How the IKEA BEKVÄM spice rack transforms your hallway

So many of us have the same everyday problem: right by the front door, keys, post, sunglasses and tote bags quickly turn into a messy pile. A crowded sideboard can feel overwhelming, and a full-size coat rack often simply won’t fit. This is exactly where an unassuming IKEA spice rack comes in - and it can change your hallway in a surprisingly clever way.

Why a spice rack in the hallway actually makes sense

It’s the small, open wooden ledge called BEKVÄM. It’s designed to sit above the hob and hold salt, pepper and oil. But because it’s slim, sturdy and made from untreated wood, it’s ideal for other jobs around the home - especially anywhere that every centimetre matters.

In the entrance area, the rack can stand in for a traditional shelf or a petite console table. It only projects a few centimetres into the room, so it still works in narrow period hallways or right by a flat door with a security bar. At the same time, the top shelf offers a surprising amount of usable space for the items you tend to hunt for at the last second on your way out.

“A kitchen shelf that costs hardly any money becomes a compact organising helper right next to the front door with just a few simple steps.”

Instead of dropping your keys “somewhere”, everything gets a designated spot. That takes pressure off - particularly on busy mornings when you’re rushing.

How BEKVÄM becomes a smart helper for the entrance area

This hack is straightforward and works even if DIY isn’t really your thing. The basic idea comes down to three steps: mount the rack, add hooks, and stock it in a sensible way.

Installation: minimal effort, big impact

Fix the rack to the wall as intended, using screws. A good position is just below chest height so you can grab things comfortably. If you have children, you can mount a second rack lower down, so they can reach their own bits and put them away independently.

• Choose a spot that won’t clash with the door swing
• Use a spirit level, mark the drill holes
• Insert wall plugs, then secure the rack
• Consider weight limits if you plan to hang bags and jackets

Small metal or wooden hooks can be attached along the lower rail. Many people use simple screw-in hooks that twist straight into the wood. That’s where you can hang a keyring, a fabric tote, a dog lead or a lightweight scarf.

What fits on (and under) the mini rack

The top ledge becomes a narrow but highly practical drop zone. Typical items that work well here include:

• A key dish or small basket as a catch-all
• Sunglasses and an entry fob
• A shopping list or a small notepad with a pen
• Photos or a framed mini print for a touch of personality
• Post that absolutely needs to go with you to the office

Letters, in particular, can simply be tucked behind the front rail. That way they’re immediately visible when you reach for the door - no pile on the shoe cabinet and no paper chaos under the coat hooks.

Using it in other rooms: from spice shelf to all-purpose rack

If you’ve already sorted a good hallway setup, you can easily move the wooden rack elsewhere. Thanks to its clean, simple shape, it fits almost any interior style - from light Scandinavian to colourful and playful.

Practical ideas for the bathroom, office and children’s room

In the bathroom, the slim shelf holds tubes, jars and bottles that would otherwise live on the edge of the basin. It works especially well above narrow sinks or next to the mirror.

• Bathroom: creams, facial lotion, toothbrush cup, perfume
• Home office: pen pot, scissors, sticky notes, chargers
• Children’s room: small books, cuddly toys, hair clips, toy cars
• Kitchen: oils and spices, if you want to keep its original purpose

At a desk, the rack can take over some of the job of an overcrowded tabletop. Store pen pots or a small box for paperclips on top, and hang headphones or a calendar underneath. That leaves more clear space for actually working.

Personalisation: turning a standard item into a one-off

A major plus is the material: the rack is made from untreated, pale wood, and it takes paint, oil or adhesive film very well. That makes it easy to match visually to your home.

Three quick styling ideas

• Subtle and Scandinavian: Seal it with clear varnish or a lightly white-pigmented oil. This protects against marks while keeping the grain visible.
• A statement in the hallway: Paint it in a bold colour that ties in with your coat area or runner - for example dark blue, sage green or terracotta.
• A graphic look: Paint the front rail a different colour from the shelf, or apply a slim strip of decorative film.

If you like, you can also fit a slim LED light strip underneath. In the evening, it creates a gentle guide light in the hallway and helps you find your keys quickly in low light.

What to watch out for when using it

Even though the rack is sturdy, it’s still a small wooden shelf. Heavy shopping bags are better placed on the floor or hung from a separate wall hook. Lighter fabric totes, jute bags or children’s backpacks are usually fine.

If you rent your home, make sure you choose the right wall plugs for the surface you’re fixing into - plasterboard, concrete and brick all behave differently. It’s worth checking the instructions briefly or asking for advice at a DIY shop.

“The better the rack is fixed, the more relaxed you can be about using it with hooks and smaller everyday items.”

In the bathroom, the wood should be sealed so splashes don’t cause stains. A clear oil or varnish is enough to make the surface more resistant.

Why this mini hack is worth it in the long run

Small pieces like this show how much potential there is in reusing things in different ways. One product can move from the kitchen to the hallway, later to a child’s room, and eventually into the home office. Instead of constantly buying new storage, you can keep reusing what you already have and adapt it as your needs change.

Working this way saves money, reduces waste and helps you think about rooms more flexibly. Often, a new location, a fresh coat of paint or a few extra hooks are all it takes to turn an everyday item into a smart organising tool.

For anyone short on space - or living in their first flat - a spice rack in the hallway can be a small game-changer: minimal footprint, tiny budget, and noticeably more order. And that’s exactly what everyday life between the front door, work and shopping bags needs more often than you’d expect.