The 10 Most Useful IKEA Organizers of All Time

As much as we look forward to the new IKEA catalog release every year, it’s really the classics that get us most excited — the staples that IKEA has perfected and convinced us all that we need because, well, we do. Among these classics? Lots of organizing supplies.

The Swedish giant has smart solutions for just about every storage dilemma you have — and they’re all guaranteed to be in your budget. Yes, there are new finds year after year, but these are our all-time favorites — the VIP organizers that are the most useful.

As far as we’re concerned, there isn’t a better, more versatile storage cart than the IKEA RÅSKOG utility cart. It’s a bar cart! It’s a coffee station! It’s a pantry on wheels! It’s also easy on the wallet and easy on the eyes — especially the moody blue version that launched earlier this summer. 

Buy: RÅSKOG Utility Cart, $35

These glass jars have a lot going for them. First, they’re clear, so you can see what’s inside them, which is always helpful. Second, they have their lids attached, so you’ll never lose them and end up with a bunch of containers with no lids. Finally, they’ve got that whole utilitarian-cool vibe that will deliver the pin-able pantry of your dreams (if you’re into that kind of thing).

Buy: KORKEN Jar with Lid, $4 

Let’s be honest: Pot lids are the bane of kitchen organizing. They’re so awkward and take up so much space, even though they’re not that big. And did we mention they’re awkward? Well, you could DIY your own pot lid organizer or you could pick up this guy from IKEA for $8. It’s got a cult-like following of super-organized home cooks.

Buy: VARIERA Pot Lid Organizer, $8

Used in the way it’s intended, this $3 find will wrangle your plastic bags, so you’ll actually reuse them, instead of losing them to the dark reaches of a cabinet. But if you’re clever, you can also put it to work in other ways — like organizing your cleaning supplies. Pretty great for less than the cost of a latte. 

Buy: VARIERA Plastic Bag Dispenser, $3

If your kitchen is short on storage space, the KUNGSFORS rail is a game-changer. Even if your kitchen is palatial, this simple metal rail lets you hang pots, pans, tools, and utensils out of the way but within easy reach. Paired with the KUNGSFORS S-hooks, this may well be our very favorite kitchen organizing system of all time. As of this summer, the rail now comes in an even smaller size (15 3/4-inch compared to 22-inch) for itty-bitty spaces.

Buy: KUNGSFORS Rail, $6

The obvious thing to do with this knife rack, inspired by industrial chef kitchens, is to mount it on your wall and hang your knives on it. But you can also use it to store, well, anything that’s magnetic — like scissors, spatulas, and other tools.

Buy: KUNGSFORS Magnetic Knife Rack, $17 

As far as we’re concerned you can never have too many hooks — especially if they fold up and out of the way when you’re not using them. Use these ingenious hooks to hang your tote bags, dish towels, and aprons, or combine one with a basket for extra storage space. 

Buy: BJARNUM Folding Hooks, $10 for three

This IKEA classic has square cubbies that are great for storing cookbooks, dishes, or bottles of wine. We love that you can use it vertically or horizontally — or combine a few for an easy room divider or statement bookshelf. 

Buy: KALLAX Shelf Unit, $49

As its name implies, the MOSSLANDA picture ledge was intended for pictures. But we love it for displaying cookbooks — especially the ones you turn to again and again (and again). 

Buy: MOSSLANDA Picture Ledge, $10

It’s possible that the OG FRAKTA shopping bag is IKEA’s most iconic item. And we love that big blue bag! But for organizing, we prefer the slightly smaller “medium” bag which can serve as recycling “bins” for newspapers and magazines, as a special kitchen laundry bag (that can also hold all your freshly laundered dish towels), or even as a holder for various ingredients in your pantry.

Buy: FRAKTA Medium Shopping Bag, $1.29