Best of IKEA for 2024 (9 of IKEA's must haves!) (2024)

The best things to buy at IKEA and what to look for when you are shopping at IKEA

Move over Target/TJ Maxx/Hobby Lobby, there is a new place in town that is taking all of my money. And the addiction is strong with this one.

Dear IKEA,

Just take all of my money.

The other day I went to IKEA for three frames only. You can only assume that I did not come out of that store with just those three frames. My cart was full.

With what, I do not know. But I had no problem filling it up with all kinds of fun things.

As I was joyfully walking around IKEA (kid-less mind you) I thought it was time to give IKEA it’s own blog post because it is well deserved.

(This post contains affiliate links. You can see more full disclosure here)

PS…shop my home and find more deals

Can you buy IKEA online

Now, before you say, “I don’t have an IKEA near me” just know that you can buy most items online. Either from IKEA itself or on Amazon.

Yes, you will have to pay shipping if you purchase online from IKEA but most items (minus large pieces/furniture) will ship for $9.99. And for what you will be saving shopping at IKEA the $9.99 shipping fee won’t break the bank.

(P.S. We had our IKEA Ektorp couches delivered to our house years ago and it was worth the extra shipping cost. You can read more about my thoughts on our IKEA Ektorp here)

You might find some items on Amazon as well but usually the prices are higher on Amazon so sometimes it’s worth checking.

We actually just got an IKEA close to my house a few years ago. Let me tell you though, I’ve only been a handful of times but when I go, I stock up on the necessities. The home decor necessities.

How to shop at IKEA

The first time I entered our IKEA I was blown away with the size. How the heck can one store be so big??

I had no ideas what the heck I was doing. I was with my mom so we decided to head up to the showroom. Once you enter the IKEA maze, you will have a heck of a time finding your way out.

Always follow the arrows…learn from my mistake.

The showroom is for you to get ideas and see some of the furniture up close and personal. I get so much inspiration from the showroom. Their rooms they create are so pretty.

You cannot take anything from the showroom to be purchased…again, learn from my mistake.

My mom and I were taking things out of the showroom to buy them not realizing they said “display only”.

Once you find your way out of maze #1, you can head downstairs to the warehouse. That is where you can find all of the good stuff.

Again, follow the arrows and watch your cart fill up.

IKEA Must Haves

Let’s start with the first thing I have purchased from IKEA (minus the couches)

1.) IKEA Curtains

I love IKEA curtains because they are so affordable and LONG! There are no high water drapes at IKEA. They know what they are doing over there.

I also challenge you to find one home decor blogger that doesn’t love an IKEA curtain. You can’t beat the price or quality.

A few of my favorite curtains from Ikea:

IKEA Vivan Curtains

I normally only buy curtains from IKEA (unless I get a wild hair to make my own) . I originally had purchased the Vivan curtains for my front room and guess what, I bought them online and had them shipped to me.

I was being lazy and at the time IKEA intimated me. I paid $9.99 to have 4 sets of curtains shipped to my house. It was worth it.

I added some navy trim to the curtains to jazz them up a bit but $14.99 for two curtains cannot be beat. I recently moved them to my daughter’s room.

IKEA Lenda Curtains

I’ve since switched out my Vivan curtains for the Lenda curtains. I cut the tab off of mine and just used clips to hang them. I love the texture on these curtains and they have more weight to them.

(If you want to see more about affordable modern farmhouse curtains check out this post)

I just picked up these houndstooth curtains from IKEA recently and for the price I thought I would give them a try and I’m loving them.

These curtains are not in stock anymore…ugh. But I still do love them.

And did you know that most IKEA curtains have pleating tape already sewn on them?? I had no idea until recently. It was earth shattering news to me when I heard this so I have been slowly pinch pleating all of my curtains from IKEA

IKEA Ritva Curtains

I surprisingly do not own the Ritva curtains…yet. But they are the most talked about curtains from IKEA. These curtains have a cult following. They almost have a linen look to them but without being too light.

They also have pleating tape sewn on so you can make these curtains look so much more high end!

2.) IKEA picture frames

I never leave a trip to IKEA without a frame (or 10). Again, you cannot beat the price of their frames.

The only thing I will say about their frames is that the front of the frame is not glass. But with kids and a dog, one of these frames will likely be knocked off the wall so I can’t say the plastic fronts upset me.

IKEA Ribba Frame

I have a love/hate relationship with the Ribba Frame. I love the style, the price, the mat but it is a weird frame to hang. Just a heads up.

It’s a great frame to be a leaner frame though. Don’t fret too much, they can be hung but you either need to get creative or just hang them from the actual frame. The back of the frame sticks out a few inches from the clasp.

You’ll see what I am talking about if you ever get one.

IKEA Hovsta Frame

My newest obsession in the frame department is the Hovsta frame. It’s similar to the Ribba frame but easier to hang. I love the color of the light wood option.

Virserum Frame

Ok, I lied these frames might be newest obsession. These gold frames are good. Not too gold but just a good amount of gold if that makes sense. I am really into vintage looking art these days and these gold frames are two thumbs up.

The gold frame is layered over a Ribba frame in case you were dying to know.

(In case you were wondering and since the fireplace looks different in both pictures, you can see more about my fireplace makeover here)

3.) IKEA Posters and Art Prints

While you are hanging out in the frame department take a look at the art they have. They have everything from large posters to small art.

Everything will fit perfectly in their frames. The posters and prints are so inexpensive. Sometimes you can get a pack of them for just a few dollars.

I love switching out my art for the seasons and this is an inexpensive way to do it!

You can have a nice piece of framed art for under $20. The black frame is a Ribba frame and the print inside it is from IKEA

These are fun to change out for the seasons too.

I also like getting their smaller art prints and putting them on an easel for a fun and cheap twist on decor.

(All of those frames on my wall are from IKEA and you can read more about where I like to find free botanical prints here)

4.) IKEA Pillows and Throws

In case you haven’t heard, IKEA has some great pillows and throw blankets. Again, I will sound like a broken record. The pillows are so affordable and come in all shapes and sizes.

I love their Sanela velvet pillows. You can get a 20×20 or 26×26. I love the 26×26 as euro shams for your bed or as anchor pillows on your couch.

And I always always always grab one of their feather pillow inserts while I am there. They are my favorite pillow inserts and you cannot beat the price.

5.) IKEA Lighting

The lighting section at IKEA might be one of my favorites. Every time I go there is something new and different.

They have pendant lights, sconces, table lamps, and floor lamps. The pricing on their pendants is just insane. Lighting is the jewelry to your home decor and this is some great inexpensive jewelry!

The first time I went to IKEA I picked up the Sinnerlig and installed it on my office.

I did whole post on IKEA office ideas here, which includes the Sinnerlig. It’s a pretty popular pendant but there is a reason for that.

6.) IKEA Dish Towels

Something a bit random, but I always always always grab dish towels when I am at IKEA. You can never have too many and theirs are so nice and cheap.

My kids love to wipe their dirty hands on my clean dish towels so I am always going through dish towels in my house. It only makes sense to grab them at IKEA while I am there.

7.) IKEA Fake And Real Plants

I always pick up some plants too when I am at IKEA. IKEA has a huge selection of fake plants.

Some of their fake plants are so good, I mistake them for real plants. IKEA also has a selection of real plants.

Their real plants are normally so much cheaper than I would find at my local hardware store, which is were I grab all of my plants.

And most times, IKEA has a better assortment of real plants.

They are have an assortment of planters and pots too. The selection changes a bit but the last time I was there I spotted these beauties

I also love IKEAs fake Eucalyptus. They are about $3 each per stem and they are so good.

Sometimes they aren’t always in stock at my local IKEA but when they are, I grab a few stems.

These fake orchid stems are so good too. They look and feel real and for $5 at stem!

8.) IKEA Baskets/Storage

You can never have too much storage. I love baskets as much as I do pillows and I usually pick up a basket or two when I am at IKEA.

These baskets are always a fan favorite and look so cute with pillows or blankets in them

Baskets make the perfect place to put plants in too. Just line your basket with a plastic bag first so you don’t get it ruined when you water your plants.

Look at all of this basket goodness.

I haven’t taken advantage of all of the amazing storage hacks from IKEA. I do have the Fjalkinge shelf unit in my office but I know there is more for me to discover at IKEA.

9.) Ikea Ektorp

Last but not least, the IKEA Ektorp. One of IKEA’s most popular slipcovered couch. I did a whole blog post about the Ektorp sofa. I am a fan but I will have to say since I purchased my sofa, there are so many other (and maybe better) options.

I know the Farlov is a popular couch from IKEA. Whichever one you pick, just know you will get a heck of a deal.

**Update, the Ektorp is slowly being discontinued and being replaced with the Uppland Sofa. The Uppland Sofa is very similar to the Extorp but I did a whole post about the Ektorp sofa vs the Uppland sofa

A few other things to look for when you go to IKEA….

Fabric

I have never taken advantage of their fabric selection. It is very well priced but fabric is usually the last thing on my mind when I am at IKEA but if you are in need of some fabric, check out IKEA

Oriental Rugs

Probably the most expensive item you will find at IKEA is their Oriental rugs but, dang, some of them are so pretty. And for being Oriental rugs, the price isn’t too bad.

It kind of just shocks you since you can get a couch for less than the rugs at IKEA.

IKEA has a whole selection of rugs from big to small. I spotted this rug the last time I was there and stopped dead in my tracks

Home Decor

I always, always, always give their home decor section a few pass bys. I can always count on finding a vase, candlesticks, figurines, bowls and candles. Their candles are so cheap and smell pretty good.

Also…seasonal items at IKEA

Disclaimer…I started writing this post months ago, but you know, #life. So now I have Christmas on the brain and guess where I am shopping online for some Christmas Decor?? I hope you guessed IKEA or you haven’t been paying much attention to this post at all.

And since I know I can’t leave IKEA with what is just on my list, I am placing an online order and getting as much as I can for $9 shipping charge.

IKEA Saving Money Tips

Just a few tips for you but worth noting:

~ Sign up for an IKEA family membership.

It’s free and you can get special family offers and most importantly you can get extra time in the play area for your kids. Win-win

~Sign up for a moving coupon

It’s also free and you can get a $25 off of $250 coupon. Do you really have to move? I don’t think so but don’t tell anyone I said that.

So now, jump in your car or get online and get yourself some IKEA

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