This IKEA Bookshelf Is the Unlikely Storage Hero of My Tiny NYC Kitchen – It’s Transformed My Space
Seven sleek and spacious shelves line IKEA's LACK Unit – the saving grace for my studio apartment kitchen, with hardly any cabinet space
My New York City studio apartment has many strengths – a spacious layout, 12+ foot ceilings, and timeless hard-wood floors, just to name a few. That said, it's not without its weaknesses – the greatest being its severe lack of kitchen storage.
When I first moved in, I thought I'd be able to make it work. Three upper cabinets and one below the sink had to be enough space for my things, right? Wrong. Between the pots, the pans, the serveware, the glassware, and the dinnerware, I was already utilizing a majority of my allotted cabinet space, and I still needed room for food.
IKEA's LACK Shelving Unit features seven open-air shelves, each measuring 10 1/4" apart from each other. These shelves can each hold up to 6lbs, while the entire model's weight capacity is 55lbs. Conveniently, this shelving unit can be mounted either horizontally or vertically, depending on your home's needs.
Though definitely intended to act as a shelf for bedroom books or living room storage, when I saw IKEA's LACK Shelf Unit, I knew it was what I needed for my kitchen. Between its slim profile, its spacious shelves, and its convenient, wall-mounted design, it makes the thought of minimal cabinet space not that bad after all. Plus, it's so sleek, it almost looks like custom kitchen shelving.
The LACK shelf looks like it was made specifically for this awkward corner in my kitchen. It holds kitchen essentials and looks good while doing so.
Assembly for the LACK shelf was a breeze, and mounting was even easier. Since hardware isn't sold with the unit, I purchased 100lb screws at my local hardware store to ensure extra support once mounted. My father helped me, and within minutes, we had the LACK shelf on the wall.
As you can see, I chose to position the shelf on an awkward wall between my kitchen window and the larger wall, which I plan on decorating with art. Rather than using it to store food, spices, or oils (which could look messy), I decided to use the shelves to hold my plates, bowls, fruit, and decorative objects. Of course, due to each shelf's weight restrictions, I can't use it for heavy appliances or cookware. But by putting my dinnerware on it, I'm left with tons of extra space in my cabinets for everything else.
In my opinion, this shelf is, without a doubt, the best thing I've bought for my kitchen – if not my entire apartment. It keeps essentials in arm's reach, and it helps organize my kitchen so that I can actually enjoy being in there. Not only that, but each shelf looks like a stylish kitchen vignette that adds character to the space. In a way, it makes my kitchen look more alive – something that's not easy to accomplish in rental units.
Though the LACK Shelf Unit is the one that caught my eye, IKEA has tons of other shelving furniture that you can use in any room – from the kitchen to the bedroom, the living room, or the entryway. Ahead, find three additional shelving units from IKEA to help maximize your space.
Shop Shelving Furniture from IKEA
Looking for storage that's wide, not tall? Try this shelf from IKEA. It measures just about 30" in height, and it features a mix of open shelving, closed shelving, and pull-out drawers. This shelf comes highly rated on IKEA's site, with many reviewers raving about its versatility, spaciousness, and clever design.
The BILLY Bookcase is an IKEA icon, and just recently, it's been released in this new, electrifying blue color. Unlike the LACK shelf, this bookcase can sit flat on the ground – eliminating any need for mounting hardware. Plus, its shelves can be rearranged or removed to fit your needs. It's the perfect tool to help keep your living room organized.
This bookcase conveniently combines open shelving with closed shelving. For the things you want to keep on display – books, artwork, candles, decorative objects – you can style them on one of the three adjustable shelves. And for the things you need to keep in close reach, but not on display, the bottom two drawers are perfect for that.
IKEA's LACK Wall Shelf has worked wonders for my tiny apartment kitchen – organizing the space, providing me with extra storage for my plates and bowls, and even elevating the kitchen's aesthetic appeal with its several surfaces for stylized vignettes. Even if you don't use it in the kitchen, take my word for it – this shelving unit is an undeniable must-have for your home.
But if it's your home's exterior that needs help, IKEA has a solution for that, too. Meet the SUNDSÖ Cabinet – the outdoor-safe storage furnishing that'll keep unattractive outdoor essentials concealed in style.
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