If you have ever shopped at an Ikea retail location, you know how overwhelming it can be. From the endless number of boxes piled on to each other to the perfectly displayed vignettes, shopping at Ikea can be both stressful and time consuming. Ikea fans all over the world know, however, that with just a little bit of planning and a few key pieces in mind, there is nothing better than scoring a classic piece from Ikea.
In fact, there are several products that have earned a permanent spot in my apartment – some even making their way all the way from Chicago to my apartment here in New York City. So today I’ve rounded up my TOP 10 FAVORITE IKIEA FINDS that are sure not to dissapoint.
1. Tarvva Dresser $149.00 – When first looking at all the different bedroom storage options from Ikea, I came to the final decision of purchasing the Tarva dresser for my bedroom here in New York. Made of solid wood, the Tarva dresser has deep enough drawers and fits well in a small space. I opted for a dresser that I could paint and update the hardware making it my own. Although you can’t see the full dresser in my photo below, you can get the look of how I updated my Tarva dresser (knobs are from Anthropologie).
2. Rast 3 Drawer Chest $34.99 – This has to be my favorite Ikea find because of the versatile functionality and the price point of the dresser. You can use this chest as a bedside table, an impromptu bar cart or a standalone chest in your living room or entryway.
Similar to my Tarva dresser, I purchased the Rast 3 Drawer Chest in the solid wood so I could paint it white and update the hardware to my choosing. I absolutely love the look of the Dorothy Draper dressers so I recreated the look with purchasing Overlay’s and spray painting them gold. I also purchased brass pulley’s from Lee Valley Tools. It’s currently being used as my bedside table but I’m sure I will incorporate in another fashion in my next apartment.
3. Docksta Dinning Table $199 – For those of you lucky enough to have space for a dinning room table, I’m obsessed with the sleek look of Ikea’s Docksta Table which is a knock off of the mid-century modern tulip table that became popular in the 1960’s. The Docksta Table works well in small spaces such as kitchen nooks and the modern design mixes effortlessly with a multitude of different chair styles.
4. Lack Coffee and End Table $7.99 – I purchased the Lack Coffee table when I first moved into my apartment here in New York. I love the white lacquer finish and the shelf below the tabletop for extra storage. Don’t let the price point fool you, the tables are sturdy and finish allows for spills and stains to be cleaned up easily.
5. Kallax Shelving Unit $139.99 – Let’s talk shelving for a minute, shall we? If you’re in need of more storage or a way to divide up a room, the Kallx Shelving unit (formerly called the Expedit shelf) from Ikea is a must. The Kallax line comes in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes making this piece one of my favorites from the Swedish retailer. I love the tall unit for dividing up small spaces such as in a studio.
6. Lack Shelving Units $19.99 – I incorporated the Lack shelving unit in my kitchen above one of my kitchen counters (as seen here) to display my champagne glasses, coffee mugs and other kitchen products. I also loved the Lack shelving units layered in a room like the picture below. The Lack Shelving Units are quite large, so I recommend measuring the wall and the width you would like the shelves to come out to before purchasing.
7. Ribba Wall Frame Series $9.99-$19.99 – If you ever tried creating a gallery wall, you know the cost of picture frames can easily add up especially when it comes to larger frame sizes. Because I have a gallery wall in my room, I liter-ally have looked everywhere from West Elm to Target for frames but discovered the Ribba Wall Frame Series does just the trick. With multiple colors and sizes, creating a gallery wall just got 10x easier.
8. Ranarp Work Lamp $39.99 – Ooooo, the classic task lamp. Another winning design from the Swedish mothership! With it’s stylish mix of materials and colors, the Ranarp Work Lamps are beyond chic for their rock-bottom price point.
9. Linnmon Desk $39.99 – Designing an in-home office? The Linmmon desk can definitely be overlooked at first glance but a simply DIY can spruce these tables up in an instant (check out Dream Green Linmmon Desk’s DIY here). The $39.99 price point also makes it much easier for shoppers on a budget. The simple white lacquer table top and round legs make this desk easy to incorporate into any office space or room.
10. Tobias Chair $79.00 – The Tobias chair has been featured everywhere from Elle Decor to hundreds of interior design blogs across the web. With it’s sleek design and easy price point, it’s not surprising the Tobias chair has been incorporated into dinning rooms, office spaces and vanities across the globe. Style tip: Layer a sheepskin throw for an extra bit of glam.
Do you have any favorite Ikea pieces? What’s on your must-have Ikea shopping list? Xo. Lauren
