These are the best IKEA products, according to interior designers

From your first apartment to your dream home, there’s one decor brand that makes its way into every interior along the way: IKEA. The Swedish giant has perfected the art of fashion and function with its minimalistic collection that walks a fine line between classic and on trend.

Achieve that coveted high/low mix by pairing an IKEA stool with an iconic designer pendant light, or make a popular piece your own with a chic IKEA hack.

“The truth is, like it or not, we all operate on a restricted budget when it comes to designing, picking, and choosing where to splurge and where to save,” says Athena Calderone of EyeSwoon. “I have used the IKEA Malm bed in both my city and beach house, and IKEA’s matte black kitchen cabinetry (sadly discontinued) in my Amagansett home. That said, I have always customised, reimagined, and reworked these pieces and, in doing so, elevated the overall look.”

Read on to discover the IKEA pieces interior designers swear by.

IKEA Malm bed frame ($239)

“Bottom line: This bed is an unbelievable design. It’s clean-lined, minimalistic, and priced oh so right. That said, I always prime and paint IKEA beds. In the master bedroom of my Amagansett home, I wanted to make a statement in bold contrast to the pale room, and I chose to paint the Malm bed a strong graphite gray to complement the industrial ceiling fan and wall sconces. The bed adds a punchy presence to the space yet it isn’t the focal point. In my DUMBO loft, I did the exact opposite. I painted the bed frame the exact colour of the wall so that a monochromatic serenity washes over the room. Essentially the bed disappears into the wall.” — Athena Calderone, founder of EyeSwoon

IKEA Nyponros duvet cover and pillowcases ($40)

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IKEA Grönadal rocking chair ($199)

“This gorgeous piece looks stunning adorned with a cushion or sheepskin. It’s the perfect chair for any space, be it a bedroom or living room. This sleek Scandinavian take on a classic rocking chair is beautifully crafted and has the most unique shape and colouring. I particularly love this guy for a reading nook in the bedroom.” — Tali Roth, residential designer for Homepolish

IKEA Stockholm rug ($249)

“The size, price, and quality of this product are what makes it a winner for me. We have used it over and over, and because of the simple pattern and black-and-white palette, it is totally timeless and can be used with so many different styles.” — Emily Henderson, director of Emily Henderson

IKEA Ranarp work lamp ($49)

“Brass is everywhere these days, but I love it most when it’s mixed with other metals. As lighting is often considered the ‘jewellery in a room’, this piece strikes the perfect balance: It has pizzazz but isn’t too blingy, and the finish is contemporary but still elegant. This lamp would be perfect in a home office that doubles as a guest bedroom. It does double-duty as the perfect task light but is still chic enough to impress visitors.” — Lindsay Pennington, founder of Lindsay Pennington

IKEA Frykken basket with lid, set of three ($18)

“I am not an organised person. In theory I am, but I would much rather spend my days talking about boys and design than putting all of my stuff away. So these lidded storage boxes seem to keep my hoarding in check while still providing storage for those things that I just can’t seem to throw away or organise.” — Brady Tolbert, editorial director of Emily Henderson

IKEA Pokal glass, set of six ($5)

IKEA Kaatrup Flatwocen rug ($399)

“The graphic quality of this rug makes a modern statement without being too busy or overwhelming. Though mostly neutral in hue, it has bands of colour that elevate it from basic into fun and playful territory. I’ve used it in the office of a young female executive to counterbalance bright artwork and accessories, but it would be adorable in a playroom or as an anchor between two twin beds in a children’s bedroom.” — Lindsay Pennington

IKEA Kallax shelf unit ($200)

“It’s minimalistic and can house books, art, and display objects in a symmetrical, organised fashion. It can accentuate or highlight the items within rather than the shelving unit itself, and because it’s modular, you can also add cabinet inserts.” — Lara Fishman, principal designer for Storm Interiors

IKEA Aina curtains ($89)

“The amount of times I’ve been asked for a recommendation of good, inexpensive, and not-cheap-looking white curtains is staggering. These Aina curtains from IKEA are always my top suggestion. They are are a soft linen, and at $60 for a pair, you cannot beat the price. I love that they come extra long, too, which allows you to hang them almost at ceiling height and give your room the designer look without paying top dollar for custom linen curtains.” — Brady Tolbert

IKEA Ursula cushion cover ($25)

“These used to come in both white and beige (and I still see them sometimes in store), but their new gray colour is awesome as well. They are oversized, simple, and work great when styling your couch, bed, or any bench. And you can’t beat the price.” — Emily Henderson

IKEA Kivik sofa ($399)

“The Kivik sofa in the basic white fabric mixes well with just about anything. I used two of these in my country house and surrounded them with super-high-end elements, and everyone assumed they were Italian modern sofas. They’re really chameleon-esque.” — Brian Patrick Flynn

– This story originally appeared on My Domaine Home