IKEA Hacks: 17 Clever Uses for Products You Already Own

BEVARA bag clip — squeeze out toothpaste and butter tubes

IKEA sells these as freezer-safe food clips, but the real trick is using them to flatten toothpaste or butter tubes from the bottom up. Roll the tube, clamp the clip, and squeeze out every last bit. It works beautifully — just be slightly careful with thinner tubes. If it's toothpaste and it tears, who cares. Worth trying.

IKEA shaker — pancake batter, dressings, baby food

IKEA sells a protein shaker that's dishwasher safe and has measuring lines on the side. It handles up to 200g of pancake mix without issue, makes cleanup easy, and the measuring lines are useful for dressings and sauces. Some people use it for baby food. It's one of those things you don't know you need until you have it.

ELLOVEN monitor stand — kitchen counter organizer

This is sold as a monitor riser for your desk, but it holds 20 kg and has a slim drawer underneath. In the kitchen it's perfect for drip coffee packs, snacks, medicine, or remote controls. You get a raised platform on top and hidden storage below. Viewers of Sanu's channel put rice cookers and coffee makers on top and use the drawer for remotes and utensils. One person added Daiso dividers inside — fits perfectly.

KALLAX desk variation — kitchen island with built-in trash spot

IKEA makes a desk version of the KALLAX at a shallower 39 cm depth. One viewer used it as kitchen storage and found the trash bin fits perfectly underneath. The shallower depth means it doesn't stick out as far as a standard KALLAX — cleaner look, more practical in tighter kitchens.

VARIERA pot lid organizer — wall-mounted bookshelf

Hang it on a single wall hook and it becomes an adjustable bookshelf. The dividers are movable, so you can fit manga, pocket novels, or larger books by adjusting the spacing. No tools needed beyond the hook. Some people use it for toilet paper storage the same way. It looks genuinely good on the wall — not like a hack at all.

SKUBB storage boxes — futons, kids' artwork, seasonal stuff

The largest SKUBB fits a single futon if you fold it right — lengthwise first, then in half, then in half again. For comforters, the smallest size works if you push them in firmly. The medium boxes are also great for storing kids' school artwork flat without folding, or seasonal decorations. Because SKUBB is lightweight, it's ideal for high shelves where heavy boxes become a problem.

Pot lid / cutting board stand — electric griddle storage

IKEA makes a sturdy steel stand meant for pot lids or cutting boards. One viewer used two of them to store an electric griddle vertically. The griddle sat perfectly between them, matched the shelf color, and the whole setup looked intentional rather than improvised.

GLADOM table + SKÅRA tray — instant upgrade

GLADOM is already a popular side table, but pairing it with the SKÅRA tray on top makes it look significantly more intentional. You get an extra visual layer and a bit of bonus storage. GLADOM comes in multiple colors so you can mix and match.

Napkin holder — book, magazine, or notebook stand

IKEA sells napkin holders in several designs and colors. Stand them upright and they work perfectly for keeping books or magazines organized on a desk or side table. The beige versions have a natural, warm look that fits most rooms without feeling like office supply storage.

IKEA cork coasters — small accessory trays

Cork coasters double as small catch-all trays on a nightstand or dresser. Keys, rings, earbuds — anything small that usually disappears. They don't slide around and they don't scratch surfaces.

IKEA picture frames + wrapping paper — cheap wall art

IKEA sells affordable frames in standard sizes. Slip in a piece of IKEA wrapping paper (or any paper with a pattern you like) and you have instant wall art for a few dollars. Works especially well around the holidays when the seasonal wrapping paper is out.

BESTÅ door fronts — DIY headboard

Search "door" on IKEA's website and you'll find BESTÅ door fronts in a range of sizes, colors, and finishes. Mount three of them side by side on the wall above the bed using small triangle hooks on the back. No complicated hardware. The variety of panel styles available means you can match almost any bedroom look without it feeling like furniture repurposing.

MOSSLANDA shelf — install it upside down

MOSSLANDA is an art display shelf with a small lip at the front to hold frames in place. If you install it upside down, that lip disappears and you get a cleaner, more minimal shelf. Add LED strip lights underneath and the indirect lighting makes any wall look intentional. A flat-bar bracket from Amazon lets you mount it with wall pins instead of screws — barely any marks left behind.

RÖDEBY sofa arm table x3 — wood panel headboard

RÖDEBY is a small wood tray designed to rest on a sofa arm. Mount three of them side by side on the wall above your bed and they create a clean wooden headboard look. Attach with double-sided tape or small adhesive strips depending on your wall type.

RÅSKOG cart liner — desk mat and mousepad

IKEA sells rubber mat liners for their rolling carts in two sizes. The larger one works as a full desk mat and mousepad. It has a non-slip back, feels good under a mouse, and costs a fraction of what desk mats usually go for. After about two years it gets slightly fuzzy — replace it and repeat. One of the most practical hacks on this list.

RÅSKOG utility cart — charging station

Remove the bottom basket from the RÅSKOG cart, replace it with a lid (the newer lid fits well), and put a power strip on top. You now have a rolling charging station that tucks neatly under a counter or beside a couch. IKEA makes a power strip with PD fast charging that fits the setup well. Store devices on the top shelf, cables out of sight below.