IKEA has spent 80 years creating stylish, affordable and functional designs, with endless customisation options – just look at the hacks and upcycles on social media!
Today, it’s more than a furniture store – it’s a lifestyle brand, with thousands of products ranging from kitchenware and textiles to lighting and storage solutions. You probably have favourites of your own, but what about well-known interior designers, stylists and industry pros?
Here, we’ve got the lowdown on the IKEA pieces the experts love best, plus how they style these pieces at home, so you can track down these fabulous finds on your next IKEA visit!
- This Interior Design Masters contestant used the most ingenious IKEA hack in her own kitchen
- 9 design tricks that make small rooms feel bigger
1. Annie Sloan, paint expert
Perjohan stool, £30
‘I like some of the simple stools. The Perjohan is a favourite as it acts as either a seat, side table or bedside table, with a nifty little storage space underneath for books. The Bekväm step stool is another classic and can be painted in a bright accent colour to create a focal point in an otherwise neutral room. You can paint the stools in under an hour with my Chalk Paint, straight from the tin. Try different colours or let your creativity run wild and stencil them, or add some freehand patterns.’
anniesloan.com, @anniesloanstagram
2. Michelle Ogundehin, Interior Design Masters judge
365+ 18-piece service, £35
‘My top IKEA buy is the 365+ range of kitchen and dinner ware, which has bowls, mugs and every size of plate, all made from 100% Feldspar white porcelain – plus glass food containers, stainless-steel saucepans and cook pots, glass carafes, cork coasters and so much more, all at unbeatable prices. I’ve also always used IKEA kitchen cabinets as wall-hung storage for every room.’
michelleogundehin.com, @michelleogundehin
3. Georgina Raine, content creator
Billy bookcase with panel/glass doors, £125
‘If there’s one IKEA piece I’d buy again and again, it’s the Billy bookcase. It’s super affordable, customisable and a storage staple that fits seamlessly into any home. I’ve had mine for four years and it’s the perfect blend of function and style – displaying my favourite tableware in the dining room, while neatly hiding my children’s craft supplies behind the solid lower doors. I love seeing people on social media get creative with their Billy bookcases but, for now, I’m sticking with its classic white simplicity!’
@georginaraine_
4. Gemma Gear, interior stylist
Bestå cabinet unit, from £15
When I gave my home office a makeover last year, I filled one wall using IKEA’s Bestå shelving system. I love that it’s one of the most versatile storage solutions out there (and it’s affordable, too). I’ve used a mix of cupboards and shelves to organise all my interior styling props for shoots – arranged in a rainbow, naturally. I’m planning to take it a step further by adding arches to the front and painting it a bold colour, so I can’t wait to see how it turns out! With so many ways to personalise it, I’d replace it if it ever broke – though I’d probably switch up the design again, because I love changing things up.’
@gemmajaynestylist. Gemma is the co-host of the How to Home Podcast @howtohome.podcast.
5. Mel Sherwood, editor, Your Home
Strandmon wing chair, £250
‘Sitting in my Strandmon chair – cat on my lap, something good on TV – is a place of pure comfort. I love the timeless wingback design and I am so impressed with the resilience of the material. Mine is in the Tallmyra Dark Green fabric, and it has withstood clambering toddlers, cat scratches and boisterous puppy chomps. I’ve styled it with a matching footstool, a faux sheepskin rug and an abstract cushion, which helps to tie the chair in with my living room’s colours. After seven years, it’s still my favourite spot. If anything ever happened to it, I’d replace it in a heartbeat!’
6. Sarah Doyle, interior stylist
Torared pendant lamp shade, £17
‘This basket lampshade is so versatile and I’ve used it in lots of different rooms. I used to have it in my bedroom, where I added crystal drops to the bottom for a bit of glam! It now lives in my daughter’s room – it’s very easy to put up so you can move it around easily. I love it for outside in the summer as well, with a solar bulb inside – it gives my patio a boho look and makes it feel like an outdoor living room.’
retwiggd.ie, @retwiggdstylist
7. Joanna Thornhill, stylist
Enhet washstand, £175
‘As a stylist, IKEA is often my go-to for decorative ornaments and props but, in my own home, it’s the modular shelving units I’ve used the most. In my bathroom I used an Enhet vanity unit (with Ivar units either side) to create a ‘bespoke’ built-in bathroom wall, boxing in the surrounds and adding a marble top made from offcuts by a local supplier. I then personalised the units with paint and new handles from Anthropologie for a touch of luxe – this also helps them sit more sympathetically in their Victorian setting. The beautiful mirror was a dressing table mirror belonging to my great-grandmother, which has been fixed to the wall with mirror plates.’
joannathornhill.co.uk, @joannathornhillstylist
8. Pippa Jameson, interior stylist, author and founder of The Sensory Home
Romantisk tray, £9
‘As a stylist, I’m always drawn to timeless design, and the Romantisk tray from IKEA is up there as one of my favourites. Unbelievably, mine still looks as good as new, even though I’ve had it for years! Having visited the IKEA factories in Älmhult, Sweden, I’ve seen the rigorous testing things go through. The classic pattern makes it a go-to for Christmas styling, when I fill it with candles, pinecones and mince pies and, because it’s metal, it also works for BBQs and outdoor dining – easy to wipe clean, rust-free, and generously sized for lots of nibble bowls. A piece that’s both practical and effortlessly stylish – what’s not to love?’
pippajamesoninteriors.co.uk, @pippajameson
9. Lorna Fairey, editor, Homes & Antiques
Stockholm mirror, £80
‘This was the first item my now-husband and I bought as we were preparing to move in together. The frame varies in width around the edge, giving it a sleek and stylish twist, and the walnut wood is the perfect tone to pair with our mid-century furniture. Our west-facing living room is relatively small and dark – only really getting light during golden hour – but, with this sizeable mirror above our fireplace, it feels much bigger and brighter. We always get compliments on it!’
10. Kiera Buckley-Jones, style editor
Vildpersilja cushion cover, £12
‘I love this cushion cover for the splash of colour it adds to a space. It gives iconic Swedish design vibes, yet it’s so reasonably priced! I have used the cushions with a white background to give my sofa a fresh spring uplift, but I also like the moody dark background for a House of Hackney feel. The cheerful print also comes in curtains, which would look beautiful styled with the cushions in a kitchen or a children’s bedroom, to bring the outside in.’
kierastylist.com, @kierastyleeditor
11. Lucy Gough, interior stylist
Kolbjörn cabinet, £80
‘This IKEA cabinet has been a staple in our home, adapting to our needs over time. First, it served as a sleek shoe rack by the front door, then as a practical storage unit on our garden patio, holding gardening supplies with plant pots on top. Now, it’s a charming little library for my two boys, neatly organising their shared book collection in their bedroom. Its neutral colour blends seamlessly into all sorts of spaces, and the magnetic doors make access effortless.’
lucygoughstylist.com, @style_by_lucy
12. Leoma Harper, interior stylist
Mosslanda picture ledge, £9
‘My favourite versatile must-have from IKEA is the Mosslanda picture ledge – it’s such a simple yet stylish way to display art, decor and even books. I love how it allows for effortless layering and easy swaps – perfect for ever-evolving displays, without the commitment of drilling multiple holes in the walls. I also love using it in recess areas to maximise the function of these hidden spaces. To create a seamless, fitted look, sand it down, then prime in Zinsser and paint it the same colour as the walls.’
interiorsbyleomaharper.com, @styletheclutter
13. Micaela Sharp, upholstery expert
Kallax shelving unit with underframe, £60
‘I find the Kallax shelves to be super versatile, especially as they come with a base to easily transform it into a bench with storage underneath. Once painted, you can add a cushion and an upholstered board behind it to make a seemingly high-end banquette. Here, I’ve used a small repeat pattern and a contrast blue piping, with a cut-out circular detail. This was designed for Channel 4’s Changing Rooms.’
micaelasharpdesign.com, @micaelasharpdesign
14. Steve Gonçalves, stylist
Skålboda armchair, £60
‘I am obsessed with the Skålboda armchair, originally released under the name Järpen in 1983. Niels Gammelgaard really created a design that uses form and simplicity. It brings elegance to any room. I already had it in black and orange. Then, when I saw it coming back in white for part six of the Nytillverkad collection released by IKEA, I had to have it – somehow it makes the lines more crisp and clean. This is a timeless chair that deserves recognition.’
@mister_minimalist
15. Victoria Richards, furniture upcycler
Domsten stool, £25
‘The Domsten stool is a solid favourite in our home. I’m a big fan of colour, and the warming contrast of the wood and the pop of colour on the metal legs fits in so well with our contemporary but quirky decor. It comes in three zingy pastel shades – lilac, orange and minty green – which give an energising burst of colour. I also love the Domsten stool for its versatility – it stacks beautifully and can be used to seat extra last-minute guests at dinner, or as a handy side table, as pictured here, with enough room for a vase of flowers and a cup of tea. I Iove the contrast of the lilac against my red sofa.’
@handsomevintage
16. Hannah Tribe, style editor, Your Home and HomeStyle
Tertial work lamp, £17
‘I really wanted wall lighting over the open shelving in my kitchen – it’s a touch I’ve seen in the fanciest kitchens – but I was putting it off because I didn’t want to call in an electrician. Instead, I got the look with three of these work lamps. The clever base can either be clamped to the shelf or attached to the wall behind it. I’ve used smart bulbs so they all turn on together at the touch of a remote control.’
17. Maxine Brady, interior stylist
Ivar cabinet, £75
‘Ivar shelving is a classic and has been an IKEA staple for over 50 years. It’s simple, solid and easy to customise, which is why it’s my top pick. I painted my Ivar unit pastel pink and added gold legs from Prettypegs to brighten up a corner of my living room. The best part about Ivar is how adaptable it is – you can add shelves, cabinets, or even turn it into a desk. It’s a piece that has evolved with my home over time. If anything happened to mine, I’d replace it, but I’d probably have fun customising it differently next time – there are so many cute upcycling ideas on Pinterest I want to try!’
maxinebrady.com. Maxine is co-host of the How to Home Podcast @howtohome.podcast.
18. Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux
Elljusspår rug, £279
‘I have so many IKEA all-time favourites, it’s hard to pick one. I adore the fabrics and must have bought enough IKEA fabrics and cushions over the years to fill an Olympic stadium. Looking around my home today, I see an old IKEA handmade rug that we have had for 30 years. It cost a whole £40 when we bought it, and I have created lots of decorating schemes around it. It’s lived a full and happy life – from the relentless wear and tear of three growing kids, and pets, to red wine spills and at least two floods – but it still looks great, which is a testament to those who wove it by hand. I think they stopped doing this design a few years ago (the Elljusspår is similar), but mine will definitely go on for a few years more.’
dulux.co.uk, @m_shillingford
19. Kirstie Duhig, editor, HomeStyle
Fiskbo frames, from £1
‘I love a gallery wall, but they can be expensive if you’re buying multiple prints and then paying for frames on top – especially in large sizes. I prefer to spend on my art prints and save on my frames, and IKEA is my go-to. The frames look quality but are a total bargain – and I’ve had mine for years. I have some gorgeous prints framed in the 50x70cm Fiskbo. People often comment on them and no-one would ever guess the frames only cost £8!’
20. Laurie Davidson, interior stylist
Ullerslev sheepskin, £35
‘I don’t think there’s a more versatile piece than this sheepskin – at least not in my house! I’ve used it in all different rooms, whether thrown on my dining bench for a touch of warmth, or as a rug on the floor in a guest bedroom. In the summer I drape a few on some wooden chairs I have outside to make them a little more comfy – it’s the perfect piece for adding a cosy vibe when you need it. And such a great price, too.’
lauriedavidson.co.uk, @lifeofaninteriorstylist
21. Busé Gurbuz, interior designer
Elvarli open storage, from £120
‘I’m always looking for solutions that balance style and functionality. My latest discovery, IKEA’s Elvarli storage system, has quickly become a favourite in my home studio. Creating my dream studio was on my 2025 vision board and, as I started, I realised I needed adaptable storage for my growing collection of design samples. Elvarli stood out due to its minimal wall drilling, making it perfect for my rental apartment. Positioned next to my desk, it serves as open shelving for samples, and doubles as a stylish surface for my vinyl player and Alexa. Looking ahead, I plan to add greenery and paint the system in Electric Blue by YesColours to infuse energy into the space.’
interiordesigncambridge.co.uk, @interiordesigncambridge
22. Tara Rodrigues, winner of The Big Interiors Battle on Channel 4
Släkt bed frame, £284
‘I bought this bed a year and a half ago for my daughter, who was aged 11 at the time. It’s a fantastic space-saving piece of furniture, as she doesn’t have much space for a wardrobe, so the drawers underneath the bed are brilliant. It’s a versatile piece, too – as her tastes have changed, I’ve been able to change the colour scheme of her room completely, but the bed still fits perfectly with the new aesthetic.’
tararodriguesinteriors.com, @tararodriguesinteriors
23. Emily Henson, interior stylist and author
Söderhamn sofa, from £650
‘I’ve had this sofa since my now-grown kids were at home. I know a lot of people who also have one, because it’s got a chic simplicity to it, and it comes in different configurations. There are companies selling alternative feet and fabric covers, which can totally transform it if you want a different look. I sometimes throw a linen sheet over mine, and piles of cushions, of course. If it broke I’d buy it again but, for now, I’ll be updating it with a lighter cover – maybe cream linen, since I don’t need to worry about the messiness of life with small kids!’
@lifeunstyled, emilyhensonstudio.com
24. Aurélien Farjon, interior stylist
Lagkapten/Alex desk, £105
‘My desk is my favourite, most-used, and most-loved IKEA item. I have the Adils legs on one side and the Alex drawer system on the other, but you could use four legs if you wanted to. The flexibility of creating your own system is incredibly handy – I do a lot of my design work at it, and find that the white gloss surface is perfect for evaluating fabric samples and paint colours, plus it’s easy to wipe clean if any paint spills. I also love how light it is, making it easy to move around. I even took it to a shoot recently!’
@thepurplestylist, aurelienfarjon.com
Read more:
