IKEA is the foundation of budget home decor. It’s almost impossible to talk about affordable interior design without IKEA coming up — and for good reason. But not everything in the store is created equal.
Some IKEA pieces are genuinely excellent. Others are flimsy, dated, or so ubiquitous they’ve lost all personality. After years of buying, testing, and occasionally returning things, we’ve put together an honest guide.
Here’s what’s actually worth your money — and what to skip.
WORTH BUYING: The IKEA Classics
🪑 POÄNG Chair
An absolute icon for a reason. The bent birch frame is both sturdy and flexible, the cushions are replaceable, and it fits almost any interior style depending on the cover you choose. It’s been in production for decades because it works.
Best for: Reading corners, living rooms, nurseries.
🛏️ MALM Bed Frame
Simple, solid, and versatile. The MALM is one of the few IKEA bed frames that doesn’t look obviously “IKEA.” The clean lines work with almost any bedroom style, and the under-bed drawers version is a small-space essential.
Best for: Anyone who wants a neutral base to build a bedroom around.
🖼️ RIBBA / YLLEVAD Picture Frames
If you want to create a gallery wall on a budget, IKEA frames are the obvious answer. The RIBBA series has consistent sizing and a clean, minimal look. The newer YLLEVAD is even slimmer and more modern. Both are excellent.
Best for: Gallery walls, framed prints, diplomas and certificates.
🧺 RÅSKOG Trolley
Originally designed as a bathroom trolley, the RÅSKOG has been adopted by stylists and home editors worldwide as a kitchen cart, craft organiser, nightstand alternative, and bar cart. It’s versatile, easy to move, and under €20.
Best for: Small apartments, anyone who needs mobile storage.
🌿 FEJKA Artificial Plants
Yes, artificial plants. IKEA’s FEJKA range has improved enormously — the succulents, trailing pothos, and monstera plants look genuinely realistic and require zero maintenance. Ideal for low-light rooms where real plants struggle.
Best for: Dark corners, bathrooms, offices.
📚 KALLAX Shelving Unit
The KALLAX is the upgraded version of the old EXPEDIT, and it’s a storage workhorse. Use it as a bookshelf, room divider, TV unit, or wardrobe insert. The cube system works with a huge range of baskets and inserts.
Best for: Living rooms, offices, children’s rooms, hallways.
🧴 BESTA Storage System
If KALLAX is IKEA’s casual storage solution, BESTA is the more refined version. The push-open doors, soft-close hinges, and variety of fronts mean you can build something that looks genuinely custom. Add legs to turn it into a sideboard.
Best for: Living rooms, TV units, hallway console tables.
WORTH BUYING: The Hidden Gems
KRAGSTA Nesting Tables
Two simple round tables that nest together. The white version disappears into any space; the black version adds graphic contrast. Great for flexibility in a small living room.
LILL Sheer Curtain Panels
Under €5 per panel, and they add instant softness to any window. Layer them under heavier curtains or use them alone for a breezy, diffused light effect.
HÖNEFOSS Round Mirror
A simple round mirror with a thin frame. Rounds mirrors are everywhere in design right now, and this one costs a fraction of what you’d pay in a boutique home store.
DOFTRIK / SINNLIG Candles
IKEA’s scented candles are genuinely good and very affordable. The three-wick candles in glass vessels in particular look expensive and have decent scent throw.
SKIP IT: What’s Not Worth the Money
❌ Most Upholstered Sofas
The budget IKEA sofas (FRIHETEN, KLIPPAN) are functional but not durable. The fabric pills quickly, the cushions lose their shape, and they can look tired within a year or two with regular use. If you want an IKEA sofa, go for the KIVIK or SÖDERHAMN and invest in a quality slipcover from Bemz or Comfort Works.
❌ Cheap Flatpack Wardrobes (non-PAX)
The entry-level IKEA wardrobes outside the PAX system are made of very thin particleboard and often don’t survive a move. If you need a wardrobe, invest in the PAX system — it’s genuinely well-made and customisable.
❌ Most IKEA Rugs
The cheaper IKEA rugs (STOENSE, KNARDRUP) shed heavily and flatten out quickly. For rugs, it’s worth spending a little more — check Dunelm, Westwing, or Maisons du Monde for better quality at a similar price point. The exception: IKEA’s natural fibre rugs (jute, seagrass) are good value.
❌ Plastic Storage Containers
IKEA’s SAMLA and similar plastic storage is functional but ugly. If it’s going somewhere visible, invest in something nicer. Save the plastic for inside cupboards and under beds.
IKEA Shopping Tips Before You Go
1. Measure everything first. IKEA furniture looks smaller in the warehouse and in photos than it is in real life. Bring your room measurements.
2. Check the “As-Is” section. Every IKEA store has a discounted section for returned or display items. You can find excellent pieces at 30–70% off.
3. Use the IKEA app to check stock. Nothing worse than making the trip and finding the item you wanted is out of stock at your local store.
4. Buy for longevity. The best IKEA strategy is to buy classic, neutral pieces that will work across multiple homes and style evolutions. Avoid trendy items — IKEA’s trend pieces date quickly.
5. Budget for delivery or van hire. It’s easy to forget the logistics. If you’re buying large items, factor in how you’ll get them home.
The Bottom Line
IKEA is a tool. Like any tool, it works brilliantly when used correctly — and it can let you down when you expect it to do something it wasn’t designed for.
Use IKEA for: storage systems, frames, textiles, lighting, and classic neutral furniture pieces.
Avoid IKEA for: sofas you’ll use every day, primary rugs, anything that needs to last a decade.
With the right picks, IKEA can be the backbone of a home that looks far more expensive than it was.
What’s your favourite IKEA buy? We’d love to know in the comments!
Pin this guide for your next IKEA trip. Follow The Smart Home Edit for more honest, budget-focused home decor advice.
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