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If you’re anything like me, your home is never really “finished.” Rather than furnishing it all at once, my partner and I treat our space as a long-term project, adding pieces thoughtfully as the right ones come along.
As corny as it may sound, the start of a new year feels like a natural moment to take stock, even if it’s an arbitrary date. It’s a good time to assess what’s working, what needs a refresh and what small touches can be made to ensure your house feels like a home.
This funky basket is one of Ikea’s many new, affordable releases I’m eyeing for my 2026 home refresh.Ikea
When it’s time for an affordable update, I turn to Ikea. With its seemingly endless catalog and tons of new releases, the global home furnishing brand is an excellent one-stop shop for both timeless and on-trend home goods.
After scouring the new releases section, here’s what’s in my cart for our 2026 refresh.
Ikea
Ikea Stockholm 2025 3-Seat Sofa
The plush silhouette of this three-seat sofa has movie night written all over it. While it comes in four colorways, the dark brown hue is the clear winner; it’s versatile enough to work with almost any living room palette, yet a welcome departure from white or grey. The velvet upholstery strikes a balance between on-trend and timeless, and the easy-connect sections allow you to configure the sofa to suit your space.
Thanks to its lightweight, durable metal construction, this funky single-piece lamp stand can hang out indoors or outside, and it works with a wide selection of lamps in the Solvinden collection. It’s an easy and affordable way to add interest to any space — and avoid harsh overhead lighting.
Add a playful touch to any dessert course with these multi-colored glass spoons, which strike the perfect balance between elegant and fun. The heat-resistant glass can handle hot dishes as well as cold, and at $10 for two, you can stock up on a few sets.
Textiles are the most low-effort, high-impact way to refresh your space without making any major changes (or having to lift any heavy furniture). This deep blue bedspread adds immediate visual interest to any room thanks to its jacquard-woven, 100 percent cotton material and timeless pattern.
If you’re anything like me, you love a vibey outdoor seating area. This multi-hued lamp will transform any al fresco dining nook while doing a lot of visual heavy lifting (for a crazy affordable price) thanks to its funky mesh pattern. If you’re aiming for cozy-yet-modern vibes, you can’t go wrong here.
This chic basket proves that storage doesn’t have to be boring. The wavy clover shape, decorative blue band and rustic rattan fuse modern style and timeless materials into one hardworking accessory. Store extra throws, magazines or firewood in this cool design inspired by Swedish folk art.
Sometimes it’s the smallest touches that make the biggest impact, like this mouth-blown tea light holder that looks way more expensive than it has any right to. This gorgeous accessory will give any room a soft and cozy glow, thanks to the blend of clear and warm brown glass. At just $10, you’ll probably want to pick up a few.
If good design is functional and beautiful, then these hooks certainly qualify. The 3-pack of small and sturdy hooks is ideal for small spaces, whether that’s an entryway, kitchen or bathroom. Hang keys, bags or tea towels on these practical-yet-playful storage accessories.
My partner and I already use these boxes in white in our closet, but I love the dark blue for our son’s room — they add just enough visual interest to make storage fun, not boring. Storing extra socks, beanies, Legos or any other small items is easy thanks to these practical, durable bins.
About the Author: Hayley Helms is an associate editor at Gear Patrol specializing in outdoor gear. Once upon a time, she wrote for Men’s Journal, Gearjunkie and Shape. Whether it’s testing a new rain shell or putting a pair of hiking boots through its paces, she leaves no stone unturned (however, she always Leaves No Trace).
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Ikea
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