The 50 Best Things to Buy from Ikea

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.

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.

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

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.

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

For $7 you get 17 containers in seven sizes, so you can afford to “lose” one or two in the office dishwasher.

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

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.

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.

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

Ikea sells a pretty robust selection of common houseplants, but for those who lack a green thumb, this faux monstera plant does the trick.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

A classic style dining chair that doesn't always have to be relegated to the dining table.

Handwoven from real rattan, this attractive laundry basket sits on plastic feet to protect it from moisture.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ikea has been tackling smart home gear lately, and its blackout blinds are a standout of the collection. Add the Tradfri gateway to control the blinds from the Ikea Home app and Google Home devices. And for parents, these blinds are cordless, which makes them safer for children.

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

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.

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.

A no-fuss desk for your no-fuss work ethic.

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.

Some of the best office chair can cost upwards of $2,000. For sub-$200 at Ikea, you get a comfortable chair that’ll adjust to your seating preferences so you can sit pretty for hours on end.

Reviewers praise the comfort and durability of these sleek bar stools. They’re clean, easy to assemble and, thanks to their minimalist design, look great in just about any setting.

Add instant style to any space with one of these low-pile rugs. This rug really ties the room together, with its perfect balance of varying colors.

Over 200 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 eight great colors and patterns, from understated gray to a vibrant palm print. The removable seat cover is machine-washable, meaning this chair will look brand new for years to come.

Make the most of your outdoor space with this affordable and attractive outdoor furniture set, all crafted from sustainably sourced acacia.