The IKEA Find That Makes Storing Blankets Stylish

Whether you're looking for a few unique storage ideas to keep your living space organized in style or you simply need to maximize space in your small home, figuring out what to do with extra blankets can be surprisingly challenging. That frustration often comes from relying on woven baskets that have to be propped up against the couch so it doesn't completely collapse under the weight of 387 blankets. If you're ready to ditch the basket, a fun way to do so is by using a rail, like the HULTARP Rail from IKEA. It's a stylish spin on traditional blanket storage that can be used for anything from fashionable throws in the living room to extra bedding blankets in the guest room.

The HULTARP rail from IKEA is a 23.5-inch circular metal rail that can be screwed into the wall, like what you would typically see in a kitchen, to hang pots and utensils. This style of blanket storage will work just as well with any rail, whether you have an extra one lying around the house or want to make your own, like this affordable kitchen rail alternative that looks like the real thing. For this specific IKEA rail, you'll need to purchase the set of four screws separately, so be prepared for that. Once you decide where you want to place the rail, use a screwdriver or drill to attach it to the wall. Once installed, the rail can be styled in a variety of ways depending on your space and storage needs.

A simple way to combine chic style with function is to use a rail in the living room to display a fashionable throw blanket, like @kivabrent, who opted to use adhesive strips to attach the rail, making it a more renter-friendly approach than putting screws into the wall. Simply attach one strip to each of the flat backings on either end of the rail and press it into the wall. Just make sure to check the manufacturer's details of the adhesive strips for weight limits, and maybe don't hang your heaviest quilt this way. You can also add an S-hook or two to hang a photo or artwork that complements the room.

Another place you can use the rail is in a guest bedroom to store extra bedding blankets. You can fold and drape them over the rail or roll them up and use straps to attach them to the rail, like @carolynjbraden, whose home office doubles as a guest room. This setup keeps clean bedding accessible while allowing the room to function as a multipurpose space.

If you have more blankets than a single rail can hold, you can use multiple rails to create a blanket ladder. Attach the rails to the wall, several feet apart, in a descending vertical line, like rungs on a ladder. Fold and hang your blankets on each rail, beginning at the top, and tuck any overlapping blanket behind the rail beneath it. Displaying blankets in this way allows them to be viewed and admired but also accessed and used.