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In Glam Studio founders Aubrey Ament and William Glaser’s Brooklyn home, a series of wooden and bamboo boxes keep their busy life running a business and raising two kids in order. The bins in question hold everything from cooking spices to tile samples to bulky toys. They are good-looking, stackable, sturdy, and—wait for it—from IKEA’s “as-is” section. You know, that little room near check-out where the retailer offers ex-showroom displays, customer returns, and imperfect items at a discount? According to Ament, it’s a storage treasure trove.
When the designer is perusing the selection at her local Red Hook warehouse, she steers clear of larger items like chairs and coffee tables because, more often than not, they’re there because they’re damaged. “The things I mostly look for are ubiquitous organizational things, which is how I got to these boxes,” she says. The uber-simple pine Knagglig box and the smaller bamboo Uppdatera boxes are always on her radar when she is sifting through the bargain area. Usually, they’re unscathed and 50 percent off. “Designers don’t have client-level budgets,” admits Ament. “I look for pieces made from hardy materials like wood, wool, and metal that offer accessible, lasting, modern design.” Here’s the designer’s running list of everything she looks for in IKEA’s as-is section.
The Knagglig Box
“I want as many as I can get,” Ament continues to rave over this slatted pine box. There are two sizes to pick from, but she says going with the larger version (it’s 18 inches deep and nearly 10 inches tall) is a no-brainer. “I love to use them to organize my son’s toys,” she shares. In her house, they’re also ideal for storing work binders, envelopes, and large rug samples. You might be thinking, these are too simple—but that’s what she loves about them. “They create continuity out of your chaos, which is organization 101,” Ament adds.
The Uppdatera Box
Ament scouts for these lighter bamboo bins when she’s in need of more kitchen organization or a way to corral tile and fabric samples for projects. “We mostly use them in our pantry but they could be helpful in bathrooms,” she says.
The Bumerang Hangers
It doesn’t matter if she’s bought any new clothes lately, if Ament spots these quality wooden hangers in the as-is section for a few bucks, she snags them. “IKEA makes good wooden hangers!” she says. Your heavy winter coats and delicate blouses will thank you.
The Gladom Tray Table
If you eye a piece of furniture that can serve multiple purposes—say, a side table with a removable serving tray—get it before it’s gone. “I’ve seen these in the as-is area a few times,” Ament shares.
The Domsten Stool
A durable, functional stool is always a good idea: you can stack books on them, use them as extra seating, plop a plant on top, and easily get to tall cupboards. Luckily IKEA sells stools in all shapes and sizes. The designer’s current favorite is the Domsten, which jazzes things up from the basic pine Kyrre stool with its colorful metal legs and pine wood top. “You’ll never be sad you bought a stool,” she says.
The Parkla Storage Bag
As a longtime New Yorker and small-space dweller, Ament is used to switching out her wardrobe and bedding seasonally. The Parkla storage bags, which come in multiple sizes, are made from semi-transparent polypropylene, so you just as easily use them for storing patio cushions in your garage during the winter or slide a few under your mattress. Ament even uses them as long-term solutions for old kids’ clothes, dividing things up by sizes.
The Purrpingla Laundry Bag
As the laundry person in her household, Ament can attest to this firm canvas hamper’s functionality. It’s ideal for wash-and-fold-goers but also just going up and down the stairs in your own home. “It’s stiff enough to stand up on its own, so you can use it as a hamper too,” she says.
The Slibb Laundry Basket
Ament will keep these flexible, totable, low-profile baskets by her front door for corralling shoes. They’re also handy for clearing her eldest’s monster trucks out of the kitchen. “He can even pick it up because it’s not too tall,” she points out.
Natural Textiles
Ament’s been surprised by the amount of quality textiles (pillowcases, blankets, rugs) she can get at IKEA. She always has an eye out for natural fibers like wool or cotton when she’s sifting through things. A dream discount find would be the chic, 100 percent cotton Skogskovall bedspread. “I bought one last year and I was like, ‘How is this IKEA?’” she says. You never know what you’re going to get as-is, which is kind of the thrill.