We Gave a Pro Organizer $25 — Here’s What She Bought at IKEA

Written by

Mary Cornetta
Mary Cornetta
Mary Cornetta has been in the professional organizing industry for over 5 years. She knew she had a passion for decluttering and organization upon graduating Marist College in 2007. Mary founded Sort and Sweet Inc., a professional organizing company, on Long Island in 2017, and…read more
published Jul 22, 2024
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
this is the 22nd UK IKEA Store. IKEA, founded in Sweden in 1943, is the world's largest retailer of ready-to-assemble or flat-pack furniture.
Credit: Graeme Dawes / Shutterstock

If you’re looking for cheap organizing products, IKEA should be your first place to shop. While the Swedish retailer is known for its affordable furniture pieces and quirky home accessories, it also has an ever-growing inventory of storage solutions.

What’s even better is that IKEA announced a “New Lower Price” campaign earlier this year, slashing the cost of many of its most-loved products by up to 20%. That made my task of hunting for the best organizing products with only a $25 budget a tad easier. 

But, still, $25 is barely enough to cover breakfast at a chain restaurant these days, so it was still a challenge. I managed to be successful, though — and, hopefully, you can reap the benefits — because I came in at $23.46, a whopping $1.54 under budget (before taxes).

1 / 4
IKEA
$7.99

There’s a lot to love about a glass-lidded jar, and one like this — priced at only $7.99 — can be used to organize more than decanted food items. Sure, bowtie pasta and rolled oats will look pretty on pantry shelves, but don’t stop there. Keep sewing thread spools, wool dryer balls, Epsom bath salts, and anything else you want to contain, yet have accessible in this glass jar. I find the 64-ounce size versatile enough to repurpose as your storage needs change.

Currently, I’m using this size to store Nespresso pods, my dogs’ dental treats, and backstock toiletries that I offer guests when they visit (or dig through when I’m packing to travel). One word of caution is to place a glass jar like this out of reach if you have little ones in the house, as it weighs over 2 pounds when empty and can shatter if dropped.

2 / 4
IKEA
$3.99

At $3.99 for a pack of two, this is a steal! As a professional organizer, I’ve sourced my fair share of office organizers, and these are some of the least expensive I’ve come across. I love the minimalist design (although it also comes in a marbled lilac version if that’s more your style), and the cutout opening makes it effortless to pull from a high shelf. Hide the visual clutter of backstock printer paper, manila folders, letter-size mailers, and more in your workspace.

3 / 4
IKEA
$9.99

IKEA sells several eco-friendly products made of renewable materials like water hyacinth, jute, and rattan. This new basket is handwoven with sedge, a type of grass, so it’s ideal if you love the idea of sustainability (I mean, who doesn’t?). It’s designed to be used with either the handles turned upright or turned down so you can see the things inside peeking out. If you want to conceal your stuff and, say, keep the living room clutter-free, leave them up after stashing away pet toys, cord clutter, and extra blankets.

4 / 4
IKEA
$1.49

As someone with ADHD, my chronic forgetfulness has had one benefit over the years. And that’s why I’ve created “landing zones” in my apartment for the essentials so I can ensure they never go missing. A wall-mounted organizer by the front door is the first thing I suggest to anyone struggling with lost keys or sunglasses. IKEA sells this simple steel one at a low price of $1.49!

The gray-beige color is discreet looking (although you can opt for the bright yellow version if you need a more obvious reminder to grab your things on your way to work), it includes four hooks plus a small shelf and is magnetic, so feel free to leave yourself little love — er, reminder — notes.