5 IKEA Must-Haves According to Your Favorite Interior Designers

Dorothy once said there’s no place like home, but as far as we’re concerned, IKEA is a very, very close second. From dishing on life-changing hacks to sharing the latest, greatest home collections, we’ve never been shy about expressing our love for the Scandi-chic store. Where else can you score aesthetically-pleasing pieces for a great price? (And where can you do so while chowing down on some mouth-watering Swedish meatballs? Exactly.)

But we’re not the only ones who are obsessed with IKEA. Turns out, plenty of interior designers use the retailer’s ultra-practical wares in both decorating projects and their very own homes.

We asked five design experts to share their which IKEA pieces have the interior world’s seal of approval. Whether you’re in the midst of redecorating your space or simply want to window shop from the comfort of your couch, check out these pro-approved picks below.

“IKEA has many pieces, but the one I love using the most is the Alseda Stool. It can be used indoors and outdoors. I use them wherever I can as they are great for seating, decor or for putting a nice plant on. Kids love them and they are easy to transport anywhere and can blend with most any style.”—Linda Hayslett, owner of LH. Designs

“The PAX is the perfect solution for anyone who needs more storage in their life. I’ve had PAX units in two of my last three houses and I love them. The extra tall height gives the look of built-ins without the price, and the depth makes them perfect for all sorts of storage — hanging clothes, drawers of shoes, pots and pans, vacuum cleaners, and small appliances — to name a few things I crammed into mine!” —Alessandra Wood, interior design expert and vice president of style at Modsy

“In my son’s room, we use the IKEA HEMNES dresser in white. I was looking for something for his room that would blend well as his style changes from little boy to big boy. This was just the right fit. I paired it with a fun Schumacher chevron wallpaper and custom colored textiles from my fabric line Marika Meyer Textiles. I love the dresser and it has held up very well for the last four years!” —Marika Meyer, interior designer

“I own several of these Kallax shelves. They are super versatile and great for kids spaces and office spaces. You can use them vertically or horizontally and they are the perfect height to use as a bench. I’m planning to use four of them in my house down a long wide hallway to hold toys and then put cushions on top.” —Jessica Davis, founder of Nest Studio

“IKEA is like the ASOS of clothing — great staples at bargain prices. We love using the black and white Stockholm rug for clients with pets, kids, or limited budgets. It’s graphic nature and overall pattern makes this a great option when looking to provide a fun and lively way to ground any room without breaking the bank.”—Jean Liu, interior designer