The Affordable Hack That Transforms An IKEA Utensil Holder Into A Trendy Organizer

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Need to organize something? IKEA is a go-to for storage solutions, and even though its reasonable prices are in reach for many of us, the products often have sleek styles and fashionable colors that make them perfect for upgrades with high-end looks. Its UPPFYLLD kitchen utensil holder, which rings up for a budget-friendly $6.99, is just the type of product that is almost infinitely customizable. Not only can you tweak its looks to your taste, but its versatility makes it handy for many uses beyond the kitchen.

The crafty creator behind YouTube channel Actually Alli DIY showed off an attractive makeover for this countertop hanging rack. A glossy coat of red paint and woven cane touches turn it from a kitchen essential into a jewelry rack in just a few steps. The clincher is that a jewelry rack is only one of the possible permutations for the UPPFYLLD. Use it to keep your entryway clean and organized: The hooks make keys easy to find, while the lipped base seems made to hold a bundle of mail. Set it up in a craft room to hold scissors and other small tools, or dangle brushes and combs from loops hung over the hooks. It also makes a great charging spot for phones and tablets.

Whatever you settle on as a purpose for this easy and affordable IKEA hack, you'll be storing items in style. To repurpose the useful yet ho-hum utensil holder into lovely storage like the designer did in the video, gather up a roll of woven cane webbing, sandpaper, a tape measure, E6000 glue, scissors, painter's tape, and some spray paint formulated for metal in a color you love. Clear and protect your workspace, and your storage rack will be ready as soon as the glue cures.

The UPPFYLLD rack has two rectangular openings that you can line with cane webbing. This classic weave is one old-school design trend that's making a big comeback in 2026, but if it isn't really your taste, swap it out for another thick textural material. Products like these Snowkingdom Pressed Vinyl Placemats have been appearing in DIY projects and have cute patterns worth showing off. Measure both openings, and add an extra inch to each side to get your measurements for the cane pieces. Cut out the rectangles.

Give all the surfaces of the utensil holder a quick scuff with sandpaper to help the paint stick. Wipe away any dust before painting. Set up a painting station outdoors, and give the piece a couple of coats of paint. Give the paint plenty of time to dry and cure. Some spray paints, such as acrylic and lacquer paints, are quick to dry, whereas oil-based paints can take around eight hours to dry.

After the spray paint has dried, line up the pieces of cane webbing or other material over the back of the two openings, and tape one of the longest sides of the webbing in place. Fold the taped piece back like a hinge, and edge the back of the openings with E6000 (a glue you should keep in your home). Tape or clamp the remaining glued sides of the webbing, and set something heavy like a large book over the pieces to hold them in place while the glue dries. Peel away the tape, and your new-and-improved UPPFYLLD will be ready to corral your jewelry and other everyday essentials with flair.