This $15 IKEA Storage Gem Fixed My Kitchen Clutter (It’s a Space-Saver!)

Unlike most galley kitchens, the one in my apartment is actually quite spacious. In fact, the wall of the kitchen has two useful corners: One is my pride and joy, also known as my cookbook corner, and the other is my husband’s bike corner. Somehow, he’s never struggled to conveniently store his bike in any of the apartments we’ve lived in. Where he has struggled, though, is in finding storage for all his bike accessories — U-locks, pedals, rack straps, and other items. 

At first, he used a small box to corral his bike clutter, but it kept accumulating and caused our entire kitchen to feel cluttered. In my search for a space-saving option, I stumbled upon an Apartment Therapy suggestion that caught my eye for its upright shape: the IKEA TRÖSKNING bin. I decided to check it out in person at my local IKEA and couldn’t have found a more perfect storage solution.

For $14.99, the 7-gallon IKEA TRÖSKNING bin is a rectangular storage gem advertised as a recycling bin because of its rounded opening that’s perfect for tossing bottles and cans without taking the lid off. I immediately saw its usefulness for the bike accessories because of its slim shape and sturdy (mostly) recycled plastic material that makes it a breeze to wipe clean. At 11 3/4 inches tall and wide and 16 1/2 inches deep, it’s the perfect size for the corner of our kitchen. 

This storage find includes built-in side handles for comfortable lifting and has a fully removable lid. This bin was a perfect fit in between the bike rack and wall and contained all the miscellaneous bike accessories with room to spare. I love that it has a lid so everything’s in place, but I don’t have to look at any of it. I opted for one in my all-time favorite color, a light gray-blue, but it also comes in beige.

If the 7-gallon version is too tall for your space, note that it also comes in a new 3-gallon size that’s perfect for any pantry, cabinet, or deep shelf at just 7 3/4 inches tall, 11 3/4 inches wide, and 12 5/8 inches deep. It comes in the same two colors, and both sizes stack together to make a perfect pair. From the kitchen to the garage, both bins are versatile and functional for storing crafts, dry goods (hello, pet food!), recycling, car and bike essentials, and whatever other items you want out of sight, but not out of mind. 

Buy: IKEA TRÖSKNING bin, $6.99