I’m all about spending what I need to for quality furniture if it’s a “forever” kind of piece, but I also love a great bargain and IKEA is one of my favorite places to score big! Today I’m sharing my all-time favorite IKEA scores as part of this month’s My Five Favorites series with Pam of Simple Details, Lisa of Shine Your Light, Jennifer of Dimples & Tangles, and our guest host, Rhoda of Southern Hospitality. Let’s get to it… (post includes some affiliate links – see my full disclosure statement {here}))
My Outdoor IKEA KLASEN Bar Cart
Last year I bought IKEA’s KLASEN serving cart {here} to have a place for my husband to put his plates and grilling tools next to the grill and also to have a spot for a drink station when we have friends over to hang out on our patio. The KLASEN is the perfect size, I love the stainless/black combo, and this baby weathered like a champ after being left out on the patio covered in snow all winter long!
I also love that it has a bar where you can hang a towel or two and also a bottom shelf that perfectly fits the galvanized tub we use for drinks:
If you want to check out the rest of our patio, you can see our whole outdoor entertaining area {here}.
The IKEA AINA Drapes / Curtains on Our Master Bedroom Closet
When I decided to take off the annoying bifold doors on our closet and replace them with curtains, I wanted curtains that were lightweight and didn’t take up much space when pulled all the way back – IKEA’s AINA linen curtains (in-store {here}) ended up doing the job perfectly and for linen drapes these suckers are cheap! They come in a pretty long length (98″) so for most purposes you’ll need to hem them but that’s a simple 15 minute no-sew job – IKEA includes hemming tape with the curtains but I hemmed mine with Stitch Witchery only because I’d used it many times before.
The only stumbling block with the white AINA drapes (FYI they come in a few other colors too) is that they were a little more ivory than what I was going for. I solved that problem by using RIT to get them a shade whiter – I had never used it before but it ended up working really well!
You can read more details about what I did with the RIT and check out the sources and pics of my “before” and “after” closet makeover {here}.
My Living Room IKEA EKTORP Sofa
Of course I couldn’t post about my favorite IKEA finds without gushing about the IKEA EKTORP in our living room. I actually have the IKEA 3-seat EKTORP sectional that I converted to a sofa – it’s pretty much the same as the IKEA EKTORP sofa except it’s about a foot longer. You can read more about how I converted my sectional to a sofa {here}. The question I get asked the most about our sofa is how I can live with a white sofa with a dog and kids. Honestly, this is the easiest sofa to take care of that I’ve ever had. The entire sofa is slipcovered so I simply take off all of the cushion covers and the couch cover every couple of months and throw it in the wash. I take it out of the dryer when it’s damp dry and wrangle it back on the sofa and it looks as good as new!
A hand-held steamer (I have {this steamer}) does wonders for getting out any wrinkles once the slipcovers are back on. We’ve had our EKTORP for over four years now and it’s held up really well – definitely some good bang for the buck! We also recently got an IKEA EKTORP sectional for our house in North Carolina that we love too!
My Guest Room Fabric-Covered IKEA TRYSIL Chest
One great thing about IKEA is that they have a lot of inexpensive basic pieces that you can get crafty with and customize to look like higher-end, expensive pieces. Several years ago after seeing a beautiful fabric-covered chest of drawers that was selling for over $1500, I bought an IKEA TRYSIL chest (sadly they don’t carry the chest anymore but you can find the TRYSIL nightstand {here}) and covered it with fabric on my own!
There was a lot of trial and error involved but in the end I was thrilled with how it turned out! I’m always changing up what’s on top of the chest but right now I have {this birch woods art piece}, a wood lamp ({this lamp} is similar), some fabric covered books, and a tissue box covered with {this monogrammed linen cover}.
The drawer pulls are {these classic ring pulls}. You can see more of my favorite knobs and pulls {here} and get the step by step tutorial for how I covered the chest with fabric {here} – just excuse my horrible photography from back them (yikes!).
My Daughter’s HENRIKSDAL Slipcovered Chair and MICKE Desk
When I made over my teen daughter’s bedroom a year and a half ago (you can see the full “before” and “after” reveal {here}), the grasscloth wallpaper on her walls took up most of the budget so I had to go cheap on her new chair. IKEA to the rescue! I went with the HENRIKSDAL slipcovered chair in Blekinge White and dressed it up by having the back of it monogrammed with her initials. The chair is paired with {this white IKEA MICKE desk} that she’s had for years.
So I guess those are my five favorites… seriously you guys I have so many things from IKEA that I love that picking only five is pretty much impossible. So guess what? I’m totally cheating and throwing in just a few more quickie because it’s too good not to share (psst… don’t tell my co-hosts 🙂 . I also love:
IKEA’s VOLMAR Swivel Chair at our Family Room Desk
When looking for a desk chair for the desk in our family room, I wanted something pretty and my husband wanted something comfortable and functional (story of my life!). We compromised on IKEA’s VOLMAR swivel chair that you can get with or without armrests (update: unfortunately this exact chair is no longer available). I actually really like the fabric which is a subtle patterned gray and white. The base of it isn’t the prettiest but all of the gadgetry of going up and down, controlling the tilt, etc. makes my husband happy so it’s been a good compromise. Oh and the dog on the desk? Seriously, can you say ridiculously spoiled?!
You can check out more pics of our family room in my “before” and “after” family room reveal post {here}. Now it’s time to hop over and check out my friends’ favorite IKEA finds – I can’t wait to find a few more must-haves for my next IKEA trek!
Pam – Simple Details
Jennifer – Dimples & Tangles
Lisa – Shine Your Light
Rhoda – Southern Hospitality
And if you missed any of my past posts from our My Five Favorites series, you can check out my five favorite decorative accessories {here}:
and my other My Five Favorites posts here:
XO,
Thank you so much for your Ikea favorites. We’re building a new home and I will be taking a trip to Ikea soon for Billy Bookcases – I just added your bar cart, the grey boxes and the desk chair for my husband. Major score. Keep the ideas coming.
So glad you enjoyed the post Cheri! I love those Billy bookcases! Good luck with you new home – how fun!
I absolutely love this month’s theme! And, you are so brilliant in your makeovers. I need to step up my IKEA game!
Thanks Kelley – I have a serious love for IKEA – so much fun stuff!
So glad you did this subject this time! We live near Ikea but it’s so big and overwhelming, I rarely go there. This will definitely be helpful.
I’m so glad you like the post Stacey! And I totally agree – IKEA can be super overwhelming (especially when it’s crowded on the weekends!)
Hi, I’m happy to see a design blogger with Ikea favourites. So many people seem to dislike that store. My Ikea favourites include their fabrics. I’ve used them in so many ways: I framed a square piece with a very original design for the hallway, we wrapped another piece of fabric (with birds on it) to make the cutest cushioned head board for my daughter’s bedroom, And the quality of the cotton they use is fantastic.
Of course, we have a few pairs of drapes from Ikea too. And a very nice kitchen too, complete with Ikea’s porcelain farm sink. Come think of it, we have Ikea pieces all over the house. Not too many, just enough!
Thanks for the article.
Wow, Chantel I think you should have joined our blog hop – lol! I think I know which fabric you’re talking about for your daughter’s headboard – love that and bet it’s so cute there!
Man, you make Ikea look SO chic! LOVE your fabric chest project, it looks so amazing. And, that patio cart is such a great idea! I’m sure you’re ready for it to look that lush and green outside again!
Thanks sweet friend! Yes, please bring on summer!!
Hey, Kris, you do such amazing work in your home! I’m loving see all of you ladies and your fave Ikea pieces too, so fun to check them out. Didn’t know about the striped vinyl, looks great as a tablecloth. And you have the sofa too, that one just keeps going and going for so many people! So enjoyed joining you ladies today.
Rhoda I’m so happy you were able to join us for this – your kitchen is amazing!!!!
I agree with Jennifer, you have a way with making IKEA look so high end, such a pretty post, my friend! I need to figure out a way to fit that great cart on my deck! I didn’t realize your desk chair was IKEA, I need to check that out too. Looks like a trip is in my future! 🙂
I had been looking for a good cart forever before I stumbled upon the IKEA one – it’s seriously perfect for an outdoor space!
This really makes me want to go to IKEA!! You are such a good shopper!
I definitely have some mad shopping skills in my back pocket (much to my husband’s dismay 🙂
Love these Ikea posts! The store is so large that it’s hard to see everything and think about how it would work at home. Seeing how you and the other bloggers have used these great Ikea buys is so helpful!
Thanks Mary – so glad you enjoyed the post! And I agree that it can be a totally overwhelming store, especially if you don’t go often!
Kris I still can’t get over your genius idea to supersize your Ikea sofa. So smart! And the dresser in your guest room!! One of my fave projects of yours!!!! I loved this topic – everyone has such fantastic ideas of how to incorporate some affordable Ikea items into their homes!
This was definitely a fun one – you are the QUEEN of IKEA hacks – so many amazing ones!!
I might be echoing other commenters, but thank you for this post! IKEA gets such a bad rap–I have several friends and a close family member who refuse to shop there. As you’ve shown, IKEA has lots to offer. Love the bar cart! Think I’ll look at that on my next trip. 🙂
Thanks Beth! I hear you – it seems like some people love IKEA and others hate it – I guess you know which camp I fall into 🙂
Kris,
You make Ikea look elevated to a whole new level. I love your closet idea. One day I will use that! And I love that you were not deterred by the “too ivory” panels and used RIT to get them a shade whiter. I’ll be sharing this with a designer friend that I ran into yesterday at Terrain. She wanted a tablecloth, but it was too ivory. I think I found a solution! Thanks Kris!
annie
You’ll have to let me know if she ends up trying the RIT – the drapes were the first thing I tried it on but it worked so well that I’m sure I’ll use it again!
I love the idea of these posts! It’s always great to see how other people use IKEA products. One of my favorites and is new to me is their Besta system. It’s so versatile. I just created a ton of extra storage in my office redo. The crisp white makes everything feel so clean.
Could the pup be any more adorable. 🙂
Can’t wait to hop on over to the other blogs.
So good to know that the Besta system has worked well for you – I’ve never used that but will have to look at it on my next trip!
I am drooling over those boxes, they are just so cute! We don’t have an Ikea anywhere near us, but I did order some of their drawer dividers online when I was moving into my home. They keep my vanity drawers organized, as well as my socks/underwear! I don’t see them on their website any longer, they came flat and popped up into cubes, they are just awesome! Love your home, it’s so cozy!
Ooohh… I need drawer dividers like that – will have to look next time I’m there and see if they still have them in-store!
Love your ideas. Okay, so I have to ask… where did you get your gold wire lanterns on your outdoor table? They are absolutely fabulous.
Hi Susan – thank you! Those lanterns came from World Market last summer but unfortunately they don’t have them anymore 🙁
You are the queen of making IKEA look classy! I don’t think I ever saw the monogrammed chair…love it!
Thanks so much Cindy! XOXO
First time here…holla, I like this post. Thank you for kindly sharing with us your finds and favorite IKEA Purchase. My favorite is your white sofa. I am obsesseded about it. How immaculate it is. It looks more expansive than it is. I also heard about Rit for the first time. I like the way your linen curtains turned white. Therefore I spent a great time reading your post and I am already excited to learn more about your taste and experience. Have a wonderful day.
Mathilde kabuya
So sweet – thank you! And welcome! I’m so glad you found a few posts that you enjoyed!
Hi Kris, I loved this post, and am inspired to go shopping – again! I actually scored some of the IKEA KVARNVIK boxes a couple weeks ago in the “scratch & dent” department (I always go there first on my Ikea forays.) They were the vanilla color, that is being discontinued, and they had been floor samples, so they were in perfect condition. I just didn’t love the color so much, so I taped them off and spray painted them a pretty robin’s egg blue. I am making labels for them, and really like the font you used. Would you please share the name of it? thanks so much!
That’s so smart Laura! I love IKEA’s scratch and dent area – sometimes there are gems to be found! Unfortunately I made those labels on a now dead laptop so I don’t have the font name unfortunately 🙁