PLATSA Planning Help: Storing 400mm lenses, C-Stands, and 30+ Sneakers (Compatibility Quest!)
Hey everyone!
I’m currently in the process of kitting out my mancave storage and I’ve settled on the IKEA PLATSA system for its modularity. I’m looking to fill a 220cm wide wall with a depth of 57cm, but I’ve run into a few technical hurdles regarding drawer heights and ceiling clearance.
The Gear List:
I’ve got a specific (and heavy) loadout I need to organize:
- Photography: Mirrorless full-frame bodies, various lenses (biggest are 100-400mm and 400mm prime), Speedlights, and studio heads.
- Modifiers: About five 40-90cm softboxes.
- Grip: 2x C-stands, 4-5 light stands, and several tripods.
- Tech: Raspberry Pis, buckets of cables, spare peripherals, and ~10 loose HDDs.
- The Collection: 30+ pairs of sneakers (stored in-box for stacking).
The Plan (220cm total width):
- Frame 1 (80x55x180cm): Dedicated sneaker tower with multiple shelves.
- Frame 2 (80x55x180cm): Mix of shelves for softboxes/flashes and a tall section for the light stands and tripods.
- Frame 3 (60x55x180cm): This will be the "Tech Hub" with drawers up to chin height (I'm 5'7") and a single door at the top for bulkier bits.
The Dilemmas:
1. The "Standing Lens" Drawer Hack The standard PLATSA drawers (HJÄLPA/KALBÅDED) are too shallow. My 100-400mm lens is roughly 25cm tall and I really want my glass standing upright.
- The Question: I’ve heard the KONSTRUERA drawers from the SMÅSTAD range are compatible with PLATSA frames because they share the 60cm width and 55cm depth. Has anyone successfully done this? Do the runner holes align, or will I be drilling new ones?
2. Maxing out the Ceiling Height My ceiling is 232.5cm. A standard 180cm frame leaves a massive gap.
- Is there a "topper" unit for PLATSA?
- Can I stack a 40cm or 60cm PLATSA frame on top of the 180cm units to fill that gap? I’m looking for that "built-in" look and don't want to waste that top 50cm of vertical real estate.
Would love to hear from anyone who has "hacked" PLATSA for camera gear or used SMÅSTAD components in this way. Thanks in advance!