IKEA is a favorite among most, known for its low prices and DIY products. However, it’s not always reliable for everything. Here’s what to get and what to skip next time you find yourself shopping there.
Best deals at IKEA:
Frames: Good frames are hard to find and are hard to ship as well. Frames are typically overpriced when you do see them. But IKEA offers colored frames in a multitude of sizes. Use frames in the same colors to incorporate them throughout your home and maintain continuity. IKEA has many frames, from polished brass to matte. Spread the frames throughout the house to unify different rooms and provide flow to the design of your space.
Plants: Some either have a green thumb or don’t. IKEA offers several easy-to-handle plants that require little to no sunlight and minimal watering. IKEA’s selection has a sticker with easy instructions to read. Plants range from small to large, with many charming planters to plant them into.
Dressers: Thanks to Pinterest, TikTok and YouTube, DIY upgrading dresser videos are readily available, and luckily, IKEA carries the perfect starting point for these inspirational tutorials. They are super affordable and accessible to paint, stain, add new knobs or even wallpaper. Get creative and incorporate this year’s color of the year, Peach Fuzz, on the dresser.
Chandeliers: Chandeliers can be costly, but Ikea offers lamp shades with that same chandelier feel. Showcase them in a tiered style, display them as floating nightstand lights or hang them on their own. It will fit a variety of design styles and still create an artistic statement at very reasonable prices.
Curtains. Spring forward is near, and soon, the sun will be out past 8 p.m. in no time, not to mention those hot summer days. IKEA offers plenty of curtains, but their blackout curtains are inexpensive and block out more light than competitors.
Worst deals at IKEA:
Mirrors: There is a wide selection of mirrors at IKEA, but no matter the price, most seem to have a distorted reflection. Nobody wants a mirror that’s distorted when taking selfies!
Metal tables: Metal tables are great for mobility, but the ones at Ikea are a bit cheaper and do not seem reliable enough to set anything of value on the table.
Outdoor lanterns: Outdoor lanterns can be tricky since the weather across the country can be wild. The lanterns at IKEA may look nice but appear constructed out of thin paper, which isn’t desirable for outdoor lighting. Consider putting these inside a covered or screened-in porch.
Printed posters or canvases: Most interior designers would agree that commercialized art is tacky. Authentic art or photography is much more appealing and feels more personal than just hanging up reprinted stock photos. Consider repainting some of IKEA’s canvases and giving them new life because it is cheaper than buying new ones from an art store.
Bedding. IKEA gets poor ratings in the bedding department, with reviewers complaining that the fabrics are coarse and scratchy. Bedding should be a high-quality investment that you should look forward to touching. Consider purchases like these carefully since you spend about a quarter of your day in bed (maybe more).
We hope this helps you on your next trip to IKEA, even if it’s just for those Swedish meatballs!
