Renter-Friendly IKEA Finds That Are Perfect For Small Apartments

Nowadays, owning a home isn't as financially feasible as it once was. With spikes in mortgage rates, increasing property values, and an overall lack of affordable housing, many people instead rent their homes. According to data from Ruby Home, just over ⅓ of people in the United States are renters, especially younger individuals who haven't had much time to save up for a down payment on a home. 

Renting comes with some perks — a landlord on call for repairs, increased flexibility if you're planning to move, and the ability to live in prime areas for a lower cost than buying — but it also comes with some struggles. Landlords' top priorities are often ensuring that their property stays marketable and in good shape for the next renter, so there are rules in place that prevent you from making holes in the wall or renovating to fit your personal taste. Add in the fact that rental units, especially apartments, are often much smaller than a home in the suburbs, and you're left with quite the challenge when decorating and organizing your space. Luckily, however, IKEA understands this struggle and has plenty of items available that are perfect for renters looking to make the most of a limited floor plan.

Even if you have a large apartment with plenty of storage space, you're missing out if you're not utilizing the area under your bed. This oft-forgotten spot is perfect for storing items that you don't need to access every day, like winter jackets, holiday-specific décor, and summer swimsuits, and IKEA's Skubb Storages Cases offer an easy way to organize and tuck these items away. If you're working with a platform bed or have already filled this location, these storage cases are also great to stash in a closet to decrease the amount of visual clutter.

The Skubb Storage Case is available at IKEA for $9.99.

Apartment bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms are often full of awkward small spaces. They're too narrow to fit a regular piece of furniture, but you're still doing your best to take advantage of all the square footage you have. The solution? A tiny cart. Putting some shelving in this area can give you more storage space, but if you're dealing with something deeper than it is wide, that renders a large part of the shelf inaccessible. Add a couple of wheels, however, and you have a shelf you can easily pull out and return.

The Vesken Cart is available at IKEA for $9.99.

Many storage solutions that allow you to take advantage of vertical space require you to drill into the wall, but this clip-on basket is an exception. The design of the basket enables it to hook onto an existing shelf or tabletop, whether that be a kitchen cabinet, the edge of a desk, or the top of a side table. After hooking it on, you'll have access to a small but useful secondary basket under your furniture, perfect for storing items you frequently use or that have no other designated spot.

The Pålycke Clip-on Basket is available at IKEA for $8.99.

Baskets and organizers with suction cups are great items for organizing your bathroom, but they have plenty more uses, especially if you're a renter. Secure one to your mirror to hold makeup brushes, attach it to your kitchen backsplash to house your most-used spices, or even stick it to the side of a smooth piece of furniture to act as a catch-all for clutter that usually collects on a side table. The possibilities are endless, and none of them require you to damage your walls.

The Tisken Basket with Suction Cups is available at IKEA for $9.49.

Storage solutions that maximize vertical space without relying on the walls are few and far between. However, IKEA has you covered with two options: the Pålycke Clip-on Basket that dips below the existing shelf and the Vattenkar Desktop Shelf that sits above it. This uniquely designed piece attaches like a vice to your tabletop and provides additional organizational space. Use it on a desk, as IKEA suggests, or clip it to a bathroom counter or side table. You can even alter the position of the shelves so it can sit flush with the wall.

The Vattenkar Desktop Shelf is available at IKEA for $19.99.

There's nothing that will ruin the vibe of your perfectly-curated room faster than harsh lighting and apartment complexes are notorious for installing overhead lights that lean a lot more clinical than cozy. If you're looking for an option to replace these lights that doesn't require full-on rewiring and installation, consider going for a sconce with a clamp. This offering from IKEA can be clipped onto furniture or installed on the wall with screws if you have a landlord that isn't quite as strict, but neither choice involves installing complex wiring.

The Ranarp Wall/Clamp Spotlight is available at IKEA for $31.99.

A full-sized dining table is a luxury many people can't fit in their space, especially in apartments. However, having an area to eat your meals is still important, especially if you're living with family. Something like this Norden Gateleg Table provides the perfect middle ground: a full-sized surface that can seat a family when folded out and a tiny cabinet that can squeeze into a corner when the drop leaves are stowed. It even features some storage in the form of six drawers along the table's base.

The Norden Gateleg Table is available from IKEA for $349.99.

Lazy Susans are often under-appreciated in the organizational world. Still, their unique design allows you to take full advantage of your shelves, whether in your bathroom, refrigerator, or kitchen. This option is designed to fit in the fridge and give you better access to jars and bottles that would usually be forgotten in the back and left to expire without use. The fairly universal design is helpful in almost any room in the house, especially if you're working with deep or awkwardly shaped cabinets.

The Snurrad Lazy Susan is available from IKEA for $29.99.