Change up your space without spending a ton.
If the average person really does spend a third of their life in bed, that makes the bedroom the most important room in the house. Everyone deserves to have a cozy and stylish place to snooze, but you may not have the budget to splurge on a fancy pillow or sheets. The good news? You can always turn to IKEA.
Since the Swedish retailer opened its doors in 1943, it has become the purveyor of versatile, affordable furniture and decor. Believe it or not, even professional designers shop at IKEA for both their personal homes and their clients’. While most people associate the store with its best-selling BILLY bookcase or an array of colorful dinnerware, it also has plenty of pieces for the bedroom.
That’s exactly why we asked several IKEA-obsessed interior designers to let us peek inside their shopping bags and check out their go-to bedroom essentials. Their picks below run the gamut from large pieces of furniture like upholstered frames and nightstand tables to smaller touches like pillows, sheets, and, yes, even a plush bed fellow. Regardless of which pieces pique your interest, you’re just a few clicks away from a dreamy, design-minded space.
Dress up your bedroom closet with IKEA’s KOMPLEMENT drawers, which Katie Goodrich calls “durable, cost-effective, and extremely functional.” “The drawers are soft-close and spacious, the shoe pull-out is roomy, and the jewelry pull-out tray feels elevated and luxurious,” says the owner of Ivory & Bone Interiors in Newburyport, Massachusetts. “With felt-lined inserts and integrated cabinet lighting, the entire space feels thoughtfully designed.”
These drawers come in an array of sizes and three colorways, but Goodrich likes to add crown moulding for a “layer of elegance.”
Never underestimate the power of a good pillow. According to Anna Cappelen, co-founder of Curious Yellow Design in New York, IKEA’s BERGVEN pillow is “wildly underrated.” “This one has the loft and support of something triple the price, which makes it ideal for guest rooms,” she says. “In summer houses especially, you want comfort without being precious.” This pillow is designed to suit both side and back sleepers, making it a particularly versatile choice.
In a bedroom, a cozy underfoot is non-negotiable—and this flatwoven rug is a great foundational piece. “The natural jute adds texture without heaviness, which is key in small bedrooms,” says Chloe Pollack-Robbins, co-founder of Curious Yellow Design. “We love it layered under sheepskins or antique rugs. It keeps things relaxed and a little undone in the best way.”
Ditch the flimsy metal frame for this upholstered alternative. Birmingham designer Ellie Christopher used this option in a little girl’s bedroom and was pleasantly surprised by the results. “Once installed, it feels far more elevated than you’d expect,” she says. “After coffee and makeup stains took their toll, we fully reupholstered it in a playful print. It completely transformed the piece.”
A nightstand might be where you put your alarm clock and water bottle, but it’s packed with design potential. “That tubular chrome frame feels a little Bauhaus and a little playful,” says Cappelen. “Perfect in a kids' room.” While this option’s white colorway is undeniably sleek, she’s partial to the citron shade. “A small hit of color that makes the whole space feel lighter,” the designer says.
You might spend most of the time in your bedroom lying down, but it doesn’t hurt to have somewhere to sit. That’s exactly why Pollack-Robbins recommends the ULRIKSBERG armchair, which is the perfect scale for a bedroom. “The rattan softens everything and brings in that indoor-outdoor ease we love,” the designer says. “The darker frame keeps it from feeling too beachy. Easy, textural, and budget-friendly without looking it.”
“Printed sheets are having a moment,” Christopher says. “And I’m here for it.” While IKEA has no shortage of smile-inducing options, she’s a big fan of this whimsical blue and white repeat. “They’re an easy, low-commitment way to shift the entire feeling of a room,” the designer shares. “Buy an extra flat sheet and use it to create custom shades for swing-arm lamps for a perfectly layered, pulled-together look."
Brooklyn designer Sarah Fleischer purchased IKEA’s VIKHAMMER Nightstand as a placeholder five years ago—and they quickly became a bedroom favorite. “I love how versatile it is,” she shares. “It easily fits in any design style.” Turns out, other people are equally smitten with this stand. “Everyone always asks me where they're from,” she says.
When decorating a children’s bedroom, Fleischer often turns to these floating bookshelves. “The perfect size and the price can't be beat,” the designer says. While Felischer loves the natural wood, there’s also plenty of color options. “You can easily paint them to whatever color you want,” she adds. “They're now also offered in a few colors!”
The perfect finishing touch? A plush toy, like this cute orangutan. “Design should never take itself too seriously,” says Pollack-Robbins. “A kids room needs one thing that feels slightly unhinged and joyful. This is it: He adds personality, softness, and a little wink.”
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