This Smart IKEA Storage Bench Replaces Three Entryway Essentials at Once – It’s a Genius Solution for My Small New York Apartment
IKEA’s NIPÅSEN keeps hallways triple tidy in just a third of the usual space
The most – and, somehow, even the least – sartorially inclined among us share the same problem: a good portion of our wardrobe inevitably ends up by the door. Jackets draped over chairs, sneakers kicked off in an avalanche-like pile, tote bags fighting for the same hook. You could enlist the help of a coat rack, a shoe cabinet, and an entryway bench to manage the chaos – but by that point, you’ve dedicated the square footage of a small bedroom to the cause.
This pain point is exactly why IKEA’s NIPÅSEN – an airy feat of Swedish problem-solving that somehow folds all three of those entryway storage essentials into one tidy footprint – feels so genius.
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Ideal for small entryways with big fashion collections, IKEA’s NIPÅSEN oozes old-world charm through its clean, powder-coated steel construction. It measures roughly 31 inches wide and 14 inches deep, and holds a 4.8-star rating across 68 reviews.
Admittedly, this sounds like a dubious promise (there’s a reason we’ve abandoned 3-in-1 shampoos). But, believe it or not, this storage idea actually works. Rather than reading bulky or overengineered, the NIPÅSEN is surprisingly light and unobtrusive – just a simple stretched-metal frame set at the perfect height to clean beneath. A helpful detail, considering entryways are the indoor-outdoor zones that collect the most dirt.
IKEA’s NIPÅSEN acts as a one-stop entryway solution, corralling coats, shoes, and everyday odds and ends into one tidy, easily accessible spot
And while the versatility of the design is a major draw (it slips easily into a variety of interior styles), there’s also plenty of room to make it your own. Consider placing baskets or boxes on the bottom shelf for extra organization (perfect for items that can’t be hung easily, like gloves), or adding a cushion up top for comfort and a welcome splash of color or pattern.
They say ‘jack of all trades, master of none,’ but somehow this three-in-one entryway combo is amazing at every job.
How to Style It
IKEA’s NIPÅSEN is essentially a blank canvas, so here’s how we’d style it in a tiny entryway to make the most of its clever design and add a touch more character.
Grab two of these chair cushions to span the length of the bench. Extra thick and generously padded (you can literally see the comfort in that glorious tufting), it’s one of IKEA’s best sellers for good reason. Not that anyone is likely to linger here all day, though some reviewers say they’ve stayed comfortable for up to ten hours.
We checked, and yes – the smaller version of this Mjölkkanna basket fits perfectly within the lower shelf clearance, which measures just under nine inches. It’s ideal for storing leashes, tech cords, gloves, and scarves – anything that’s awkward to hang or better kept out of sight. Plus, we love the breezy, relaxed sensibility bamboo brings to the entry.
Still-dark mornings and late-night returns call for a little extra thought when it comes to entryway lighting. This lamp works beautifully perched above a mounted full-length mirror (which you should now have room for, thanks to your streamlined storage) or flanking either side of the NIPÅSEN. Either way, its dainty pleated shade lends elegance and ambience to the space.
Streamlining furniture like the NIPÅSEN is one of the simplest ways to make entryway storage look nicer. But of course, if you’d prefer to go the opposite route and focus on one category at a time (or simply have more shoes than one rack can reasonably handle), IKEA’s famously thin shoe cabinets are ready to pick up the slack.
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