A timeless story about storage
It was an age before Kallaxes, Paxes, Platsas, Ekets, and other counter-clutter solutions by Ikea. Books (bought pre-owned or brand-new to be discarded after the insomnia-curing first paragraph) would be strewn all over the tin-can-sized condo units, along with records with mismatched jackets (an ABBA vinyl encased in a Zappa sleeve, the inserts of “Exile on Main St.” exiled somewhere else along with a few Missing Persons), the MacFarlane toys mixed with random Happy Meal freebies (The horror! The horror!), freshly laundered clothes partying with the great unwashed, and shoes… everywhere… shoes.
In the beginning, was chaos in these headquarters for hoarders—what a Twilight Zone character would characterize as “exquisite bedlam” or an “abyss of our own making”—but then Ikea stepped in with relatively affordable and generally easy-to-assemble storage cabinets: minimalist, flexible, versatile, contemporary and customizable. Clutter, begone. Apartments started looking spotless, organized, easy-on-the-eyes and—a word that should only be used in an art context, although we shall make an exception here—“curated.”
So, what Ikea Philippines did recently was to hold a competition for press attendees, divided us into groups, and assigned an unkempt room owned by an imaginary litterbug (in our case, an account executive named “Jodi” who just moved into her own space in BGC—shoes… everywhere… shoes). The task was to use the various storage items to bring order to the tiny, chaotic piece of the universe. For us in our group who have fought long and hard against Messiness the enemy, it was a labor of love—one team member managed the Tjena boxes, the other oversaw the Bumerang hangers, and Julius the drummer, um, gingerly folded gowns.
It was an effective way for Ikea Philippines to stress the importance of storage in our humble domain.
For Daniel Rivero, Ikea Pasay City store manager, “We emphasize storage solutions because of the need to organize your area. Storage has always been important in Ikea’s 80 years, but now we are putting an extra focus.” Especially here in Metro Manila where the goal is to maximize space. The Kallax, by the way, is Rivero’s favorite Ikea item. The guy collects motorcycle helmets and he houses his collection in the shelving units.
“I have 24 helmets,” he says. “I notice how Filipinos love motorcycles and scooters as well. I should say that there is not much difference between an Ikea store in Europe and an Ikea store in the Philippines. Humans are humans everywhere. But how you implement and integrate the items in your home is different—based on your culture and living situations. Kallax is flexible, affordable for many, and versatile—you can use it for many items and different needs.”
(For me, they are perfect as vinyl record cabinets attached with LED strips that illuminate where all my money goes, without a single note of regret.)
We emphasize storage solutions because of the need to organize your area. Storage has always been important in Ikea’s 80 years, but now we are putting an extra focus.
Leontina Bucur, the country selling manager of Ikea Philippines, says her entire home is filled with Ikea products. Her favorites are legion. “But when I became a mother, my favorite became the Raskog kitchen trolley. I use it for my daughter’s diapers and clothes. You can store anything and move it from room to room. It’s so versatile, and at a very good price also.”
Recognizing the connection between well-organized spaces and a better way of living, Ikea has designed affordable, innovative storage solutions to maximize space while maintaining a serene repository of our belongings. From bookshelves, chests of drawers, and trolleys to boxes and binders, these seamless space-savers are key to a peaceful yet meaningful life at home: the Malm series (which starts at P3,990) features bed frames with under-the-bed storage and a chest of drawers that works as a bedside table; Trofast toy storage (which starts at P250) has sturdy frames and removable boxes to prevent Lego-on-carpet encounters; Skadis pegboards (which start at P600) can incorporate containers, shelves, letter holders and elastics to keep your things organized and tidily gathered; Kleppstad wardrobes (which start at P7,990) offer a simple and smart approach to organization with its space-saving sliding doors or buildable pieces and shelves to create the ultimate wardrobe staple; and Skubb organizers (which start at P290) with boxes and hanging organizers in different sizes mean you can divide and rule your clothes, shoes, and accessories so you find everything fast.
These are the weapons in our combat against clutter.
We wondered how imaginary “Jodi” would walk into her imaginary room and marveled at how her chamber of clutter had been transformed into a space of serenity. She must have been imaginarily thrilled.
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Ikea Family has perks and offers just for its members through the Ikea Family Festival. There will be a raffle draw for seven winners of seven million Ikea Family points (equivalent to P35,000). Ikea Family members will automatically be entered upon purchasing items in total worth P7,000 and up during the promo period until July 31. The raffle draw will be held on Aug. 3. There will be P170 off on Mober delivery rates until July 31 as well.
To learn more about home storage solutions and Ikea Family offers, visit their website. Join the conversation using the official hashtag #StoreItYourWay and tagging on Instagram.