The 50 Best Things to Buy from Ikea (Updated for 2024)

Most people probably don’t want to think about how many hours they’ve spent trying (and failing) to navigate the fluorescent maze that calls itself “Ikea.” The Swedish superstore is filled to the brim with amazingly affordable home decor, storage solutions and meatballs (which, sadly, are no longer sold online). To make the shopping experience less overwhelming for the everyday shopper, we combed through the retailer’s entire online inventory to curate some of its best products.

The History of Ikea

While you probably first heard of Ikea back in the 2000s when one suddenly showed up in your nearest suburb and began slinging meatballs and flat-packing furniture with hard-to-pronounce names, the company has been around a whole lot longer than that.

Ikea was founded by Swedish entrepreneur Ingvar Kamprad in 1943 when he was just 17 years old. He named the company after himself and his family farm: Ingvar Kamprad from Elmtaryd, Agunnaryd. Five years later, he produced his first piece of furniture, and right from the start, it was affordably priced. In 1950, Ikea published its first catalog, and its first showroom debuted in 1953. That same year, Ikea began flat-packing its furniture for customers to assemble themselves. While they weren’t the first to do so, their commitment to the system eventually led to a revolution in the industry while becoming a defining trait of the brand.

Another defining Ikea trait, in-store restaurants, debuted in 1960, with the idea being that customers wouldn’t have to leave the store before making a purchase if they got hungry. In 1963, Ikea opened its first store outside of Sweden in neighboring Norway, and 22 years later, the global furniture store made its U.S. debut in Pennsylvania. Today, Ikea operates more than 50 American locations.

More recent years have seen Ikea take risks by branching out into other areas of the home outside of furniture, with varying levels of success. Its much-ballyhooed Uppleva TV was a notorious flop in 2012, but the Symfonisk line of speakers it’s been producing in collaboration with Sonos since 2019 has been much better received. Today’s Ikea catalog is filled with smart home accessories, LED lighting and air purifiers in addition to every type of furniture imaginable.

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Do you avoid laundry as much as the rest of us? Grab a few of these towels next time you visit your local Ikea. They’re amazingly inexpensive and they work great as napkins, too.

Ikea

Often overlooked among travelers, shoe bags keep things sanitary inside a suitcase or duffel. These ones measure roughly 9 x 19 inches and can hold one pair of large shoes or multiple children’s sizes. Oh, they also cost a dollar, so you can afford to beat them up.

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Your hands will never smell spongey again thanks to this handy dish brush. The handle has a built-in suction cup, so you can prop it up by your sink when you’re done scrubbing dishes.

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This is perfect whether your dish rack is constantly overflowing, or if you need somewhere to air dry those bulky pots and pans.

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This carafe owes its brilliance to the cork stopper. Use it to store leftover coffee or homemade juice, and tack a piece of paper to the top with the date on it. Hosting a party? Use thumbtacks and labels to identify the contents.

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For $5 you get 17 containers in seven sizes, so you can afford to “lose” one or two in the office dishwasher.

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Salad spinners are oddly satisfying — toss in some freshly washed vegetables, put some elbow grease into it and find yourself with bone-dry produce.

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We can’t recommend all of Ikea’s cookware and kitchen gadgets, but it’s really hard to screw up a manual citrus squeezer.

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These bamboo bowls come in a variety of sizes to hold everything from snacks to stews. Or use it as a catchall bowl for your loose change and car keys.

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The Lattviktig oven dish can go straight from the oven to the dining table. It’s made of durable tempered glass and is dishwasher safe.

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These stackable glasses are highly durable and can hold hot and cold beverages. You’ll definitely be using these 365 days a year.

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Nothing’s more welcoming than a welcome mat that says “Welcome.”

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No closet, no problem. This sleek, simple clothing rack comes together quickly and looks great in bedrooms of all sizes.

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Easily monitor the air quality in your space with this device that measures the amount of particulate matter in the air. The light on the front shows green for good air, yellow for OK and red for poor quality.

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We chose this cake carrier because of its clever, versatile design. One side of the base tray is smooth, ideal for cakes or pies, while the other has ridges, so you can arrange cupcakes, muffins, etc. It’s also quite tall, so don’t worry about adding another layer to that birthday cake.

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A removable inner bucket makes this garbage can a breeze to clean, and a soft-closing lid keeps things quiet.

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Like breakfast in bed? Make it less messy with this simple tray — there’s a lip around the edge to catch any crumbs and spills, as well as a groove to prop up a book or tablet. The legs also fold up for easy storage.

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More than a stool, the Kyrre can also loyally serve as a side table for random knick-knacks. Pick up a few — they stack and store easily, making them an affordable option for party seating.

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Some don’t realize how essential a mortar and pestle is until they taste the difference between freshly ground spices and the store-bought stuff. Spend $15 and get one made from marble. You won’t regret it.

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Take your Q-tips out of the box and put them in one of these jars. The cork lids, besides looking stylish, help them stack without worrying about tipping over, and they look pretty cool too.

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Stack two of these to separate paper and plastic — or use them to sort laundry, dog food or toys.

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Add the Lennart to your office space so you can finally get that clutter off your desk. The drawer unit is lightweight and a pair of casters make it easy to move around.

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Ikea’s Skadis collection is the perfect way to keep your gear organized so you aren’t scrambling for that one item. Start with the pegboard and add accompanying accessories for a customizable way to stay neat and tidy.

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This pair of wireless brass lights will help you set a cozy mood with their warm glow. Simply shake them to turn them on or off.

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The silent movement that powers this clock will tell you the time without disturbing your peace and quiet.

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These steel side tables are lightweight even though they’re made of steel. Use the removable top to double as a serving tray.

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This tiny orb of light is a fun way to add some brightness to your room and your mood. Add a smart light bulb to add a pop of color to your space.

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Add some flare to your sofa for only $30 with this comfy blanket.

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Whether you need more room for your desk accessories or your kitchen gear, the Raskog will give you extra storage space in a tiny package.

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Kallax is arguable Ikea’s most shelving system. Adaptable to different needs and spaces, it comes in all manner of sizes and you can place the long units on their sides, if you desire. Pro insight: each compartment is sized perfectly for LPs.

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The classic, slightly old-fashioned design of this lamp makes it look a lot more expensive than fifty bucks.

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Give all of your plants their time to shine. Your call on whether the plants you put on it are real or artificial.

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Part of Ikea’s Nytillverkad that brings back and refreshes some of the brand’s designs from decades past, this coat rack was originally designed by Rutger Andersson in 1978 and also comes in yellow.

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Laundry baskets aren’t often beautiful, but the Saluding is an exception to the rule thanks to its handwoven bamboo weave.

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Pamper your pet with a comfy new bed — the minimalistic design won’t take away from your decor. Plus, you can remove one side of the bed to give your dog some space to stretch.

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Ikea only recently got into making air purifiers, and its first model, the Fornuftig, is affordable, attractive and efficient. Honestly, it’s a breath of fresh air.

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This lamp isn’t going to light up a whole room. Use the Hektar’s adjustable lamp head to concentrate light at target spots for whatever the activity calls for.

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One of Ikea’s most popular pieces, the Billy bookcase can be used for so much more than books — think shoe storage, tchotchke display, temporary TV stand. To boot, it promises one of the easiest assemblies in the entire catalog.

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Have a hard time keeping plants alive? Then opt for this realistic-looking artificial palm that’s rated for both indoor and outdoor use and stands nearly six feet tall.

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Everyone and their mother will think this distinctive table is a one-in-a-million mid-century modern piece and not an easy-to-assemble find from Ikea. The black and brown combo ensures this table will work with any kind of furniture, but if you’re more adventurous, it’s also available in a range of bright colors.

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The Odger is a basic chair made of renewable wood and recycled plastic so you can sit comfortably and responsibly. And it looks like a certain molded plastic side chair from the 1950s.

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We already declared this Sonos speaker a no-brainer for most people, but we just can’t stop raving about it. The Symfonisk bookshelf speaker, and the Symfonisk table lamp, are compatible with other Sonos speakers, so it’s the cheapest way to expand your Sonos ecosystem.

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Ikea has been tackling smart home gear lately, and its blackout blinds are a standout of the collection. Add the Dirigera hub to control the blinds from the Ikea Home app or your preferred virtual assistant (Alexa, Apple or Google). And for parents, these blinds are cordless, which makes them safer for children.

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This narrow wardrobe is perfect for small spaces because it’s tall, slim, and holds a lot. Use it in lieu of a coat closet or store everything that won’t fit in your bureau.

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Mirrors are a great way to give off the appearance of more space in a tiny home. And, of course, they’re great for checking yourself out too.

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The Malm chest is the go-to dresser for post-grad homes. It’s streamlined — thanks to its lack of handles — and is made from a real wood veneer that’ll age as gracefully as you.

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Few Ikea pieces are as iconic as this lounge chair, with its birch frame and high back. Add the complementing Poang ottoman for an Eames-esque setup at a fraction of the price.

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Ikea angles this as a kitchen island but displays it as a garage-ready workbench — which is exactly how we think you should use it. It’s made from heavy-duty steel that comes in green or black. The plywood is unfinished, so DIYers might consider adding a topcoat for durability and longevity.

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Our favorite Ikea office chair is the best the brand offers when it comes to ergonomics — and we would know.

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Over 900 5-star ratings on Ikea’s website sealed this chair’s spot on our list. Harkening back to Ikea’s original 1950s design, it comes in myriad colors and patterns. The removable seat cover is machine-washable, meaning this chair will look brand new for years to come.