This Is IKEA's Most Versatile Item. No, It's Not the Billy Bookcase.

It’s no surprise to anyone who knows me that I’m obsessed with cleaning and organizing. Show me a home product that ticks both boxes at the same time, and I can barely keep it together with excitement. So, it’s no wonder that I’m about to gush a little about my new favorite household helper: the IKEA Råskog utility cart.

I know what you’re thinking: a rolling cart is a rolling cart is a…, but no, even as first glances go, this one’s a looker. (Those curves. That gray-green!) I use mine to hold all my cleaning supplies (of which I have many) that used to previously overflow under the kitchen sink. The bottom shelves offer additional storage, so I can organize them according to priority. My most regularly used cleaners are up top; the second shelf is for gloves, cloths and brushes; and the third I keep for specialized cleaners (Brasso, Magic Erasers, you get it). It makes me feel very efficient to roll it around with me on cleaning day, and when I'm done, I just tuck it neatly into my entryway closet.

And the Råskog can wear sooo many hats. My friend Lizzie recently sent me a photo of her new apartment, and standing proudly in a corner—the Råskog, turned into a rather splendid “gin cart.” Another friend uses it to store camera equipment, and yet another for holding her kid’s paper and art supplies. Need an extra surface to craft on? Just flip the top bin over.

As far as IKEA projects go, this one’s also super easy to put together. My husband and I had previously vowed never to assemble anything IKEA side-by-side, after having reached the brink of trouble many times over. This was not one of those times.

Which is a good thing, because I have every plan to buy another (or many). I'm pretty sure I could find 50 different uses for them—even in my NYC apartment. Here are some I already know of:

An ingeniously-fashioned spice rack, if I ever saw one. This person has utilized every extra inch of surface space—adding hooks for additional hanging, and even plopping on a few smaller magnetic spice tins on the sides for easy access.

I'd suggest popping a plant or two into your Råskog, but why not turn the entire thing into a rolling herb garden? (Tip: Add S-hooks to hang off your garden scissors and mister.) Move it to the window for some extra Vitamin D when needed, and then roll over to the kitchen counter when you need to pinch off some fresh herbs.

All out of creative tiny-bathroom storage ideas? Well, here's one more. We love the matte black option for any style of bathroom (we have a thing for black bathroom accessories around here)—form and function, anyone?

Packing up the sewing machine, tools, and threads when you're done with a project is tedious. Now, you can have them all live in one place. Tip the top bin over for an extra workspace.

Art and craft supplies that can be rolled to the table and then be rolled back out of the way when done with your projects? Yes. Also, add a wooden topper for additional stability—now you have an instant WFH desk.

In need of an instant side table for a dinner party? Or a rolling coffee cart for your guests? With some magazines thrown in for company? A Råskog's your best friend in these cases.

Add extra storage right at your bedside! The three sections make organizing your sleep mask, books, table lamp, and all the others odds-and-ends that inexplicably land on your bedside table really easy—there's even place for your weighted blanket on there.

Just like Lizzie's gin cart, but with some swap-ins—all organized to be both functional and visually appealing. Need some quick tips on stocking the kind of bar cart your Instagram followers will envy? Food52's resident bartender has all the ideas for you to sip in style.

It's 2020, so we're not getting much use for our make-up. All the more reason why you need a place to help you organize all of it, and then stash 'em away. For another day year.

A rolling snack cart is both a genius and a dangerous idea in my opinion—so use at your own risk. I, for one, would never let it leave my bedroom. (Brb, need chips.)

Because if it is cat-approved it must be very, very good. Honestly, whatever it takes to keep Michu off the couch—because we love our cats, but also love nice furniture.

What do you use your IKEA Råskog cart for? Tell us in the comments below!

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