I Used This New $7 IKEA Organizer as a Bookshelf, and It Completely Transformed My Entryway

I want to keep my home organized, but I don’t want to sacrifice personality for functionality. There are enough boring things in this world, so why should my storage be one of them? I know most entryways get a more practical treatment — especially because it’s a common dumping ground for shoes, keys, wallets, and other assorted tchotchkes — but this workhorse area deserves a little love. After all, it’s the first space you see when you come home. So when I set out to add storage to mine, I wanted to have some fun.

The trick for maximizing entryway space is to find storage that uses vertical space, especially if you’re working with limited square footage. Luckily, per usual, IKEA has a solution for exactly that: the new GREJIG Wall Pocket. 

The IKEA GREJIG Wall Pocket is a steel, wall-mounted organizer measuring 22 7/8 inches wide, 11 inches tall, and 6 3/4 inches deep that costs just $7. It has an open-wire design and a bright-blue powder-coated finish that gives the space a fun pop of color. Initially I wanted to get a set of five wall pockets from IKEA, but my location didn’t have the full set in stock. Instead, I grabbed a single wall pocket and made the best of it. 

The GREJIG Wall Pocket is designed to hold items like magazines, shoes, hats, and mail; it’s also part of a larger matching collection that includes shoe racks and wall grids, so coordinating is a breeze if you love the style. I decided to use mine to display books in my entryway, which gives them a designated place and integrates them into the decor. Rather than squeezing a bookshelf into my home, I can use the vertical wall space to my advantage. 

The pocket’s design is perfect for book storage: Its open-wire construction keeps it from looking bulky like a regular shelf, without protruding as much. I also appreciate that it doesn’t need to be used for one specific purpose. Use it as easy-access storage for reusable shopping bags, purses, pet leashes, notebooks, or sunglasses, or add some S-hooks to hang your keys on. If you’re trying to stylishly organize your entryway with minimal space to work with, this IKEA storage find is worth every penny (at a pretty unbelievable price).

Beware that the wall pocket is only available in-store (at least for now), but you can check the website or call ahead to be sure it’s in-stock in your local store. You’ll also need to purchase your own screws for mounting the shelf itself. For me, the draw is the combination of design and storage. Using my GREJIG Wall Pocket for books gives all of my favorites a place to live while making it a part of my entryway’s decor. It’s pretty understated, but it’s a nice reminder that even the simplest storage finds can add a little flair to an otherwise boring space.

Buy: GREJIG Wall Pocket, $7