Mind Blown: 16 IKEA Items With Hidden Details

IKEA knows how to do design that's both practical and pleasing to the eye. Usually, we're most amazed by the company's shockingly affordable aesthetics, but the simple, utilitarian details are sometimes even more impressive. Here, you'll discover 16 IKEA items with little details you didn't realize serve a purpose:

Ever notice the little chip on the bottom of past IKEA mugs? That's there for a clever reason: To allow water to run off in the dishwasher, so you don't have to touch a cup with a little puddle of leftover water.

Some of IKEA's toilet brushes (like the Ekoln and Enudden models) have replacement brushes — so instead of buying a whole new set, you can just get a new brush and cut down on plastic waste.

That cutout on the Selje nightstand isn't just an aesthetic design detail, it also lets you run a phone charger cable through it: Keep your phone on the table, then run the cable through the nook (allowing you to keep the drawer closed) and through a space at the back of the table.

While Selje is no longer in stock, the Brimnes nightstand has a similar feature.

The Gladom side table (and other similar tables) features a removable top — transporting snacks to and from the kitchen just got so much easier.

While most people think the Ikornnes mirror is meant to rest on a dresser or vanity with the arm pushed to the back to create a stand, it can also be suspended on the wall with the arm protruding to create a tie rack.

The Tomrefjord bed's headboard features a removable cover that can easily be cleaned. Unfortunately, this item is no longer in stock, but you can probably find it on Facebook Marketplace.

IKEA's glass food storage containers are also oven-safe (not the lids, just the bases). This means you can use them for roasting small pieces of meat/fish or pop it into the oven to reheat food.

The hole in the seat of many IKEA stools is there to make it easier to carry.

With the Lauters lamp, you can wind the cord around the neck to decrease slack if you've got an outlet close by.

IKEA's flat-weave rugs feature the exact same design on both sides — so when one side gets dirty, you can flip it over. Voila! New rug!

Aside from that cool window that lets you check in on how your food is cooking, the lid on the Sensuell pot is slightly slanted, so that when you remove it, condensation slides back into the pot — not onto your cooktop.

What's up with that metal bar on the inside of the Lixhult cabinet door? It helps to create a sneaky compartment where you can store a few flat items like paper goods or rulers.

IKEA's Fältmal is a must for camping trips — the pillow unzips to become a wearable blanket.

The Alex desk solves a problem that drives minimalists crazy: cord storage. Thanks to a sneaky sliver near the back of the desk, you can slip cords down to hide them out of sight. Bonus: This desk is completely finished at the back, meaning you can place it in the middle of the room.

The IKEA Koncis spatula is perfectly angled so that it can rest on the rim of a baking dish or pan. In other words, the utensil won't fall into your container and get covered in food!

IKEA's new Blandsallad bread cutting board comes with a hidden tray that will collect all your crumbs for you. Cleaning up the kitchen has never been so easy.