IKEA Pieces Designers Love

September 15, 2025

IKEA: for many, it's that Swedish labyrinth with questionable lighting, flat-pack furniture nightmares, and meatballs that taste suspiciously like your last IKEA visit. But ask a designer, and you'll hear a very different story. Because beyond the Allen wrenches and particle board lurks some serious design value. Here are the IKEA gems designers actually use — and why they deserve a spot in your home.

image credit: Yes Colours

Why Designers Are Quietly IKEA Fans

Value that punches above its weight: Many IKEA pieces deliver more bang for far fewer bucks than luxury equivalents. Designers love that they can build a look without bankrupting themselves. House Beautiful describes IKEA as supplying “affordable gems whose quality vastly outweighs their price points.”

Versatility + custom-ability: Flat finishes that can be painted, hardware that can be replaced, slices that can be added — these all let you take a base IKEA item and make it feel bespoke.

Durability when used wisely: Solid woods, metal framing, good joinery can last decades. Designers know how to pick the durable bits and upgrade what needs upgrading (like doors, knobs, etc.).

image credit: Jake Arnold

Designer-Approved Pieces You Actually Might Want

Here are some specific IKEA pieces that keep popping up in designers’ homes or wish lists — with the secret sauce that makes them good beyond just “cheap.”

Piece	What Makes It Great	How Designers Use It
SKÅDIS Pegboard Combination	Warm wood, great grid-system for organization, very visual. Designers love that it’s decorative and useful.	Hung in kitchens (for pans or tools), studios (for art supplies), even entryways — it organizes without shouting “storage.”
ELVARLI Open Storage	Angled shelves, airy but strong, display-friendly. It’s more “shelf for art books & bags” than “boring garment rack.”	Used in closets, dressing areas, sometimes living rooms — designer handbags + favorite books = art installations.
HÖGVIND Pendant Lamp	Mouth-blown glass, shape that makes a statement. Light fixtures are super high impact for relatively little cost.	Grouped in threes, hung in entry halls, or used to dress up boring ceilings.
STOCKHOLM 2025 Rug	Both-sided pattern (so wear evens out), bold but not obnoxious. Adds personality without overwhelming.	Placed in living rooms, layered under coffee tables, or used to anchor a neutral space.
KIVIK Sofa	Deep, cushy, generous proportions; easy-to-wash covers—a huge plus.	As the “sinking into comfort” spot. Designers tend to place it where lounging is serious business: media rooms, family rooms, dens.
BILLY / OXBERG Bookcases	Classic, clean, expandable. Mix closed + open options, maybe add glass doors. Very hackable.	Use to display art / books, add baskets, mix in decorative items. Also used in places you want to “look styled,” not just functional storage.
HEMNES Dresser	Timeless design, many color options, solid enough to survive multiple redecorations.	Dressers don’t just stay in bedrooms. Designers reimagine them as TV consoles, storage in entryways, etc. Swap out knobs to elevate.
Other small pieces like the RÄFFELBJÖRK vase or SLÅNHÖSTMAL towels	Little flair, color, texture: these are items that cost little but deliver visual or tactile richness.	Used to punctuate rooms, bring warmth/contrast, or update mood seasonally without a big commitment.

image credit: Child Studio

How to Use IKEA Pieces Like a Designer

Because owning a piece is one thing — making it feel intentional and high-end is another.

Upgrade the details
Swap the knobs, paint the doors, change hardware, maybe even replace doors while keeping the carcass. These small touches often shift a piece from “IKEA” to “custom.�? The Paris kitchen example is excellent: IKEA Lerhyttan cabinets, but upgraded with Devol hardware + luxe accoutrements.

Mix high + low
Designers emphasize strategic investment: splurge on what matters (appliances, lighting, key surfaces) and let IKEA fill in the rest without shame. This gives balance. The focal pieces get audience; IKEA plays supporting role.

Know material trade-offs
Solid wood, metal, well finished surfaces = better longevity. Wastey particle board or weak joins = more maintenance, replacement. Use slipcovers or washable fabrics when fabric, so a couch isn’t obsolete because of wear.

Proportion & scale matter more than “brand”
A well-scaled IKEA piece in the right size + color + placement will look more thoughtful than a luxury piece that’s too big, too small, or badly sited. Designers tend to plan every piece with context: wall height, furniture proximity, traffic flow, etc.

Let style evolve
Since many IKEA items are affordable, you can swap things out or rebuild as your tastes or budget evolve. Plus, reuse is easier: frames, bases, shells often outlast finishes, so updates are possible.