The Designer’s Secret: How to Mine IKEA’s ‘As-Is’ Section for High-End Home Organization

In the bustling Brooklyn home of Aubrey Ament and William Glaser, founders of the design firm Glam Studio, the secret to maintaining a serene, organized environment isn’t found in high-end boutique storage solutions. Instead, it is tucked away in a quiet corner of the IKEA warehouse in Red Hook. Ament, who balances the demands of running a creative business with the spirited chaos of raising two children, has become an expert at navigating the retailer’s often-overlooked “As-Is” section—the designated area near the checkout where display models, returned items, and slightly imperfect inventory are sold at significant discounts.

For the average shopper, the As-Is section can feel like a disorganized jumble of furniture parts and dusty boxes. However, for a seasoned designer like Ament, it represents a treasure trove of potential. It is here that she sources the sturdy, stackable wooden and bamboo bins that keep her family’s life in order. These items, which hold everything from kitchen spices and fabric swatches to bulky children’s toys, provide a sense of visual cohesion that is essential for a busy household.

Ament’s strategy for shopping this section is both disciplined and discerning. She admits that she typically bypasses larger furniture pieces like coffee tables or upholstered chairs, as these items often appear in the discounted section due to structural damage or significant cosmetic wear. Instead, her focus remains laser-focused on organizational staples—the ubiquitous, functional items that serve as the backbone of a tidy home. By prioritizing hardy materials such as natural wood, wool, and metal, she ensures that the pieces she rescues from the clearance bin are not only affordable but durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of daily life.

"Designers don’t have client-level budgets for every single detail," Ament explains. "I look for pieces made from hardy materials that offer accessible, lasting, modern design." Her approach highlights a shift in how professional designers view mass-market retail, focusing on the longevity and utility of objects rather than their price tag or original showroom status.

The Power of Simple Storage: The Knagglig and Uppdatera Boxes

Among the items that Ament consistently seeks out are the Knagglig pine boxes and the Uppdatera bamboo storage solutions. The Knagglig box, with its simple, slatted pine construction, has become a staple in her home. While IKEA offers this box in two sizes, Ament argues that the larger version—which measures 18 inches deep and nearly 10 inches tall—is the superior choice for maximizing storage.

"I want as many as I can get," Ament says, noting that the box’s minimalist aesthetic is precisely what makes it so effective. In her home, these boxes serve multiple roles: they act as containers for her son’s toys, organizers for professional work binders, and repositories for large rug samples. The key, she notes, is the concept of continuity. By using identical, simple containers to house disparate items, she creates a sense of order out of domestic chaos. "They create continuity out of your chaos, which is organization 101," she adds.

Complementing her love for the Knagglig is the Uppdatera series, specifically the lighter bamboo bins. These are her go-to items when she needs to streamline her kitchen pantry or categorize the fabric and tile samples essential to her design projects. Because bamboo is both durable and aesthetically neutral, these boxes blend seamlessly into various rooms, including bathrooms or home offices, proving that budget-friendly storage can still feel elevated.

Beyond Bins: The Designer’s Curated List

Ament’s methodology extends to other household essentials that often appear in the As-Is section. She is a staunch advocate for the Bumerang wooden hangers, which she considers a significant step up from standard plastic alternatives. Whether she is in immediate need of new hangers or not, she rarely passes up a chance to grab them at a discount. "IKEA makes good wooden hangers!" she notes, emphasizing that the quality of these items makes them an easy investment for protecting delicate blouses and heavy winter coats alike.

Furniture that serves a dual purpose is also a high priority for the designer. She points to the Gladom tray table as a prime example of an item worth snagging if it appears in the clearance area. Its design, which features a removable serving tray, offers the versatility needed for small-space living. Similarly, she is a proponent of investing in quality stools, such as the Domsten. While the classic pine Kyrre stool is a staple, Ament appreciates the Domsten for its slightly more playful design, featuring colorful metal legs paired with a pine top. "You’ll never be sad you bought a stool," she says, noting that their utility—ranging from extra seating to a surface for books or houseplants—makes them indispensable.

Managing Seasonal Shifts and Laundry

For a family living in a city like New York, managing limited space is a constant challenge. Ament relies on the Parkla storage bags to handle the seasonal rotation of bedding and clothing. Made from semi-transparent polypropylene, these bags are ideal for long-term storage in closets or under beds. She even utilizes them to organize her children’s clothing by size, creating a labeled, accessible system that prevents clutter from accumulating over the years.

In the realm of laundry, functionality is paramount. Ament speaks highly of the Purrpingla laundry bag, a firm canvas hamper that is sturdy enough to stand on its own. Its design is particularly well-suited for those who do not have an in-unit washer and dryer and must transport their laundry, but it is equally effective as a stationary hamper in a bedroom or closet. For more flexible needs, she turns to the Slibb laundry basket. These low-profile, flexible baskets are kept near the front door to corral shoes or are used to quickly gather stray toys from the kitchen floor, making cleanup tasks manageable even for her young children.

The Thrill of the Hunt

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Ament’s IKEA strategy is her willingness to browse for textiles. While many shoppers focus on hard goods, she has found that the retailer’s range of cotton and wool blankets, rugs, and pillowcases can be of surprisingly high quality. A standout in her recent finds is the Skogskovall bedspread, a 100 percent cotton piece that initially caught her off guard. "I bought one last year and I was like, ‘How is this IKEA?’" she recalls.

Ultimately, Ament’s approach to the As-Is section is defined by a sense of adventure. Because the inventory is dictated by customer returns and showroom cycles, the experience is inherently unpredictable. However, by maintaining a clear vision of what she needs and recognizing the value of natural materials, she has transformed a bargain-hunting habit into a professional design tool. For the discerning shopper, the lesson is clear: with a bit of patience and an eye for the right materials, the most effective organizational solutions are often hidden in plain sight.