15 Home Staples I Buy From IKEA

I made a trip to IKEA earlier in the week for drapery panels and a ceiling mount track for our guest bathroom shower curtain (I shared on stories, if you follow along). The ceiling mount shower curtain DIY, as seen in our previous bathroom, is coming to the blog soon… I promised to fully document and share the tutorial this time around, but in the meantime- being in IKEA made me think this might be an interesting post. It’s a great resource for affordable home decor and furniture, but you do have to be selective. Want to see 15 home staples I’ve bought (and continue to buy) from everyones favorite Swedish retailer? Click through!

#1 : DRAPERY PANELS

If you watched my Insta story, skip this one… otherwise, I prefer drapery panels from IKEA that are made of either 100% cotton or 100% linen (AINA is a favorite). They look high-end, are super affordable, and come in multiple lengths. My biggest tip? Avoid grommets and drapery loops… instead, stick to panels with pole pockets on the backside, then use the RIKTIG curtain hooks to pinch pleat the panels for a tailored, classic look. Look for my ceiling mount DIY coming soon, that uses the VIDGA track.

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#2 : DISH TOWELS

The VARDAGEN is my favorite because again- it’s 100% linen and I love the clean, neutral look. For $3.99, I always stock up on these!

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#3 : GLASSWARE

You can’t beat the classic glassware at IKEA. I’m a fan of the GODIS water glasses. They’re sleek, simple, clean, and leave room for plenty of ice… and if one breaks, a set of six only costs $4.99, so no harm done. Emmett and I are beer drinkers (we are from the Midwest, after all) and I also like the OMFATTANDE glasses. They’re a nice shape for most types of craft beer and the tapered glass allows room for a nice head of foam. We keep these chilling in the freezer so they’re ready to go!

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#4 : FRAMES

It’s no secret, IKEA offers classic, clean frames at a fraction of the cost. If you’re framing your own artwork or images, the RIBBA is my go-to. Basically, IKEA offers the best white and black frames in any size you could dream of- and they even come with mats. It’s super convenient if you’re planning a grid gallery wall on a budget.

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#5 : TOILET BRUSHES

This might sound odd, but IKEA sells my favorite toilet brushes. That’s not an object I want to draw attention to, but it’s necessary to keep the toilet clean. I stick to their ENUDDEN against a white background or lighter tile, and the SVARTSJON for black or darker colored tile. The simplistic shape of these brushes make them disappear, so I can focus on beautiful elements in the bathroom- like the tile and plumbing fixtures!

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#6 : LIVE POTTED PLANTS

I love house plants… they add so much life, texture, and green to a home. IKEA certainly has the least expensive quality plants I’ve found- both large and small, and of all varieties. My current favorites? I’ve seen RAVENEA (a large palm), SANSEVIERIA TRIFASCIATA (a snake plant), FICUS LYRATA (a fiddle leaf fig), and plenty of succulents at my local store. Basically anytime I go into IKEA, I come out with at least one plant.

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#7 : THROW BLANKETS

I always keep my eyes peeled for good blankets and throws when browsing IKEA. Again, I prefer to stick to natural materials like cotton, linen, and wool. Sometimes it’s hit or miss, but I’ve found some great throws in the past. I’m currently loving the STRIMLONN wool throw with a classy subtle herringbone pattern… and it’s 100% wool- nice and heavy!

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#8 : PILLAR CANDLES

Why pillar candles, you might ask? You know I have a soft spot for decorating with these sturdy guys… if you’ve been following for a long time, you might remember the fireplace at our Ohio home stuffed to the brim with them (here’s a better image). They’re really great for creating a dramatic or romantic vignette. The FENOMEN comes as a set of 5 for only $7.99.

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#9 : JUTE AREA RUGS

If you’re looking for a nice, durable, flatwoven area rug… look no further! The HELLESTED is one of my favorites and it’s great for layering. A 9 foot rug, made from 100% natural materials, with a taped edge for $149. SOLD!

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#10 : WHITE DISHES

After receiving all white dishes as a wedding gift years ago from Crate & Barrel, I wanted to expand my collection and add more sizes. I found that IKEA carries basically the same white bowls, plates, etc. and decided to save money and buy additional sizes there instead. The IKEA 365+ collection has clean shapes, is a nice crisp white (that perfectly matches the C&B line), and doesn’t get more classic. If you have open shelving or glass front cabinetry in your kitchen and want a timeless, organized look… these dishes are a must! You’ll save a ton of money.

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#11 : BASKETS

If I’m organizing a closet, pantry, laundry room, or mudroom, IKEA is the first place I look for baskets and bins. My favorites include the BRANAS (pictured above), SNIDAD, FLADIS, and KNIPSA.

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#12 : PILLOW INSERTS

You can grab a euro size pillow insert that is down filled from IKEA for $10. That is basically unheard of. I love premium down filled pillows and I often shop for inserts at IKEA. If you like a super full cushion, I’d recommend sizing up. The FJADRAR is one I’m constantly grabbing.

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#13 : FRENCH PRESS

Yes, I know… I have a fancy espresso maker that I adore, BUT- sometimes you just want to keep it simple and stick to the classic French press. The EGENTLIG looks great on the countertop and also makes an amazing cup of coffee. I’ve also given this as an easy gift, paired with quality coffee beans, and a tea towel.

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#14 : OUTDOOR DINING CHAIRS

One thing I’m reallllly going to miss this spring and summer is our carport dining space. Luckily we have a great outdoor space at our new house that will work just as well (that I can’t wait to show you once the weather changes)- and you better believe we brought our outdoor dining furniture along when we moved… including six AGEN armchairs. They’ve held up really well, are comfortable, and look like they cost SO much more than they actually do.

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#15 : SIMPLE TABLE

Last, but certainly not least- I have to once again profess my love for the DOCKSTA table. I had one of these in my green dining room and loved it. For $199 you’ll have a minimal, crisp white table that goes with any aesthetic. Not only is it great in a dining setting or breakfast nook, but it also makes a great workspace in an office or studio. I’ve purchased 3 of these in the past decade and it’s probably my favorite furniture piece IKEA makes.

There you have it… 15 things I buy from IKEA. If you’re planning to do any shopping this weekend, have fun! Do you have any IKEA favorites I should know about or add to my list for the next trip? Let me know in the comments below. I hope everyone has an amazing weekend! See you back here on Monday.