Keep Countertop Clutter At A Minimum With An Affordable Hidden Gem From IKEA

Let's face it, we have all been guilty of tossing items on any free surface and forgetting to put them back in their rightful place. Unfortunately, this habit often creates clutter and, coupled with a lack of proper storage systems, can make it difficult to maintain an organized home. Before you know it, your countertops begin to look like a bomb went off on them. Fortunately, there is a smart and easy tool to deal with this: Enter the SUNNERSTA rail system from IKEA. This game-changing accessory is one of the affordable IKEA products that help organize your kitchen and other parts of the home. It helps remove clutter from your counter by utilizing vertical space while keeping your daily items close.

It comes with a rail, four hooks, and two containers, allowing you to be flexible with your organization. So, you can hang your towels, dishcloths, kitchen utensils, or aprons on the hooks, then place your toothbrushes, craft supplies, stationery, or cutlery in the containers. Just keep in mind that the system is designed to hold up to 25 pounds of items. Individually, each hook can take a maximum of 9 pounds, while the containers have a weight limit of 4 pounds.

Although the product is not meant for outdoor use, you can hang it up in different areas of your home without worrying about water issues because it is safe to use in humid areas. And did we mention that the SUNNERSTA rail system is incredibly affordable? With just under $5 (as of this writing), you can get a set from IKEA and add some extra storage to your kitchen.

The IKEA SUNNERSTA rail is easy to set up, and you can do it yourself in a matter of minutes. You need just a few tools: a spirit level, a drill, screws, a pencil, and a screwdriver. First, ensure your preferred location has enough space for the rail system, its accessories, and the items you'll be mounting on it. Next, you have to note where the end caps will be located on the wall. Simply hold the rail against the wall and keep it straight with a spirit level. With a pencil, trace the top of the end cap positions. Next, align the end cap with what you traced, and then mark the drill holes in the end cap with a pencil. With a drill, make holes at the marked points. If you're drilling into plasterboards, insert wall anchors for a more secure mounting. 

Follow this up by securing the end cap into the drill holes with screws using a screwdriver or drill, before mounting the rail on the caps. Secure the rail to the end caps with blind screws and the Allen key that comes with the system. Once the rail is mounted, hang the hooks and containers, leaving enough space between each accessory for a uniform look. 

Like many other IKEA storage DIYs that help maximize space, you can customize the SUNNERSTA rail. You could decide to mount two or three rails side by side for more storage or install it inside cabinets for hidden storage. You can also paint them to match your interior decor for a seamless look or even label the containers using stickers.