12 Ways To Creatively Use An IKEA LACK Shelf Around The House

One word that should come to mind when someone thinks of IKEA furniture is versatility. For decades, the global retailer for all things home has demonstrated via its showrooms, print catalogs (RIP), and website just how many aesthetics can be achieved simply by rearranging or re-contextualizing the same pieces. Staples from the home furnishings giant's self-serve warehouses become blank canvases — building blocks for amateur and professional interior designers alike to use and find fun new ways to upgrade or transform their spaces with IKEA.

One iconic design from an iconic IKEA series is the LACK wall shelf unit. Created by Danish design duo Christina Halskov and Hanne Dalsgaard, the slim unit is ideal for small spaces and can be mounted vertically or horizontally. If you own the unit or are thinking of picking one up but need some inspiration, here are 12 ways to use the IKEA LACK wall shelf around your home that you may not have considered.

Propagation is a fun technique for parents of houseplants who are looking to grow their family or to give their dying plants a new life. The LACK wall shelf makes the perfect propagation station because it gives newly propagated plants open space to grow. It also helps with organization, as plants at different stages in the process can be kept on different shelves or moved around based on their progress.

Crafty DIYers at the Walkerville Vet veterenary clinic in Australia turned their wall shelf unit into a playground for cats. Instead of installing all the shelves in a straight line according to the directions, they used two-part wood filler, extra screws, and the metal plates that came with the furniture to attach the third and fifth shelves off to the side. The staggered shelves give cats a dedicated place to climb that isn't your TV stand or bookcase.

Declutter your vanity and build your own personal in-home beauty corner with a couple LACK shelves. You'll also need LED puck lights and glittery embellishments for the front edges. This fun and attractive idea may inspire you to shop your own scent collection instead of being drawn in by the lights and smells at a nearby department store and spending more money on new bottles.

Ditch the traditional nightstand and fashion a multi-level floating one using LACK shelving. You'll get more storage space for your phone, keys, humidifier, DIY donut lamp, iPad, retainer, or whatever essentials you need within arm's reach during bedtime. As a safety tip, avoid storing heavy objects at the top if the shelves are installed right next to your bed — objects falling on your head are not the kind of alarm you want to be woken up by.

With 11-inch-deep shelves that each hold up to 7 pounds, LACK shelving is perfect for holding and displaying shoes and sneakers. Taller boots will have to sit off to the side, but sneakers, heels, and other low-to-mid-height footwear can be placed comfortably on the shelves, leaving your floor space free and clear. Collectors with a large assortment of shoes can fill an entire wall with these shelves and add LEDs or bookcase lights to make their footwear shine.

If you need additional storage for slippers or other items and have a bed with legs that are at least 13 inches high, turn a LACK shelf on its side to create a makeshift bench with built-in cubicles. The product is not strong enough to be a step stool or a bench for humans. However, it will support your shoes, books, and other small items that need to be temporarily tucked away at night.

There's something classy about having a nicely decorated and fully stocked bar cart in your home. But if you really want to make an impression, raise those bottles high on shelves so that your guests can really see them. IKEA's LACK shelves also work as a spot to display those empties before they make their way to your recycling or repurposing bin.

When stacked shelf-side down, IKEA LACK wall shelves can be used as a small cubby system for teaching children to put their toys away. Paint the shelves to match the decor of the bedroom or decorate them with stickers and other fun craft supplies. You should absolutely screw or bracket them together and attach them to the wall for safety before use.

When flipped shelf-side up, the shelves of IKEA's LACK unit become dividers that can be used to sort and separate canned and dry goods in a pantry or on a kitchen wall. Keep an eye on the weight limitations before attempting to add Costo-sized packages. This is especially important if the shelves will be wall-mounted and not resting on another flat surface.

Some books are just more special than others. Coffee table books and coffee tables are a perfect match, but it's unfortunate that only one or two of them can be appreciated at a time. Instead of keeping all the others facing sideways on a bookshelf with your other books, install an IKEA LACK wall shelf in your living room and stock it exclusively with big art books or your most-read titles so that they can add more beauty and inspiration to your space.

Physical media is seeing a bit of a resurgence these days. This means more and more people need cool ways to store their growing CD, DVD, and Blu-ray collections. A couple of IKEA's LACK shelves installed vertically on either side of a stereo system or entertainment center would look great and turn the act of playing the physical media into more of an experience.

Bring the resort vibes into your bathroom by installing IKEA LACK shelves vertically and using them to hold towels. Guests will feel extra fancy as they step out of the shower and see clean, hand-rolled towels waiting for them on the elegant shelf. As an added bonus, reserve the bottom shelf for a pair of warm house slippers.