10 Most Useful Sub-$10 Buys From IKEA


We’re very fond of hacking IKEA gear around here, but some of the items the Swedish furniture giant sells are far more versatile than others. Here are the 10 handiest items you can pick up for repurposing the next time you make an IKEA pilgrimage — and every single one is priced under $10.

Picture by Charlie Brewer

10. Large Frakta Bag ($1.99)

It’s worth having a couple of in stock for general storage, buying large shopping items and the like. As well, you can convert it into a messenger bag, dress or dog coat. [imgclear]

9. Kvartal Wall Fitting ($5.00)

Need a cheap way to mount your bike to the wall? Kvartal is the answer. A related idea is to use the $4.99 Baren Hanger to hang your Rock Band guitars.[imgclear]

8. The As-Is Section

Alright, we’re cheating a little here, as the As-Is section isn’t a single product. However, if you need a few random bits of wood, some spare fabric, or a random piece of marked-down furniture to inspire you, it’s ideal (and lots of stuff is sub-$10). Picture by Ario [imgclear]

7. Rationell Variera Bag Holder ($4.49)

Plastic bags are less common in supermarkets these days, so you might be less inclined to buy this for its intended purpose. Give it a second life as a means of protecting plants from cats or making a hanging bin for inside your cupboard.[imgclear]

6. Bevara Sealing Clips ($4.99)

No smart-aleck ways to redeploy these — they’re just a great affordable solution to keeping bags sealed in your fridge or freezer and minimising waste. You can also clip them to cables for easy colour-coding and identification, though the option of bread tags is just as effective and even cheaper. [imgclear]

5. Magasin Dish Drainer ($3.99)

The Magasin was designed for draining dishes, and that’s a better option than wasting time drying them by hand. However, you can also use it as a laptop stand and a plant stand. [imgclear]

4. Lillholmen Toothbrush Mug ($9.99)

Place one or two in your bathroom by all means — it makes for a lot less clutter than having them scattered on the vanity, and gives you more space for other items you need to gain access to. But the real genius is in putting one by your bed, so you don’t knock over your night-time glass of water. Water and the bedside smartphone are rarely a pleasing combination, let me tell you.[imgclear]

3. Plastis Ice Cube Trays ($0.99)

As well as offering novelty ice cubes, the Plastis is a really handy way of storing small items of jewellery. You could also apply the same principle for storing electronics parts or small items of hardware. For added jewellery mojo, you can use the $9.99 Inred DVD holder to store necklaces without tangling.[imgclear]

2. Brada Laptop Support ($9.99)

A single Brada can be sliced in half and makes a neat pair of iPad stands. Two for the price of one! (The Brada is also an element in the DIY Xbox steering wheel.) [imgclear]

1. Lack Table ($9.99)

You can use it as a Hi-Fi rack, a network rack, PC storage and a even as a headboard. And at $10 a piece, you can also do what I do — use it as your lounge room coffee table and then retire it to the garage for general storage and stacking when it gets too dinted.[imgclear]

What bargain IKEA favourites have we missed on this list? Tell us in the comments.

Lifehacker’s weekly Reno 101 column covers the basics of renovation and DIY.


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