Showing posts with label office storage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label office storage. Show all posts

7/24/2026

KALLAX Shelving Unit, white, (146.5H, 76.5W x 39D cm)

This is a great looking, easy to assemble shelving unit that looks great anywhere and holds tons of stuff. I use some of the shelves to store things that I don't mind being visible, like nice folder files, or books, and others to insert cube boxes with stuff I want out of sight.  It looks clean and polished, once finished. I found that the panels are not that heavy, but sturdy the same. It can be used as sideboard as well, but, in my case, the  vertical position suits me more.

I dreaded assembling this unit on my own, as the leaflet recommends two people to do so. However, it was pretty easy to put it up as you assemble one panel at a time, so you start light. It's definitely heavy once it's fully assembled, but not that heavy that prevented me from moving it to the position I wanted it to on floorboards.

Designer = Tord Björklund.
Materials = Particleboard, Fibreboard, Paper foil, Honeycomb structure paper filling (100% recycled), Plastic edging. 
Care =  Wipe clean with a cloth dampened in a mild cleaner.
MIND =
> Max load on top is 25 Kg.
> Max load per shelf 13 Kg.  
> Tipping hazard, so wall securing is recommended, especially if you have an uneven and/or have a surface that is not solid and flat.  

 

 

7/22/2026

Bamboo and Plastic Vertical 3 Drawers (3.6H x 17.1W x 24.1D cm)

I have a couple of these units in my office's shelves sitting beside my horizontal desktop drawer unit made of the same good-looking quality bamboo and white sturdy plastic. This unit looks small, but it holds lots of stuff. I have my portable hard drivers stored in one of the drawers, as well as punches, pens, markers, a small portable radio and  other random art supplies and stationery items. It can easily be used as bathroom storage unit for makeup and cosmetics as well. The unit weights about 1.5 Kg, so it can handle weight very well. The only thing that I dislike is that the heights of this and the larger unit are slightly different; the small one is about 0.5cms shorter, something that personally I notice. It would have been great if  they had had identical in height.  

7/19/2026

FÖRSÄSONG Cable Management Tray, white, (38W x 17H 11D cm)

This is a small mesh tray, made of good quality materials and solid placement pins, that you put on the side of your desk to organise your computer cables, adaptors and plugs. The tray comes with two Velcro fasteners for extra support. Although this is the tray's main use, you can use it to put some small plants or decorative elements or, I do as a stationary open drawer. I was using it o put my pens and pencils directly on it,  but they would often get out through and fall on the floor through the openings at both sides of the tray. This is because I had put many items inside; if just a four or so pens, there is no problem. At the moment, I use it to hold two small pouches with those pencils and pens.  This tray is economic, easy to install and remove, and the securing pins don't loosen.

Designers =  J. Jelinek & A. Fredriksson.

USEFUL INFORMATION
Materials =  Tray/ Clamp: Steel, Epoxy/polyester powder coating. Knob: Polypropylene plastic. 
Mind =  
> You need a surface that is 1.2-4cm thick.  
> Max load 3 Kgs.  

7/17/2026

HÅLLBAR Bin with lid (Light grey) (3 Litre)

This bin is the smaller in the Hallbar line and I find it extremely useful. It's made of very good quality plastic, and has a very pleasurable roundish design that I love. These boxes can stacked on othes of the same size or on bigger ones from the same line. It can  also be integrated into a kitchen drawer or cabinet.
 
It can be used as food scrap bin, but I mostly use it for storage. I have four of these under my kitchen sink  holding scourers, sponges, cleaning clothes and gloves, small garden tools, tealight candles, and used batteries among other items. They come with a white self-adhesive label for easy identification.
 
The lid needs to be put into position.First one has to slide right or left the "hinges", then close the link and press the lid hooks down onto the hinges. It's easy but, depending on the items, sometimes they're a bit tricky to position.

Designer = Henrik Preutz.
Materials =  + 50% recycled plastic.
Measurements =  Lower outer measure, depth: 11.7 cm. Upper outer measure, depth: 16.2 cm. Lower outer measure, width: 16.6 cm. Upper outer measure, width: 20.0 cm. Height: 17.1 cm.

 

5/11/2026

FRAMTUNG Lunch Bag (22 cm L x 17cm W x 35 cm H )

I needed a new lunch bag, and I fancy this one so much that I purchased despite having the impression that would break easily due to the thin fabric. It is so stylish that I couldn't resist the temptation. 
 
Yes, it is pretty, but it holds my usual stuff without a problem. I usually carry a large solid food thermos (usually heavy), an piece of fruit, an small container with cookies or nuts, several serviettes and two small spoons. The bag has insulation, so it is perfect to prolong the heat of my thermos. I could put much more inside, as it is very spacious. It is also very light and easy to carry. I love the front mesh pocket, as I usually put my mobile there when carrying it or while having lunch. The bag is water-resistant, which makes it great for the occasional splash or leakage. Great price, as well! 
 
DESIGNER Jonas Hultqvist.
 
MIND   
> Max load 5kg.
> Hand wash only. Max 40°C.

MATERIALS  Exterior: 100% polyester (min. 90% recycled). Lining: EVA plastic. Mesh pocket: 100% polypropylene.

 

 

 
 

1/05/2026

Kmart 1 Drawer Wide Mesh Organiser

This light drawer is perfect for my office storage needs, but it can be used to organise a wardrobe or a kitchen cupboard as it's very roomy and you can put tons of stuff in it. 

 I have three of these stacked under my work desktop. I could have put a fourth one, but I have an Ikea square container of the same size on top, which I use as rubbish bin. The result is really neat and I have so much stuff put out of the freaking way. It makes the perfect under-desk unit because I can move this "unit" easily and I can put tons of stuff in it. I wish I could put castors to them, because it's perfect otherwise. You could use two of the Kmart small rectangular organised on top of this unit and compartmentalise the space better.   

The main downside is the rolling system, as the rails on which the baskets roll over are not shaped as well as they should and, sometimes, the baskets derail and get stuck, so I have to manually put them back on track. This isn't a big hassle at all, as this only happens sometimes, but it's a designer flaw and the baskets aren't that cheap. For the rest, the handles are very neat, but it would have been better if they protruded a bit so that usage is easier.   
 
USEFUL INFORMATION
Measurements: 15.8cm (H) x 34cm (W) x 38cm (D)
Maximum weight: Top layer 5kg, basket 5kg 
Materials: Iron with epoxy powder coating, wire and wood
Product weight: 1.16kg
 

8/27/2025

EKET Open Cabinet (White, 35x35x35 cm)

I had already bought several cubes from the EKET system in the past, but the ones with the door, when I purchased this one. They are very spacious and good looking and I store tons of stuff in them. I have used them on top of a deck, on top of other containers, or, as intended, connected to other EKET cubes. I have never hung them from the wall, so I cannot comment on that. 
 
I had had a good experience with the EKET door cubes, so I couldn't understand the many reviews claiming that they're difficult to assemble until got this open cube and then I understood. 
 
The instructions are easy to follow. So the problem is not that, is that some of the pieces are faulty from factory. In my case, three of the doors were assembled without trouble. I just inserted the pegs on some of the panel edges into the peg holes on the other panel edges, pressed them down (sometimes with the help of a soft hammer knock) until they click in. Once I had assembled three of the sides, I inserted the thinner back panel and I was ready to finish the cube. That was the problem. due to the peg holes on one of the panels being faulty or too wide, the final pegs wouldn't go in at all. I used a hammer, and nothing changed. The issue is that the last panel was a few millimetres shorter than intended and wouldn't reach  the other panel at all. I followed some of the tricks that the reviewers mentioned on the Ikea product page, but to no avail. I had to request a refund, because I fear that there are many of these cubes with the same issue and would not bother with the replacement. 
 
Designer: Jon Karlsson

Materials: Back panel, Fibreboard, Paper foil. Panel, Particleboard, Honeycomb structure paper filling (100% recycled), Fibreboard, Paper foil, Plastic edging.

Measurements: 35cm W x 35cm H.  

Max. load/shelf: 7 kg

Care: Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Wipe dry with a clean cloth.

 

8/08/2025

SUNNERSTA Container (12x11 cm)

The Sunnersta containers, available in different colours, are multifunctional sleek containers, made of premium plastic. The outer layer is matte and the inner is somewhat glossy, which works great for purposes like putting pens, pencils, markers and crayons, where the items might leak or left traces of colour. They wash easily and don't get stained easily. 
 
These containers are part of the Sunnersta hanging system, which provides cheap but good looking storage solutions for office, kitchen, laundry and bathroom. I use them mostly in my home office to store different small items, paint tubes and tools inside larger baskets. They also make perfect desktop mini bins. They launch different colours every season, so you can colour code your office or kitchen or craft caddy.
 
Price is absolutely ridiculous for such a good quality durable product.  

8/03/2025

Kmart Large Wire and Wood Shelf

I bought this to add storage space on my kitchen bench, but it turned out to be more of a nuisance. It's a good idea, but my shelf was wobbly and one of the screws would not go in properly. I thought of using it inside my pantry, but, again, it was a bit of a nuisance. I've used it also as floor stand to put my home office cable box . It helped with that. It doesn't stand much weight and, especially in the pantry, reduced the space instead of creating more. 
 
Perhaps it was a faulty item, and other pieces work perfectly, but I found that using a bed tray on my kitchen bench is way better, more stable, and more stylish. 
 
I would not recommend this.
  
USEFUL INFO  
Measurements: 23.5cm (H) x 50cm (W) x 19.5cm (D)
Box dimensions: 3.2cm (L) x 20.5cm (H) x 50.2cm (D)
Maximum weight capacity: 4kg
Materials: Powder-coated iron with rubber wood handles

6/21/2025

ALEX Storage Unit on Castors (White 36x76cm)

This is a closed shelving unit with castors that can be used on its own or attached to any of the Alex tabletops to turn it into a desk. It has only one inner shelf, but it's height is easily adjustable. The door can be placed facing the right or the left side, which comes handy when putting two units together, or simply, when you want to adjust the door opening to your dominant hand.
 
Simple and minimalist in design, this is a good quality, sturdy unit, with lots of depth and storage capacity. In my case, helps me keep heavy ugly-looking office archive boxes out of sight.

I found the unit a bit heavy for me, but I was able to put everything together on my own with little effort. That was until I got to aligning the door hinges. Screwing and placing the hinges was easy, but matching the door's with the unit interior's was a huge task due to the nonsensical closing system. Also, page 15 in the instructions leaflet, where this step is drawn, was confusing to me. Not difficult, just annoying. Hinge cringe.

Although great value for money, the photos are misleading as they make the item look smaller and less deep that it actually is. My home office is in a large room, and this still looks humongous, and in disharmony with the rest of the space. I think it is great for a proper office or for a room that is furnished with Alex items, which would have the same volume. The measurements are given in the product page, but to me the visual volumetric appearance is always preferable; that being the case, I tend to guide myself by looking at the photos and how the item looks in relation to others furniture items. 

The unit can store a lot of weight, so I find the castors slightly week, and they don't have a stop either. 
 
Good value for money, but ain't sure if I'll buy this again. 

DESIGNER Unknown

6/08/2025

SKÅDIS Hanging Hook (White)

These Skadis protruding hooks are terrific to hang anything you can imagine. They can be repositioned easily but stay securely inside the pegboard slots. They're light but strong. So many uses I've given to these to hang scissors, small torches, some art supplies, some painting tubes (those that have a hole at the base for example), keys, utensils and much more. Good quality but pricey. 

DESIGNER Eva Lilja Löwenhielm,

SKÅDIS Container (White)

This container is a great addition for any pegboard. I's great as a pen or crayon holder as it stays in place safely thanks to the well-designed back hooks. It holds tons of stuff and vertically, away from my table, and I can use it with markers, pens, pencils, crayons (these would stain the inside a bit) among other things. Great quality plastic.   

DESIGNER  Eva Lilja Löwenhielm
 

6/01/2025

KMART 3 Drawer Chest (Grey)

This chest of drawers is not only cheap, but also sturdy, spacious and good looking. It's also very easy to assemble. 

I have two of these in my home office and they perfectly fit with my office's Skandi style. The frame is made of metal, the top is bamboo and the collapsible drawers are fabric-like. 
 
I had hesitations to buy this item due to the fact that the drawers are soft and I thought they would not be spacious or strong enough. However, they are! I have tons of stuff in them. The maker advises a maximum of 3 Kilos per drawer but I have two of them holding more than that. However, I put the heavier on the bottom shelf as this acts as grounding for the the whole unit and prevents the chest toppling over. 
 
The top shelf can hold up to 20 Kilos, so I have a heavy-ish letter tray organiser on one of my units. Kmart doesn't recommend putting a TV on this chest, firstly because this unit was not made to place a TV, and secondly because the unit can be easily moved if not fully loaded.  

The maker recommends having this chest wall secured, but I cannot do that in the rental I live in. Yet, the chest is very stable and, despite using it all the time, having it full of stuff, opening and closing the drawers all the time, has never toppled. Yet, I can move it easily. If you have children, secure it to the wall  with the including fittings as, when empty, the whole unit weighs less than 5 kilos and can be easily moved or fall. 

Although I use this chest for office purposes, due to its good looks and large capacity, can be used in different rooms as I could easily fill it with linen, towels, shoes, toys, table linen, travelling light gear, and so on. 

My main disappointment with this unit is that the drawer handle inner side tends to deform and bend outward, making it look cheap (well, it shows it's cheap when this happens). There are no replacements for these collapsible drawers, so, if one breaks, you will have to buy a new unit, which is a bit ridiculous. 
 
I've had this chest for several years and it's still a star seller at Kmart. Despite the heavy use I give it, it is in great condition and still looking good.    

MEASUREMENTS: 72cm (H) x 45cm (W) x 30cm (D)
Storage drawer: 21cm (H) x 40cm (W) x 28cm (D


5/31/2025

RISATORP Basket With Compartments (33x24x11 cm)

This is another Risatorp beauty. I super love this range due to its quality, classy Skandi timeless but modern design, and versatility. This compartment basket is not only beautiful, but has myriad uses. It makes a great office caddy, kitchen or crafts  caddy. Currently, I use it as a bathroom caddy to have at hand my most used items of cosmetics, makeup, perfume and toiletries. Its low height makes it perfect for storage in drawers and small cabinets.    
 
Super easy to assemble.  

Not fit for outdoor use. 

DESIGNER  Wiebke Braasch,

 
 

SKÅDIS Clip

These clips are almost flat and hook into any Skadis pegboard easily. I don't find them as useful as other hooks and Skadis accessories as these are designed mostly to hold paper. That being the case aren't as versatile, or at least to me, as other hugs and clips. However, they are still great to have important pieces of paper on display: bills to pay, or photos, or leaflets for an event, or your own painting or drawing, inspiration images for your inspiration board, postcards received, and so on. 
 
DESIGNER  Eva Lilja Löwenhielm

5/30/2025

VATTENKAR Desk Organiser (White, 33x21x43 cm)

I really love this organiser. Organisers of this sort are a wonderful replacement for renters who might not be able to use a wall pegboard but want something similar but portable. So easy to carry around different rooms at home or to  put in the car and take it away. 

The Vattenkar is a multifunctional organiser that perfectly works as work caddy and as craft or sewing station. The central pegboard is great as I can use different Skadis accessories and hooks to create different storage layouts. I like that the caddy has two different sides as I can put the prettier side facing the viewer and the back side with the uglier storage items facing the wall. I haven't used the elastic band yet as I devote this to crafts not to books or my laptop. 
 
This organiser is easy to assemble as it has just a few pieces that click in together; the instructions leaflet is also easy to follow. 
 
I had this in my wish list for a long time because, despite the measurements being clear n the product page, I wasn't sure how much space or how much space would occupy. Having had this for a while now, that the item is a bit bulky and heavy even when empty. Not a beautiful looking storage solution, but a very practical one; and you wouldn't believe how much stuff I can fit in.

DESIGNER Anna-Maria Nilsson 

IKEA 365+ Square Food Storage Basket (14x14x10 cm)

These square baskets are cut and have a wonderful clean design. They look like part of the Risatorp line due to its mix of white epoxied mesh and bamboo lids. I love the way they look, that they can be stacked, and that the lid seals the container perfectly. aled. Handwash only, of course. You cannot put anything liquid in it and I personally would not store food in them. Wiping them with a damp cloth is enough. Every single IKEA 365+ product storage that I bought about 10 years ago, I still have it in good conditions. So I expect the same from these mini baskets.
 
DESIGNER Unknown

5/20/2025

SKÅDIS Round Hook (19 mm)

I had read so many negative reviews about these hooks that I hesitated to buy them. The main complaint from customers was that they're really difficult to insert and that they can damage the pegboard. Well, after getting them, I found them to have a child-like sort of insertion system. I wonder why schools don't teach puzzles and basic mechanical stuff to children so that they can become functional adults. Breaking the board with these is so difficult, like you have to have your wires all messed-up and the strength of a bear to insert them in the wrong way. They come with a little handy leaflet that explains how to insert them. But the design is so intuitive that you don't really need instructions... unless you do. 
 
These are my favourite hooks for the Skadis pegboards to be honest. Easy to insert, easy to reposition, and they hold plenty of different things and they occupy just one hold on the board, not two or three as other hooks do. They are strong, too, I love them to store my washi tape rolls, but I can hang so many things from them, like scissors, laces, anything and everything.


DESIGNER Johanna Jelinek

5/19/2025

TJOG Storage box with lid (dark grey, 25x36x15 cm)

I have all my home office storage sorted out with KIKI K storage boxes, which are made of sturdy hard carboard covered in linen. Unfortunately, they don't make them any more. It's impossible for me not to compare the quality and craftsmanship of these with this TJOG box. This Ikea storage box looks beautiful, classic and elegant. It comes flat but it's really easy to assemble. However, the cardboard is not sturdy or stiff enough to me. I couldn't find the maximum storage weight allowed on the product web page. I have put a bit of weight on the two I have, but the heaver is on the bottom. The other one I filled mostly with paper that doesn't weight much. 

DESIGNER Ikea of Sweden

SKÅDIS Container with Lid (White)

These containers are designed specifically for Ikea Skadis pegboard system. They look beautiful, are made of good quality plastic, so much so that the translucent container looks like glass. These are a bit tricky to use because their hanging and opening system is not the best. Unlike the other hanging container, which is perfect, this one's hanging hooks aren't on the container but on the lid. Besides, you have to get used to sliding the container into the lid, not the other way around. It doesn't make sense to me because, this way, it's ease to drop the bottom and its contents or, otherwise, as I do, you need to be super conscious of how you open and close the container. Personally, I would not use it with condiments or spices.
 
DESIGNER Eva Lilja Löwenhielm