Add Extra Kitchen Storage To Dead Space With This Affordable IKEA Find

Whether you have ample room in your kitchen or are severely deprived of it, chances are you would happily accept the opportunity to add more kitchen storage space. A common challenge with upping your storage, however, is that many organizational items may eat up valuable kitchen counter area and cabinet space or overlook the potential of dead spaces. Not so with this ingenious hack that utilizes a simple product from IKEA, whose streamlined design allows for seamless integration in whatever space you have available.

IKEA's $19.99 HÖVOLM rack with six pegs is crafted from wood and measures 22 ½ inches long by 2 inches high. One great way to add vertical storage to otherwise dead space in your kitchen is to mount it on the end of a cabinet or to the side of your refrigerator (using Command strips if you're attaching it to something that cannot be nailed or drilled into). You can utilize the rack's hooks to hang extra kitchen tools like ladles or oven mitts, or even a small plant in a hanging pot. While the HÖVOLM itself is made from sturdy oak wood and should be able to stand up to most kitchen items, it is designed for light objects like tea towels and jackets (so maybe don't suspend your cast iron pan from it). Also, remember to check the weight-bearing allowance of your mounting system. Overloading the rack may cause it to fall off the wall or even damage your cabinets if you attached it with screws.

Priced affordably and designed to be aesthetically neutral, there is a lot to like about the HÖVOLM. Its ends are straight, so you could hang multiple racks next to each other for increased storage space. Since the HÖVOLM is made from real wood, buyers should be advised that color or grain pattern may vary from rack to rack. You'll also want to remember to keep the rack dust-free and clean. Since kitchens can be notoriously messy, your rack could over time become gunked up with oil residue from cooking. The best way to clean wood fixtures like the HÖVOLM is to gently wipe it with a damp cloth and dry it to prevent any moisture from remaining.

For all its merits, HÖVOLM does have somewhat mixed reviews: some customers rave about its beauty, ease of installation, and overall design, but others criticize it for shoddy construction and not living up to their expectations. One review that seems representative of both the good and bad of the HÖVOLM states, "Love almost everything about it. Just wish the pegs/knobs were a bit longer/larger. Won't really hold a coat or a thick towel. Great for smaller things."

Since the HÖVOLM is so simple, there are many ways to make it your own. You can easily paint the rack a bright shade to turn it into a functional accent piece. Another option is to leave the flat portion of the rack its natural wood finish and paint the pegs in some fun hues. Or you could use washi tape around the edges of the rack for a subtle but unique look.

Another way to give the HÖVOLM some more aesthetic appeal is to pair it with a few hanging containers. IKEA's bamboo TOLKNING baskets ($19.99 for a set of two) are a great option for lighter loads not exceeding 4 pounds. You can also keep your bananas or apples permanently hanging in baskets or reusable mesh produce bags. You can even choose to mount a floating shelf above the rack for extra storage and display space. The IKEA MOSSLANDA picture ledge ($14.99) can fit perfectly above two HÖVOLM racks, and the MÅLERÅS ($18.99) will work above a single shelf — but be aware that the wood tones might clash, so painting may be in order. No matter how you choose to utilize it, the HÖVOLM can be the perfect way to increase your kitchen's storage capacity, even in those awkward dead spaces where no other solution will fit.