3 IKEA Pieces That a Designer Says Look Way More Expensive Than They Are (See Why!)

It’s not a secret that IKEA is the place to go to find budget-friendly decor and furniture — their reputation has preceded them since they opened in the U.S. in the 1980s. And while many of us (myself included) associate IKEA with decorating first apartments and scoring cheap finds, professional designers and style aficionados alike have long found gems at the Swedish superstore. Some of the best IKEA pieces can look much more expensive than they actually are — depending on how they’re styled.

In the IKEA showroom some pieces like the new DYVLINGE Swivel Chair and SKÅLBODA Arm Chair stand out amongst the crowd, while others might get easily glanced over. This is particularly true for the items you’re already very familiar with; your brain tends to skip over them without seeing their full potential.

Elements like accessories, color palettes, or even flooring can instantly elevate an IKEA budget buy. Interior designer Viviane d’Adesky, founder of Atlanta-based d’Adesky Design, routinely uses trusty styling tips to create gorgeous interiors by mixing in select IKEA finds for some of her clients. I asked her to spill the details on which IKEA finds can seamlessly blend into elevated spaces — below, she shares three finds that you won’t regret adding into your home.

The TOBIAS Chair is an IKEA classic that you might be drawn to, but still pass by in the showroom because it doesn’t look that luxe amidst the other chair designs. But gathering the courage to bring home this modern take on a dining staple will often pay off in spades, d’Adesky says.

“It has such a structural look with its cantilevered legs, and the transparency is so easy to pair with various style tables,” she explains, adding that there are so many different possibilities for changing the overall look of this chair (from throws to cushions and beyond!).

“I recently paired it with an original Danish mid-century teak dining table and a large-scale gold foil Japanese painting to transform what was previously a small, cramped dining room into a statement-making gathering space,” d’Adesky says. “Because the chairs are see-through, they don’t create any visual clutter, so a tight space still feels open and comfortable.” 

Sofas aren’t cheap, and finding a good deal on one means that you can splurge on other decor and accent pieces that will truly elevate your space. “IKEA’s HYLTARP Sofa is a great example of a versatile basic that can easily be dressed up to look much higher-end with the right decorative pillows, a textural throw, or alongside and antique coffee table,” d’Adesky explains. “It has a slipcover with a waterfall skirt, which gives it a tailored feel while remaining very useful for easy cleaning.” 

For those who prefer the Nancy Meyers Grandmillennial aesthetic, d’Adesky says IKEA’s Gransel Natural sofa is a great option that “can be jazzed up with a spindled oak coffee table and a lovely chinoiserie vase with flowers.” 

For a more modern style, d’Adesky recommends ordering the sofa in a bolder color (like the Tallmyra in dark green) and pairing it with a few geometric-print throw pillows in contrasting hues — and a black-and-brass floor lamp. “It’s a great sofa for a playroom, or family room with kids or pets, because you can throw the cover in the wash or easily switch it up for a different color cover when you tire of your decor.” 

In addition to furniture pieces, don’t skip some of the classic IKEA pendant lighting options. These might not look that luxurious hanging from the IKEA showroom, but they can be eye-catching when styled in unique ways (and are great renter-friendly upgrades that instantly elevate your space). “If you have particularly high ceilings, organizing pendant lamps in groups of three is a fun way to style them differently,” says d’Adesky. She recommends several styles including the SINNERLIG and VINDOGA, which can be hung in a group at different heights to “create a really interesting boho display, reminiscent of a beach club in Tulum or Puerto Escondido.”

When I first moved into my 1960s-era apartment, the SINNERLIG pendant lamp was the first thing I bought and installed before any furniture. My landlord originally had a clunky early 2000s silver chandelier that did not fit the vibe of my apartment or my decor style, and this lamp completely transformed the space. I have since mixed in a few high and low items, including an unassuming IKEA sideboard for extra storage, a vintage-inspired dining table from Target, and my antique kitchen chairs that I recovered myself in a leopard print jacquard fabric. The result feels so much more high-end than what I initially saw at the IKEA showroom.