When IKEA first opened here in Charlotte, I was so excited to get there. I wandered around, a little dizzy, with my mouth hanging open and slightly (maybe really) overwhelmed. Whether it’s a regular stop for you or more of a road trip event to get there, I thought it might be helpful to share my shopping list. In my opinion, IKEA is a great place to stock up on basics. I tend to buy less things that scream“Look at me! I’m from IKEA!”, and more things that can easily blend in with other styles and pieces already in my home.
1. The very softest duvet cover—and a pinstripe works with so many other patterns. I actually own four of these now. Two in blue and two in gray; see one here. (New lower price: $29.99 for a full/queen. Hope this doesn’t mean they’re discontinuing it!)
2. I just bought two of these chairs for the ends of our dining table. A chair + slipcover for less than $90 is pretty hard to pass up.
3. My latest IKEA purchase. I know some of you feel strongly about fake plants. But, I kind of love these. I put a pair on a console table where there was no outlet for a lamp and little natural light.
4. The Ribba frame is an IKEA classic because it’s already matted and a great price. They also come in several different colors. (I really like the gray lacquer.) My favorite size is the 20×20 inch square, and they just marked it down to $12.99!
5. The stripe fabrics (in several colors) are just $7.99/yard and are a great weight for pillows or small upholstery projects.
6. I buy nearly all of my down pillow inserts at IKEA. (By the way, upgrading your inserts to down is one of the easiest ways to make your pillows look better and more expensive.)
7. This was formerly known as the famous Expedit bookcase. It looks almost exactly the same to me. It comes in lots of different shapes and sizes, but I love the versatility of this one—tall bookcase, long console table, etc.
8. Great bedside (or anywhere!) storage. This chest has roomy drawers and is the perfect basic shape for any DIY upgrades. I added gold trim and changed the hardware on the pair we have in our bedroom.
9. The rounded top of this mirror gives it a really classic shape and makes it look more expensive than it is. I think it would look fantastic spray painted gold.
10. A pair of great, basic curtain panels for $35—in extra long lengths. I used these in our bedroom, and the weight is heavy enough that they don’t have to be lined. These would also be perfect for adding a fabric or ribbon trim.
What’s on your IKEA shopping list?
I LOVE the dresser- I have 3 in my house (one on each side of the fireplace-one holds the TV…and one in the bedroom).
Also, love Ikea’s bath mats. They look super expensive, are really soft and hold up like a champ.
Other items I always stock up on: food storage containers (they have an awesome combo pack for around $4 that has every size you could want), Dish Towels, white taper candles, wine glasses, glass canisters.
Great list! I used to be an “Ikea snob,” thinking everything they sold was just cheap low-quality furniture that college students use because it’s all they can afford. But then I opened my mind and starting finding some great stuff:
Aina Curtains – similar to the Ritva but a beautiful linen. I have these all over my living and dining room and they are perfect (and $50/pair!)
House plants – They do have a big selection of fake plants but I’ve had great luck with my real plants, my favorite being the Pachira Aquatica which is a nice alternative to a fiddle leaf fig (and only $17.99)
Raskog utility cart – So versatile and something that can be used no matter where you live. Totally maximized my bathroom and kitchen storage. Would also be a great nightstand, nursery storage, craft storage, bar cart…
Agen chair – SO comfortable and stylish, stackable, and only $35. Perfect for a porch or sunroom.
And someday when I can afford a kitchen remodel I will absolutely get Ikea cabinets and countertops!
Great list! Ditto on the utility cart.
Absolutely agree on the Raskog cart and the grey Ribba frames. I have to add the Billy bookcases in the lclassic birch. Best bookcase for the money. I have 15 of them, and 6 of those are 25 years old.
Thank you SO SO much!!!!! This is really helpful! Would love even more of your thoughts on Ikea products.
Big fan of the Ribba frames. Love that duvet cover…might have to pick that up!
I second your recommendation for the down inserts. Our closest IKEA is 2 hours so I buy dozens each time I get there. They are less expensive even than the fiberfill ones locally, and so much nicer. Their curtain panels also make a great blank slate for embellishment. Now you have me itching to take a little road trip!
Awesome list! I also use the Ritva curtains – often sewing fabric along the edge. (like here: http://theoldpostroadblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/green-to-gray-before-and-after.html)
I also purchased the Tarnby rug two times http://theoldpostroadblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/remodeled-bedroom.html and am planning to buy one more.
Can I count the ginger snap cookies you buy in the shop after checkout? Unfortunately, those are a regular purchase.
I also luck out and find a Fiddle Leaf Fig every now and then, and FRAMES – plenty of those. I’ve been planning to buy the wicker chair Byholma- but haven’t. Maybe soon.
Pinning your list right now!
-Trish
Yes! I should add the cinnamon rolls. Duh! :)
The Koppang is awesome! I use them as bedside tables, too.
Definitely the Ribba frames, white curtains, and curtain rods!
I like the duvet. I have two of the previous versions of the shelving unit. I’ve been considering the chests as new bedside tables!
I have 1/2 your list in my house right now! I would also say that the Besta units would also be on my list. We have 2 units in my house.
I have the white ritva curtains in most of the rooms in my house and I love them. They truly look like expensive curtains (which I would never be willing to pay for). Add them to a nice rod from lowe’s and they look super nice. I’ve also bought their 26″x”26 euro pillows and shams. Those suckers are expensive everywhere else!!
Btw, love your blog and style. I have a house full of kids too and I appreciate seeing someone who’s both realistic and stylish. God bless you!
Girl. I could not agree more and own almost all of these! Even the duvet!!!
Perfect timing! I’ve been working on my IKEA shopping list for weeks. One just opened up that’s closer to us (it’s only 4 hours away instead of 6, so still not exactly “close”), and my husband is going to make an IKEA run for me. I really, really wish I could go with him. I feel like I need to put everything I could possibly want on the list because I know we won’t be able to make another trip anytime soon. We’re moving our two boys into a different room and making their room into a nursery for baby boy #3. Our boys are 10 and 6, so they’ve been out of the baby stage for quite a while, and we are basically starting from scratch. Anyway… I have several Hemnes bookcases on my list as well as a Kallax shelf and a couple of Trofast units for Legos. Now I’m on the hunt for little things I can “hack” and use for some other purpose — like the Variera plastic bag dispenser to hold their swords and lightsabers. :)
I have the duvet in my sons room, the slipcovered chairs at my table, the pillow inserts are amazing! I also have 2 cowhides from there….. Love them!! I will actually be visiting the Charlotte IKEA in May, never been to NC and so looking forward to it!! ~Kim
Yup, your list pretty much covers my top 10, but I also love the 365+ white dishes. They are porcelain so they don’t scratch and are cheap! The drinking glasses and Billy bookcases are also my top picks!
I love the Sanela curtains too! I always recommend IKEA to friends especially when you they need longer length. I also love their storage boxes and magazine files-they are inexpensive and look great spruced up with paint or wrapping paper. The Exoedit aka Kallax is also a great staple.
Robin @ http://www.designbyrobinsnest.blogspot.com
Great post! I am so excited for the Memphis IKEA to open next year, closer than ATL to me in Nashville :) Until then…
Re: Pam’s “I second your recommendation for the down inserts”
About how much $$$?!?
That’s exactly how I feel about Ikea, too. I love shopping there but try to avoid anything that scream college dorm room. I’m a big fan of their accessories like planters.
I had no idea the ribba came in gray lacquer! I need to see it in person. Luckily I’m only 5 mins away from Ikea so it’s easy to pop in and see what they have.
I also love their solid toss pillow covers. I use them all the time for DIY projects. You can add trim, pom poms, a silhouette to them and they are normally between $3-$5 depending on the color.
i bet you’ve seen it, but thought it was black. ;-) something about the cellophane wrapping made my brain think it was black…it didn’t even register as grey, but when i got it home and it was grey–i was VERY pleasantly surprised. (oh gosh. suddenly, I’m having dejavu of The Dress discussion.)
I am the grandchild babysitter when my daughter goes and that is as close as I get! That store exhausts me!
Great post and comments were awesome too, like both of the chair suggestions.
Such a genius post!! I will definitely keep these items in mind! xox
These are some of my faves too! My very favorite is the Henriksdal chairs – I had our monogram added to the backs of our long white slipcovers. I have one at each end of our dining room table and LOVE them! My monogrammers couldn’t believe the slipcovers were from Ikea – the quality is great! We use the Pokal drinking glasses as our everyday drink ware. Look great and I don’t feel any loss when one breaks! I really considered getting a pair of the new Stocksund sofas for our family room but in the end went with a great pair of Bernhardt floor samples from Hickory Furniture Mart. But I’m dying to see a blogger use some pieces from that line!
Best thing I ever bought at ikea was my duvet & duvet cover! I was so surprised at the quality/super low price.. total score!
I second IKEA’s cowhide rugs. I have 2 of them, and they’re beautiful. Also, how can you not include the Ektorp sofa and loveseat on the list? They’re comfortable, sturdy, inexpensive, and look better than the slipcovered furniture at Pottery Barn, IMO.