The Best IKEA Cube Shelf Products For Storage And Organization
There are so many innovative ways to use storage cube organizers around the house. And when it comes to cube shelf products, one of the top places to shop is IKEA. The Swedish company offers a plethora of cube shelves and accessories to help you keep everything from shoes and playroom toys to office essentials neatly stored and organized.
The only downside to the number of cube shelf products offered by IKEA is there are so many that it can be hard to choose. Narrowing down the options and deciding what to buy for your space can be a real challenge. To help simplify your decision, we researched the various options, considered customer reviews and feedback, and compiled a list of the top storage shelves and accessories for certain needs. So, learn more about our top picks to decide which ones will help you tame the clutter and keep your home neat and organized.
Best for endless storage and organization opportunities: the KALLAX 16-cube unit
This KALLAX shelf unit can help with a variety of organization and storage needs. It features 16 different cubes, providing ample space and versatile storage. When paired with other IKEA inserts and accessories, you can further customize it. For example, the four-shelf insert can help you organize paperwork and the cat house option can create a cozy home for your furry friend. Plus, the unit is large enough to function as a room divider, allowing you to separate your space to accommodate different needs. It comes in four colors so you can pick the best hue for your space.
Like other IKEA products, you'll need to assemble this unit before it will be ready to use. IKEA recommends having two people available to help because of its larger size. Be sure to mount it to the wall to prevent it from tipping over. The material of your wall will dictate which type of fasteners you'll need.
With nearly 1,500 reviews and a 4.7-star rating, this is a popular piece from IKEA. Overall, customers are happy with its appearance, value, quality, and overall ease of installation. One reviewer shared, "So happy we found these! Downsized into smaller home 1/2 size so needed to declutter and organize. These are amazingly strong for fabric and scrapbooking books and supplies. Highly recommend!"
Best for mounting to keep essentials easy to access: the EKET wall-mounted shelving unit
The EKET wall-mounted shelving unit can help you store essentials where they'll be the most convenient to access. This single, rectangular cubby, is small enough to place on practically any wall space, yet large enough to keep your books, crafting supplies, and more on hand. Mount it on the wall near your desk or your favorite comfy chair to keep your belongings just where you'll need them. You could even mount one next to your bed to use as a nightstand. The flat top can hold your alarm clock, cell phone, and a glass of water, while the lower cubby will offer additional storage.
This EKET unit comes in seven different color options to suit a range of decor needs and preferences. Choose from colors like dark gray, gray-green, pale yellow, walnut effect, and white. It holds a 4.2 average star rating based on nearly 200 customer reviews. "I bought three of these in different colors to use near a small desk. I love the way that they turned out. Fairly simple to put together. I hung [it] on the wall and that too was simple. But warning, follow the directions exactly in order!! If you do not, the box will not fit together and You cannot undo the mistake," wrote one customer who was pleased with the units.
Best shelving unit with drawer and cabinet inserts: the KALLAX shelf unit with 4 inserts
For a mix of hidden and open storage, take a look at the KALLAX shelf unit with four inserts. The set includes a standard 8-cubby KALLAX unit with two cabinet inserts and two double-drawer inserts. Because the inserts can be rotated, you can position the unit either horizontally or vertically to match the available space where you would like to use it. Plus, the inserts work in any of the cubbies, so you can also customize the layout based on your storage needs. Consider using the cabinet inserts to hold bulkier items that you want kept out of sight, while storing smaller essentials in the drawers. Then, on the open shelves, you can place more decorative items, books, or anything else you frequently use.
This is another customer favorite. It holds an impressive 4.7-star rating from more than 450 reviewers. The appearance of the unit, which is available in black-brown, white stained oak effect, and two white finishes, was one of the features that reviewers seemed to love most. One customer wrote, "Bought this to store shoes and items at the front door entryway. Very functional and stylish. Hubby put it together quickly."
Best for DIY wall-mounted storage unit: the EKET cabinet with door and shelf
With a few of these EKET cabinets with a door and shelf, you can easily DIY a wall-mounted storage unit. Each of these units are about twice as tall as a single cube, allowing them to hold two storage baskets or other bulkier items. With the center shelf, you can keep items separated and better organized, and the cabinet door allows you to keep everything out of sight. Line up a few of the cabinets to make a longer, more solid unit, or consider pairing them with a few smaller EKET cubes for a geometrical, yet functional, storage solution. Just remember, if you're going to mount these to the wall, IKEA notes that the EKET suspension rail will also be necessary.
"These were extremely easy to build and they are very sturdy. I am a fan of furniture with no handles, thus the EKET series is my favorite. Very versatile, can be used in your bedroom, living room, office," wrote one customer who was pleased with this purchase. Many other customers share a similar satisfaction with the unit, and nearly 200 reviewers have given it a 4.1-star rating. However, it's important to note that the overall reviews for quality, value, and ease of installation are not quite as high as those for other IKEA cube storage units.
Best for versatile storage and organization: the DRÖNA box
The DRÖNA box is a versatile storage box designed to fit in KALLAX shelving units. Purchasing a few of these boxes will allow you to group similar items together to keep them organized. And, since the box has a solid front, everything stored in it will remain out of sight. Another reason this is one of the most versatile storage and organization cube products from IKEA is because of the range of color options. You can choose from neutral colors, including black, dark gray, and white for a more formal space or subtle design. Alternatively, if you want to add a touch of pattern or are using the unit for toy storage in a playroom, you could consider the white checked option or the triangle yellow and pink print. Mixing color or pattern options could also allow you to customize the look of your space.
Over 4,000 IKEA customers have reviewed these boxes. And, with their 4.6-star rating, it seems like a safe bet to say that most are happy with their purchase. One customer shared, "I have tried bins from other stores but the fact that these bins take up every inch of space in the cube shelf, it's perfect. Color is great and design is fun. Sturdy material and easy assembly."
Best for creating four storage sections from one square cubby unit: the KALLAX insert with compartments
Sometimes the items you want to store in your cube shelf don't fit quite right in a rectangular cubby. Blankets or rolls of crafting paper, for example, may slide around and get mixed with one another, making your space look cluttered and disorganized. This KALLAX insert with compartments can help you make better use of each cubby in cases such as this. The X-shaped insert slides into a cubby, instantly transforming the storage it provides. Instead of one large area, you'll now have four smaller compartments to keep your belongings neat and tidy. As a bonus, the X-shape in each cubby adds some visual intrigue to the cube shelf to make your space look more sophisticated.
"These inserts allowed me to sort some fabric rolls for easier access. I found the bin too deep and it quickly got so cluttered. This way my rolls are organized for easy access and less wrinkles," shared one customer in their review of these inserts. The majority of other customers were also impressed by the insert, citing its appearance, ease of assembly, and functionality as some of the top selling points. It holds a 4.3 average star rating based on over 100 reviews.
Best for stylish storage and organization: the BRANÄS rattan basket
If you could use a few bins to keep everything organized in your cube storage unit but want something a bit more stylish than a solid fabric option, then the BRANÄS rattan basket might be the perfect choice for you. Made from handwoven rattan, these stylish storage baskets are as attractive as they are functional. Their golden brown color and textured design present a simple opportunity to make your cube storage unit look more mature.
The BRANÄS rattan basket holds a 4.3 average star rating on IKEA's website based on more than 500 reviews. Its appearance is one of the features that reviewers gave the highest marks to, right behind the ease of assembly. One person who purchased the basket shared, "Super easy to put together, sturdy, and though not as big as the fabric storage used for a Kallax, these have a wonderful look that goes well with almost any decor style."
Best for upgrading the look of a KALLAX unit: KALLAX insert with glass door
Have you been searching for the best way to transform a standard KALLAX cube-storage unit into something that offers style, flair, and an air of sophistication? If so, then you'll definitely want to check out the KALLAX insert with glass door. Sure, IKEA already offers some stunning glass cabinets, but with this insert, you can upgrade the look of your existing KALLAX unit. Because it is an insert, you can also easily decide which shelves you want to add the glass door to based on your specific storage needs and design vision.
Over 50 customers have given this glass door insert an average 4.4-star rating. Most seem happy with its overall quality, value, appearance, and functionality. "Looks great now with the glass doors and keeps out most of the dust from my collectibles," wrote one customer about their purchase.
Best for storing wine bottles: KALLAX insert for bottles
You can easily turn one or more of the cubes in your shelving unit into wine storage with this KALLAX insert for bottles. Each insert is sized to fit inside one KALLAX cubby and offers space to store nine wine bottles. While you can DIY inserts for your KALLAX unit, it certainly is convenient when IKEA offers something that is functional and ready for use. The 3-by-3 grid arrangement of this piece helps deliver a sleek and stylish look. It can also be used for separating other items, such as crafting supplies or rolled-up towels and clothes.
Customers found the insert easy to assemble and were pleased that it worked as they expected. It has a 4.6-star rating based on reviews from about 150 customers. One individual who purchased the insert shared, "Bought this to organize our wine. It is easy to put together and install in the shelf. My wine bottles fit great and I don't have to worry about them slipping out."
Best for dust-free storage: PANSARTAX transparent storage box
The PANSARTAX storage box comes with a lid. With this design, it is a top choice for those who are looking for a storage solution that will keep their belongings clean and dust-free. There are many different ways you could use it with a cube shelf, including in the office to hold files, in the kitchen to keep paper products clean, or in the storage room to hold mementos. It is also made of plastic, making it a suitable use for areas of the home where there is more moisture present, such as the bathroom or the basement.
"Wow. I found these in the store and purchased 2 to store my quilt fabric in when I move and then in my new quilting area to protect from dust, dirt, insects. I have since purchased about 15 more. I love them! Great design, easy to build, strong, and appears durable. Fits perfectly in my Kallax unit," shared one user. Customers have given this transparent storage box an average rating of 4 stars. They seem most pleased with its appearance and functionality. Though, a few didn't find it to be as easy to assemble or as good of a value based on the price as they were hoping for.
Best drawer storage solution: KALLAX insert with 2 drawers
While the open shelves of a cube shelf are great for storing many items or displaying decorations, you might have some items that you don't want to store out in the open. Whether you are worried about them getting dusty or just don't think that they are very visually appealing to be on full display, you might want to consider purchasing this KALLAX insert with 2 drawers. The insert goes into a standard KALLAX cubby, instantly transforming it into double drawers. Unlike some of the other KALLAX inserts which are only available in white, this option comes in four finishes to help you find the right match for the unit you have. It is available in white, high gloss white, black-brown, and white stained oak effect.
With more than 1,700 reviews and a 4.5-star rating, it is pretty clear that most customers are glad they decided to pair this insert with their KALLAX unit. One happy buyer said, "I bought 4 sets of drawers for the Kallax wall unit in my craft room. They offer plenty of room to store all my card-making supplies. My husband put them together in under an hour. Thinking of getting another set."
Best for eye-catching and functional storage:SMARRA woven bamboo box with lid
Make your cube shelf a focal point in your room by adding a few of the SMARRA woven bamboo boxes with lids. The intricate woven pattern gives these boxes a gorgeous look that will easily elevate any space. You can see through the individual holes in the woven design to check the contents of the box, but your items won't be on full display, keeping them a bit more private. At 11¾ inches wide by 11¾ inches long by 9 inches tall, these boxes are a bit smaller than other storage bins and baskets for IKEA cube units. They may be better suited for holding some of your smaller items, and they'll still look great on your KALLAX or EKET unit.
According to customers who have reviewed the boxes, the appearance, ease of assembly, and overall functionality are among the top reasons to try these cube storage products. They have an average rating of 4.6 stars based out of nearly 200 reviews. "I love these baskets. They have an elegant design and make my space more functional. I can easily access stored items. I would recommend to family and friends.," shared one customer who was happy with their purchase.