17 IKEA Finds Designers Love for Making Your Home Look 'Expensive'

Here's proof that the retailer offers so much more than starter furniture.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Interior designers share their favorite IKEA products that can help elevate the look and feel of any home on a budget, from customizable chairs and shelving units to affordable dinnerware and lighting.

Why it matters

IKEA is known for its affordable, functional furniture, but these designer-approved finds show that the retailer also offers stylish and versatile pieces that can help create a high-end aesthetic in any space without breaking the bank.

The details

Designers like Sam Sacks, Jessica Davis, Meghan Jay, Noz Nozawa, Lizzie Pincoffs, Lindsey Waters, Nina Grauer, and Cecile Gottlich share their top IKEA picks, including the BUSKBO chairs, ELVARLI shelving system, KALLAX series, LAGKAPTEN/ALEX desks, SEKTION cabinets, Tärnö outdoor set, FARGKLAR dinnerware, JUTHOLMEN outdoor sofa, HOVET mirror, KNIPSA baskets, BESTA storage units, LACK shelves, EKENÄSET armchair, ALSEDA stool, and REGNSKUR / SUNNEBY lamps.

  • The article was published on March 3, 2026.

The players

Sam Sacks

A designer who renovated her family's cottage using inexpensive IKEA chairs and a shelving unit.

Jessica Davis

An interior designer who uses IKEA's affordable and minimalist pieces, including the KALLAX series and LAGKAPTEN/ALEX desks, in her projects.

Meghan Jay

A designer whose IKEA Tärnö set has moved with her three times, from her tiny Brooklyn apartment to her home in the Chicago suburbs.

Noz Nozawa

A designer who likes the simple but boxy JUTHOLMEN modular outdoor sofa from IKEA, which she dresses up with custom cushions.

Lizzie Pincoffs

An interior designer who transformed her IKEA kitchen cabinets by refacing the doors, repainting them, and adding new hardware.

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What they’re saying

“I was after an elevated Gypset vibe on a very tight budget, so to keep costs down, I purchased four inexpensive IKEA chairs similar to their Buskbo armchairs and then covered them in my favorite fabrics.”

— Sam Sacks, Designer

“The amazing price point on the frame allows me to splurge on custom cushions. When the sofa frame is this minimal, all the aesthetic interest comes from the cushions.”

— Noz Nozawa, Designer

“IKEA has some of the best quality mirrors for the price. At nearly seven feet tall, the HOVET mirror is an unbeatable bargain per square foot.”

— Noz Nozawa, Designer

The takeaway

These designer-approved IKEA finds demonstrate that the retailer offers stylish and versatile pieces that can help create a high-end look in any home without breaking the bank, proving that affordable furniture can be both functional and fashionable.