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There is a special kind of joy we feel when a designer admits to us that something in a home is from IKEA. The Swedish retailer carries thousands of products, so to know a pro has weeded through the stock and found something they’re obsessed with—a wood drafting desk, a corduroy sofa, a retro-looking lamp—makes us feel like it is in fact possible to design a superchic home on a budget. Unable to wait until the next time we organically stumble across an expert-backed find, we asked 22 creatives to share the best thing they’ve ever bought at IKEA.
Hovet Mirror
One of my go-to IKEA gems is the Hovet mirror in the aluminum finish. Its clean, seamless profile and oversized scale fit effortlessly into dressing spaces and always deliver. Plus it looks far more expensive than it is. —Alvin Wayne, founder and principal designer of Alvin Wayne Interiors
Dejsa Table Lamp
We first snagged these lamps for our home back in 2022 and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the glass. They come off timeless as opposed to trendy, and are reminiscent of Bill Curry’s Laurel mushroom lamp, which we’d love to own someday (but these will do for now). —Aubrey Ament and William Glaser, cofounders of Glam Studio
Poäng Low-Back Armchair
There are loads of vintage IKEA pieces I’ve wished I’d been able to snag over the years, especially the ones where you can’t believe they ever got produced in the first place: the Kräsen candlesticks, which are anchored by a hunk of black granite; the Vilbert chair; the wavy, mint-green Vajer chest. (I’m also weirdly into this outdoor sofa, which looks like a Ken Isaacs prototype.) But honestly, my favorite product is a classic: the Poäng low-back armchair, in particular this red-on-red version. Normally, I’d be bothered by what’s essentially a dupe, but this was designed in the ’70s, and the designer was quite clear that it was an homage to Aalto. And it has pretty much never gone out of style since then. I had a much more subdued version that I used as a kind of cantilevered bouncy chair when my kids were babies, and I’ve since sold it. But I’d buy that red one in a heartbeat. —Jill Singer, writer of Counter Space and cofounder of Sight Unseen
PS Gullholmen Rocking Chair
I first discovered the PS Gullholmen rocking chair about eight years ago, while I was renovating my house in Park City, Utah. I loved its low profile design for my kids, its rocking motion, and how easy it was to move around the house when we needed more seating. For added comfort, I layered a shearling rug on top. Currently, we have two of them in our sitting room where we listen to records, play board games, and enjoy our wood burning fireplace. —Jennelle Butera, principal designer of Bloum Design Co.
Vittsjo Shelf Unit
It has to be a pair of Vittsjö shelf units for my first apartment. I used them to store everything from books and dinnerware to picture frames. When my husband and I later bought our house, they transitioned seamlessly into my home office, where they now hold fabric samples in neat baskets. —Nicole Forina, founder of Nicole Forina Home
Klippoxel Throw
This particular throw is a favorite because it comes in five beautifully curated colors, so it’s easy to find one that complements your palette. Best of all, it has the elevated feel of a high-end piece without the luxury price tag. —Ellie Christopher, founder of Ellie Christopher Interior Design
Lohals Rug
We’ve come back to the Lohals rug time and again for how it flexes to any aesthetic, provides the perfect hit of warm texture, and of course the fact that it maxes out at $160 for a 6’7″ x 9’10” size! You could easily stack it with a second rug for greater impact as well. —Liz Hoekzema, cofounder and creative director of KLH Homes
Lommarp Cabinet
My favorite IKEA piece is the Lommarp in dark blue-green. The quality is great and it has a ton of functional storage. I’ve recommended it to our clients and like it so much I have it in our studio. —Kathryn Murphy, founder of Kathryn Murphy Interiors
Fjallarnika Duvet Insert
I love sourcing all my bedding inserts from IKEA. The pillows and duvets strike the perfect balance of comfort, quality, and affordability, making them an effortless choice for a well-made bed. —Emily Tucker, founder of Emily Tucker Design
Sektion Cabinets
Our favorite by far is a set of three Sektion cabinets with Billsbro handles. We cut a custom countertop out of Calacatta Borghini in a polished finish to complete the piece. We use these drawers to organize and keep all of our stone, porcelain, quartz, and Dekton samples. —Kimberly Oxford, founder of Kimberly Oxford Interiors
Dytåg Cushion Cover
IKEA’s linen throw pillow covers are timeless and feel luxurious, while being a budget-friendly option. —Barrett Cooke, principal at Arterberry Cooke
Billy Bookcase
The Billy bookcase is an enduring favorite for a reason: This staple can be transformed into a bespoke built-in that looks completely custom. Just a little imagination can turn an everyday piece into something extraordinary. —Miranda Cullen, owner and principal at Inside Stories
Skådis Pegboard
This is a lifesaver for artistic kids. With all the accessories, like shelves, cups, hooks, and file holders, you can create a fully functional wall system above a desk. It keeps supplies organized and turns homework or art time into something fun and intentional. —Cathryn Erickson, founder of Cathryn Lindsey Design
Kyrre Stool
I’m a huge fan of the Kyrre stools. They also work as side tables and even accent pieces. The fact that they stack makes them practical for small spaces; you can easily tuck them away when not in use. The birch finish is neutral enough to fit with almost any decor, and the best part is the customization potential. I love buying different African wax cloth fabrics and lacquering them onto the tops. It’s such an easy way to transform them into statement pieces. —Danielle Fennoy, founder of Revamp Interior Design
Besta Storage Units
We use Besta storage in a lot of kids’ rooms because it’s so practical and can be spruced up by adding cool knobs or a top in colored plexiglass or plywood. —Annie Sullivan Cobb, cofounder of Sullivan Matthews
Havsta Storage Units
We purchased the Havsta storage system for our office material library, and with a few updates it looks like luxe custom millwork. We removed the baseboard to install it wall-to-wall and updated the hardware, and it looks like it was tailor-made for our space. —Hillary Cohen, founder of HCO Interiors
Voxtorp Kitchen Doors
I love the Voxtorp cabinet fronts. They have a clean and modern look with integrated handles for ease. You can then add in some custom flourishes to make the kitchen look more luxe without breaking the bank. I’ve used them in client projects and even my own lake cottage. The matte finish softens the modern lines and is the perfect addition to the surf-shack-chic vibe. —Sam Sacks, founder of Sam Sacks Design
Sortsö Rug
I love these small flat-weave rugs. In my house, they serve as bath and entryway mats (they are good for putting out by the front door for wet boots in the wintertime). —Anna Kroesser, cofounder of Kroesser + Strat Design
Stockholm Mirror
IKEA has the best large entry mirror in ash. It’s so beautiful and looks high-end. —Leigh Jendrusina, founder of Salthouse Collective
Kallax Shelving Units
I bought a Kallax unit for my home office and sample library. It fits perfectly in the space, and with the addition of storage boxes, it keeps my samples organized and easy to access. —Aimee Meisgeier, founder of AM Interior Design
Sinnerlig Pendant Lamp
The best thing I ever bought at IKEA would actually be a whole category of items: pendant lighting. You can’t go wrong with the classic Sinnerlig pendant. It’s a designer staple for a reason: It’s versatile enough to go in almost any style of room, but bold enough to make a statement. —Amber Sokolowski, founder of Soko Design