Contrary to popular belief, redecorating your home doesn’t have to break the bank. It’s no secret that IKEA is a great place to find stylish, budget-friendly buys for your home. But, finding things that are the right balance of chic and great quality can take a lot of trial and error. So, I’ve rounded up 7 of my favorite IKEA products that give you a high-end look for years to come. Check out my picks below!

1 | Skymningen pendant lamp

If you follow my condo board on Pinterest, you know that I’m really into the artsy modern aesthetic these days. This pendant lamp is no exception. It was one of my first purchases for my condo and adds a lot of style for under $100. It’s as easy to assemble as it is versatile. Skymningen can be hung low over a table or nearly flush with the ceiling for placement in a living room or bedroom. The light comes in two colors, beige and white.

2 | Docksta Table

This table has the sleek, minimal look of a high-end brand without the hefty price tag. At 40.5in in diameter, it’s perfect for small spaces but can still comfortably seat 4. Docksta’s tabletop is super durable and doesn’t stain, but be sure to have an extra pair of hands to help you assemble because this thing is heavy!

3 | IKEA 365+ Mug

It’s probably surprising to see a mug make this list. But these mugs are really the best. At 12 oz, it’s on the smaller end of the spectrum but holds the perfect amount of liquid for your drink to stay warm until the last drop. Another detail I love is the handle. It’s the perfect size and shape that lets you hold it without scorching your fingers on the hot mug.

4 | Hällan Storage Combination

This steel office storage solution is a modern, clean way to organize any office space. The interior provides customizable shelving for paper and supplies. It’s the same height as a few if Ikea’s desks and serves as a great surface for a printer. I personalized Hällan by cutting a hole in the back so that I could house my wifi router inside and feed the power cords through the back of the unit and plug them into a wall outlet.

5 | Malmbäck Display Shelves

These shelves are an organizer’s dream. I’m a bit of a skincare product addict, so these shelves are the perfect way to display all my favorite masks and serums. Placing these shelves above my toilet was a great way to create a wall storage solution that maximizes the space in my bathroom. Malmbäck shelves can also be used to display artwork, small plants or books!

6 | ANNALOUISA Curtains

These sheer curtains are every interior designer’s secret weapon. Curtains can be pretty pricy, but these are cheap without compromising quality. When hung close to the ceiling, the Annalouisa curtains add a dramatic element to any room while allowing light to flood into the space. I’m not exaggerating when I say I use them on every full size window in my condo. They can also be layered with a heavier curtain when hung on a double rod to add depth to an interior.

7 | Korken Bottle with Stopper

This bottle is a cheap and easy way to dress up any meal from a dinner party to takeout night. The glass is heavy duty, and the stopper is a great bonus for those who are accident prone (like me). Korken is also perfect for storing fresh squeezed juice or homemade cocktail mixers.

Trend Refresh with Pampas Grass

QUarantine Redecorating

With quarantine, I’ve had a lot more free time, and of course I’ve been using that time to make some styling changes in my home. This pink bedroom was in desperate need of a styling switch up. Over time, the tops of dressers, and really any surface, tend to collect more and more objects and can eventually start looking like a drop zone for anything I can’t find a home for. Here’s how I used pampas grass, one of 2020’s trendiest decor elements, to curate this dresser.

Pompas Fluffing

I ordered one pack of 3 dried pampas grass plumes from PampasPeople on Etsy. After unwrapping the plumes from the packaging, they were slightly flattened and weren’t quite as full as I wanted them to be. So, I set them out for a few days to soak up a bit of sun. But the plumes still weren’t full enough for me. Watch the video below to see how I used a little hairspray to fluff these babies right up!

Perfect Placement

These two vases were already on the dresser but needed a soft, natural element to balance out the high shine and iridescence, so the pampas grass was a perfect fit. Normally, I would have run to the craft store to pick up some floral foam to get the plumes in the perfect position. But, my quarantine hack was balling up a few sheets of tissue paper and using that to create a support for the pampas so they stood up straight.

Minimalist Masculinity

It's a bit of a tongue twister, but it's the perfect way to describe my brother's style. He's an entrepreneur but also loves nature. So, when he asked me to help him redo his room, I knew that he needed a space that would be a blend of both natural and industrial elements. Take a look at what I dreamed up on this mood board I created to brainstorm ideas for his bedroom. 

Balancing Act

Creating a masculine bedroom is all about blending hard and soft elements. Wood and metals are balanced with crisp linens, dreamy velvets, and decadent furs.  

Heritage Details

Isaac loves minimal design, so to make sure that the space doesn't lack personality, I will include vintage elements with a gentleman's flair. These knick knacks will add warmth and grit. 

Green With Envy

This year, Pantone's trend forecasters named Greenery the color of the year; and it has been. Green is everywhere. Whether you take it literally and add lush plants to your space, or go the more subtle route of adding green artwork, this color will make your space feel refreshing and natural. 

art freak

Minted.com has quickly become my obsession. Of course I discovered the site while surfing Pinterest at 2am. All jokes aside, this company began as a personalized gift website and has recently grown into selling a refreshingly curated selection of art prints. Adding this print (framed or on a canvas) will add just the right amount of green to any space and makes for a lively over-the-couch statement piece.

Green thumb

I love plants. But, I probably have the brownest thumb out there. So, it took me a lot to give in to my roommate and buy plants for our apartment. After about a week of not-so-subtle hints, I agreed to add some plants to our place and hopefully create some good vibes to help us survive the winter shut-in. Saturday afternoon I found myself at our local hardware store: Crest Hardware, where I got super overwhelmed by the number of plants in existence, found an employee who showed me how to pot a plant, and fell in love with a Marble Queen (pictured here and appropriately named "Queenie").

sage seating

Here it is! My latest pride and joy: A 72" Eddy Couch in Green Velvet from West Elm. If you've seen me in the month, you've probably had to endure my boasting about this beauty. Although it took a while to be delivered (the price you pay for customizing the fabric), the wait was beyond worth it. Both the rich color and texture add an element of luxury to my living room.