I reckon just about every home in Australia has a set of the cube-shaped Ikea shelves.
You know the ones I’m talking about: usually in white, beech, dark wood or a black finish.
The most popular size is probably four cubes wide and high, although they come in many variations.
The Exit of the Expedit
Last year there was a furore when Ikea announced that it would be “re-naming” the popular range from “Expedit” to “Kallax”.
The Kallax has all the features you know and love; however the outside edge is slightly smaller. As Ikea alone currently accounts for 1% of the world’s wood supply, that’s gotta help the planet (and their bottom line)!
Colourful Kallax
Oh, and they now come in a range of exciting colours – pink, red, white, blue, yellow, grey and green.
Different versions of these shelving units are now available at pretty much any homewares retailer.
I don’t know about you, but I *love* seeing what people do with their Ikea shelves. So I thought I’d share mine …
What room are your shelves in?
The family room/dining area.
How long have you had them?
It was probably the first piece of furniture we bought when we moved into this house 5 years ago.
What do you store in the drawers/cupboards?
Junk mail (I’m not allowed to throw it out until the hubster has had a chance to browse through it at his leisure!), magazines, and an assortment of household detritus – keys, torches, pens, batteries, bits and bobs that have no other home ๐ .
In the white boxes, I store all our wrapping paper and card supplies.
What is your favourite decorator item on your shelves and why?
Oh that’s hard! But it would be toss up between the glass vase (also from Ikea) and the “Australia’s Best Mum” mug (a gift from the kids). As you can see, I love aqua and teal!
How often do you change the “look” of your shelves?
Ummm … I don’t really, except for changing the library books about once a month! The family photos are mostly pretty old, I really should update them.
It’s Your Turn!
So that’s me, Janet from Middle Aged Mama – now it’s your turn! If you have a set of Ikea shelves (or another brand) in your home – why not join in the fun? I’d love to feature yours in an upcoming blog post! All you have to do is snap some pics and answer the same five questions, and send to [email protected].
Hands up if have a set of these shelves in your home!
Joining #fybf at With Some Grace.
Raych aka Mystery Case says
You’re back! With some subtle changes?
As we are renting while we wait for our NSW house to sell, we opted for the less sturdy and not needing to be nailed to the wall variety. I originally purchased for my office but when the girls had their room makeover the cubes just seemed to work better in there.
Janet Camilleri says
I look forward to receiving your photos and answers when you are feeling up to it! xxx
stephanie@stephsjoy says
Hand up. We have an expedit, it lives in my boy’s bedroom, filled with toys and books.
Janet Camilleri says
Well you know what I’m going to say now don’t you?!!! Send me photos and answer the 5 questions, I would LOVE to feature you on my blog!!! xxx
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says
I have a 2×2 cube as my daughters bedside table and then a huge one in the girls playroom (though not IKEA and not squares) that I use for all of their craft and toys.
Natalie @ OurParallelConnection says
I could spend hours just wondering around Ikea, but I need to go on my own as kids drive me mad and hubby gets impatient. By the end, I have come up with some awesome ideas but then sadly realise we have no money so I am still waiting.
Janet Camilleri says
Yes, and while the basic unit is affordable, by the time you add in drawers or cupboard doors or baskets it can really add up … says she from experience!
Eva @ The Multitasking Mummy says
Yep, I have a set of those except a 4 x 2 size. It’s no longer in Beech but Annie Sloans Duck Egg Blue and now it suits my little cottage so much better!
Bec @ The Plumbette says
I love all our white ones and I find it interesting how others display their wares in them. I can’t wait to see how everyone else uses their shelves. ๐
KezUnprepared says
Oh boy. We love them. There are some in my Little Mister’s bedroom, some in the study and some in the playroom! I don’t think I’d have the courage to share photos unless I styled them up a bit better haha. We use ours for sorting laundry (no joke – there’s a way) and holding the Little Mister’s books, games, soft toys, you name it. Kid stuff!
Holly says
Mine is in the office / craft room & like the rest of the room, is a bit of a mess lol but I love it!
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
We have one half that size in my office, but it’s full of kids crap! I really do need to look at getting one for the entry way! x
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit says
Nope! Not yet. I love them … but don’t own any yet.
L
Grace says
Oh, dear…we actually don’t have these ones. We have a bookshelf from IKEA and lots of photo frames but not these…will have to look into getting some for the boys’ room, I think.
Teri says
This post makes me want to have shelves. I only have bookshelves. But, I think you sold me on the functionality of them. AND we recently got our first IKEA in Kansas City (US).
I love the mug idea and the overall eclectic look. Good post and nice to meet ya!
Teri
Bronnie - Maid In Australia says
I actually DON’T have a set of these shelves – mainly because we don’t have an IKEA anywhere near us and I only have a little car. But I have long coveted them. I would love two sets of shelves; one set for each of the kids’ rooms. Would make things so much tidier and I think they still look cool.
Janet Camilleri says
I think you can get similar from other stores eg Freedom, Officeworks, Kmart – good luck in your quest to find them where you live!!!!