IKEA's Helmer is the little drawer unit that could. Made of steel and set on casters, the Helmer is strong and easily accessible (just like a good friend). They come in white, red, and a silver color that is somewhere between silver and gray. Read more to find out how and where they'd work great in your home.
Why is the Ikea Helmer great?
• Easily customized with drawer liners, wood veneers, paint and decals.
• Castor wheels included. Can be used on or off.
• Doubles as a table, console, buffet or commode when positioned side by side.
• Can be used as table legs.
• Modular, which means it fits together stacked, and side by side.
• Individual drawers have slots for labels. (Included)
• Storage capability is high.
• Durable. Can be used for a lifetime.
• Recyclable materials.
• Clean, attractive and versatile.
• Affordably priced at $39.00.
From bathrooms to closets, the Ikea Helmer can be used in any room. Here are a few uses (refer to the photos above):
• Bedroom nightstand
• Living room commode
• Office desk legs
• Closet organizer
• Bathroom caddy
• Craft desk legs
• Studio/craft organizer
We'd love to know: Can you think of another use for Ikea's Helmer? Please share in your comments.
Buy the Helmer new at IKEA for $39.00, or gently used at Craigslist.
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I have to disagree. The Helmer is certainly NOT durable. I've had one for several years now and the drawers are have come apart and have become bent. Which makes it impossible to open now. The corners were poorly soldered.
Yakitori, How old are you helmers? This post just made my heart sing, as a broke college student in desperate need of affordable drawer space. I wonder if there are any ways to make them sturdier by reinforcing them?
@lefavoritethings - I've only had mine a few months, but I was very careful in putting the cabinet and drawers together-- in my experience, the lifetime of an Ikea purchase is largely determined by how good a job you did putting it together in the first place. I use mine as nightstands, and abuse them pretty good, and they're in the exact same condition they were the day I brought them home.
Another nice thing about the Helmer drawers is that you can easily pull the drawer all the way out, which is really handy if you use them for art supplies. If I'm working on a project, I can pull the drawer or two I need and carry them into the next room.
I plan on using one as a toolbox in my garage. I am tired of digging throught my actual toolbox to try to find the one wrench that I need.
I can only underline what hipsterhouswife said re: putting together Ikea stuff. Don't know about Helmer, but it's true about almost all other Ikea items, except those really flimsy ones which you shouldn't buy in the first place.
lefavoritethings, I've had them for about 3 years. However, that started to fall apart after two.
As for the other comments the Helmer is one of the few Ikea piece that is already assembled. Like I said before the soldering doesn't hold up with day to day use.
I've had mine for three years and they're still in pristine condition and they get pretty heavy use.
Also, I don't know whereabouts you are, yakitori, but I'm in the UK and my drawers came flat packed and I had to assemble them myself. No solder involved anywhere, they all just folded and slotted/clipped together.
@yakitori & @thehoopiestfrood - Maybe the Helmer used to come pre-assembled, but now (at least in the US) it comes flat-packed.
i love my helmer! its one leg of support for my desk. its sturdy and efficient!
I use mine in my bathroom as a beauty supply box and LOVE it! It's held together beautifully, even thru 4 moves. I set my hot curling irons on it, too.
Got a helmer, bought back when they were pre-made at least 6 years ago. Holding together absolutely fine.
how is that tabletop attached to the helmers? i would love to do something like that with my desk but fear it would be too flimsy. any suggestions/insight?
Oh Helmer, how I love thee -- I wish that we lived closer to an Ikea to more easily pickup a few more. In our house we use a Helmer to store the kids' art supplies and treasures. I've even re-purposed/hacked an older Helmer that I've been holding onto since college. here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/animo_digital/5060080363/
I've had one of mine for over 5 years and another for 4 and no problems...but of course, I got both of them when they came pre-assembled. What I really wish is that they would make one with drawers deep enough to hold CDs.
By the by clementine, some industrial adhesive or silicone (like you use to adhere coutertops to cabinets in kitchens) should do the trick. You can get both at any home improvement store.
The Helmers that are preassembled will support a melamine or wood tabletop easily, but I wouldn't risk it with a stone, marble or stone composite top on either the preassembled or flat pack ones.
I really liked the look of these but when I went to IKEA I found that the drawers on the floor model did not open and close easily and it was a lot smaller than it looked online. Has anyone had trouble with the drawers sticking? I've been going back and forth on these for some time.
Those are my four red Helmers pictured; original image is here if you'd like to read my notes on it or follow the link there to peek inside the drawers.
I have not had any trouble with the drawers sticking, though if they are loaded heavily, some paint may rub off as the drawers are slidd in and out (not in any area that is visible once they're closed).