Top Five: Alternative Uses for the FÖRHÖJA Wall Shelf

We took a quick jaunt to IKEA yesterday for a few essentials. No trip is just run-in, run-out, though, as we always wind up wandering around the place looking for ideas. One product that jumped out: the FÖRHÖJA wall shelf with drawers. The drawers come in wood or as glass containers - the latter are designed for storing and scooping flour/grains in the kitchen. We have a similar wood shelf with plastic drawers/handles (scored at a thrift store a few years back) that we use in our office for business cards, binder clips, pens, and other office supplies. We LOVE it. Other non-kitchen ideas for this great product:

Office supply central (mentioned above)

Bathroom stuff like make-up, cotton balls, Q-tips, etc.

If there's room, hang in a large closet and use for socks and underwear

Use as a vanity: hang a mirror above (or lean one on top) and store jewelry in the drawers

For kids, store small toys out of sight

Any other ideas??

The FÖRHÖJA Wall Shelf runs $29.99 with wood drawers, and $34.99 with glass.

Comments (14)

In an entry way, for spare change, keys, etc.

posted by Lisa Hunter on January 17th 2008 at 7:19am
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Can someone tell me if the glass bins for this shelf system have lids? I would be concerned about using it for grains if it didn't have an airtight lid to keep the mealies out.

posted by saradanger on January 17th 2008 at 7:45am
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no there is no lids on the glass bins

posted by Ana on January 17th 2008 at 7:53am
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we use the Mackis series for storing 4x5 film and for storing cd's (music and data). little trick...if you sand 1/32" of the veneer off on either side (yeah i know...not fun or that easy) then you can get two to fit into the Expedit shelves.

posted by bbt on January 17th 2008 at 8:16am
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A couple years ago, I decided to buy three MACKIS (back then they came without the label holders) to use on my dresser. I set them side by side and not only do I have six drawers of storage for all my brushes, makeup, hairspray, etc. but the height of my surface space on my dresser is raised to a more comfortable height. I use the drawers every day and absolutely love them.

posted by themonkrat on January 17th 2008 at 9:14am
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I just bought 3 of these:
http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/60073300
and this:
http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/80077566

In order to build something similar to this:
http://hivemodern.com/products/?view=sub_product&sid=1460&cid=38&cid2=285

posted by Angie in Montreal on January 17th 2008 at 9:51am
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angie in montreal -

be sure to post photos of your project. definitely want to see the final product.

posted by bbt on January 17th 2008 at 10:27am
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Sure

I just finished staining them at my friends woodshop, and am trying to find the time to head over to do the varnishing. Maybe this sunday... going to Ikea tonight to pick up the side table plus some fabric for an unrelated project.

posted by Angie in Montreal on January 17th 2008 at 10:30am
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I agree with saradanger, the glass containers would only be stylish until your flour got full of moths and your sugar formed a giant cube from moisture.

Maybe for beans or lentils?

posted by dancingspring on January 17th 2008 at 11:50am
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I want to make myself a sewing and crafting station and this would be ideal to put buttons, ribbons ect. into. Thanks for the tip.

posted by Nina79 on January 17th 2008 at 1:41pm
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Beware of storing beans and lentils in open containers, too. I had the grossest thing happen - a particular kind of moth invaded my cupboards. According to the web research I did, the moths get into dried goods and breed. (FYI, They can eat their way though plastic bags.) I had to throw away pretty much everything that wasn't in a sealed container, and sweep out every nook and cranny of the cupboards with the hose of the vaccuum (and I disinfected even though the website said that this would have no preventative benefits). Even then I was killing those buggers around the house for what seemed like an eternity. Now I only store dried goods in jars with lids that seal.

posted by J on January 17th 2008 at 8:41pm
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I have been using the glass ones for a few years now to store lentils and beans . I have have had no problems .

posted by kanchans on January 18th 2008 at 5:22am
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I use mine to hold those cables and wires that is used more regularly like chargers for the celphone, camera, etc. Strictly one cable / charger per box so that I don't have to sort or untangle.

posted by eiffelleaf on April 27th 2008 at 10:13pm
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@Angie: those who - like me - are fans of our friend Jules' blog, have probably recognized your hack here. You should take a look: there are some pictures here!

http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2008/08/angies-george-nelson-inspired-jewelry.html

posted by IsabelleS on April 26th 2009 at 2:30pm
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