
IKEA has something for everyone, and teachers are no exception! Does your classroom need a refresh? You can use IKEA items as they were intended or take inspiration from amazing IKEA hacks. Get organized and set up the play area or reading nook of your students’ dreams. Check out these awesome and affordable items that will make your IKEA classroom come alive!
1. Kallax Bookshelves
Versatile and stylish, the Kallax bookshelves are a staple of any IKEA classroom. Place them horizontally or vertically and pair multiple shelves together like Kayla of Move Mountains in Kindergarten. Get creative styling the shelves with bins of books or even toys.
Buy it: Kallax Shelf
2. Plant stand
Surely there are a dozen uses for this plant stand with its convenient clip-on containers. You can even create an art center like the one shown here from Move Mountains in Kindergarten.
Buy it: Satsumas plant stand
3. Tablet stand
With the proliferation of tablets and headphones in the classroom over the past year, these tablet stands will come in mighty handy. And at just $5.99 each, there’s probably room in your classroom budget for a whole collection.
Buy it: Moejlighet headset and tablet stand
4. Mini storage chest 
Constructed of birch plywood, this mini storage chest (16 ½” x 7″ x 12 5/8″) would be the perfect receptacle for art supplies such as paper, markers, glue, and scissors.
Buy it: Moppe mini storage chest
5. Book baskets
These sturdy baskets are perfect for your book nook or to organize different book-group materials. Comfy handles make it easy to pull out from shelves and lift and carry.
Buy it: Branaes basket
6. DIY LEGO table
At around $20, this little table offers the perfect base to create a do-it-yourself LEGO table for your IKEA classroom. Just glue some LEGO base plates on top as shown by Primary Scouts, and allow your students to get creative with building!
Buy it: Lack side table
7. Timer
At only $6.99 each, these adorable timers are perfect for centers where students need to time themselves or each other. They double as a clock and a thermometer as well!
Buy it: Klockis clock/thermometer/timer
8. Letter trays
The perfectly stylish way to keep papers straight. Use them on your desk for important docs or on a classroom bookshelf for turn-in baskets. Put them at student height and fill them with different-colored paper like Vanessa of Pre-K Pages.
Buy it: Kvissle letter tray
9. Utility Cart
We are loving the utility cart! There are so many amazing ways to use them in the classroom. Not sure how we’ve lived without them.
Buy it: Raskog utility cart
10. Stainless-steel mini containers
They may have been created with spices in mind, but these magnetic, stainless-steel containers are really versatile. This picture from Angry Julie Monday shows how perfect they are for storing paper clips, thumb tacks, or even sparkles. Easily view your items thanks to the clear lids.
Buy it: Grundtal container, Kungsfors magnetic knife rack
11. Memo board with clips
Hanging artwork just got easier with this binder clipboard.
Buy it: Soesdala memo board with clips
12. Floor cushion
These bright-colored floor cushions could be used as seat spots to help kids stay in their place at circle time or during small-group reading.
Buy it: Ursprunglig floor cushion
13. Rubber ice cube trays
These colorful trays could hold pushpins, paper clips, binder clips, and more on your desk. Or you could get some buttons or pom-poms and have the kids practice sorting.
Buy it: Plastis ice cube tray
14. Sturdy tote
This bag could be used to carry library books or to store LEGO or building blocks, or you could use it as your teacher bag. Plus it’s washable! Check out our other favorite teacher totes.
Buy it: Spikrak shopping bag
15. Colorful rug
We love this rug as one of our IKEA classroom supplies. Perfect for circle time! Plus, check out our favorite rugs on Amazon!
Buy it: Halved rug
16. Step stool
Helpful for little ones at the sink, drinking fountain, or pencil sharpener.
Buy it: Bolmen step stool
17. Train tracks
A perfect STEM activity for young learners, these train tracks can be assembled in a number of ways. You can even add some extra wood blocks like the ones added to this track from Fun-a-Day.
Buy it: Lillabo 50-piece track set
18. Sorting bins
A great stackable container for all kinds of school supplies like tissues, sanitizer, etc. Just add some colorful labels like Kayla from Move Mountains in Kindergarten did.
Buy it: Sortera recycling bins
19. Rubber basket
We love the sturdy rubber construction of this container. You could store guided reading book sets or professional books, or even put potted plants in them.
Buy it: Torkis basket
20. Hanging dryer with 16 clips
Another great contraption for displaying artwork. And it’s an octopus. So cute!
Buy it: Pressa hanging dryer
21. Supply box
This would look super-polished on your desk or on your storage shelves.
Buy it: Rejsa box
22. Wooden crate
We love to organize books using these! Each crate could hold a different genre or level. You could even use them to create a cute farm stand like this one from Casey of Little Lifelong Learners.
Buy it: Knagglig box
23. Pegboard
These pegboards are versatile and affordable. They can hold art and other school supplies and can even be used to decorate.
Buy it: Skadis Pegboard
24. Galvanized pots
Pencils, pens, crayons, markers, scissors, paper clips, glue sticks, and so on, and so on, and so on! Add a lazy Susan and labels like Beckie on Knock Off Decor for a complete art station.
Buy it: Socker plant pot, Snudda lazy Susan
25. Plastic stool
Great for your reading corner or as a teacher seat while teaching small groups (for those of us with creaky hips or knees who hate sitting flat on the floor). Maybe use it as part of a media area like Marisa of First Grade Glitter and Giggles.
Buy it: Mammut stools
26. Trofast toy storage
A nice clean look with tons of storage, these Trofast storage units can be used for so much more than toys. Keep art supplies or other learning materials at an easily accessible level for little hands. Be sure to use all that bonus space on the top of the units like Elizabeth of The Kinderhearted Classroom.
Buy it: Trofast toy storage
27. Kid armchair
A super-comfortable, just-the-right-size chair for little kids. While you can use it anywhere in your classroom, it will make a reading nook even more inviting.
Buy it: Poaeng kid’s armchair
28. Wooden dollhouse
Classic wooden design for an old-fashioned favorite free-play activity. You can even buy cute decals like this one from Etsy to transform it into a barn, fire station, and more!
Buy it: Flisat dollhouse/shelf
29. Felt-tip pens
You can let your students use these pens or save them all for yourself!
Buy it: Mala felt-tip pens
30. Play kitchen
Another favorite area for the little ones to role-play. If you’re feeling creative, spruce it up a bit like Caitlin of The Mama Notes.
Buy it: Duktig play kitchen
31. Toy groceries
Perfect for pretend shopping trips and meal prep.
Buy it: Latsas shopping basket set
32. Cash register
This cash register is great for number recognition and simple addition and subtraction. They can also be used for pretend play like this fun ice cream store setup by U Ready, Teddy?
Buy it: Duktig toy cash register
33. Pod chair
This darling little egg is perfect when one of your students needs a little break or wants to have some quiet time. Add it to your IKEA classroom today.
Buy it: Lomsk Swivel Chair
34. Abacus
A timeless learning tool and toy.
Buy it: Underhalla abacus
35. Pop-up cube
This portable cube can be used inside or outside. Your kids can use it during free time or quiet reading time.
Buy it: Busa children’s tent
36. Art smock
This one’s perfect for the tiniest (and messiest) artists!
Buy it: Mala Apron
37. USB charger
Because devices need to be charged!
Buy it: Askstorm charger
38. Finger puppets
These adorable finger puppets can be used for pretend play or they can even be used as desk pets.
Buy it: Titta djur finger puppets