20 Nov 2009

My new IKEA Storage



Today I headed to IKEA with my boyfriend as we've been meaning to make a few purchases recently. We decided instead of wasting money on silly Christmas gifts this year, we'd just spend our allotted budget for improving our home and buy a few larger things that we've wanted for a while now. One of the items I desperately needed was additional makeup storage, so my original plan was to get the Helmer cabinet. But upon seeing how tiny (and ugly) that one was, I realized that wasn't going to cut it, so I decided to go for the large, 9-drawer Alex unit. It was on sale too for about $100, down from $150. This drawer unit is absolutely perfect for beauty product storage as the drawers aren't too wide or deep, making it perfect for lots of smaller items on the top 5 smaller drawers, and some bulkier items on the larger bottom 4 drawers. I would recommend the large Alex unit for the serious makeup junky or collector, as it offers a lot of space. The Helmer unit would probably suffice if you have a smaller collection, and it's also a favorite among nailpolish junkies as it fits the bottles perfectly.

Alex was a bit of a pain to assemble...but instead of asking my boyfriend to do it, I decided to "man up" and do it myself for a change. Girls can do this stuff too! And with my shorter nails, I didn't even have to worry about breaking them either - hah!


Looking a bit worse for wear after a long, long day. I haz a hammer!


Whoopee! One drawer screwed and assembled, 8 to go. *sigh*


Finished!! Isn't Alex handsome??


Standing next to my vanity - excuse the untidiness! I also got a beautiful orchid at IKEA - my fav flower.


My previous plastic storage set - begone ugliness! Hiding the hideousness beneath my vanity. My old traincase seen on the far right. Can you believe that all my makeup used to once fit in that thing??!!! LOL!


Top drawer: Nail care supplies and Sally Hansen backups - plastic insert also from IKEA.


All my nailpolishes fit in one drawer - omg! It looks like so much less, but there's over 100 bottles in here I believe. I definitely prefer this over a polish rack, less dust and more space. I decided to organize them in rows by brand as I can easily find the color I'm looking for that way.


Random stuff and some things for giveaways.


All brand new stuff to give away in a contest.


I found a better home for my butterflies...


My new orchid plant - so pretty. And so much cheaper at IKEA!


Some of the other drawers just have some random bulky things in but most of them are still empty. Which is what I like - more room to grow. I'll probably do some more re-organizing tomorrow and dedicate one drawer to hair tools and my GHD flat iron and other hair things. This is definitely the best purchase I made since my Malm vanity table!

What do you think? Let me know in the comments. Thanks for looking :) Toodaloo!

xo,
Jules


76 comments:

  1. What a great storage unit! I got something similar recently, and was kind of stunned when I saw that it was full already, hum. But it's very easy to use!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Alex rocks I need him!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous11:21 pm

    I love it, it works in well with your current set up!

    p.s. is it sad that when you said the unit is called Alex and then you mentioned how handsome Alex is, that I thought of Alexander Skarsgard?? *sigh * having that man on my mind is clearly not healthy for my sanity :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I absolutely love it! I wish we had an IKEA here. I live outside a city that has a pop. of over 350,000 and people from smaller towns come to shop here too. We have no LUSH, no IKEA, no SEPHORA. We have restaurants on practically every corner tho'. I don't understand why we are void of these stores. Anyway, love that you showed pics of you putting it tog. Now we can see what you look like from the neck down ;D. I love your whole set up. :) Enjoy it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous11:28 pm

    i love love ur vanity i need something like that instead of standing in front my small ass bathroom mirror :( now im gonna invest in one lol

    ReplyDelete
  6. fabulous! <3<3<3

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous11:29 pm

    Great pics. Amazing post
    xoxox

    ReplyDelete
  8. @Hafuusa - Haha no worries, I thought of ASkars too when I was in IKEA :p

    ReplyDelete
  9. That vanity you use, is what i use for to make jewelry on. I loveeee it! i was able to put it in my closet so i can just close the doors and not see the mess ;) I love ikea!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'd get Alex if I didn't have a 21-month-old :-P but it's perfect for makeup storage!! I also have a malm, it was discounted and I got it for $39!!!! What does the plastic insert call? I'm looking for something like that. Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh this is so much nicer than a helmer! love it!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love your new unit, just what I need !! Methinks a trip to Ikea will have to be planned shortly !

    Orchids are my favourite flowers too, sadly one of mine has just died, but I was sooo happy to discover that the other one I have is having babies ! Three brand new stems have just appeared ! I am soooo happy !

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous11:41 pm

    What a great thing to have. I have only one drawer from my dresser that I use, So that would be great. My make-up collection is slowly but surely growing. Not sure if I have an IKEA where I live though? I think I might get a big train case. But what a great thing to use.

    ReplyDelete
  14. woooow I need him too!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. =) so cute.. i love it.. =) congratulations

    ReplyDelete
  16. Cool! I live 5 minutes from Ikea. Love those meatballs lol.

    For ppl who don't live by one, you can shop online, but I don't know how steep shipping can be.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous12:29 am

    As much as I think your new 'Alex' is quite handsome, my favourite part of the whole post is the orchid, they are so beautiful! PS I hope you have a wonderful time back here in Canada when you come home for Christmas! xo em

    ReplyDelete
  18. Jennifer Cervantes12:32 am

    O MG.......... i love it I'm defiantly going to have to invest in one. Your so creative i love it <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

    ReplyDelete
  19. that Alex sure kicks ass. I love your makeup "station". It is so spacious!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am so jealous of you right now, Diva. Not only have I been looking for a new storage unit...but you have an Ikea!

    The closest Ikea to me is either an hour and a half or two hours :2( This particular item cannot be bought online. Oh suuuucks

    Nice choice.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous12:51 am

    Awesome!!! can't wait for you contests:)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Nicole12:56 am

    Love it Julia! I wish I had a vanity that big!! LOL I just get ready in our bathroom. When we buy our house then I will have a seperate room just for ME!

    ReplyDelete
  23. So cute :D I need something like you, where I can put my make up. I don't have that much. Yet :b But have a few.

    Sorry for my bad English by the way D:

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous1:18 am

    Yes, I agree, Alex is very handsome! I am going to put that on my wishlist for Christmas! I would LOVE a makeup room set up like that. Might have to do something about that ;). Great pictures Julia! xx

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous1:28 am

    i use the drawer inserts in my vanity table as well, they're great!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I liked it so muchhhh, very organized!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Fer991:59 am

    Great pics!! The fact that all your make up collection used to fit in one train case gives me hope about my collection!!! Great post and you look really cute "maning up"

    ReplyDelete
  28. this is awesome, i hope they have an all black on!

    i'm definitely gonna go check it out!

    thanks much woman!:)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous2:15 am

    I like it! And orchids are also my favourites!

    ReplyDelete
  30. erica.,2:42 am

    ohhhhh i like., i like :))

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anonymous3:25 am

    Really like the overall look of your makeup station. Where did you get the vanity table??!!! Anyway, thanks for sharing your storage finds with us!!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous3:50 am

    Love it. I bought my own Malm based on your videos. Mine is the smaller Malm but fits in my space. I may need to invest in an Alex if I keep up my purchases. I did want one for my scrapbook room and it had not occurred to me to use one by my vanity.

    Jane in Ottawa

    ReplyDelete
  33. Fun! I love new storage solutions. I have a question--- you mentioned you just developed a latex allergy. What glue do you recommend? I have a latex allergy as well and can't seem to find any glue that is latex free (aside from the teeny tiny Vincent Longo one that comes with their lashes). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous8:17 am

    haha ok good! So we're on the same boat :) TB season 3 can't get here fast enough... :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Tanisha9:01 am

    This is nice.....Love it. Ikea about to get another sale from me. First the dressing table u recommended, now this. I love how organized you are.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous9:06 am

    Wow, u rly are gorgeous o.o

    And nice job with the storage, IKEA-manuals are known to be hard to read!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous12:14 pm

    Super-gute Idee!
    Werd' ich wohl auch umsetzen, sobald mein Umkleidezimmer entrรผmplet und 'gepimpt' ist.
    รœbrigens: Fettes Kompliment fรผr Deine Tutorials, die ich erst vor einigen Tagen per Zufall entdeckt hab! Ich LIEBE sie einfach!
    Und ignorier' doch bitte alle dummen Kommentare von den paar wenigen Stรผmpern und Neidern und mach einfach weiter so!!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. awww u did it !
    and u look gorgeous hun !lol
    cant wait to go to ikea and hunt some stuff for my makeupo storage !still no clue tho !
    hehe

    ReplyDelete
  39. I think it looks just perferct and I shall go to Ikea to ! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  40. Katherine7:19 pm

    Love your space, you are tall! and very beautiful :)

    ReplyDelete
  41. i was planning to get the same alex drawers when they came out, but i don't like the drawer fronts. i wish they had pulls. they are definitely ideal for storage of cosmetics, though! it is really hard to find a set of drawers that are shallow.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Great storage! I also have a set of 4 drawers from there.

    ReplyDelete
  43. NoOrdinaryDays1:27 am

    Very nice looking, and so functional! But...what did the boyfriend pick out? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  44. You did good! And you did it all by yourself...pat on back to you! ;D

    ReplyDelete
  45. I love seeing everyones storage ideas, they are so inspiring! I have half turned our spare room into a computer / makeup room and I'm always on the hunt for storage ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Can we say, F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!!!!!! <3 <3 <3

    aPetiteDiva.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. apparenty plants from ikea that have soil can have bugs in them, and my room mate forbids me to buy any because of it haha. I think its some sort of bug from where its made, and aren't found in america/canada on their own. but the orchid is very pretty =]

    ReplyDelete
  48. I need this in my life, ASAP. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  49. aahhhh IKEA, i so much wish we had one in South America i miss this place. Hope it was as nice in price as it is in looks.

    ReplyDelete
  50. i'm in the process of trying to sort out my storage! this is perfect! i'm such an ikea junkie! you're awesome for posting these gorgeous pics! x

    ReplyDelete
  51. haha..totally in love wit Alex..it reminds me to get 1 myself..u look hot wit tat hammer.go girls team!

    ReplyDelete
  52. gerardina6:54 pm

    me like! And the orchids are beautiful, no matter they are artifiacial or natural, those are beautiful flowers to look at..

    ReplyDelete
  53. Anonymous8:20 pm

    Looks great, didn't know the unit was that tall. I've been waiting for Christmas money to go buy that. I'm a big IKEA junkie.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Fantastic! To see your working space from another perspective is really cool! :D

    ReplyDelete
  55. loving that 'Alex unit', I want one! As a bonus my boyfriend's name is also Alex! lol

    ReplyDelete
  56. I love IKEA! I'll have to try those drawers for my collection, Thanks Julia ! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  57. I have that same exact 9 drawer Alex Unit and I love it but I already need more room. Lovely orchid and makeup work area :)

    ReplyDelete
  58. Anonymous6:05 am

    Pls pls...pls...pls....could you make a video about makeup organization???? PLS>>>>????

    ReplyDelete
  59. Anonymous2:19 pm

    i just bought the malm table aswell in dark brown...i am so excited to set everything up

    ReplyDelete
  60. Anonymous11:16 pm

    Yay for Alex! He looks great! :-) One day, I hope to have such a huage make up collection.
    So when are you doing the contests? ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  61. Cinthia1:09 am

    great i like it! =)

    ReplyDelete
  62. That is just what I need, just need to see if I can find a space for it ;) Hehehe! The orchid is beautiful, dare I suggest possible inspiration for a future makeup tutorial??

    Kelly xxx

    http://www.jellyminxthinks.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  63. Anonymous4:06 am

    Hey, that looks pretty handy and it doesn't look industrial. Great choice. I think I'll find one. We don't have an Ikea here in Cleveland(that I know of) so I'll see what I can find in Target or Walmart.

    ReplyDelete
  64. OMG...i wanted that vanity from IKEA when I first saw it a couple years ago...your setup ROCKS...jealoussssssss. I ove iKEA!!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  65. Really nice job.

    I finished TB a pair of days ago, I can't wait for hte 3ยบ season!

    It's a good inspiration for a tutorial, something inspired in true blood, don't you think (you made a really nice make ups for vampires).

    See you!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Ups, I saw the turorial right now!

    XDDDD

    ReplyDelete
  67. Anonymous12:10 am

    I know how that is, I was up until 3 in the morning putting my Ikea furniture together because I refused to quit until it was finished! lol

    ReplyDelete
  68. Anonymous2:37 pm

    love it! I have the same malm table, but I love the mirror and lighting that you have. Just might have to make a trip to my ikea:)

    ReplyDelete
  69. Anonymous4:44 pm

    I bought alex after watching your post and I LOVE IT.Thankyou so much. My makeup is well organised now and iam so happy with the purchase.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Susanne10:38 am

    I love your vanity solution so much that I have decided to buy Malm and Alex in January for me!! :)
    Thanks a lot for sharing, it was a great inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Anonymous1:34 pm

    Julia - I went out and got this from IKEA also because it just looked SO GREAT! Also, because of the design it can hold the heavy bottles of nail polish like a DREAM.
    Thank you for this post... seriously fantastic stuff.
    Much love from Australia

    ReplyDelete
  72. do you have any issues with the bottom of the drawers warping due to the contents being heavy? i have had some issues with IKEA's drawers falling out of the bottom on a few pieces. :(

    thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  73. i want one but i wouldnt know how to get one here in the us lol

    ReplyDelete
  74. Anonymous12:06 pm

    You have no idea how badly I want this. Its like the Ikea Alex 9 Drawer is designed for nail polish. If only we had Ikea in New Zealand

    ReplyDelete