I’m Extremely Small-Space Savvy, and These 5 Slept-On IKEA Finds Work Smarter Not Harder
Living in New York City comes with obvious delights. The theater! The people! The food! The energy! I could truly go on and on. But what’s often seen as a downer are the seemingly always skyrocketing rent prices for apartments that aren’t much bigger than a shed. But small-space living isn’t all terrible; it’s an opportunity to find products that work smarter, not harder, and then share them with your group chat and get a lot of decor cred and help out fellow tiny apartment dwellers, which is precisely what I’m going to do today.
Keep reading for a roundup of trusty IKEA products featured in actual homes on Apartment Therapy, and see how they benefit the spaces.
IKEA’s SMÅSTAD Bench Provides Seating and Storage
Speaking of hosting intimate dinner parties, one of my biggest issues thus far has been the seating. Currently, I have two chairs, and I’ll drag in a bench when I need to accommodate two more guests. However, that bench serves more aesthetic purposes than functional ones. Katy Ma, who rents a delightful 400-square-foot apartment, had a clever idea with her furniture selection. She bought IKEA’s SMÅSTAD bench, which doubles as seating and storage. (It also only costs around $100.)
IKEA’s ENHET Shelving Seriously Added Storage to This Small Kitchen
When Lakesha Charles and her family moved into their 101-year-old New York City apartment, the kitchen had an entirely blank wall that was seriously limiting any storage opportunities. The solution? Hanging IKEA’s gorgeous, minimalist ENHET shelving. The wide shelving units come in multiple sizes and colors, and the material (powder-coated and galvanized steel) makes them applicable to all rooms — including bathrooms. They’re not clunky and are open on the sides, which can make the room appear even larger.
IKEA’s JÄTTEBO Couch Combines Storage and Comfort
Sofas have got to be one of the trickiest small-space purchases to make. Not only do they need to not overwhelm the room, but it’s a bonus if they have extra functionality (think: the ability to turn into a bed). Cleveland Braswell III, had to be very particular about which couch to use in his 378-square-foot apartment. His choice? IKEA’s JÄTTEBO couch. On the surface, it looks like a supercomfortable, mid-century modern find, but lift the cushions and you’ll find ample storage. “My sofa actually has hidden storage under the cushions — perfect for sweaters and extra blankets,” Cleveland said.
IKEA’s EKEDALEN Table Is Perfect for Small-Space Dining
Words can’t describe how excited I was when I purchased my first dining table in New York City — it felt like I had truly made it (even if I had to rearrange my entire dining area to seat four people, uncomfortably). So, when Elizabeth Faulkner chose IKEA’s EKEDALEN table for her 290-square-foot apartment, I was so impressed. It makes such a smart purchase because it can comfortably seat four people and features a sleek, modern, and timeless design, but it doesn’t take up too much space like bulkier dining tables might.
IKEA’s TOLKNING Ottomans Make Functional and Stylish Nightstands
Interior designer Marnie Salmon spent months “searching for the right nightstands, trying to stay within a $100 budget and find a style that complemented” her 450-square-foot Toronto studio apartment. She finally found the right items for her space: the TOLKNING ottomans. And they look good with her bed, didn’t require assembly, and offer lots of storage along with a bedside surface.