The $80 IKEA Mid-Century Modern Gem That Completely Transformed My ’60s Apartment

When I first walked into my apartment oozing with original 1960s-era features, it was love at first sight. The retro stone fireplace (that actually works!), original pink bathroom tiles, and incredible afternoon sunlight that poured into every corner of the space immediately took my breath away. But then I looked up and saw a home decor choice that, in my opinion, is absolutely criminal. In the middle of the kitchen hung a silver tone, outdated (and not in a charming way) chandelier that did not match the mid-century modern style the rest of the apartment exuded. It had to go. 

I thought about the best kitchen lighting ideas for a space like this. On one end, I absolutely wanted to lean into its ’60s aesthetic, but I didn’t want to live in a space that felt too retro. So I chose to add accents (like my brass fireplace fan) and then opted for a pendant light that felt eclectic enough to blend with several styles, including some of the apartment’s mid-century details. To warm up the space, I chose a large woven basket pendant lamp that costs under $100 from IKEA, which feels so much more high-end than its price tag. 

The IKEA SINNERLIG Pendant Lamp is nearly identical to some more expensive versions I’d seen online (like this woven bamboo pendant from Wayfair with a $387 price tag) and, to be honest, I love it so much more than its pricey counterparts. The pendant comes in several sizes and styles, including a 20-inch version — that’s the one I went with — and an 11-inch size that would look so cute in smaller spaces, an office, or even as bedside lamps to free up space on a side table. 

Created by British designer Ilse Crawford, who was tapped for an IKEA collection back in 2015, this handmade pendant light is created from bamboo woven together in a lattice pattern and features two cylinders that create a tiered look. The resulting lamp is light, airy, and thanks to its simple but graphic woven design, works nicely with anything from mid-century modern-inspired design to boho or Scandinavian styles.

This light was the very first thing I added to my apartment (in fact, I had it installed before I even moved in), and it has sat as a centerpiece in my kitchen for nearly four years. It’s so versatile that, no matter what changes I’ve made to the space, it feels like it belongs. It’s a style chameleon that’s easy to install, and that’s why I love it so much. The price tag doesn’t hurt, either.

In addition to the 20-inch and 11-inch woven pendant lights, IKEA also carries a few additional versions, including a wall sconce and a floor lamp with the same look. Again, If you can’t pop into an IKEA in your area, you could definitely have it delivered. Or you could go with the Wayfair look-alike lamp below, since they tend to ship a bit more quickly.

Thing is, though, IKEA got this one right the first time around. That’s why the SINNERLIG has been a bestseller for the past decade. If that Wayfair look-alike is any indicator, it’s a piece that looks about 5 times more expensive than it is.