KALLAX Media Console Hack: Add Doors for Hidden Storage
As the first warm breezes of spring drift through my apartment, I always get the urge to declutter. The living room is the first target. That’s where the visual noise piles up, especially around the TV. A standard console can’t hide the mess of cables, gaming controllers, and stray charging bricks. That’s why the KALLAX media console hack remains my favorite small space organization trick for small apartment living.
The KALLAX shelf is already a workhorse. It’s deep enough for electronics and the cube layout is perfect for baskets. But open cubes still show clutter. The fix is simple: add cabinet doors. You can buy the KALLAX inserts from IKEA (the glass doors or the solid white ones) or build your own from plywood for a custom look. I used the IKEA KALLAX door inserts for the bottom row and left the top cubes open for decorative items.
Here is what you need for this IKEAhack:
- One KALLAX shelf unit (4×2 or 4×4 depending on your wall length)
- KALLAX door inserts (the DRÖNA boxes also work if you want fabric fronts)
- Furniture legs (I used Capita legs to lift it off the floor for an airy feel)
- Cable management clips and a power strip
The result? A clean, closed media console that hides the router, extra blankets, and all the small junk that usually sits on top. It stores everything and still lets you display a plant or two. For smallapartmentliving, this is a game changer because you don’t lose any floor space. The whole project took me an afternoon and cost under $150.
BESTÅ Ottoman with DIY Hidden Storage Compartment
Ottomans are the unsung heroes of small living room furniture. They offer seating, a footrest, and a table surface. But most store-bought ottomans have a flimsy lid and barely any space inside. That’s where a hack using the BESTÅ system changes everything.
I picked up a BESTÅ frame on clearance and turned it into a custom ottoman. The BESTÅ is designed as a TV stand, but its dimensions are perfect for a large ottoman. I removed the back panel and added a thick plywood top with foam padding and upholstery fabric. The frame itself has adjustable shelves inside, so you can create compartments for board games, extra throws, or even a mini bar.
The hidden storage is massive. I can fit four board games, two throw blankets, and a stack of magazines inside. And it looks like a high-end piece of furniture, not a hacked IKEA unit. The best part? The BESTÅ frame comes with legs, so it sits off the floor for easy cleaning. This is a perfect smallspaceorganization idea for anyone who needs extra seating and storage in one piece.
Stack LACK Side Tables into a Modular Storage Tower
The humble LACK side table costs $10 and weighs nothing. For years I used one as a nightstand. Then I realized you can stack them. Yes, you read that right. LACK tables are hollow, but the honeycomb structure is surprisingly sturdy when stacked. I used two LACK tables placed on top of each other, secured with a small bracket on the back, to create a three-tier storage tower.
Each table has a shelf underneath the top surface. That means three levels of display and storage. I keep magazines and a remote caddy on the top, plants and books on the middle, and a small basket for dog toys on the bottom. It takes up a 22-inch square footprint, so it fits neatly beside a sofa or even in a corner.
You can also paint the LACK tables to match your decor. I spray-painted mine a muted sage green to go with the spring vibes. If you want even more storage, use the KALLAX shelf inserts for the lower levels. The whole project costs less than $40 and looks like a custom piece. For IKEAorganization on a budget, this is hard to beat.
Turn a BILLY Bookcase into a Low Profile TV Stand
BILLY bookcases are everywhere. But in a small living room, a full-height BILLY can feel overwhelming. I decided to take a different approach. I bought a standard BILLY and simply didn’t assemble the top half. Instead, I cut the side panels down to 40 inches tall and used the extra shelves to build a low profile media console. If you’re not handy with a saw, IKEA now sells the BILLY in a shorter size called the BILLY OXBERG combination, but that’s expensive. The DIY route is cheaper.
The low BILLY sits perfectly under a wall-mounted TV. I added IKEA’s BESTÅ legs (drilled into the bottom) to lift it off the floor. The adjustable shelves let me store a soundbar, game consoles, and a record player. I use small bins on the shelves to keep chargers and remotes organized. The best part is the depth: the BILLY is about 11 inches deep, which is shallow enough for a narrow living room but still holds plenty.
If you want to hide everything, add the IKEA KALLAX door inserts or simply use fabric bins. This hack is a great way to get custom storage without spending custom money. It fits the smalllivingroom vibe perfectly because it keeps the visual weight low and leaves the wall above open for art or shelves.
Mount a KALLAX Above Your Sofa for Vertical Storage
Floor space is precious. Walls are not. If your small living room has a long sofa, the wall behind it is prime real estate. I mounted a KALLAX 2×2 shelf directly above my sofa. I spaced it 18 inches above the backrest so I could still lean back comfortably. The shelf holds plants, small baskets with remote controls, and a few framed photos. It clears the coffee table of clutter and adds a cozy, library-like feel.
Mounting a KALLAX requires a wall with studs. The unit is heavy when loaded. I used heavy-duty French cleats (not the included L-brackets) for extra security. Once it’s up, you can add DRÖNA boxes to hide mail, charging cables, or extra pillows. The vertical storage draws the eye upward, making the room feel taller and more open.
One trick: use adhesive cable clips to run charging cables down the wall behind the sofa. You can plug them into a power strip hidden behind an end table. This keeps the look clean. For smallapartmentliving, adding storage above the sofa is a no-brainer. You don’t lose any floor space, and you gain a place to keep daily essentials within arm’s reach.
I hope these ideas give you a fresh start for your small living room this season. Each hack is practical, budget-friendly, and easy to modify with your own twist. Pick one project for a weekend afternoon and see how much calmer your space feels. Save this pin for your next IKEA trip and happy hacking.
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