Jared Leto has this IKEA storage system in his LA home – see how he styled the Scandi-staple

From the BILLY bookcase to the POÄNG armchair, it's hard to pick which of IKEA's products is the most iconic. We can, however, now make a strong case for their KALLAX units – following approval from none other than Jared Leto.

The actor, best known for his roles in House of Gucci and Suicide Squad, could perhaps have his pick of any furniture on the market – however, he opted for the trusted unit from the Swedish powerhouse – described by IKEA as a 'stylish, simple cube storage shelving that does a lot.'

The KALLAX has long been categorized as a pioneer when it comes to IKEA room ideas and living room storage – the latter is the case for Jared, who is not shy of sharing his personalized units with the world.

Filled with books and cacti, Jared reminds us that you do not need to sacrifice style in the name of practicality. The actor uses a curated selection of books to introduce pockets of color in his living room while keeping his favorite titles tidy and organized. His book storage ideas are refreshingly simple – and it's a technique that doesn't go unnoticed by designers. 

‘We like to celebrate books with big pieces of open joinery. Books should always be visible to invite you in to read them,' says Camilla Clarke, the creative director of interior design studio Albion Nord.

Camilla Clarke

Creative director at London-based interior design firm, Albion Nord, Camilla Clarke has worked at some of London’s leading interior design practices. Clarke uses her artistic background to influence her interior designs on everything from contemporary penthouses to Georgian homes.

And, while concealed storage isn't an issue in Jared's home, Camilla adds that it can be a good idea to combine open storage (such as the KALLAX) with more concealed shelves that allow you to hide the possessions you don't want to exhibit. 

'Try mixing high-level open shelving with concealed storage,' she says. '[Use] open shelving to display books, art, photos, and concealed storage to hide things that don’t need to be on show.'

Plus, while the actor's home is likely to be generous in size, experts say that the KALLAX is the perfect small living room storage solution – primarily because of its timeless white shell – that could help the space feel bigger. 

Peter Erlandsson

Peter Erlandsson is the co-owner and director of String Furniture – the Scandi-cool storage company hailing from Stockholm, Sweden. In 2020, String Furniture was awarded Furniture Supplier of the Year, but the basis of String's designs has shaped storage habits since 1949. In 1952, String shelves (now String Furniture) were ordered to decorate the newly built UN headquarters in New York City. 

'Sleek wall shelving provides plenty of flexibility both practically and aesthetically, meaning you can achieve a completely new look whenever you like. There is an age-old doctrine of using light colors on walls to make your home look bigger. This is true, and your shelves need not detract from this,' Peter says.

So, while we the KALLAX is certainly no stranger to an IKEA hack – Jared Leto and design experts agree – it's more than okay to let its original colors shine through.