The Best Things Designers Ever Bought at IKEA

There is a special kind of joy we feel when we’re talking to a designer about a home and they reveal something in the space 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 stumble across a genius IKEA find in one of their projects, we asked eight designers to share the best thing they ever bought at the big-box store. 

I’m a huge fan of the Kyrre stacking stools. They work as stools, 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 of the stools. It’s such an easy way to transform them into statement pieces. —Danielle Fennoy, founder of Revamp Interior Design

We use them in a lot of kids’ rooms because they are 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

We purchased the Havsta storage system for our office material library, and with a few updates it looks like a luxe custom millwork piece. We removed our 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

I love the Voxtorp kitchen cabinets. They have a clean and modern look that has 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

I love these small flat-weave rugs. In my house, they serve as bath mats 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 

IKEA has the best large entry mirror in ash. It’s so beautiful and looks high-end. —Leigh Jendrusina, founder of Salthouse Collective

I bought the 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 well organized and easy to access. —Aimee Meisgeier, founder of AM Interior Design 

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. That light is 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