The 9 Best Ways To Use IKEA's ASKHOLMEN Plant Stand (That Isn't Holding Plants)

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

IKEA hacks are all the rage, with some DIYers decluttering entryways with an IKEA breadbox and others incorporating BILLY bookcases as gorgeous built-in bookshelves. While IKEA markets its $40 ASKHOLMEN as a plant stand, it can be so much more, and you can DIY its additional uses just as easily as with the famous BILLY bookcase or the nifty MAGASIN bread bin. Outside of its intended purpose as a plant stand, the ASKHOLMEN can become a bookshelf, bathroom storage, a jewelry display stand, and more.

Because of its 90-degree side structure, the ASKHOLMEN is perfect for corners, which makes it a versatile way to fill space that often goes unused. The stand is made from solid acacia wood, so you can easily sand and stain it or paint it to match your interior. Those who don't keep plants might have overlooked the ASKHOLMEN, but you shouldn't underestimate the value of this affordable three-tier stand.

The most obvious of the ASKHOLMEN's alternate uses is a bookshelf. It won't hold an entire library, but if you're looking for a way to display some of your favorite page-turners, the ASKHOLMEN can help you out. Since there's so much space between each tier, you can stack books high on top of each other to create an eclectic, lived-in vibe. To keep the books standing straight, you can incorporate invisible bookends for a sleek look or decorative bookends for some pizazz.

Throughout our lives, we tend to collect trinkets and mementos — movie tickets from first dates, shells from a beach vacations, souvenirs from museum gift shops, and so on. These trinkets can get swallowed up when you display them on a bookshelf, as the larger, more prominent books will dwarf them. They can also look like clutter if you just leave them on a table. Instead, dedicate your trinket displays to the ASKHOLMEN, placing smaller trinkets on the highest shelf and larger items on the lower shelves. The ASKHOLMEN makes trinket placement seem purposeful rather than haphazard, giving your beloved mementos a place of honor in your home.

You can never have too much bathroom storage. Organizing your bathroom can be easy with the ASKHOLMEN, as it can serve as an attractive yet functional addition to your bathroom decor. The corner shape of the shelving unit makes it great for small spaces like bathrooms, fitting into tight corners that would otherwise only collect dust. Set wipes, linens, extra toilet paper, and candles on your ASKHOLMEN to capture a spa-like aesthetic.

Just because the ASKHOLMEN has legs doesn't mean you have to use them. Instead, you can secure the unit to your wall and gain vertical storage in places like your kitchen. To do so, use wall anchors and brackets, which will attach the shelving unit to the studs in your wall. Since the ASKHOLMEN is under 10 pounds, it shouldn't require heavy-duty securing, but if there are no studs in the area where you'd like to hang it, get some drywall anchors to improve its overall weight capacity. Attached to the wall, the ASKHOLMEN will sit at a more accessible height and can store commonly used items like spices and teas.

Since the ASKHOLMEN is intended for plants, try putting it to use in your garden. IKEA usually shows the unit perched on the floor, but you can just as easily set it on your gardening workbench, where it can serve as storage for smaller tools like pruning shears and trowels, which might get lost in the chaos of a garage or shed. Because the ASKHOLMEN is made of wood, you can also use screw-in hooks (like these from HOME MASTER HARDWARE) to give yourself more storage options.

Rather than hiding your jewelry away in a drawer, you can display it on your IKEA ASKHOLMEN. Setting out trinket dishes and ring displays on each tier will make choosing jewelry easier, ensuring you can see everything you collection has to offer. Like with gardening tools, you can screw hooks on the underside of each shelf, which will keep your necklaces from getting tangled and your earrings from falling through the wooden rungs. This also gives you an easy, organized place to leave your jewelry when you take it off for the day.

You can use the ASKHOLMEN for storage in the dry parts of your bathroom, but you can also use it in the wettest area: your shower. The ASKHOLMEN works particularly well in standing showers, which often lack surfaces for storing shampoo, conditioner, and other toiletries. Pre-treated and made of durable acacia wood, the ASKHOLMEN is built to be used outdoors, so it can withstand the moisture and humidity of your shower. Any water that gets on the tiers will drain through the wooden rungs, avoiding the mold and mildew problems that can occur in damp places.

Every time you run out the door for work or an event, you frantically search for your shoes, keys, and wallet. Wouldn't it be better if they were already waiting for you right by the door? You can store your most frequently used pair of shoes on the lowest rung of the ASKHOLMEN, while the other two shelves can hold everything you need for a day (or night) out. This keeps your shoes off your clean floor and simplifies your daily routine, making the process of leaving the house a little less stressful.

Most homes no longer feature bulky china cabinets, but some people still have decorative plates they like to display. A dedicated hutch might be too big for your space, but the ASKHOLMEN is likely just the right size. You can stack plates on the tiers or use plate stands to show off your most novel dinnerware. Displaying your plates also means you won't forget about them in the back of a cabinet, so they might see more use on special occasions.