out!)
And if you look toward the ceiling, you’ll see she installed IKEA MALERAS picture ledges above her cabinets to store pantry items in an often-wasted space. Picture ledges as cabinet extenders? Now that’s a clever hack.
11. These IKEA IVARs create a pantry out of thin air.
Sourya’s kitchen features yet another IKEA hack when it comes to the cabinetry. Instead of adding stools to her kitchen peninsula, she slid in two IKEA IVAR cabinets for extra storage. “It made sense to use that space for a pantry since storage was at a premium in our small kitchen,” Sourya previously told Apartment Therapy. “We didn’t need counter stools since we always ended up eating on the couch anyway.”
After measuring her space, she purchased IVAR cabinets and added legs to make them perfectly snug to the bottom of her counter. She customized the cabinets by removing part of the doors and adding cane webbing and cabinet pulls.
12. This IKEA island hack is simple and stylish.
One of the standout projects in Autumn Hachey’s kitchen makeover was the IKEA kitchen island hack. Autumn took an IKEA cabinet (it’s similar to the VADHOLMA in white) and added a custom touch by installing hex tile on the back and attaching an Anthropologie towel bar to the side. The project gave the island a more glam look and a little extra towel storage.
13. This IKEA BESTA hack adds storage and seating.
IKEA kitchen hacks run the gamut, from towel storage to full-fledged seating areas. Designer Nina Naqvi (@ninanaqvidesigns) added more storage (and seating) to her kitchen by creating a built-in breakfast nook around her round white dining table. She did so using an IKEA BESTA TV unit. Nina transformed the unit into a bench by adding a backrest and hardware, then finished it off with comfy pillows. “I love the clean lines of the space now and the plants and greenery surrounding the dining table,” Nina says.
14. A laptop stand creates chic countertop storage.
In terms of unexpected IKEA hacks, stylist Stacey Ko’s (@staceyko_bp)‘s probably tops the list, though it rounds out my list of clever IKEA hacks for the kitchen. With limited countertop space and no desire to constantly pack things away, Stacey found the perfect solution — IKEA’s $35 ELLOVEN monitor stand with a drawer.
After measuring her counter, she realized it would fit just right. She now stores a few knives underneath, keeps her teakettle, coffee maker, and toaster on top, and even slides her cutting board underneath for easy access and a clutter-free look. It’s sleek, space-saving, and super functional — a minimalist’s dream kitchen upgrade, all for under 40 bucks.