How the IKEA PÅLYCKE hanging basket creates extra cupboard space

Many households across German-speaking Europe run into the same headache: too little space, too much stuff, and cupboards that seem permanently chaotic. A new IKEA product is now being talked about because it uses a simple idea to turn unused corners into usable storage straight away - with no drilling, no refit, and no big spend.

Why storage runs out so quickly in small kitchens

Anyone living in a city flat or dealing with an older fitted kitchen will recognise the pattern: wall units are packed, the worktop ends up cluttered, and base cupboards become a stack of plates, bowls and pantry items pushed right to the back.

Common issues in compact kitchens include, for example:

• Shelves with 10–15 cm of empty air above items - wasted storage space
• Things sliding to the back and becoming hard to find
• Worktops getting covered with mugs, glasses or spices
• Moisture and steam making certain materials look tired quickly

Plenty of people try to create order with stackable boxes and extra shelf inserts. The trouble is that not every system suits a damp kitchen environment, and rigid inserts can end up blocking access to other items.

The material question: what actually makes sense in a kitchen

When you’re choosing baskets and inserts, the material matters more than most people realise. In kitchens we’re dealing almost daily with steam, temperature changes and splashes of grease.

A few real-world examples:

• Jonc de mer / seagrass-like fibres: highly resistant to moisture, so they work well in kitchens and bathrooms.
• Jute: more delicate, absorbs moisture more readily and can look worn sooner.
• Rattan: prefers a dry climate and can react badly to direct sun and heavy humidity.
• Metal and coated wire: sturdy, easy to wipe clean, and usually ideal where steam is present.

The sweet spot is a mix of looks and practicality: a basket or insert should keep contents visible, cope with moisture, and clean easily with a cloth.

The new IKEA hanging basket: PÅLYCKE in detail

This is exactly where IKEA’s PÅLYCKE hanging basket comes in. It doesn’t look like much at first glance, but it tackles several space problems at once.

“With one quick move, you create an extra ‘storey’ of space under any shelf - without tools.”

You simply clip the basket under a shelf or onto the underside of a cupboard base. The built-in, flexible clamps fit boards around 16 to 20 millimetres thick - a size you’ll find in many standard kitchens.

Installation with no drilling and no hassle

For renters in particular, the appeal is obvious: no drill, no screws. The clamps hold via pressure, can be released again, and repositioned elsewhere. That’s especially useful in fitted kitchens where you can’t (or don’t want to) make permanent changes.

Even with the simple fixing method, the basket stays secure as long as it’s used within its load limit. IKEA states a maximum load of 1.5 kilograms. That’s plenty for mugs, spice jars, utensils or small pantry items.

One grab - and everything is in view

Because the basket is open wire, you can see at a glance what’s inside. No more rummaging because the mug you want is buried at the back. This is particularly noticeable in deep wall cupboards.

Where it can work well:

• Mugs or espresso cups under a shelf holding glasses
• Small storage jars with rice, nuts or seeds
• Kitchen tools such as whisks, ladles and pastry brushes
• Tea tins or spice blends near the hob

As the basket isn’t overly deep, items stay easy to reach without completely blocking the view of the shelf space behind it.

How the hanging basket turns unused space into storage

On paper, many kitchens have enough cupboard capacity - but they often leave the “air space” above or below items unused. The PÅLYCKE basket targets precisely that gap: between a shelf and the space underneath.

“In practical terms, the basket turns ‘dead’ air into proper storage - for the price of a coffee to go.”

At around €3.99, it sits well below what you’d usually pay for internal pull-outs or specialist shelving. If you use several baskets together, a single wall cupboard can gain two or three extra levels without altering the original unit.

Examples from a typical city flat

In a small rented kitchen, you might use the baskets like this:

• Under the shelf with plates: a hanging basket for breakfast bowls
• In the pantry cupboard: an extra level for small tins or spice jars
• Under the shelf with baking ingredients: space for baking tins or measuring cups
• In the sink cupboard: a basket for sponges, dishwasher tablets and rubber gloves

If you like a highly organised set-up, assign each basket a theme - coffee kit, baking, breakfast, pasta & spices. That cuts down on search time and helps stop new shopping being “shoved in anywhere”.

Cleaning, care and durability

To keep the baskets looking good, a damp cloth with a mild cleaner is usually enough. Afterwards, wipe dry so marks or residue don’t build up in the wire structure.

Compared with many woven natural baskets, metal and wire baskets score well for:

• low sensitivity to steam
• easy removal of greasy splashes
• no risk of fibres swelling or fraying

If you have delicate surfaces - such as varnished wooden shelves inside a cupboard - it’s worth checking the clamp contact points. For extra peace of mind, stick thin felt strips underneath to prevent pressure marks.

Where the hanging basket shines - and where it hits its limits

The PÅLYCKE basket is best for smaller, lighter items. Heavy cast-iron pans or large storage containers are better kept on solid shelves or in drawers.

Strengths of the system:

• flexible fitting that can be removed without leaving marks
• low price, making it practical to use in multiples
• open design for a quick overview
• ideal for renters and anyone without a toolbox

Its limitations show up with shelves that are very thick or very thin and don’t fall within the stated 16 to 20 millimetres range. In those cases, the clamping force may not be reliable.

Practical tips for getting the most from the hanging basket

If you want a tidier kitchen, start with a simple three-step approach:

1. Open the cupboard and check: where is there unused air space above what’s already stored?
2. Sort your items: what do you use often, and what only occasionally?
3. Plan hanging baskets for spots where everyday essentials should sit at hand height.

They’re particularly useful for items you reach for daily or several times a week: coffee mugs, tea, breakfast bits, cooking spices. Used this way, the basket becomes a quick-access zone rather than an archive.

And if you fancy it, the same idea works beyond the kitchen - in a home office for notepads and pens, in the hallway for scarves and gloves, or in the bathroom for cosmetics and toiletries. The principle is unchanged: make the wasted space under a shelf do some work.

Why small add-ons can make a big difference day to day

A hanging basket that costs just a few euros won’t solve the underlying issue of a flat that’s too small. What it can do is make routines smoother: less time hunting for things, fewer items left out on the worktop, and a clearer view inside your cupboards.

With rents rising and floorplans shrinking, many people are furnishing more deliberately. Rather than buying new, bigger furniture, they’re looking for smart add-ons that help existing layouts work harder. Products like the PÅLYCKE basket show just how much potential can be hidden in what seem like minor details.

Once you’ve tried the idea in one cupboard, it often sparks more improvements: extra baskets, different shelf inserts, magnetic rails on the wall. Step by step, the kitchen stays the same size - but the storage you can actually use begins to feel noticeably larger.