Why You Should Turn Your IKEA BRIMNES Cabinet Into A Pantry For Your Small Home

No doubt, the BRIMNES collection is one of the best IKEA cabinet lines that are worth buying. We've seen it used in the living room to hold books and board games, in the dining room serving as a credenza, and even doubling as a pseudo console table in the entryway. This time, though? We're moving it to the kitchen and turning it into the ultimate, space-savvy pantry. Because small kitchens rarely have pantries (boo!), and building one isn't an option for many. You might not even have room for a full-sized, freestanding cabinet. Luckily, not only is IKEA's BRIMNES Cabinet compact, but it also fits a lot of food, delivering the best of both worlds.

If you don't already have one, consider this your sign to pick up the BRIMNES cabinet with doors. It costs $99, measures a mere 37⅜ inches tall by 30¾ inches wide by 16⅛ inches deep, and comes in either white or black. Inside, you'll find two roomy shelves with a maximum load of 55 pounds each. That's plenty for food. Granted, the piece is made of particleboard, but according to the reviews, it really is of great quality. Customers say that this piece of furniture is sturdy, strong, and a breeze to construct.

Small but mighty, the IKEA BRIMNES cabinet can handle everything a normal pantry would. You could stash instant food and snacks on the top shelf. Place cooking ingredients and baking supplies (like rice, pasta, flour, and sugar) in the middle compartment. Meanwhile, canned goods can go at the bottom. We like that the shelf height can be adjusted depending on your storage needs. You could even tuck in containers and baskets to keep your staples neat and tidy. Don't know where to start? There are plenty of IKEA solutions that will help organize your pantry, too.

If you think food is the only thing you can store in this faux pantry cabinet, you're wrong. It can also fit small appliances! "I am about to purchase two more of these for my kitchen," one IKEA reviewer wrote. "I plan to use one to store my air fryer and electric grill to free up some counter space, and the other I'm going to add a countertop and make an island." One word: versatile. As a bonus, the tabletop works as extra storage for canister sets, utensil holders, and a small booze collection if you enjoy happy hours at home.

You can even dress your BRIMNES cabinet up by painting it. Just lightly sand the surfaces, prime them with a multi-surface product, and paint. Pick the same hue as your existing cabinetry or have it contrast to add a pop of color to your kitchen — it's up to you.