It's no secret that IKEA can be a fantastic resource for small space living ideas. (C'mon, who hasn't wandered through one of their 400 square foot home displays in total awe?) While the company is known for their inexpensive and modern home furnishings (and their efforts to go greener) what struck me most while flipping through their 2012 catalog was the number of creative solutions that use different combinations or interpretations of their own products. To see 10 favorite ideas or products to try in your own home, keep reading!
TOP ROW
1. Genius! The EKBY RISET bracket allows EKBY shelves to be mounted on an angled surface, making use of even the most awkward of spaces.
2. A PRÄGEL countertop on casters takes advantage of overlooked areas like under low furniture.
3. A narrow headboard doesn't have to be destined for the bedroom. Here, a BRIMNES unit provides semi-hidden living room storage without the larger footprint of a standard shelf.
4. No laundry room? No problem! I love the idea of installing a GRUNDTAL drying rack in the shower. (The unit folds flat when not in use.)
5. A tiny bathroom with insufficient storage can feel a little more organized with this ENUDDEN double toilet paper roll that also doubles as a small shelf!
BOTTOM ROW
6. In a small space, vertical storage can be a life saver. I never would have thought of this - a BYGEL rail and small shelf becomes an easy bedside laptop holder.
7. Designed for remote controls, this FLÖRT pocket could also be tucked under a mattress to stow magazines, journals, pencils and yes, even your iPhone.
8. There's something very clever (and dare I say cute!) about a tiny sink. The LILLÅNGEN sink might be just the thing for a small guest bathroom.
9. Less than 14" wide and perfect for rentals, the LIMHAMN shelving unit squeezes into areas that are too narrow for a regular kitchen cabinet.
10. Furniture that does double-duty is a great way to make a small space work. I could see the VIKA VEINE/VIKA MOLIDEN table going from dinner for two to a functional workspace in no time at all.
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(Images: IKEA 2012 Catalog)
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Interesting how different our experiences from flipping through it is. My lasting impression is that the one who has the most things (neatly stored in really cheap storage solutions of course) when he dies, wins.
I have a friend who got a sink too shallow and regrets it. For a half bath, maybe, but as a 'real' bathroom, where does the top of your head go when you wash your face? Where does the toothpaste go when it runs off your elbow? I just think of all the splashing in an airplane lavatory. I'd rather cede some space to a practical sink than have to wipe down the bathroom all the time.
Although it kind of looks like one of those over-the toilet tank hand washing sinks, which seems like a GREAT way to save water.
tasterspoon -- I agree that I wouldn't want one in my bathroom for the same reason, but I've been in some bathrooms that couldn't accomodate anything larger. I lived in an apartment in Germany with such sink and managed ok. It was not ideal, but worked in such a tiny space.
That sink looks like a great alternative for tiny bathrooms in older houses. I LOVE that Desk too!
while I absolutely love Ikea and it's abundance of smart small space storage solutions (yay alliteration!), some of these just seem rather silly to me. That laptop behind the Bygel rail? Seriously? Who in their right minds would store their laptop like that? Who would prefer an extremely awkward looking headboard contraption behind a sofa to a narrow bookshelf or wall shelves? And what on earth would you use a wheeled countertop that is about four inches off the floor for, no matter how conveniently it tucks underneath your sofa?
We got the tiny sink for our tiny (and only) bathroom. It gave us back a couple of square feet, which is relatively huge for that space. So far none of the problems mentioned here have come up. We're not particularly neat people, plus with two dogs, two cats and a baby, there is plenty of things thrown in the sink and rinsed and such. No problems-just a great space-saving sink.
I actually like the idea of the storage headboard behind the couch - I'm not sure I love how it looks, but my husband won't even consider a shelf/bookshelf/console behind the couch because he likes to be able to lean his head back against the wall while watching tv. That headboard would create more storage, but still provide a "wall" to lean against.
How exactly do you brush your teeth that you get toothpaste to run down your elbows? Is this a common problem in America?
You never know why people need huge bathrooms until you truly understand their hygiene habits, I guess.
Elbows?
If you look at the dimensions online, the featured LILLÅNGEN sink isn't that small (at least compared to my tiny bathroom). It's over two feet wide and nearly a foot deep. I was actually hoping it was really small when I saw it in the catalog as my bathroom is minuscule and poorly laid out. When I redo it (if?) I will actually be leaning towards this IKEA sink http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60148329 and its corresponding cabinet. It's 17" x 17" and will do well in my space.