7 IKEA Gems Designers Love to Use As Is — No Hacks Necessary!

From starter apartments to office buildings, and yes, even high-end design projects, you can always count on IKEA. Thanks to their affordable, practical, and frankly enormous catalog of offerings, IKEA furniture is often considered “cookie-cutter,” designed for function over form; but many of their pieces are stylish, too. If you use them right, you really can elevate your space with IKEA products. 

We asked seven design pros to share the IKEA pieces they like to use as is to prove it can be done — and without any hacks or DIY projects. From their own homes to client projects, sneak a peek at how these designers have styled their favorites, and get inspired for your own space. So put down the primer and read on to see which IKEA icons made the cut.

Noz Nozawa and her husband’s cozy, editorial-worthy Lake Tahoe home features plenty of thoughtful details, including the IKEA LAUTERS floor lamp. For Nozawa, it’s a piece that works well in any setting. “This floor lamp boxes above its weight for quality and aesthetic. It’s warm and versatile — I can see it suiting a broad range of styles!” she says. “And [while] I’m often a proponent of customizing and personalizing items, I honestly love this lamp as is with its clean and breezy lampshade and unfinished solid wood base!”

Gary McNair has incorporated plenty of IKEA products throughout his personal residence, but the real showstopper is his backyard, outfitted with their NÄMMARÖ Collection (which includes the NÄMMARÖ Chaise, Arm Chair, and Modular Sectional). 

“The IKEA NÄMMARÖ patio set was a really affordable way to maximize our outdoor space,” McNair says. “Our vision was to have all matching teak outdoor furniture that felt like summer year-around, and this achieved the look for a fraction of the price. The large sectional that anchors our Elementi firepit is ideal, and the modularity really allows you to get creative no matter the constraints on your space.”

Priya Vij’s latest IKEA install? The BESTÅ cabinet series. “I love the look of a low bookshelf but wanted one in my living room that offered more flexibility, both in size and budget. IKEA’s BESTÅ line ended up being the perfect solution. The modular units come in different widths (one, two, or three squares), so it’s super easy to customize the length to fit your space.”

“You can have open shelving, add doors or interior shelves, drill in hardware, or top it with a slab to make it feel more polished,” Vij adds. “There’s also a built-in plug setup, which makes it great for adding a TV or lamp. It’s one of those rare finds that’s functional, affordable, and totally customizable.”

Master builder and developer Kyle Resmondo went with IKEA’s VOXTORP cabinets for the home of iconic photographer Steve Rapport. “The client really wanted them for the minimalist design. The finger pulls are embedded into the face of the door, so no additional pulls were needed.” This gives the cabinets an extra-sleek look in combination with their smooth, matte white finish.

Like Vij and hundreds of thousands of other IKEA shoppers, Sara Thomas is a fan of the IKEA BESTÅ series. The living room of her New York City apartment is her sanctuary, and her BESTÅ TV unit is at its center. The piece perfectly complements her chic, minimal aesthetic. “This TV console is the perfect balance between aesthetics and function, while staying affordable. Its timeless, minimal design helps conceal cables and maximize floor space, which is a bonus in NYC!” 

Gianmarco of Galleria Miami really created some serious open-space magic for his recent client with IKEA’s STOCKHOLM 2025 sofa. “For this project, I used three of the stand-alone modules without the armrests to create a fully open layout,” Gianmarco says. 

“It’s odd that they don’t promote this configuration [much], only the one with armrests. The clean lines and versatility are surprisingly elegant for the price — there’s even an ottoman in the same collection. The end result felt superchic, almost reminiscent of the Chadwick sofa by Herman Miller. I paired it with the yellow Stockholm 2025 table lamp, a chrome candle holder, and an IKEA pine side table.”

Handling closets is one of Kelly Collier-Clark’s specialties, and she tackled this particular project with IKEA’s iconic PAX system in brown. “The IKEA PAX system is a forever favorite of mine, because it’s highly customizable, affordable, and versatile enough to suit a wide range of client styles. Its modular design allows for tailored storage solutions in awkward spaces, while interchangeable doors, interiors, and finishes make it easy to create a high-end, built-in look. 

“It’s also easy to modify or upgrade over time,” she notes, “giving designers flexibility for evolving client needs.”