What to Buy and What Not to Buy in IKEA: Designer's Opinion

For over 20 years, the IKEA company has been working to make our apartments comfortable and stylish. During this time, the brand has gained many best-selling products, and new items delight us every month.

We asked designer Inna Kaminская about the most interesting finds in Swedish retail and items that it's better to avoid purchasing.

Inna Kaminская — Expert Designer and Founder of Grande Familia Studio

What to Buy?

Clothes Hanger MULLIG

Elegant and simple, it assembles quickly and looks great in bedrooms of any size. Plastic legs protect the surface from scratches.

By the way, it can also be used in rooms with high humidity — for example, in a bathroom or on a balcony.

Freestanding Clothes Hanger MULLIG

Shopping Carts ROSKUG and ROSKHULT

Compact and stylish steel trolleys can be used for storing kitchenware, office supplies, and other small items.

The trolleys differ only in size: ROSKHULT is more compact, while ROSKUG is wider, taller, and can handle a higher load — up to 18 kg.

Shopping Cart ROSKUG

Noise-Absorbing Panels ODDLAUG

Their main task is to reduce background noise in a room. For example, such a panel can absorb TV sounds and make it easier to hear a conversation partner.

The panels are a constructor made of round sections that need to be connected. Each side has a different shade, allowing you to create your own ornament.

Noise-Absorbing Panel ODDLAUG

Lamp and Pendant Light KNICKSULT

Both light fixtures are handmade from bamboo. They are loved for their fashionable design and natural wood tones.

With soft, diffused light, each of them easily creates a cozy and welcoming atmosphere in the room. You just need to choose which one suits you better!

Table Lamp KNICKSULT

Pendant Light KNICKSULT

Rocking Chair GRÅNDAL

Rocking chairs are trendy again. The elegant and lightweight model GRÅNDAL visually won't overload the interior. Made from rattan and ash, it will look better over time.

For added comfort, the rocking chair can be complemented with a decorative cushion or throw.

Rocking Chair GRÅNDAL

Rug VONSBECK

It will become a universal and practical purchase. With short pile, it's easy to maintain and can even be laid in a dining room.

At first glance, it looks like a vintage oriental rug — all thanks to the worn, aged pattern effect. It will look great in both modern and classic interiors.

Rug VONSBECK

Console NIKKEBI

Red color, perforated surface, and an unusual leg design — this console is hard to pass by! It's also convenient to use, lightweight — the console can be moved anywhere, and spacious — it has four sliding drawers.

The console can be combined with a floor-standing hanger from this series to form a complete storage system for the bedroom or hallway.

Console NIKKEBI

What Not to Buy?

Consoles MALM

Yes, IKEA constantly updates its best-selling consoles. But it's worth remembering that the MALM console series was recalled several times between 1989 and 2016 due to a few accidents.

Consoles have low safety ratings because of their tendency to tip over. IKEA tried to fix these design flaws by attaching consoles to the wall, but I recommend looking for more stable consoles.

Console MALM

Bookcase Series BILLY

Its popularity around the world stems from its multifunctionality and low price. However, quality and stability leave something to be desired.

The only thing you can do with it is use it as one of the components in assembling a more carefully designed bookcase of another structure.

Bookcase BILLY

Side Table LACK

Ergonomic, cute, and affordable — only 999 rubles. But there's one small issue: it's made from cardboard inside. The LACK table is often referred to as a “pizza box on legs”.

It's important to remember that part of IKEA furniture is made from pressed wood. Mostly, this is glued together wood particles, sometimes with prior chemical impregnation. Such wood usually doesn't last long.

Side Table LACK

Storage Wardrobes from IKEA

Continuing this topic, storage wardrobes from IKEA — prepare for particle board (MDF). The surface appearance of the wardrobes resembles a beautiful natural wood texture.

However, the frames of such furniture are made from particle board (MDF). Anyone who owns such furniture knows it's fragile and difficult to disassemble and reassemble. If you attempt to do so, the furniture will likely fall apart.

PACKS System

Home Decor from IKEA

Trendy accessories for home decor in IKEA are indeed interesting and stylish. But it's hard to call them unique, as millions of others have already purchased them.

Something original and unusual is better to look for in places where production is not focused on the mass consumer.

Decor

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