Say Goodbye To Living Room Clutter With One Stylish IKEA KALLAX Storage Hack

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While attractive console storage to manage an ever-growing collection of stuff can seem like a pricey prospect, you're may only be a DIY away from completely transforming your space. And you can find inspiration from a familiar source. Just when you thought it was impossible to find an affordable yet stylish storage system to keep your living room clutter-free, IKEA comes to the rescue once again, this time with the beloved KALLAX shelf unit. Well, it's actually more like a few of them, because this clever living room storage hack calls for three KALLAX units pushed together into a long run and topped with a pre-cut countertop. Priced at just $45 to $55 (depending on the finish), the unit features four cubbies that can each hold bins about 13 inches in height and width. Multiply that by three, and you have access to a dozen cubbies, all for less than the cost of many single units similar in size to the three combined.

There are plenty of KALLAX color options to work with, including brownish-black, white, oak, and high-gloss white, so you can choose the one that best fits your living room's palette. With this setup, you're not just getting 12 cubby slots for bins; you can also utilize the empty shelves to display decor, small plants, or that book collection you've been hiding in a cabinet. On top of that, you're getting over 90 inches of countertop space (since each shelf is just over 30 inches wide), perfect for holiday decorations, vases, candles, plants, or any other elements you need to successfully decorate your console table.

Once you've settled on a color for your IKEA KALLAX storage units, find a pre-cut countertop to place on top. No matter what combination you choose, the countertop should measure just over 90 inches wide and around 16 inches deep. You could even go a little longer for both width and depth, so you're left with more of an overhang.

When you have all the pieces, assemble your KALLAX units and line them up side by side. If you plan to keep this setup in place long-term, consider a strong construction adhesive like Liquid Nails or contact cement to glue the units together and secure the countertop. This way, nothing will move or slide around. You can also connect the shelves by putting them on top of a long, sturdy plywood piece. Having a foundation like this could make the console table easier to move as one unit, especially if you install casters under the plywood base. After it's assembled, place the unit behind your couch or against a wall.

Depending on your colors and style, you can tuck wicker, jute, or fabric bins into some of the cubbies (just avoid putting soft decorative storage bins on your shelf if you'll be reaching in and out of them frequently) and leave a few open to display your favorite decor. What's great about this KALLAX storage unit hack is that, if you have kids, you can dedicate one unit to toys, another to living room essentials like blankets, and the third to other items that need an out-of-the-way home. Not only does this give you plenty of storage, but it also creates the perfect opportunity to personalize your space.