Not Bins: IKEA Has A Smart Solution For Storing Kitchen Items Without The Clutter

IKEA is known for its affordable and practical organizing products — so much so that the brand's catalogue can feel a bit overwhelming. The retailer has a bevy of items to organize a cluttered kitchen and tidy pantries, cabinets, and counters, including bins. However, if you're in search of a drawer organizer, the UPPDATERA series is one line to browse. In particular, the UPPDATERA Sliding Drawer Organizer adds another layer of storage to deep drawers in the form of a shallow tray. This allows you to neatly store small kitchen items that would otherwise end up lost or scattered.

The product sits on the opening of kitchen drawers, and it's possible to slide it along the drawer frame to access the storage below. It measures 21 ¾ inches wide, 5 inches deep, and 1 inch tall, so it is rather small. It should fit 24-inch-wide kitchen drawers, which is a common width, though the size of the drawer box will affect its fit. At the time of writing, the drawer organizer only has around 50 reviews, but they add up to an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. One reviewer wrote, "Finally, no more cluttered drawers," while another calls it a "great space saver."

There are pros and cons to this IKEA find for deep drawers. On the one hand, the placement along the top of the frame makes it particularly useful for storing frequently used accessories, so you don't have to dig through the space underneath. On the other hand, the shallow and narrow design will only fit certain kitchen items. IKEA shows it holding spice jars and as a creative way to store aluminum foil and parchment paper. You can also use it to store narrow rolling pins, small scissors, chip clips, pens and markers, or other slim utensils. Then again, since it only fits a handful of things, it won't get as cluttered as larger in-drawer bins and organizers.

Negative reviews point out it's a useful organizer — if it fits. It only comes in one size, and there's no good way to adjust or tweak it, so it won't work in some kitchens. Other not-so-happy reviews noted the felt-like polyester material isn't ideal for the kitchen. The fuzzy surface is more difficult to clean, so you might not want it in an area prone to spills. "I'd prefer a smooth version—it would be more hygienic," one reviewer wrote. The material does help dampen the sound of objects rolling around inside, though. Plus, it looks more premium than plastic bins. Typical of IKEA, this organizer comes at an affordable price, costing $4.99.