IKEA PÅLYCKE Hanging Basket Creates Extra Storage in Small Kitchens

Many people cook in just a few square metres, stacking plates, mugs and spices right up to the edge of the cupboard, then becoming frustrated as they search for something every day. IKEA now offers a straightforward solution in the form of a hanging basket that puts concealed surfaces to use and turns wasted space into practical storage.

Why small kitchens become overcrowded so quickly

Anyone living in a city flat or apartment will know the issue: the kitchen is often the smallest room, yet it is expected to do the most. Cooking, storing food, washing up and sometimes even working all have to fit into a very limited area.

• Cupboards soon become packed full
• Higher areas are often left unused
• Small items disappear at the very back
• Heavy shelving or drilling holes is often not an option

Many people turn to baskets, boxes or extra shelves. However, not every material is suitable for a kitchen, and not every solution makes genuinely clever use of the available space.

Choosing the right material: not every basket can cope with kitchen steam

Kitchens are exposed to a combination of moisture, grease, changing temperatures and, at times, direct sunlight. Different materials do not all handle these conditions equally well.

A few examples:

• Seagrass: hard-wearing, handles moisture well and suits both kitchens and bathrooms.
• Jute: comparatively delicate and may wear out more quickly in damp rooms.
• Rattan: attractive in appearance, but unsuitable for intense sunlight or continual moisture.

When choosing kitchen accessories, appearance should not be the only consideration. Storage needs to be practical, easy to clean and reasonably durable; otherwise, that attractive basket may end up in the bin after a year.

New IKEA PÅLYCKE hanging basket: storage created simply “underneath”

This is precisely where IKEA’s PÅLYCKE hanging basket comes in. Its concept is simple: unused space directly below shelves or inside cupboards can instantly become extra storage, without drilling a single hole.

The basket simply clips beneath a shelf, creating a new “compartment” for mugs, glasses or spices within seconds.

The basket can be attached below an existing shelf or fitted inside a cupboard. This creates an additional level that is ideal for lightweight items which would otherwise be left lying around or stacked up.

Tool-free fitting: clips instead of wall plugs

It is secured using flexible clips. According to IKEA, these fit standard shelves around 16 to 20 millimetres thick. In most cases, anyone with a typical IKEA shelving unit or standard kitchen cupboard should be able to use it.

Benefits of this approach include:

• no drill, wall plugs or screws required
• can be moved to a new position quickly
• ideal for rented homes with delicate walls or fitted kitchens
• secure yet easy-to-release fixing

The basket can therefore be repositioned, removed or clipped onto another shelf whenever needed. This makes the system adaptable, particularly for those who regularly reorganise their kitchen.

Better visibility: everything in view rather than searching cupboards

One familiar problem in compact kitchens is that it is impossible to see what is stored at the back of a cupboard. Items are bought twice because existing supplies are simply out of sight.

With the open hanging basket, mugs, glasses, spices and small food items remain visible and within easy reach. One quick glance shows what is kept where.

Instead of disappearing into the furthest corner, everyday items sit in an open compartment at eye level.

IKEA states that the basket can hold around 1.5 kilograms. Heavy cast iron should not be stored in it, but light storage jars, cups, bowls and kitchen utensils are suitable. Its depth has been chosen to avoid a bulky appearance while still providing noticeable extra storage.

Where the PÅLYCKE hanging basket is especially useful in the kitchen

This accessory is particularly useful in places that have previously been left unused.

Everyday places to use it

• Under a wall cupboard: for mugs that would otherwise sit on the worktop.
• Inside a larder cupboard: for spice jars, baking ingredients or teas.
• In a base cupboard: as an extra level for small bowls or lids.
• Near the sink: for microfibre cloths, sponges or washing-up liquid that should remain out of sight.

Combining several baskets creates several additional levels without installing a single new shelf. They look especially tidy and airy in open shelving systems.

Caring for the basket: clean it in seconds

In a kitchen, almost everything eventually becomes dirty from grease, dust or spilled food. Accessories that cannot be wiped clean easily soon become irritating. According to its description, IKEA’s hanging basket can be wiped clean with a soft cloth and mild detergent.

Simply take a cloth, wipe it over once, and the job is done. This is a particular advantage for allergy sufferers or very tidy households: open baskets only look good when they do not appear dusty.

The price question: is it really worth buying?

With a retail price of just under four euros, PÅLYCKE clearly falls into the impulse-buy category. It is not a major investment requiring lengthy consideration, but rather an item that can quickly prove worthwhile when used every day.

Feature	PÅLYCKE hanging basket
Installation	without drilling, using flexible clips
Suitable shelf thickness	approx. 16–20 mm
Load capacity	up to around 1.5 kg
Places of use	kitchen cupboards, shelves, pantry areas
Price	around 3.99 euros

For people who need to make use of every small corner, such as those in single-person kitchens, shared flats or micro-apartments, even one extra basket can make a difference: a cupboard compartment looks tidier, and precarious stacks are no longer necessary.

Space-saving ideas for small kitchens: how to gain even more room

Anyone wanting to incorporate PÅLYCKE effectively should first take a critical look at their kitchen. Which surfaces are empty? Where are mugs hanging around at the edge of the worktop? Which compartments are full despite having unused air directly below them?

Useful approaches include:

• Adjust shelves so that tall glasses can still stand above the hanging basket.
• Group similar items together: for example, keep all teas in the basket and all coffee mugs above it.
• Store only lightweight, frequently used items in the basket, rather than rarely used guest sets.
• Do not overfill open baskets, or their visibility advantage will be lost.

Used alongside stackable boxes, pull-out inserts and hook rails, a standard kitchen can be optimised enough to feel significantly larger without gaining a single centimetre of floor space.

When a hanging basket makes sense - and when it does not

Despite its benefits, the basket is not right for every situation. Those with very low wall cupboards could quickly bump their head if a basket is hanging below. Its load capacity is also limited when it comes to exceptionally heavy glasses or cast-iron pans.

PÅLYCKE is ideal for:

• favourite everyday mugs
• lightweight food-storage containers
• spice collections
• kitchen towels and oven gloves

It is less suitable for full wine bottles, heavy bowls or large storage containers. Conventional shelves or metal rails are the better choice in these cases.

How a small accessory becomes an everyday helper

Ultimately, usefulness depends on how it is used: a hanging basket only offers real value if it is needed every day. Anyone who briefly considers their kitchen routines, from making coffee to preparing an evening meal, will soon identify where access is most frequent. That is exactly where a basket such as PÅLYCKE makes the most sense.

Those looking to bring more structure to their kitchen can begin with one basket and add more later. The system can then grow with their needs, rather than requiring the entire kitchen to be rethought around one large shelving system.