IKEA is often seen as the go-to for basics, but it actually offers a wealth of designer-level pieces that can elevate any space. I have curated a selection of links below to showcase some total hidden gems, especially because IKEA is absolutely killing it with their table lamp designs right now! I used to be a skeptic when it came to fake plants, but the quality has improved so much that they now look incredibly realistic. These selections will help you achieve a high-end look for your home without ever having to set foot in a IKEA.
True luxury is about more than just the furniture you buy. It is about how you use lighting and greenery to create a space that feels finished and intentional.
Lighting: The "End-All, Be-All" of Design
Most people don’t think about lighting until they’re sitting in the dark, and that is the biggest decorating mistake you can make. If you want to decorate like a designer, lighting must be part of the plan from day one.
Stop the "Airport Runway" Effect Harsh overhead lighting has no place in a cozy home. Too much recessed lighting makes a living room feel like a dentist’s office or an airport runway, sterile, cold, and flat. The goal isn't to make a room "bright enough"; it’s to create an atmosphere.
Layer Your Light: Think in layers that wrap the room in warmth. Use table lamps and floor lamps to create a soft glow that allows for shadows. Shadows are where the mood lives!
The Power of Diffusion: Aim for one or two light sources that diffuse light through linen or paper shades. This softens the glow and prevents that "warehouse" feel.
Check the Temperature: The wrong bulb temperatures can ruin the mood of a space. A cold, blue light can make a warm, inviting room feel like a dentist office. Stick to warm, amber tones to keep the space feeling soft and high-end.
The "It" Lamp of the Moment If you ask any designer what the "it" lamp of the last few years is, the consensus is unanimous: the Mushroom Lamp. This 1970s icon has exploded back onto the scene. Its sculptural, curvaceous shape is a joy to look at. DEJSA Table lamp I wanted to buy this lamp for awhile but it's $90 in the USA, $60 in Canada, £35 in the UK, 45€ in Spain. With the exchange rate Canada dollars should always be more but IKEA increased US prices when the tariffs hit last year.
SMÅSNÖRE LED decorative light - on my wishlist for my puzzle table! Choose from 9 different colors! Fitting perfectly with the current trend of squiggly lines and bold personality in lamps.
VARMBLIXT LED table/wall lamp, orange - This orange glass donut-like shape lamp has been one of IKEA best sellers! You can hang on a wall or put on a table.
VARMBLIXT LED white glass color and white spectrum - This year they released a new version of the lamp that comes in white but you can adjust with the remote for various colors!
MARKFROST / MOLNART Table lamp with LED bulb, black/marble black
I couldn't believe IKEA makes a dupe for the designer lamp I bought! My lamp is on the left, it's small so I put it on an empty candle for height. I love the mushroom shape and brown marble base!
ÖKENSAND Floor lamp - what a great dupe for an Akari lamp! On the right is the Akari lamp that's been on my wishlist for awhile but it's $$$.
SIMRISHAMN Table lamp is a dupe for the Eny Lee Parker's ceramic Oo lamp which I love but its $12K!
FADO Table lamp - another best seller! You can use a white light bulb or one that changes colors. Some people hack the lamp by putting it on top of vases.
SKAFTSÄRV LED decorative light - This table lamp is 10 inches tall by 2 inches wide. The light will sync with music in the room.
The Faux Greenery Revolution
I used to never buy faux florals because I thought they looked awful, but in the last few years they have really improved. Artificial plants now have better textures and colors that bring life into a room with softness and shape. IKEA has reviews on every fake plant and you can see if it overwhelmingly got bad reviews.
Why Greenery Equals Luxury
Fake greenery instantly makes a place feel more expensive because this signals care. Homes that look high end almost always have something living in them. Without greenery, it feels lifeless and sterile like a showroom. Greenery softens the hard edges, balances out a neutral palette, and adds that natural contrast that makes a home feel finished. I'm not talking about ivy over your kitchen cabinets!
Pro-Tips for Faux Plants:
The "Real" Upgrade: Switch out the plastic pot for a ceramic one and add real moss to the base. It fools the eye every time.
The Secret Glow: You can put a spotlight behind the plant so the leaves create shadows on the walls. This adds instant depth and texture. You'll notice I have a spotlight behind my lamp above so the color of the wall is more exposed.
Think Vertically: Don’t just decorate from the waist down like sofas and rugs. Give the eye something that draws it up so the room feels taller and more balanced with tall plants.
FEJKA Artificial potted plant Spiderwort/lilac _I bought this and from a distance it looks real. I got a cutting of the real thing by my window but I can tell already it's hard to grow it.
FEJKA Artificial potted plant calathea
FEJKA Artificial potted plant Alocasia
FEJKA Artificial potted plant Philodendron
FEJKA Artificial potted plant Areca palm
FEJKA Artificial potted plant monstera
My Favorite Houseplants
The Monstera became the Instagram plant of the last 10 years and I tried two live ones but they both died so I got a fake one. If you want to add an organic element, these are my favorites:
Fan Palm & Snake Plant: Perfect for adding architectural structure to corners.
Yucca & Dracaena: These add a desert-modern edge that feels incredibly fresh.
Giant Bird of Paradise: While I like it, I feel it looks best in a hotel lobby in Miami.
Concealing the Clutter with Shoe Cabinets
Clutter destroys luxury faster than anything else. There is nothing that kills a high-end vibe quicker than a pile of shoes by the door. IKEA shoe cabinets are the ultimate hidden weapon for a clean entryway. Because they are slim, they can fit in narrow hallways, hiding the mess while looking like intentional wall paneling. Keeping your footwear out of sight instantly makes the home feel more organized and expensive.
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