As we mentioned in our crazy-weekend-teaser post last Thursday, we slipped into two different Ikeas in two different states on consecutive days — one just to browse, and the other to help style Carrie’s fantastic new high-rise apartment. Here are some photos we snapped during our casual shopping trip. What’s not to love about these finds? Ikea really can feel like the peanut butter to our banana.
First up is this striking red glass hutch. We’ve been eyeing it for months, so it had to be included in our Ikea favorites roundup:
Imagine it in a living room paired with punchy curtains like these…
…and finished with sleek little red side-table lamps for added flair.
Keep the rest of the room neutral and let those pops of color do the heavy lifting — all on an Ikea budget.
We also loved the hanging basket pendant lamps matched with vibrant table runners and a slate-blue accent wall (something like Benjamin Moore’s Bella Blue would get you close). It’s practically a ready-made room idea.
If you prefer a softer look, these tone-on-tone botanical curtains were instant heart-eyes:
We also admired a gorgeous layered curtain combination: a sheer top panel with white swirls placed in front of a leafy green curtain. The result is an elegant, almost-lattice effect.
Sticking with golden-green patterns, a geometric duvet cover we spotted brings modern, jute-like movement to the bedroom for an affordable price.
On the kitchen front, this concept caught our eye: oversized dark pendants and cabinets paired with very light countertops and a mosaic backsplash. The look is dramatic but still livable and classic.
We saw oversized white pendants again above a large Parsons-style dining table. A solid wood table like this feels timeless, and the contrast with curvy chairs is lovely.
John even made a cameo reflected in one of the best Ikea deals: a giant floor mirror that can dramatically expand a room’s perceived size. At a fraction of the price of similar designer mirrors, it’s easy to grab extras to flank a media cabinet or to style with sconces.
The marketplace offered smaller delights too, like intricate elephant drinking glasses and delicate printed juice glasses — charming little pieces that are surprisingly affordable.
We’re always drawn to natural textures, so these woven planter baskets were a favorite. They’re versatile — use them as planters, chic wastebaskets, magazine holders, or even topped with glass to serve as occasional side tables.
Speaking of woven styles, the new hemisphere-shaped basket pendant in the catalog blends vintage-modern and beachy vibes beautifully.
We can’t forget some of the reliable classics: white Ikea planters are super cheap and sleek, perfect for plants or as handy storage for toiletries, keys, and more. We always pick up a few extras.
Rugs at Ikea can be hit or miss, but this bold orange-swirled round rug is a real showstopper and looks great styled in many rooms.
We also loved a small square rug that would be adorable in front of a double sink — if only our bathroom were larger.
That wraps up our camera-in-hand Ikea roundup. For specifics like prices and dimensions, check Ikea’s website or, better yet, visit a store when you can — it’s sort of like a grown-up ball pit: wandering around and grinning is half the fun.
We’d love to hear your favorite Ikea pieces, old or new. Share what you’re loving — photos from your home or links to product pages — and let’s chat about Malm, Lack, Expedit, and all those iconic names that have become part of our decorating vocabulary.