7 IKEA Decor Essentials Designers Secretly Love

Lighting

According to designers, IKEA is filled to the brim with excellent lighting. ”Their fixtures—like the SINNERLIG pendant lamp or the NYMÅNE wall lights—offer clean lines, great scale, and serious bang for your buck,” say Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum, the interior design duo behind The Brownstone Boys.

Ariel Darmoni, general manager at 123 Remodeling, agrees, stating that IKEA has great staples that don’t feel overly trendy or throwaway. “The quality is solid for the cost, and the designs blend into a variety of aesthetics without overpowering the space,” he adds.

Storage Units and Systems

IKEA is pretty famous for its storage systems and for good reason! “They offer so many different storage solutions (bookshelves and cabinets) that are so customizable and come in many different sizes/colors and finishes,” explains Colleen Bennett of CBB Design Firm. “They also are great bases for DIY so that people can customize them to their own aesthetics.”

Perhaps their most iconic piece is the KALLAX shelving unit, which we’ve all seen in playrooms, college dorms, rec rooms, etc. “It’s incredibly versatile: Use it as a room divider, media console, or toy organizer, while baskets or doors allow you to personalize your interior,” says Evelina Juzėnaitė, principal interior designer at Planner 5D. “And when it comes to closets, the PAX system is very convenient and affordable, allowing you to create customized closet solutions.” 

One of the many perks of ordering a closet system from IKEA, according to Juzėnaitė, is that you can create your own configuration with drawers, racks, lighting, and mirrors to fit even in a space with irregular dimensions.

Dinnerware

Don’t skip the tabletop selection at IKEA! Specifically, the dinnerware. “The minimalist shapes and matte finishes feel elevated without being fussy,” the Brownstone Boys say. “Plus, it’s nice when something looks good and you don’t panic if it breaks during install.”

Iryna Kolosvetova, a table stylist and the creative director at Fine Dining 4 Home, seconds this, saying she loves turning to IKEA for functional and stylish basics. “IKEA’s dinnerware is one of my go-tos, especially the FÄRGRIK and OFANTLIGT series,” she explains. “They’re durable, affordable, and simple enough to mix with vintage or artisanal pieces for a styled-yet-effortless look. I love how their clean lines make food the star without overpowering the table.”

Vases

IKEA is a treasure trove of gorgeous vases, too. “When it comes to vases, they’re my secret source,” says interior designer Tina Montemayor. “Their vases are beautifully understated, allowing floral arrangements to take center stage.” Montemayor even states that one of her IKEA vases has lasted for decades. “For a lower-than-$5 price tag, it over-delivers on value,” she adds.

Glassware

Montemayor is also a fan of the glassware because of its versatility and tactile design. “I just picked up a set of light blue POKAL glasses—playful, easy to grip for my kids, and surprisingly chic next to my Crate & Barrel and vintage French pieces,” she shares. “IKEA’s pricing makes experimenting low-stakes, but the impact can still be high-style.”

Small Textiles

If you’re looking to refresh a space with small pops of color, consider hitting up IKEA’s textiles sections. “I recently purchased very cute hand towels from IKEA,” says interior designer Isabella Patrick. “They happened to have the perfect tone and scale of stripe for my project. This is where IKEA shines—it’s always worth your time to ‘stop by’ online and peruse.”

Kolosvetova also vouches for the textiles. “I often grab cotton or linen-blend napkins like the VÅRLÖK or SOMMARLIV to layer texture into my tables,” she says. “They’re budget-friendly, easy to dye or customize, and hold up beautifully after washing.”

Pegboards

According to interior designer Kate Bendewald, the pegboards at IKEA are a hidden gem—and absolute game-changers if you’re trying to up your organizing game. “I bought two for my interior design office to organize office supplies, and then bought two more for each of my kids’ rooms to organize hair ties, hang their weekly schedules, and more,” she raves. “They are endlessly customizable, and honestly, I could use one in every room of the house.”