The breakfast room (which we use as the dining room) in this house that we’re renting is pretty small. Plus you need room to walk into the kitchen, living room and backyard. So I really don’t have much space to work with after you take into account the dining table and chairs that are in that space too! But I needed a small narrow cabinet to store things in. I looked everywhere and finally found what I needed at Ikea (of course). We bought the Ikea Hemnes shoe cabinet about a month ago and it’s working so well in this space that I wanted to share it with you. It’s made to be a shoe cabinet but can be used for so much more! It’s really great if you need a cabinet for a narrow (as in deep) space!
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If you look on Pinterest you’ll find all kinds of “hacks” that change the outward appearance of this cabinet – lots of really pretty ideas! So even if you think the original look won’t work for you, don’t let that deter you, it can be changed to fit in with your decor. There are 2 versions of the Hemnes Shoe Cabinet. The one I got is $99 and not available online. The other version costs more and is available online (it has a drawer at the top).
For the time being I’ve kept it the way it came except we added a piece of wood for the top. The top piece it came with extended beyond the cabinet a bit and made it not fit into the space. So we had some scrap lumber that I stained with some dark stain I already had and I love the way it looks with this top! The mirror is one I used in the foyer of our old house.
We actually do keep our “backyard shoes” in the bottom 2 compartments because this backyard is one big mud pit. So we have to take off our shoes when coming in otherwise we track mud all over the place. But I know lots of people that have “shoe less” homes and this would be a nice piece to have for your guests to put their shoes in.
The top 2 compartments hold other things. Like this drawer holds dog stuff, leashes, a towel to wipe him off with, bag of treats, a flashlight and other odds and ends. The other compartment holds my placemats that I roll and stack side by side.
Another great thing about this Ikea cabinet is that it fits over the molding so it’s flush against the wall (it’s actually screwed into the wall). There are only legs on the front of the cabinet!
It also gives me a nice limited surface to decorate . This room gets the best sun in the house so it’s perfect for plants! My Kroger had these little spring flowering pots marked down because they were getting new ones in – so I took advantage. It’s been so nice to have a little reminder of what spring will bring!
The hyacinth smells just lovely when you walk past it and aren’t these tulips just gorgeous! Can’t wait for spring!
I’m so excited that this little room is coming together! I just need to find a round rug for under the table (the tile floor is really cold) and hang a few plates and this room will be done!
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Penny @ The Comforts of Home says
January 19, 2015 at 7:18 amWhat a great piece! It fits perfect where you have it.
Brenda Nuland says
January 19, 2015 at 10:39 amOkay, let’s see if I can leave a comment with no problems. I did “clear the cache!”. 😉
My daughter loves Ikea furniture for helping her get organized. It all holds up to one husband, five children, and a big dog! I must admit to viewing the first photo and thinking that you had not painted it… yet.
Joan says
January 19, 2015 at 3:26 pmI really liked the idea of using a narrow cabinet for something other than the sell purpose! Especially, the $100 range!
I also used the sweater idea over a lamp shade! It looks great! Hubby loves sweaters but rarely if ever uses them. (Can I tell ya how many he has that still have tags on them??) It’s a nice way to use what you got! I’m looking for more ideas from you! Thanks!
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
January 19, 2015 at 4:37 pmShowing this to the DIL on FB! There’s lots of little shoes down there when all 5 kids need to take them off, lol ! LOVE IT.
[email protected] says
January 19, 2015 at 8:19 pmI have this piece and I love it! It sits by our door behind the stairs and it’s truly a workhorse. I featured it in a post ‘Stuff I Like’ a while back.
I love the white more than the dark, but it wouldn’t have looked right in our home. It looks great in yours!
Denise says
January 19, 2015 at 9:28 pmThe space is just perfect for the cabinet! It looks fantastic with the flowers on top. You did a great job!
Melanie says
January 19, 2015 at 10:54 pmThis piece is absolutely perfect for that space! Very interesting how it screws into the wall and only has legs in front. Love your spring flowers and how you have them lined up on the cabinet. I can see how they get a lot of sunlight and they bring such beauty and color into the room.
Patricia says
January 20, 2015 at 12:07 amYou said it screws into the wall…are these large screws or dry wall anchors? Would it be hard to patch the wall, upon leaving a rental? Just curious.
My daughter is looking for ideas for this very thing… I’m going to send her the link!
it looks great and I like your personal touch of stained wood on top, the flowers are pretty too.
Anonymous says
January 20, 2015 at 8:20 amI love your house. You have a great sense of style, and that cabinet is absolutely perfect in that narrow spot.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
January 24, 2015 at 3:58 pmWhat a great piece, Manuela! I love that it has a narrow depth. Something I was looking for at one time for out very small entry/foyer behind the door. I wound up finding a small bench that is there now, but this would be great for the added storage.
Love your plants and they look great there. I will have to check them out at my Kroger next time I am there. I saw a really pretty small rosemary topiary at the more local grocery in a terracotta pot but they wanted $26.00 for it and I thought, “I don’t think so”. That is a bit rich for me for any kind of topiary!
Manuela Williams says
January 24, 2015 at 11:12 pmThanks Kathy! We really needed a place for our shoes – this backyard is just a horrible muddy mess. Plus the dog needs a place for his leash and coats.
That is pricey for a topiary! But at least you can use the rosemary to cook with versus getting a ivy topiary that just a decorative plant. Although, we had one of those rosemary trees you see at Christmas time at Home Depot and it didn’t last long. I’m sure it probably didn’t get enough sun being indoors.
Tracey McBride says
January 24, 2015 at 9:23 pmIt’s perfect! I especially love the addition of the wood you added to the top…very clever and it takes it over the top! We have a small entry that needs a little storage and now this piece is on the top of my list…with the wood plank! Thanks so much for sharing all your useful ideas Manuela!
Warmly, Tracey
[email protected] Charm says
January 25, 2015 at 5:52 pmWhat a cute space saver cabinet…also love those sweater wrapped pots.
Blessings,
Linda
Brittany says
January 26, 2015 at 11:53 amLove it! It’s great that it only has legs in the front so it can go up flat against the wall. Good way to save space!
Christine from SoDomesticallyChallenged says
January 27, 2015 at 10:37 pmLooks great!!!
[email protected] Stroll Thru Life says
January 28, 2015 at 10:15 amI love this. It looks amazing and a perfect piece for that space. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me
Lindsay Eidahl says
February 1, 2015 at 1:08 pmThis looks great! Thank you for sharing on Show Me SAturday!
Karisa | Petite Modern Life says
February 4, 2015 at 10:35 pmThis is such a clever Ikea hack and beautiful done and used! I’ll be sharing this inspiration at Think & Make Thursday tomorrow on my blog! Thank you for linking with us!