Home Life Style Ikea buys every high-end interior designer it trusts

Ikea buys every high-end interior designer it trusts

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Harriet Worsley, interior and garden designer

You might well think that high-end designers tasked with furnishing super-luxury homes spend their days selecting priceless pieces for their prestigious clients.

However, a favorite (albeit unlikely) spot for top-notch stylists is within reach for all of us. Namely, Ikea, home of the functional and visually pleasing flat pack that has become the not-so-guilty secret of the luxury design world.

“Customers respond bemused but excited when I suggest buying a few things at Ikea,” says interior and garden designer Harriet Worsley. (worsleydesigns.co.uk).

Harriet Worsley, interior and garden designer

“I think they like a bargain and find it funny that Ikea pieces can combine well with furniture from very high-end brands. I really believe that to bring life to an interior space you need to mix it: high and low, old and new.’

Whether it’s furniture that maximizes available space or simply the wide range of styles that can fit every aesthetic, it’s easy to see why it has such broad appeal.

“The reason these Ikea pieces work so well in luxury homes is that they are incredibly versatile and can be enhanced with the right style,” says Martha Lorains of Select Interiors Cheshire. “One of the best things about Ikea is that it follows trends.”

So, given that Ikea is good enough for even the fanciest of homes, what key pieces do designers recommend buying from the Swedish homewares giant? Here is our guide…

kitchen cabinets

Ikea cabinets are a favorite of designers who add custom-made doors to create a luxurious look. They are then placed in the cabinets.

“I love METOD kitchen frames for their solid construction and flexible modular design,” says Vicky Floros, lead designer and owner of Vicky Floros Studio. (vickyflorosstudio.com).

‘By combining these casings with high-quality, bespoke doors, you can create a luxurious kitchen that looks bespoke, all for a fraction of the price you might expect. No one will ever know what Ikea is.

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Article: METOD High cabinet with removable pantry £477

Rugs

Super stylists focus on Ikea rugs as a way to achieve affordable luxury across a wide range of styles.

“I just used a Novling rug from Ikea for a client in Fulham and they loved it,” says interior and garden designer Harriet Worsley.

‘We were creating a cocktail area at one end of their living room, with small stools from Soho Home and a beautiful velvet chair from Jonathan Adler, and the rich navy rug matched the Harlequin wallpaper perfectly.

“Customers loved the idea; I mean, everyone loves a bargain, especially one that looks as expensive as this rug in the space.”

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Article: NÖVLING Rug, short pile, dark blue/yellowish brown £99

Storage units

Ikea is known for its storage units, and with some creative tweaks, these items easily take their place in expensive homes.

“One of my favorite pieces from Ikea is the Kallax storage unit, which comes in a variety of sizes and finishes,” says Martha Lorains.

It is ideal for forming a table, desk or even a breakfast bar with storage underneath. Adding custom fronts creates a more luxurious look or keeps shelves open and adds stylish boxes, baskets or other storage solutions for a thoughtful finish.’

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Article: KALLAX shelving £40

Sofas

The airy look of the SÖDERHAMN sofa series is another favorite of luxury designers. Above all, says Vicky Floros, for its elegant, modern lines and modular flexibility.

“It’s really cool how easily you can mix and match different fabric covers, allowing you to totally change the vibe without making a significant investment,” she says.

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Article: SÖDERHAMN Three seater sofa £650

The dining room table/desk

The Tarsele extendable table can be marketed as a place to sit and eat. However, according to Sarah Burghard, this elegant piece, with its warm oak veneer, has been a delight for many high-end clients looking for a desk solution, whether for the ever-flexible home office or a student’s bedroom. teenager.

“This is a hit with my clients because it’s so simple and elegant,” says Sarah. “As long as it’s not used for hard activities, it looks elegant and simple.”

If used as a dining table in a prestigious location, Sarah recommends pairing it with elegant chairs.

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Article: TARSELE Extendable table £499

floor lamp

A carefully selected Ikea floor lamp may suggest that it was purchased at a high price.

“The Japandi floor lamp could pass for something costing ten times as much with its elegant origami paper shade and elegant curved stand,” suggests Martha Lorains. “This style would work equally well in a Scandinavian minimalist room or with mid-century furniture.”

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Article: KUNGSHULT/SKAFTET Floor lamp, arched £82

Armchairs

Another hidden gem that fits into the staging of a prestigious home is an armchair that combines functionality and style. And the Poaeng, with its elegant curved lines in bentwood, is also perfect as a neck support.

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Article: POÄNG armchair £80

Spare bedroom closets

“Owners of prestigious homes still want their spare rooms to suggest bespoke joinery,” says interior designer Sarah Burghard. (theburgharddesignassemblage.co.uk).

‘That’s why Ikea cabinets work so well. These spare bedroom closets are also often filled with out-of-season clothing that you don’t want to clutter up your walk-in closet. So, they have a multiple purpose. I have found that sometimes the cost savings are so great that they are also used in master bedrooms.’

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Article: RAKKESTAD Wardrobe with sliding doors £199

Dining or auxiliary chair

The right type of dining chair can make a statement on style and cost, even if it was purchased at a fraction of the price.

The Stockholm chair’s Scandinavian design, with its gently curved backrest, armrests and walnut veneer, looks like it’s from a higher-end supplier, explains Sarah Burghard.

‘I tend to suggest this as an occasional chair to place around the house, whether placed with a small table in a large hotel-style bedroom or for an office or hobby room. It’s the shape of it that’s so lovely – I’m not sure you’d want to sit in one for too long, but again, it’s way over the top.’

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Article: STOCKHOLM Chair, walnut £155

coffee table

Thanks to its smoked glass top, powder-coated steel tube legs and marble effect base, the FRÖTORP coffee table has become popular among clever stage designers as it can work in both a modern and modern interior environment. classic.

And its round shape makes it a conversation piece, as well as the perfect platform on which to place those expensive coffee table books.

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Article: FRÖTORP coffee table £129

spare bed

The Hemnes daybed is an unashamed Ikea classic, even for those who don’t need to watch their pennies. So much so that it is not necessary to camouflage its origin.

“Everyone knows it’s an IKEA staple, but it often fits perfectly in a nursery, annex or teen room, especially among high-value customers who recognize they probably won’t use them much,” explains Sarah Burghard.

‘Its popularity is due to its style versatility. It really seems to be at home between contemporary minimalism and Georgian antiques. It’s a “just in case” bed, but the tongue-and-groove finish appeals to my end customers, who prefer multifunctional pieces that don’t cost a fortune, especially for children’s and teens’ rooms.

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Article: HEMNES Daybed with three drawers £299

artificial plants

The right type of greenery can really enhance the look of your home. Although they require a lot of attention, Ikea’s artificial plants are a hit with the smart ones who may well be traveling between homes.

No less important are the FEJKA artificial potted plants, says Martha Lorains, who uses them for this type of client, especially since no watering can is needed and there are no dead leaves to sweep up when they fall on a custom-made wooden floor.

“Artificial plants don’t need care, apart from the occasional dusting, but they will bring the outdoors inside and can help stimulate creativity and reduce stress and anxiety.”

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Article: FEJKA Artificial Potted Plant £4

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