Photo: IKEA
There are some IKEA products that are best to steer clear of post-college. The LACK coffee table may have survived countless games of King’s Cup, but your grown-up apartment deserves furniture of a higher quality, preferably something that’s not made of particleboard. This doesn’t have to mean foregoing IKEA altogether — you just have to know how to spot timeless, durable pieces that deliver a high-end look for less. Here we’ve rounded up 12 IKEA products that are more couture than collegiate.
1. BUSKBO armchair, $130.00 USD/$179.00 CAD
Photo: IKEA
Embrace la vie bohème with an armchair crafted from renewable rattan. Its organic, curvilinear shape is very much on-trend.
2. STOCKHOLM rug, $299.00 USD/$379.00 CAD
Photo: IKEA
This hand-woven, 100 percent wool rug is a favorite among interior designers. The pattern is the same on both sides, so you can flip it over to extend its life.
3. VILTO towel stand in birch, $49.99 USD/$39.99 CAD
Photo: IKEA
If there’s one thing IKEA does well (besides Swedish meatballs), it’s solid, birch wood furniture. While this piece is described as a towel stand, you could also use it to display throw blankets, magazines or scarves.
4. STOCKHOLM 2017 cabinet, $499.00 CAD
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IKEA’s STOCKHOLM 2017 collection is a treasure trove. The prices are higher than your typical IKEA pieces, but the craftsmanship is evident. This product is currently available in Canada only.
5. NYMÅNE table lamp in white, $49.99 USD/$59.99 CAD
Photo: IKEA
Mushroom lamps are back with a vengeance! This neutral IKEA find allows you to take on the trend without spending a lot of money.
6. HAVSTEN chair, in/outdoor, $260.00 USD/$320.00 CAD
Photo: IKEA
The angular frame of this indoor/outdoor HAVSTEN chair vaguely reminds me of the cult-favorite Sierra Chair by Croft House, which sells for more than three times the price.
7. STACKHOLMEN stool, outdoor, $24.99 USD/$34.99 CAD
Photo: IKEA
The acacia wood frame paired with a comfortable braided seat makes this under-$40 purchase look much pricier. Use a pair of stools for extra seating when neighbors pop by or place one by the door for shoe tying.
8. BJÖRKSNÄS queen bed frame, $449.00 USD/$439.00 CAD
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You may be aware of the hype surrounding the BJÖRKSNÄS nightstands (those leather pulls!), but the bed frame deserves equal praise. The tied-on cushions as a headboard look is relaxed, yet refined.
9. GLADOM tray table, black, $19.99 USD/$24.99 CAD
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The GLADOM tray table was only released a couple of years ago, but since then it’s skyrocketed to IKEA fame. It’s an affordable option for a nightstand or accent table, and the removable tray top is an added bonus.
10. FABRIKÖR glass-door cabinet in blue, $169.00 USD/$249.00 CAD
Photo: IKEA
If you own a collection of any kind, you need a curio cabinet to show off your wares. The powder blue finish is a fairly recent iteration (it was previously available in black, cream and grey), but a welcome one!
11. VATTENKRASSE watering can, $9.99 USD/$14.99 CAD
Photo: IKEA
I have owned several IKEA watering cans in my day (for the record, they are still selling this plastic monstrosity from 2002), but the VATTENKRASSE is by far the most stylish. Its brass handle and skinny spout make it look more like a decor item than a gardening tool.
12. LINDOME sofa, in dark green-blue, $799.00 USD/$1,299.00 CAD
Photo: IKEA
IKEA, is that really you? This tufted velvet sofa screams ‘eleganza extravaganza.’ Its slightly higher armrests make the corners extra cozy and the dark blue hue changes with the light source.
