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Furniture costs change drastically from decade to decade, but would you believe we’re currently on the lower end of the scale? British company Household Quotes recently sifted through more than 19,900 pages of IKEA catalogs (so many Billy bookcases) to compare the price evolution of living room pieces from the 1950s up until now.
The 1990s and 2010s were the most expensive years to furnish a whole room with IKEA furniture, at nearly $1,300 on average, while the 2020s have so far been the surprising champion of affordability, with the cost totaling $1,112. Once you’ve saved up, there’s the matter of deciding what exactly to purchase with that money. There are infinite style configurations, so we’ve done the hard work and created three Domino-approved setups that all come in under budget.
The Naturalist
Keep it simple—but not boring—by layering in woven textures and warm woods with your minimal sofa.
The Maximalist
Opt for bright colors and purposefully clashing patterns. The recurring blues tie it all together.
The Scandi
Scandinavian minimalism is IKEA’s bread and butter. Get more for your money with double-duty pieces like a set of nesting tables that can also act as extra seating and a chair that works indoors and out.
