5 Things You Should Buy on Your Next Trip to IKEA, According to Professional Organizers

We recently wrote about the fact that IKEA is a great place to go when you want to get organized. For that story, we asked professional organizers to share the most important things people should know before they head to IKEA on an organizing mission. So now, it only makes sense that we’d highlight a few of the best organizers. Because once you’re ready to shop, we figure you might need some help with that next step. These are the five IKEA finds that got nominated.

Note: We also have this list of 11 IKEA finds that pro organizers suggest. That makes 16 in total! Get ready to get organized!

Silicone storage bags are a great alternative to single-use plastic — but they can get a bit pricey, even if you’re only buying a few. Robyn Reynolds, owner of Organize2Harmonize, is a big fan of these resealable bags, which are $15 for three. They can be used to get your fridge or pantry in order. Or, “they can also double as lunch bags,” she says. 

There’s one kitchen product Brenda Scott, owner of Tidy My Space, always keeps an eye out for: glass containers with pretty bamboo lids. And you can find them, in various sizes, at IKEA. While microwave- and dishwasher-safe glass is a smart alternative to plastic in the kitchen, Scott says these can be used outside your kitchen for anything else you need to store.

Sandy Park, a pro organizer and founder of Tidy with SPARK, always recommends upright storage to her clients because “no one likes the pain of unstacking heavy items just to get to the bottom item.” This bamboo plate holder only costs $4, and Park says it’s a lifesaver in the kitchen. Use it to file platters, cutting boards, baking sheets, and more. Alternatively, you can repurpose it in your office to keep folders and notebooks upright. 

Short on shelf space? Pro organizer Caroline Solomon swears by this $10 clip-on basket, which she recommends using for produce storage beneath a shelf. “You could just as easily use it to store napkins, placemats, or any other counter clutter that doesn’t yet have a home,” she says. 

Most people use some sort of organizing tray for their forks, knives, and spoons. But Reynolds suggests also buying a tray for large tools, like spatulas and whisks. If you have lots of gadgets and utensils, buy multiple trays. “Use one for baking equipment, another for wine and beer tools, and another for cooking items,” she says.

What’s the best organizer you’ve ever bought at IKEA? Tell us in the comments below.