3 IKEA Pieces That Look Way More Expensive Than They Are, According to a Designer
When it comes to decorating a home on a budget, few brands have earned as much admiration — and skepticism — as IKEA. The Swedish retail giant is known for its affordable price points, but affordability doesn't always translate to elegance. That said, seasoned interior designers have long known a secret that savvy shoppers are only now catching on to: certain IKEA pieces look so sophisticated and well-crafted that even trained eyes can mistake them for high-end furniture. If you've ever walked into a beautifully styled room and admired a sleek sideboard or an architectural floor lamp, only to discover it came from IKEA, you'll understand what we mean.
In this article, we're diving into three specific IKEA pieces that a professional designer says look far more expensive than their price tags suggest. Whether you're furnishing a new apartment, refreshing a tired living room, or simply trying to make every dollar count, these picks are worth knowing about.
Why Some IKEA Pieces Look More Expensive Than Others
Not all IKEA furniture is created equal. The brand's vast catalog spans everything from basic flatpack shelves to surprisingly refined statement pieces. The items that tend to look the most luxurious share a few key characteristics: clean lines, neutral or sophisticated color palettes, solid or metal accents, and a minimalist silhouette that avoids the visual clutter associated with budget furniture.
Designers often talk about the importance of proportion, material finish, and hardware in determining how expensive a piece looks. When IKEA gets these elements right — and sometimes they absolutely do — the results can be stunning. These aren't just functional purchases; they're investment-worthy additions to any home.
1. The BESTÅ Storage System: A Custom Built-In Look for a Fraction of the Price
At first glance, a well-configured BESTÅ unit looks like it could be a custom-built media console or a bespoke storage solution crafted by a cabinetmaker. With its flush doors, seamless panel options, and variety of hardware choices, the BESTÅ series can be elevated significantly beyond its price point with just a few thoughtful upgrades.
Designers often recommend swapping out the standard IKEA handles for brushed brass or matte black hardware from third-party retailers. This single swap can transform the look of the entire unit, making it appear as though it cost three or four times more than it actually did. When painted in a deep tone or paired with contrasting open shelving, the BESTÅ can anchor a living room, dining area, or home office with undeniable sophistication.
- Use push-to-open mechanisms for a completely handle-free, high-end aesthetic.
- Add on-top accessories like sculptural objects or trailing plants to draw the eye upward.
- Paint the wall behind the unit in a complementary tone to make it feel built-in.
The BESTÅ consistently ranks as one of the most designer-approved IKEA pieces on the market, and it's easy to see why. The versatility of the system allows for endless customization, and the clean, boxy profile photographs beautifully — a detail that matters in the age of interior design social media.
2. The RANARP Floor Lamp: Industrial Chic Without the Industrial Price
Lighting is one of the most powerful tools in an interior designer's arsenal, and the RANARP floor lamp is one of IKEA's most underrated gems. With its articulated metal arm, matte black or off-white finish, and adjustable shade, the RANARP has a distinctly vintage-industrial look that recalls lamps you might find in high-end design boutiques or architect studios — at a price point that is genuinely surprising.
The lamp's metal construction gives it a weight and presence that many budget lamps lack. It doesn't look or feel like a throwaway piece. Placed beside a reading chair, a home office desk, or in a corner next to a bookshelf, the RANARP adds an editorial quality to any space. Designers note that its proportions are particularly well-suited to rooms with high ceilings, where it can hold its own visually without getting lost.
- Pair it with a warm-toned Edison bulb to enhance the vintage appeal.
- Use it in a cluster of two to create a dramatic, layered lighting effect.
- Place it next to natural textures — linen, rattan, raw wood — to amplify its artisanal look.
3. The LISTERBY Coffee Table: Solid Wood Presence at an Accessible Price
Coffee tables are often where budgets get strained, especially when you want something that looks substantial and high quality. The LISTERBY coffee table, made from solid beech with a simple, sturdy silhouette, punches well above its weight class. Its warm wood tones and honest materiality give it the kind of grounded elegance that more expensive Scandinavian and mid-century-inspired pieces charge a premium for.
Designers appreciate that real wood — even at this price — immediately elevates a room in a way that laminate or MDF simply cannot. The LISTERBY has an organic warmth that feels intentional and considered rather than budget-driven. Styled with a few well-chosen accessories, a small stack of design books, or a textured tray, it can become the focal point of a living room seating area.
- Apply a light coat of furniture wax to deepen the wood tone and add a refined sheen.
- Style it asymmetrically with objects of varying heights to create visual interest.
- Pair it with a plush, oversized rug to ground the entire seating arrangement.
How to Make Any IKEA Piece Look More Expensive
Beyond choosing the right pieces, there are universal tricks that designers use to elevate IKEA furniture across the board. Upgrading hardware is arguably the easiest and most impactful change you can make. Replacing plastic or basic metal handles with solid brass, ceramic, or leather-pull alternatives instantly shifts the perceived value of a piece.
Adding legs to items that come without them — or swapping standard legs for tapered wooden or metal ones — creates a more custom, intentional look. Many IKEA dressers and cabinets can be fitted with aftermarket legs from brands that specialize in IKEA hacks. The result is furniture that looks like it came from a boutique furniture store, not a flatpack warehouse.
Styling also plays an enormous role. The way you arrange objects on and around a piece of furniture determines how luxurious it looks in real life and in photographs. Restraint is key: fewer, more considered pieces always read as more expensive than a crowded, cluttered arrangement.
Final Thoughts
IKEA's best-kept secret is that some of its pieces were always designed to look more expensive than they are. The three pieces highlighted here — the BESTÅ storage system, the RANARP floor lamp, and the LISTERBY coffee table — represent the sweet spot between affordability and aesthetic ambition. They reward a designer's eye and a thoughtful approach to styling, and they prove that creating a beautiful, sophisticated home doesn't require an unlimited budget.
The next time someone admires your home and asks where you sourced your furniture, you can smile knowingly. Some secrets are worth keeping — at least until they ask you directly.