There apparently seems to be a love-hate relationship in the design community regarding Ikea products. We hear various stories about quality issues, difficulty in understanding the instructions, and the list goes on…Ironically, now more than ever, people are giving Ikea a second try. Is it because of its affordability or is it because of improvements made in product development. Who knows? What I do know is that there many examples of Ikea done right. Here are a few of my favorites…

LaKeitha of Home to Three Duncan Boys recently completed a awesome nautical-themed design for her son’s room. Among the wonderfully creative DIY projects she completed, such as the wood palette headboard in the above image, she also gave the IKEA Melodi pendant light an extreme makeover!

Brian Patrick Flynn of Decor Demon is ruthless when it comes to hacking Ikea products. He customized IKEA Billy Bookcases by painting the units the same color as the wall to give them a built in look. He then adding back the fun by painting the backing a punchy green.

In the above image, Brian demonstrated to his client how “budget” and splurge items can coexist in the same space. A pair of orange IKEA Karlstad swivel chairs (budget) are accented with pillows in the pricey David Hicks La Fiorentina fabric (splurge). You would never guess that the curtains are IKEA Ritva panels that have been lined, pleated, and trimmed in chocolate brown fabric all done by his seamstress!

Janell of Isabella and Max Rooms did a remarkable job of giving her son a big boy’s room to be proud of. The bedding, rug, desk, curtain panels, and overhead lighting were all sourced from Ikea. She offers a plethora of DIY projects including a redesign of the Melodi pendant as well as using Ikea fabric to cover a lampshade.

Sarah Richardson of Sarah Richardson Design is hands down one of the best televised Interior Designers out there. One of the many lessons she teaches to her viewers is that Ikea does have a place in great design. She was able to design and entire house, with dollars to spare, by sourcing Ikea products in the above office as well as in the kitchen below.

Sarah integrated both high and low products in this custom kitchen.  The cabinets, countertops, shelves, and dishes are all Ikea products. She had the cabinets professionally sprayed and varied the colors of the top and bottom cabinets for a custom look that can’t be beat!

Erika Ward of BluLabel Bungalow **please excuse the shameless plug** I completed a bedroom design for my two sons using furniture, window treatments, lighting, and a rug all designed by Ikea.  I saved even more money by purchasing the beds on Craigslist!

Hopefully this post has done a little to help revive Ikea’s lukewarm reputation in the design world…and I should probably add that this post is not sponsored by Ikea.

Where else have you seen Ikea done right? Do you have any Ikea products in your home?