For the uninitiated, the as-is section is typically located near the checkout area of IKEA warehouses, serving as a designated clearance zone for ex-showroom displays, customer returns, slightly imperfect items, and discontinued goods offered at a steep discount. While many shoppers breeze right past these marked-down corners or focus exclusively on heavily discounted furniture, Ament views the space as an unrivaled storage treasure trove. When perusing the selection at her local Red Hook warehouse in Brooklyn, the designer purposefully steers clear of larger furniture pieces like coffee tables and chairs. More often than not, she notes, those larger items end up in the clearance area because they have sustained structural damage during transit or assembly.
Instead, Ament focuses her attention on ubiquitous organizational products. This strategic approach led her to discover some of the most reliable and versatile storage staples available at the Swedish retailer. Among her regular targets are the ultra-simple pine Knagglig boxes and the smaller bamboo Uppdatera storage bins. When sifted out from the rest of the clearance inventory, these items are frequently found in pristine, unscathed condition and marked down by as much as 50 percent.
Professional designers rarely operate with client-level budgets for every single detail of a project, Ament admits. To maximize value and aesthetic longevity, she actively looks for pieces crafted from hardy, honest materials like wood, wool, and metal that deliver accessible, lasting, and modern design without breaking the bank. This philosophy forms the backbone of her running mental checklist when navigating the markdown aisles, prioritizing utility, durability, and timeless visual appeal.
The Knagglig Box
Among Ament’s absolute favorite finds is the slatted pine Knagglig box, an item she describes with undeniable enthusiasm. While the product is offered in a couple of different sizes, she considers opting for the larger version to be an absolute no-brainer. Measuring roughly 18 inches deep and nearly 10 inches tall, the larger box provides substantial capacity for heavy-duty household items.
In her own home, Ament utilizes the slatted wooden crates to organize her son’s extensive toy collection, allowing for quick cleanups that still look visually cohesive on open shelving or inside closets. Beyond the playroom, these boxes prove equally ideal for archiving bulky work binders, important envelopes, and oversized rug samples required for design projects. Although some shoppers might initially write them off as being overly simple or rustic, Ament embraces that exact minimalism. By establishing visual continuity out of everyday household chaos, these straightforward boxes fulfill the most fundamental rule of effective home organization.
The Uppdatera Box
When her storage needs pivot toward the kitchen or material samples, Ament turns her attention to the lighter bamboo Uppdatera bins. These shallow, clean-lined containers offer a refined aesthetic that elevates utilitarian storage into something genuinely handsome. While they primarily find a home within her pantry to corral dry goods and kitchen accessories, Ament notes that their clean finish and durable construction make them equally helpful for organizing bathroom essentials or keeping small office supplies neatly arranged. Furthermore, their modular proportions make them exceptionally effective for grouping together loose tile and fabric samples, keeping professional design materials portable and accessible.
The Bumerang Hangers
Ament’s vigilant eye for practical bargains extends far beyond storage crates and bins. Even if she has not recently updated her personal wardrobe, she consistently scans the markdown racks for the Bumerang wooden hangers. Finding these classic, sturdy wooden hangers in the as-is section for just a few dollars is an opportunity she never passes up. Highlighting IKEA’s unexpected proficiency in producing reliable garment care tools, Ament points out that these classic wooden hangers provide the ideal structural support for heavy winter coats, structured jackets, and delicate blouses alike, preventing shoulder bumps and premature wear.
The Gladom Tray Table
For shoppers fortunate enough to spot multifunctional furniture pieces in the clearance section, Ament advises immediate action. Versatile designs—such as side tables featuring removable serving trays—tend to disappear quickly from the markdown floor. Finding a piece that bridges the gap between accent furniture and portable utility provides instant flexibility for small-space living, making it a prime candidate for quick acquisition before another bargain hunter snaps it up.
The Domsten Stool
A durable, functional stool remains a cornerstone of flexible interior design, serving as an impromptu side table, a sturdy platform for stacking favorite books, an elevated perch for a trailing houseplant, or a helpful step-up to reach high kitchen cupboards. Recognizing that IKEA offers seating solutions in a wide array of shapes and sizes, Ament highlights the Domsten stool as a standout favorite. By pairing colorful metal legs with a warm pine wood top, the design introduces a playful, modern twist to standard utility seating. It is a reliable investment piece that homeowners rarely regret purchasing, regardless of where it eventually lands in the house.
The Parkla Storage Bag
As a longtime New Yorker well-versed in the realities of small-space living, Ament is intimately familiar with the logistical dance of swapping out seasonal wardrobes and bedding. The Parkla storage bags, constructed from semi-transparent polypropylene and available in multiple sizes, offer a practical solution for these recurring transitions. Their semi-transparency allows for quick identification of contents, making them equally useful for stowing away patio cushions in a garage during the winter months or sliding neatly underneath a mattress to maximize unused bedroom space. Ament even relies on them for long-term archiving, utilizing the different sizes to sort and store outgrown children’s clothing by age group.
The Purrpingla Laundry Bag
Managing household laundry is a frequent chore, and Ament can personally attest to the structural integrity and functionality of IKEA’s firm canvas hamper. Built with enough stiffness to stand upright independently without slumping or collapsing, the Purrpingla laundry bag functions seamlessly as a stationary hamper in a bedroom or bathroom. Its sturdy construction also makes it a reliable companion for navigating narrow hallways and stairwells, whether residents are hauling loads down to a basement laundry room or walking bags over to a local wash-and-fold service.
The Slibb Laundry Basket
For a more flexible and low-profile handling option, Ament keeps low-profile, totable baskets near her entryway to quickly corral stray shoes. These versatile bins also prove invaluable when tidying up shared living spaces, such as clearing her eldest son’s collection of monster trucks off the kitchen floor at the end of the day. Because the sides are kept relatively low and pliable, even young children can easily lift and carry them, fostering good habits for independent cleanup around the home.
Natural Textiles
Beyond organizational hardware and furniture, Ament has frequently been surprised by the surprisingly high caliber of soft goods and textiles available through the retailer, including pillowcases, blankets, and rugs. When sifting through clearance textile bins, she maintains a strict focus on identifying natural fibers such as pure wool and cotton. Among her favorite discoveries is the Skogskovall bedspread, a 100 percent cotton design that delivers a sophisticated, elevated look. Recalling her initial reaction to finding the piece, Ament notes that encountering such refined quality at an accessible price point underscores the unpredictable nature of shopping the clearance floor. Ultimately, not knowing precisely what treasures will be waiting in the markdown aisles is what keeps the experience genuinely exciting for design enthusiasts and everyday shoppers alike.
