Ditch The Towel Rack: Create Cheaper Bathroom Storage With An IKEA DIY

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

If you're constantly digging through drawers or searching under your sink for washcloths, hand towels, and other small bathroom linens, it may be time for a smarter storage solution. While you could buy a traditional towel rack, there's a potentially cheaper alternative to consider: two BEKVÄM spice racks. 

In a clever DIY video shared by TikToker @micklemaks, we see how combining these $9.99 products turns them into a tray, and doubles their storage size. To do so, assemble two BEKVÄM racks. Next, to connect them, drill one screw into each of the two keyhole brackets on the back of one rack. Then, slide the second rack on top of the first to lock it in place.

Altogether, this IKEA hack, which lets you say goodbye to boring towel racks, only takes a couple of minutes to complete. Mickle Maks uses the combined BEKVÄM racks to store macrame coasters, but you could easily use it for washcloths, even small towels, now that there's more surface space.

The dimensions of this BEKVÄM spice rack hack are 15 ¾ inches in length, 7 ¾ inches in width, and 3 ½ inches in height. To give you an idea, a washcloth typically measures 12 (or 13) inches by 12 (or 13) inches, while hand towels, on average, are about twice as large at 16 inches by 28 inches.

You could keep the combined BEKVÄM spice racks horizontal and use them as a tray. Or, you could turn them vertically, and then stack your small towels inside, rolled up. Simply push the ends of the towels through the openings on either side of the racks to secure them (so they don't fall forward).

Even if turned vertically, you could keep the BEKVÄM racks on the bathroom countertop in a corner (remember, the tray is 7 ¾ inches wide now). Alternatively, you could mount them to the wall. If you decide to mount them, you'll need to improvise a bit, since the keyhole brackets are now hidden in the center of the new holder.

@micklemaks

IKEA hack! I used two IKEA spice racks to make this storage tray that I will use in displays at craft fairs and markets. The best thing about this hack is that it is so easy! Just build the two racks using the instructions that come with them then screw two screws into the top of the hanging brackets on one of the racks. The other rack will then simply slide on and be held in place by the screw heads! Let me know if you try this one! #diy #ikeahack #ikeabekvam #craftfair #craftmarket #marketdisplay #macrame #easyhacks #easydiy #easydiys #asmr #woodasmr #asmrsounds #asmrdiy

♬ original sound – Mickle Maks

You could either drill screws through the racks from the front, and into wall anchors, or you could loop some twine or cord through the racks' openings at the top and then hook the racks onto a hanger. If you go the hanging route, you'll first need to find a way to keep the racks together, so they don't separate.

One way is to use some water-resistant wood glue ($3.98 at The Home Depot); just be sure to wait 24 hours for it to fully cure. Another approach, though, is to wrap twine (e.g., Everbilt jute twine) or cord around the racks several times to ensure they stay in one piece. With the twine route, you could even wrap it around all the way across the BEKVÄM's 15 ¾ inches for a rustic look, turning this DIY into a twine-wrapped craft, too. (Find more DIY towel storage solutions to save bathroom space.)