What do you think of IKEA? I know that there are lots of designers who snob it, but I must say that, in general, I like IKEA furniture – it’s functional, affordable and well designed. When you look at IKEA products, you can tell that the designers really thought about ways to improve people’s homes and make them more comfortable and pleasant to live in.
An example? IKEA storage ideas. They’re brilliant, and their clever use of space works wonders in small rooms.
Having said this, I also know that shopping at IKEA means that you risk ending up with a house that lacks personality and looks like a page straight from their catalogue.
Personally, I like to mix modern furniture with vintage, ethnic or antique pieces, and that’s a great way to put your own stamp in the décor and create a unique style.
Whatever your style is, if you want to see how to use IKEA products in an original way I suggest you check IKEA Family Live. In this website you’ll find real homes from all over the world, furnished with a mix of IKEA and non-IKEA furniture, plus a photo gallery open to everyone who wants to share decorating ideas.
I love browsing this website and looking at all the highly individual interiors it features; here are a few ideas that caught my eyes today:
Love the alcove panelled with fabric - beautiful, original and easy to replicate.
More fabric, this time used to jazz up bookshelves; wallpaper would work well too.
Curtains instead of doors for the wardrobe - quick and affordable, works well also for alcoves and recessed storage.
Cheerful lime green file cabinet used as a bedside locker - why not?
These are not IKEA, but the photo is from the IKEA website - that's the kind of vintage/ethnic I love mixing with modern furniture.
Another website worth checking is IKEA Hacker, which features hacks, personalised and re-purposed IKEA products. Chock full with original solutions, I always find something interesting in this blog; I’m definitely going to create my own version of this hack:
Kitty litter box obscurer: a brilliant hack for the cats lovers among us!
So if you’re in need of inspiration, check IKEA Family Live and IKEA Hackers. Happy browsing 
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{ 16 comments }
Hah, I love the hidden litter box! I’m not sure blind kitty would be happy in such an enclosed space (or if she would get stuck inside…oh dear), but I can think of many sighted kitties who would be happy with a little more privacy.
I do like Ikea, though I rarely buy furniture there. (Kitchen things, lamps, and textiles, yes.) My only piece of Ikea furniture is a long, narrow table, supposedly a dresser, with a glass top that I can carve clay, sew, paint, or otherwise make an artistic mess on.
I typically prefer old furniture and old wood, but for sheer utility and clean lines, Ikea is hard to beat. I enjoyed seeing your pictures of how people have jazzed it up!
Jennifer recently posted..Easy DIY- homemade lip balm & giveaway
Hi Jennifer, yes probably the hidden litter box wouldn’t be suitable for your kitty…but I’m definitely making one for my twos! It’s just a matter of finding the right cabinet.
I have a few IKEA pieces (bookshelves, desk chair, small cabinet) and a few other accessories; I like a mix of old and new, and as you said for some things IKEA is hard to beat!
Thank you Cristina, after my subscription to your blog, it was a lovely surprise to receive your e-book, ‘Sweet Delights’…just beautiful and I love all the recipes, an achievement and credit to your inspirational work and ideas.
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Yvette, thank you so much for letting me know! It’s comments like yours that keep me going and sharing
Hi Cristina, I haven’t made it to the big IKEA outlet in Dublin yet but my sister bought me a beautiful hot pink and lime green duvet set and some lime green cushions to match for my birthday this year. They go really well with my dusky pink/lilac walls that you helped me choose! Are you home from Italy now…we must have our coffee/lunch date soon. I’m dying to catch up with you again. Much love
Rosemary
Rosemary recently posted..Signposts and Roses
That duvet set sounds lovely, I can’t wait to see your bedroom! Yes I’m back from Italy and looking forward to meeting you again
Hi beautiful Cristina…….
the problem which I found in many items of IKEA is that the products are good for short term use and throw away life style. Of course, it is not design problem but the quality of the material used, because my main shopping is in Middle-East.
Hi Suresh,
unfortunately some IKEA products have this problem – they’re designed for short term use, and this is reflected in their very low price.
Some of their furniture is good though, and if you look after it it can last you for many years.
I love these websites! Thanks for reminding me to look at them again.
I, too, like the mix of things. It’s definitely where a room leaves the cookie cutter look to become an expression of personal style. And that’s not always easy for everyone to tap into. Some find it easier to purchase someone else’s. But I think the lines are blurring more and we are seeing more diverse examples of how to feather our nests. By paying attention to what you like in what you see, from there you can build on it to create your own look. Thanks Cristina!
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Hi Laurie, thanks for your comment. I like what you say about style:
“By paying attention to what you like in what you see, from there you can build on it to create your own look”
I couldn’t agree more! It all starts with being aware of what you like, very well said
Cristina, I love this design inspiration!! I am seriously design challenged, but looking at these images gives me hope
I do have a fair amount of Ikea furniture in my home, and I try to off set it so it doesn’t have that catalog look. I didn’t know about these websites Ikeahacker & Ikea Familylive – pretty exciting 
I like your suggestion of how you mix modern furniture with vintage, ethnic or antique pieces – I can see how that would make it more unique and personal.
You are a true Domestic Goddess!
Aileen | Kaizen Vision recently posted..Achieve Your Goals and Dreams the Kaizen Way
Wow Aileen, thank you so much for your nice words! I don’t know if I’m a Domestic Goddess, but I do love creating homes
Happy to know you found this post inspiring!
Cristina,
I must admit I’m one of “those” who has not been a fan of Ikea, but I’m really loving these photos. I may changing my mind!
Angela Artemis recently posted..Can Our Intuition Abandon Us
Angela, as Suresh said some IKEA furniture is a bit flimsy and is not designed to last. However some is actually well done, and can last for years.
As I said, I like picking their best products and mixing them with other kind of furniture; happy to know you found my post interesting
By the time IKEA decide to come to Kansas City I think I may have decided I no longer like/need them. For quite a long time I thirsted for their bookcases, but when my local Borders bookstore closed down last year I got the bookcases I’d been waiting for. Unless something breaks, I’m not likely to need furniture any time soon. At least I have “fond” memories of perusing the Newcastle (before they reached Glasgow or Edinburgh) IKEA for a sofa with a toddler leading the way. Yes, IKEA is firmly stuck in my mind!
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Gosh, perusing IKEA with a toddler must have been tough! IKEA only reached Dublin a couple of years ago, so we had to drive to Belfast to buy what we wanted – a Billy bookcase with glass doors (to keep away dust AND cats
We’ll be moving to England in September and we’ll need to buy furniture, so I guess IKEA will see us soon.