{"id":3103,"date":"2026-10-17T22:02:29","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T22:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/?p=3103"},"modified":"2026-10-17T22:02:29","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T22:02:29","slug":"the-designers-secret-how-to-mine-ikeas-as-is-section-for-high-end-home-organization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/?p=3103","title":{"rendered":"The Designer\u2019s Secret: How to Mine IKEA\u2019s \u201cAs-Is\u201d Section for High-End Home Organization"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the bustling world of interior design, where budgets are often stretched thin and the demand for functional, aesthetic storage is perpetual, professional designers are constantly seeking ways to maximize value without compromising on style. For Aubrey Ament and William Glaser, the founders of the Brooklyn-based Glam Studio, the secret to keeping their own home\u2014and their busy lives\u2014in perfect order doesn’t come from a high-end boutique or a custom cabinetry firm. Instead, it is found in the modest, often overlooked "As-Is" section located near the checkout registers of their local IKEA warehouse in Red Hook.<\/p>\n

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For many shoppers, the As-Is section is a place to be bypassed\u2014a graveyard for scratched coffee tables or missing-part chair sets. However, for a seasoned designer like Ament, this area is a treasure trove of potential. It is here that the couple finds the stackable, sturdy, and visually pleasing wooden and bamboo storage solutions that keep their family life, business operations, and creative projects in check. From storing kitchen spices and delicate fabric swatches to corralling the inevitable chaos of raising two children, these discounted finds have become staples in the Glam Studio household.<\/p>\n

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Ament\u2019s approach to the bargain bin is highly strategic. While the average shopper might head to the As-Is section hoping to score a major piece of furniture, Ament suggests that is often a mistake. Larger items, she notes, frequently end up in the clearance area due to significant structural damage or cosmetic imperfections that are difficult to disguise. Instead, she focuses her attention on smaller, more durable organizational staples. By shifting the focus from "statement furniture" to "foundational organization," she is able to secure high-quality pieces at a fraction of their original retail price, often finding items that are in pristine, unscathed condition.<\/p>\n

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The designer\u2019s philosophy is rooted in the reality that even professional designers rarely work with unlimited budgets. "Designers don\u2019t have client-level budgets," Ament admits, noting that her search is always centered on pieces crafted from hardy, tactile materials\u2014wood, wool, and metal\u2014that offer a sense of longevity and modern simplicity. Her goal is to create a home environment that feels curated rather than cluttered, and she finds that IKEA\u2019s more utilitarian offerings provide the perfect blank canvas to achieve that goal.<\/p>\n

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Among the items that frequently top her list of must-haves is the Knagglig box. This slatted pine storage crate has become a near-obsession for Ament. She argues that its beauty lies in its uncompromising simplicity. Available in two sizes, Ament insists that the larger version\u2014measuring roughly 18 inches deep and nearly 10 inches tall\u2014is the superior choice for most households. In the Ament-Glaser home, these boxes serve multiple roles: they act as toy bins for her children, a home for work-related binders, a repository for important mail, and a sleek way to store bulky rug samples. The key to their effectiveness, according to the designer, is uniformity. "They create continuity out of your chaos," she explains, noting that the simple act of grouping mismatched items into matching wooden crates is "organization 101."<\/p>\n

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When she is looking for something with a slightly warmer, more refined aesthetic, Ament scouts for the Uppdatera storage boxes. These bamboo bins offer a lighter, more organic look compared to the raw pine of the Knagglig. While she primarily utilizes these in her pantry to keep food staples organized, she emphasizes that their versatility makes them an excellent candidate for bathroom organization or even as a chic way to sort through the various fabric and tile samples that populate a designer\u2019s workspace. Because they are often marked down by 50 percent or more in the As-Is section, they represent a low-risk, high-reward investment for anyone looking to tidy up their shelves.<\/p>\n

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The search for value extends beyond stationary storage. Ament is a firm believer that high-quality hangers are one of the most underrated ways to elevate a closet, and she makes it a point to keep an eye out for Bumerang hangers whenever she passes through the discounted aisle. Regardless of whether she has recently purchased new clothing, if she spots these wooden hangers at a reduced price, she snags them. The difference between flimsy wire or plastic hangers and sturdy wooden ones is significant, and she notes that heavy winter coats and delicate blouses alike benefit from the structure provided by these specific IKEA designs.<\/p>\n

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Occasionally, the As-Is section offers something more substantial, and Ament encourages shoppers to act quickly if they find pieces that serve multiple purposes. The Gladom tray table is a prime example. Featuring a removable circular tray that doubles as a serving platter, it is the kind of multifunctional furniture that is invaluable in a small-space city apartment. Ament has spotted these in the clearance section on several occasions, and she advises that anyone who finds one should snap it up immediately, as items that bridge the gap between accent table and functional serving tool rarely stay on the shelf for long.<\/p>\n

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Stools are another category that the designer watches closely. She argues that you can never have enough extra seating or surface area in a home, and IKEA\u2019s range of stools provides exactly that. Her current favorite is the Domsten stool, which offers a modern twist on the classic pine stool by pairing a wooden top with colorful, slim metal legs. She suggests that these are perfect for a variety of tasks\u2014stacking books, holding a plant, or providing a much-needed step to reach the back of a tall cupboard. "You\u2019ll never be sad you bought a stool," she says, pointing to the inherent utility of a well-made, compact seat.<\/p>\n

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For those dealing with the realities of seasonal living, such as storing off-season bedding or bulky winter coats in a crowded home, the Parkla storage bag is an essential tool. These bags are made from a semi-transparent polypropylene, allowing the user to see what is inside without needing to open every container. Ament uses them for long-term storage of her children\u2019s outgrown clothing, neatly labeling and dividing items by size. Because they are soft-sided and flexible, they can be tucked under a bed, slid into a closet, or kept in a garage, making them an ideal solution for anyone who needs to maximize storage in a small footprint.<\/p>\n

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Laundry organization is another area where Ament relies on specific, reliable finds. She praises the Purrpingla laundry bag for its structural integrity; unlike many fabric hampers that collapse under their own weight, this canvas bag is stiff enough to stand upright on its own. This makes it particularly effective for someone who has to transport laundry up and down stairs or to a wash-and-fold service. Similarly, she keeps the Slibb flexible laundry basket by her front door. While it is designed for laundry, she finds its low-profile and flexible construction perfect for corralling loose items like shoes or even a quick cleanup of children\u2019s toys in the kitchen.<\/p>\n

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Finally, Ament keeps a sharp eye out for natural textiles. She admits to being consistently surprised by the quality of the pillowcases, rugs, and bedspreads that end up in the As-Is section. Her criteria remain consistent: she looks for natural fibers like wool and cotton. A standout in her collection is the 100 percent cotton Skogskovall bedspread, which she discovered as a discounted item. "I bought one last year and I was like, ‘How is this IKEA?’" she recalls. It is this element of discovery that makes the As-Is section so compelling to her\u2014the knowledge that while you never quite know what you will find, the potential for a high-quality, long-lasting piece at a bargain price makes every visit worth the effort. For Ament, the thrill of the hunt is not just about the discount; it is about finding the overlooked gems that bring order and beauty to a home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the bustling world of interior design, where budgets are often stretched thin and the demand for functional, aesthetic storage is perpetual, professional designers are constantly seeking ways to maximize value without compromising on style. For Aubrey Ament and William Glaser, the founders of the Brooklyn-based Glam Studio, the secret to keeping their own home\u2014and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3102,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[78,76,103,2026,99,77,3084,75,4143,2499,1112,2380],"class_list":["post-3103","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asian-interior-design","tag-architecture","tag-asian-decor","tag-designer","tag-high","tag-home","tag-home-styling","tag-ikea","tag-interior-design","tag-mine","tag-organization","tag-secret","tag-section"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3103","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3103"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3103\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3102"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3103"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3103"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3103"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}