IKEA is the default furniture store for Canadian apartment renters for good reason — it’s designed for small spaces, available across Canada, and priced for people who might move in two years. But not everything works in a small apartment. These 15 ideas use IKEA products in smart configurations that solve real problems, with no cutting, no major modifications, and no need for a drill. CMHC data shows that rental affordability is a persistent challenge across Canadian cities, which makes budget-conscious furniture choices more important than ever. I’ve tested most of these in my own 510 sq ft Toronto apartment — the NORDLI bed and the LACK floating nightstands are the two I’d recommend to anyone starting from scratch.
In a hurry? Buy the KALLAX — it’s the most versatile piece at IKEA, working as a room divider, entryway bench, TV console, or home office. Then look at the NORDLI storage bed (replaces a dresser entirely), ceiling-height BILLY bookcases (maximum vertical storage in a 28 cm footprint), and LACK shelves on Command strips for floating nightstands that free floor space completely.
KALLAX as a Room Divider in a Studio
Place the KALLAX 2×4 vertically between the sleeping and living zones in a studio apartment. It creates a visual divider without blocking all the light, and both sides of the bookcase can be used for storage and display.
Add plants on top of the divider to make the transition feel designed, not improvised. For more configurations and hacks specific to this unit, see IKEA KALLAX hacks for small spaces.
Cost: KALLAX 2×4 ~$159 CAD.
PAX Wardrobe to Replace an Inadequate Closet
Many older Toronto and Montreal apartments have tiny wardrobes or hall closets that don’t function as a proper bedroom closet. A PAX wardrobe frame (50 cm deep, 201 cm tall) positioned against the bedroom wall creates a real wardrobe.
Add internal organizers: KOMPLEMENT pull-out trays, JONAXEL shelf units, and a mirror door to make the bedroom feel significantly larger.
Cost: PAX frame starts at ~$179 CAD. Full configuration with doors and interior organizers: ~$400–$800 CAD.
NORDLI Storage Bed to Eliminate the Dresser
The NORDLI bed frame has two large drawers on each side that hold as much as a full dresser — built into the bed itself. In a small bedroom, this removes the need for a separate dresser entirely and frees significant floor space.
Cost: NORDLI Queen ~$399–$699 CAD depending on configuration.
BILLY Bookcase to the Ceiling for Maximum Storage
The standard BILLY bookcase is 202 cm tall. Add the GNEDBY extension (40 cm) on top to take it to 242 cm — close to standard ceiling height. This gives you floor-to-ceiling storage in a 28 cm deep footprint.
Anchor to the wall with the included anti-tip strap. In a rental, this requires one small screw in the wall — minimal damage and worth it for safety.
Cost: BILLY 80 cm wide ~$79–$99 CAD. GNEDBY extension ~$39 CAD.
LACK Shelf as a Floating Nightstand
The IKEA LACK shelf (30 × 26 cm, ~$15 CAD) mounted at nightstand height on Command strips eliminates the floor footprint of a bedside table. Holds a lamp, phone, water, and a book — everything a nightstand needs.
Two LACK shelves, one on each side of the bed, creates a symmetrical bedroom layout without consuming any floor space.
Cost: LACK small shelf ~$15 CAD. Command Large Strips ~$12–$15 CAD.
KALLAX as Entryway Storage + Bench
Lay the 1×4 KALLAX horizontally at entry height (about 45 cm off the floor), add a bench cushion on top, and fill each cube with shoe and bag storage. Add hooks on the wall above for coats.
This creates a proper mudroom-style entry in the smallest apartments.
Cost: KALLAX 1×4 ~$79 CAD. Bench pad or cushion ~$20–$30 CAD.
RASKOG as Kitchen or Bathroom Cart
The RASKOG 3-tier cart (~$39 CAD) works beautifully as a kitchen cart that rolls out during cooking for extra counter space, then tucks away. In the bathroom it holds towels, toiletries, and a small plant. If you can’t find the RASKOG in stock, Amazon.ca carries several nearly identical rolling carts at the same price point, and Wayfair Canada has a wider selection of kitchen carts if you want something with a more finished look.
In a small apartment where rooms serve multiple purposes, the rollability is actually the feature.
SKADIS Pegboard to Clear Counter Space
A SKADIS pegboard on the kitchen wall (or behind the desk) keeps tools and supplies accessible without consuming any counter or desk surface. It works with SKADIS-compatible hooks, containers, and clips.
Cost: SKADIS 56 × 56 cm ~$15 CAD. Accessory pack (hooks + containers) ~$5–$15 CAD.
MICKE Desk + KALLAX as a Home Office Corner
KALLAX 2×2 placed beside the MICKE desk creates a corner home office setup with twice the storage. The KALLAX handles books, office supplies, and equipment that won’t fit on the desk.
Cost: MICKE desk ~$99 CAD. KALLAX 2×2 ~$79 CAD. Total: ~$178 CAD.
IVAR Shelving Units as a Wardrobe System
The IVAR system is IKEA’s most flexible storage system — it expands, reconfigures, and can be returned to a simple shelving unit if needed. In a bedroom, it creates a custom wardrobe system. In the kitchen or living room, it becomes a pantry or display unit.
Cost: IVAR starting at ~$35 CAD per section. Full wardrobe configuration ~$150–$300 CAD.
HOVET Mirror to Expand a Small Bedroom
The HOVET full-length mirror (~$279 CAD) leans against the wall (no installation) and immediately makes any small bedroom feel significantly larger. It reflects light from the window and creates the illusion of a second doorway.
FRIHETEN as a Guest Bed for Studio Apartments
If you live in a studio and sometimes have overnight guests, the FRIHETEN sofa bed (~$999 CAD) solves both the “sofa” and “guest bed” problems in one piece. The storage chaise adds significant storage capacity.
SKUBB Under-Bed Storage System
SKUBB under-bed bags (~$14 for 2) are flat, zip closed, and designed to slide under an IKEA bed frame. Store off-season clothing, extra bedding, or anything needed only twice a year.
If combined with NORDLI or MALM bed risers, you can add even more under-bed clearance.
TJUSIG Bench + Hooks as a Complete Entry System
The TJUSIG bench ($59 CAD) with shoe storage underneath, combined with TJUSIG or ENUDDEN wall hooks above ($15–$25 CAD), creates a functional entry station for a fraction of a custom mudroom.
JONAXEL as a Freestanding Wardrobe System
The JONAXEL system is designed to stand freely without wall attachment — ideal for renters who can’t drill. It functions as a full wardrobe: hanging space, shelves, and optional mesh bins.
Cost: JONAXEL frame + hanging rod + shelf ~$150–$250 CAD depending on configuration.
For a more specific look at budget-conscious organization, small apartment organization ideas on a budget pairs well with this list — it covers what to buy first when you’re starting from scratch.
The Essential IKEA Small Apartment Shopping List
Starting from zero in a small Canadian apartment, this order makes the most sense:
| Item | Purpose | Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| NORDLI storage bed | Sleep + storage | $399–$699 |
| KALLAX 2×2 or 4×2 | Living room anchor | $79–$159 |
| BILLY bookcase (narrow) | Vertical storage | $79–$99 |
| LACK shelves (2) | Floating nightstands | ~$30 |
| SKUBB under-bed bags | Seasonal storage | ~$14 |
| RASKOG cart | Mobile storage | ~$39 |
Total for the essentials: ~$650–$1,050 CAD — a complete small apartment storage system.
These IKEA picks have been tested in real Canadian apartments and they hold up. Start with whatever solves your biggest problem — the NORDLI if storage is the issue, the KALLAX if you need a living room anchor, the BILLY if you’re drowning in books. Get one piece working before adding the next.
→ Want to go deeper on specific KALLAX configurations? IKEA KALLAX hacks for small spaces covers 11 creative uses with exact setup instructions and CAD costs.
