IKEA vs The Container Store
I am kicking off my first official blog post with my most asked about topic, the IKEA vs Container Store showdown.
Which product is better? Are you actually saving money? And is it worth the price?
Raskog Utility Cart vs. 3-Tier Rolling Cart
Raskog: $29.99 | Ikea
Dimensions: 13-3/4” x 17-3/4” x 30-3/4”
Rolling Cart: $34.99 | TCS
Dimensions: 17" x 14-1/4" x 30-5/8"
The Raskog’s only redeeming quality is that it is $5 cheaper.
The Container Store’s 3-tier rolling cart on the other hand comes in more colors (7 colors vs the 3 colors offered by IKEA), it has sleeker design which makes it less bulky but it is actually the tiniest big bigger. (And the colors are just so damn cute)
Winner: TCS 3-Tier Rolling Cart
VARIERA Box vs. Storage Bin with Handles
Variera | IKEA
$2.79 - $4.50
Bin w/ Handles | TCS
$2.99 - $5.99
Yes, again, the IKEA version is cheaper. You can save anywhere between 20 cents and $1.49 by buying the IKEA version BUT… they are freakin heavy. The Variera bin is a whooping 1lb 13oz.
The IKEA version also only comes in 2 sizes and only comes in white compared to The Container Store which comes in 4 sizes and multiple colors. On top of all of that they are very lightweight and very durable.
Winner: TCS Storage Bin with Handles
Branas + Knipsa vs. Rattan + Hyacinth Cube
Branas & Knipsa | Ikea
$12.99 & $14.99
Rattan & Hyacinth | TCS
$39.99 & $29.99
Ok there is no getting around it, The Container Store bins are a small fortune - especially if you are buying a bunch of them.
However, the IKEA cubed bins still don’t win this round. They are heavy, they are bulky and they are not good quality. Even though you may have to sell a kidney for The Container Store bins they are still worth it. They are lightweight, great quality and are beautiful. They also come in 2 sizes (10” sq and 12” sq”) and we always love us some options.
You may be “saving money” by buying the IKEA version but long term these bins will not last.
Winner: Rattan + Hyacinth Cube
Godmorgen vs. Deep Drawer Organizers
Godmorgen | Ikea
$14.99/ set of 5
Deep Drawer Organizers | TCS
$4.99 - $7.99
While the Deep Drawer Organizers are sold separately and have 5 sizes and the Godmorgen which only have 3 sizes and sold as a set (if you’ve been following me you know how I feel about items sold in a set), the Godmorgen is still out performing the deep drawer organizers.
The deep drawer organizer for some reason only come in a 4” width. Which doesn’t give enough variety in my opinion. The same option for regular sized drawer organizers come in a 3” and 6” width. This poor design choice just makes me mad and on this principle I refuse to buy this product. (Also they just raised the price of this product 50 cents a piece and that just infuriates me).
Somehow, Ikea nailed it and the sizes available for the Godmorgen are perfect and the price is too good to pass up on. Could they use more variety, sure? But the price makes me care a little less.
If you don’t like either of these options you can go with the Acrylic Drawer Organizers and just stack ‘em up. However sometimes you just need a deep drawer organizer and in that case go with the Godmorgen. If you have super deep drawers there are some other great options out there and that will definitely be another blog post.
Winner: Godmorgen
Godmorgen vs. THE Bin Organizers
Goodmorgen | Ikea
$14.99/ set of 5
THE Bin Organizers | TCS
$6.99 - $9.99
Ok, since my OG instagram post comparing Goodmorgen vs. Deep Drawer Organizers The Home Edit came out with Bin Organizers.
Like all things from The Home Edit, they are great. To make them even better they are STACKABLE. Nothing gets me going as much as a stackable organizing product. BUT they are a small fortune. And here is the thing about drawer organizers, generally you need a lot of them. If you have the budget, definitely splurge. If you don’t have the budget for it the goodmorgen is a great back up option.
Splurge: THE Bin Organizers
Steal: Goodmorgen
Samla vs. Our Clear Storage Boxes
Samla
$1.99 - $19.99
Our Clear Storage Boxes
$2.19 - $24.99
For some reason people love to proudly tell me they purchased the Samla bin. Both bins come in multiple sizes BUT I don’t know what the IKEA team was thinking when they created this item.
The Samla bins are very heavy and the lids don’t click shut, they just lay on top of the bin. Their one redeeming factor is that you have the option to purchase the lids separately. This is really nice if a lid cracks or is lost but still doesn’t make this product a winner.
The Our Clear Storage Boxes are my favorite. I use them all over from garages to closets to art rooms. They are very durable, lightweight and last a very long time.
Winner: Our Clear Storage Boxes
Kuggis vs. SmartStore Compact Plastic Modular Bin
Kuggis
$3.99 - $4.99
SmartStore Compact Plastic Modular Bin
$1.49 - $16.99 (+ the cost of lids)
This is a hard one. The Kuggis comes in multiple sizes (3), they have very cute colors but unfortunately they are very heavy, especially as you head into the larger sizes. The largest size (14 ½x21 ¼x8 ¼ ") is basically unusable in my opinion, unless you plan to only put very light items inside.
The SmartStore Compact Bins come in 4 sizes, and white and clear with the option for cute bamboo lids, clear, white or grey. The lids are sold separately which makes them even more expensive but it also gives you more variety.
Splurge:SmartStore Compact Plastic Modular Bin
Steal: Kuggis
Jonaxel vs Elfa Rolling Cart
Jonaxel
$45
Elfa Cart
$159.99
Both of these products come in multiple sizes but sometimes, no matter how cheap a product is, it is just not worth it and the Jonaxel is one of those products.
The Elfa cart is a bit sturdier and, more importantly, it is customizable and it has a lot of accessories that you can add on. This means it will last you a LOT longer and you can adjust it as your needs change. (Warning, while TCS sells them prepackaged sets you can actually choose your own combo. I would suggest going into a store and talking to a sales associate about what you are looking for.)
Also the Elfa Rolling Cart has handles which for some reason the Jonaxel does not. It's really the little things that make a product go from blah to great, and handles are one of those little things.
If this is a temporary solution the Jonaxel is fine but for long term use it is just not worth it.
Winner: Elfa Rolling Cart
