A Few Rustic Baskets & An Easy IKEA DIY Make The Best Entryway Bench

Who doesn't love two for ones? Meal deals, linens that are dual sided, storage that can double as an entryway bench? While that one is oddly specific, that's because this clever furniture piece has given you the gift of dual purpose decor, offering extra storage and a welcoming bench for your entrance. The KALLAX from IKEA for $49.99 has proven time and again that it can be one of the most useful units you buy, but by turning it into a chic storage bench, you can also organize your space and keep clutter at bay. While this DIY isn't necessarily new news, it's how you decorate and customize the organizational parts of the KALLAX that makes all the difference. Rather than just stuffing items in the open cubbies under the "bench top," you can add in rustic baskets and even glass shelves to upgrade and elevate this piece, making it both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

Using a decorative storage bench in your entryway helps with organization and style, and can even make a small space feel bigger. If you've already seen the clever trick of turning your IKEA KALLAX into a bench, you're ahead of the game. If not, it's fairly simple, and only requires a few tools. The great thing about this DIY is that you can choose the bench top to suit your home decor, meaning it can be cushioned, a piece of upcycled lumber, or even just a few flat pillows.

Once your bench is ready (which can be achieved by turning the KALLAX horizontally on the floor so the closed sides are turned up towards the ceiling and against the floor), you should have four square openings where you could insert anything from shoes to books and magazines or even blankets. This is where your baskets come in. Make sure to measure your basket size, as the openings for the KALLAX on the interior measure 13 ¼ by 13 ¼ inches. These Wicker Baskets from Amazon are $80 for a set of four and are the correct size. They provide a rustic aesthetic that is both stylish and approachable. You can place two in alternating cubbies, or fill all four with these baskets. 

Not only will these help reduce visual clutter, but they make the piece feel more finished. A simple wood slat on the top of the bench would pull through the farmhouse chic design, or you can use macrame, linen, canvas, or burlap pillows to complement the wicker, too. Add books and plants on the top for a little extra decor, and watch as the whole thing transforms into a designer display that is also practical for the space.

Because you do have four cubbies, you can get creative with two of them if you opt for alternating your baskets. There are also KALLAX Glass Door Inserts available for $20 that could fill every other cubby. Frames, candles, knick knacks, or even a collection of books could go in here as a way to display them without taking up shelves or counter space. If you don't want a glass door (or installing it is just too much work), you can also just install shelves yourself into the KALLAX for a more organized feature that elevates both the cubby and the whole unit.

These, paired with the wicker baskets, will create a decorative edge to the bench that is much more stylized than traditional entryway versions. Rather than hiding things inside the cubbies, you can use the shelved openings to hold stationary, accessories, and even important documents so they are handy and accessible. You can even store cleaning supplies, shoes, or other household items you don't want out in the baskets so they are nearby when you need them, but disguised by the aesthetic holders that slot so nicely into your bench. A few simple upgrades and you've turned your entryway into one of the most functional areas in your home on a truly affordable budget.