10 IKEA Home Decor Essentials That Are Always Worth Buying

There's a reason many homes, from tiny studio apartments to sprawling estates, have at least one home decor essential from IKEA. Sometimes, it's a seasonal or limited-edition accent piece. Other times, it's a piece of flat-packed furniture. Whether your design aesthetic leans minimalist, maximalist, or somewhere in between, IKEA's home decor essentials are affordable and versatile. Mixing high- and low-end pieces can make a space feel layered and full of character. The Swedish brand is ideal if you want to decorate your interior with a mixture of styles. From the cult-favorite BILLY bookcase to the classic LOHALS rug, several IKEA home decor essentials are always worth buying.

IKEA became a global design phenomenon by making attractive and functional home decor accessible to everyone. If you've never wandered around one of their maze-like stores, you may still be trying to figure out exactly why people are as passionate about the company's famous meatballs as they are about the classic mirrors you can score for way less than you might expect. There's no better time to spend an afternoon wandering around your local IKEA store (or their inspiring website). Sure, it's easy to feel a little overwhelmed by the huge range of products. But opting for these perennial bestsellers can upgrade a room, complement higher-end and one-of-a-kind pieces, and help you pull your space together without totally blowing your budget.

The BILLY Bookcase is simple and practical, which is why IKEA has reportedly sold over 60 million of them around the world. The company does shelving extremely well, from cube systems that stack to wall-mounted options that couldn't be sleeker if they tried. But whether you opt for it in simple white or one of the many wood-toned finishes, whether you use it to house your library or finally get your office organized, or you attempt one of the countless smart DIY hacks for BILLY bookcases, this $69 shelf is a masterclass in form and function.

A great mirror can totally change your space. More than just a spot to check your outfit before heading out the door, they can bounce light around a room, create the illusion of more space, or add depth and interest to a gallery wall. IKEA has a huge variety of mirrors in various sizes and frames. But thanks to its classic simplicity, the LINDBYN works practically anywhere. Whether you choose a black or gold frame, the $80 round mirror looks just as perfect above a bathroom sink as it does in an entryway or formal dining room.

IKEA rugs provide style and softness at extremely budget-friendly prices. With geometric, oriental, striped, and color-blocked designs by the dozen, finding the right one to define your space can be a little tricky. But if you're looking for one that's both practical and pretty, the $130 LOHALS Flat Woven Rug does the trick. Made of natural jute in a neutral tone, this rug blends beautifully with any decor style while being extremely durable thanks to its machine-woven construction. Over 1,500 IKEA customers have given this rug a five-star rating, describing it as a great value for the money. 

Some of the best home decor essentials don't just add a stylish touch — they also hide the clutter. From toys to clothes, cabinet staples to cleaning supplies, the DRÖNA Storage Boxes are perfect for getting your stuff out of sight. Available in a wide range of colors and fabrics that fit into any room, at just $5 each, they're one of the most affordable IKEA items that are perfect for organizing. You can also tuck the boxes neatly away in your closet or under a vanity, retrieving them easily thanks to the two integrated fabric handles.

From work lamps to wall lamps, string lights to smart bulbs, IKEA has a brilliant array of lighting options for every room in your house at extremely affordable prices. The right one for your space will depend on whether you're looking for mood lighting that enhances or a statement lamp that elevates. But you simply can't go wrong with the TÄRNABY Table Lamp, an adjustable option that puts out a soft, warm, kerosene-like glow. For an attractive, flame-like look, IKEA recommends pairing the $30 lamp with their LUNNOM, a dimmable brown, clear glass LED chandelier bulb.

Swapping out textiles is an inexpensive way to refresh your favorite spot, adding pattern and personality that makes your home feel perfectly cozy. IKEA's sheepskins and throw blankets are quintessential home decor essentials, but the SVARTPOPPEL Cushion Cover is the real MVP, especially if you're on a tight budget. Available in soft colors like off-white and pale blue and bolder choices like yellow and gray-green, the $5 covers aren't just super soft. They're made of recycled polyester as part of IKEA's sustainability strategy. The same goes for the company's INNER Pillow Insert that fits the SVARTPOPPEL perfectly.

With hundreds of pictures, posters, frame sets, and decorative accents to choose from, IKEA makes it easier to create the perfect gallery wall. Along with size and scale, picking pieces that reflect your personality is just as important as perfecting the positioning and placement. Thousands of IKEA fans love the MOSSLANDA Picture Ledge, which makes it easy to arrange (and rearrange!) your artwork until it's just right. The $8 display shelves have a special groove that's large enough to hold bigger frames and sturdy enough to keep your most precious pictures safely in place.

There's no shortage of accent furniture options at IKEA. The most popular pieces are boxy and minimalist, but the $90 VITTSJÖ Coffee Table (and coordinating laptop stand and nesting tables priced at $45 and $130, respectively) combines glass and metal for a look that's airy and modern. Sleek and simple, the powder-coated frame and lower shelf provide plenty of durable surface area for drinks or knick-knacks, while the tempered glass top allows light to shine right through. It's an effect that looks extremely high-end and spacious, even in small, dark, or dingy rooms. 

If you're keen to update the windows in your home with something simple and affordable, head straight for the IKEA curtains that the internet is obsessed with. Available in white or gray, the RITVA Curtains with Tie-Backs are a light-filtering option that's ideal when you're trying to achieve a breezy look on a budget. Made of 100% cotton, they come in several different sizes, ranging in price from $35 to $60. Cleverly designed, RITVA curtains can be hung on a rod with rings or through hidden tabs, or use the included heading tape to create pleats with IKEA's RIKTIG Curtain Hooks.

A hidden gem in IKEA's seating lineup, the STACKHOLMEN Stool has a more elevated look than some of the company's more basic options. Made from sustainably sourced acacia wood and woven polypropylene rope, this unique piece works just as well as a footstool, plant stand, or side table as it does when you need extra seating. Plastic feet keep the $50 home decor essential durable, whether you use it indoors or outside on a deck or patio. Hundreds of happy reviewers call it solid, sturdy, and super simple to assemble.