Mount Your IKEA TROFAST To A Wall For A Better Storage Solution

The TROFAST is one of those collections from IKEA that are so popular that they can be difficult to make uniquely your own. This is the one storage solution that you've probably seen at playdates and in Airbnbs. They're affordable and their signature open shelving and slide-in bins make them an easy choice for storing toys and overall clutter. If you want to use them but don't have floor space for it, or want something that looks a little bit more elevated, consider hanging them on your wall. 

While you're probably used to seeing them on the floor, IKEA does have some wall storage versions of TROFAST specifically designed for this. These come in frames of different sizes and colors, but they're overall mostly flat with no more than two horizontal levels. You can do single, double, or even triple columns and easily hang separate ones above each other to have more storage space. This is not a particularly difficult project, but it does require that you have some tools. Plan to have an electric screwdriver, screws, a level, and these Eledom shelf brackets. If you have one handy, a stud finder is also helpful, and if you're not attaching the shelf to a stud, get some wall anchors. This idea is not only to keep your house organized with kids, it's also useful for adults. Consider using it in your living room or to improve your home office setup. 

A simple way to attach these shelves to the wall is to mount them above an existing flat surface like a desk or a dresser. You can stack some boxes, like in the video (above), and place the shelf on top of them while you get to work. If you want to attach the frame floating with nothing underneath, you'll just need to ask a friend to hold it for you, with a level, instead. 

If you are using a stud finder, locate a stud and attach the shelves using regular screws. If you don't have one or really want to hang the shelves somewhere that's just drywall, that's also okay. Just use some anchors before securing the shelves. To add some stability, add a shelf bracket underneath the center of the shelf as well. Just like before, you can mount the bracket to a stud or use a wall anchor on drywall. As always, when hanging things on the wall, do a strength test by pulling with your hand in different directions to make sure the frame is well attached. Make sure there are no wobbly parts or dangers of it falling down. 

The TROFAST might be originally designed with children in mind, but they're quite versatile. For example, they can be really useful home office storage for electronics, cables, and bulky things that tend to create clutter. If you want a bit of a more mature look than the plastic bins we're used to seeing in children's playrooms, consider the wire baskets instead. They come in different colors, like a dark olive green or a simple black, which is great for more elegant decors. 

Now that you know how to attach these shelves to the wall, think about all the creative things you can do. For example, try mixing single and double-column units for something truly unique and dynamic. You can arrange single boxes in a stair-step pattern, increasing the height with every new one. You can also float units above each other like in the video to create a full wall storage unit. With a bit of space between the units, you can rest some decor on top of them like plants, picture frames, or some mementos. And of course, you can pair wall units up with the floor ones. Just place a floor version horizontally on the ground and mount other ones above it. 

When deciding on the layout, think about who will use this storage and how. If you attach some of the units higher on the wall, small kids might not be able to reach them. This can be a good thing if you have some items you'd rather keep away from them, like electronics that they cannot use at all times of the day. If you have kids that are of different ages and heights, using a floor-and-wall combination can be a great way to separate each one's items. 

If you really can't stand your TROFAST looking like everyone else's and this trick isn't enough, consider painting them. Start with a coat of primer and then paint the unit whichever color you like to make them pop.