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Money & Career

12 Things You Should Always Buy At Ikea That Cost Less Than $40

From tealights to picture frames, these are the best buys at everyone's favourite home retailer. Don't forget to add these economical essentials to your cart.
12 Things You Should Always Buy At Ikea That Cost Less Than $40

You can buy just about anything at Ikea, which can make for an overwhelming shopping experience (seriously, who else struggles with all of the choices?!). But if there's anything you should pick up while you're at the beloved Swedish retailer, it's these necessities beyond the bookcases and bed frames that don't cost a pretty penny (and always come in handy):

Pendant lights

Statement lighting is expensive, but Ikea has an amazing selection for every room, most under $100. This industrial style one, for example, retails for just $35. Line three of them up over a kitchen island or just hang a single one above your dining room table. Ranarp pendant lamp, $35, Ikea.

black wide-shade pendant lamp on a white background on white background

Gift wrap

Possibly one of Ikea’s best kept secrets (especially around the holidays!) is their amazing selection of wrapping paper (and ribbon, tags and decorative tape!) that’s super affordable. This pack comes with five amazing designs for just about every occasion. Eklog gift wrap, $5/pack of 5, Ikea. 

four partially unrolled rolls of colourful gift wrap on white background

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Storage baskets

These seagrass baskets are popping up all over décor magazines because of the beauty they add to any room while also providing storage. They’re usually customized with paint or other accessories like tassels, making them pretty expensive. The beauty of these is that they’re plain, meaning you can decorate them yourself or leave them as is. Fladis seagrass basket, $15, Ikea.

round seagrass woven basket with handles on white background

Pot lid organizers

$12 to keep your pot lids in one organized place? Enough said. Variera pot lid organizer, $13, Ikea.

stainless steel metal cylinders attached on a hexagonal metal frame on white background

Children’s seating

If you’re on the lookout for beautiful kids’ furniture that isn’t made of plastic, Ikea is the place. This armchair won’t cramp your living room style, and it’s a comfy place for your little one to curl up. Available in three additional colours. Poang children’s armchair, $40, Ikea.

small child-size easy chair with green cushion on white background

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Edison bulbs

This trendy bulb is back in style, and Ikea’s got all different sizes starting at just $5 a pop. The oversized ones are sold at lots of boutiques, but usually retail for over $20. Ikea’s got the oversized ones for just $12. Lunnom LED bulb, $12, Ikea.

wide, large round light bulb with yellow/gold colouring on white background

Drinking glasses

Wine glasses can be expensive — but not at Ikea. Stock your bar full of these. At just $5 for a pack of six, that’s less than $1 a glass, making them perfect for large festive gatherings with friends. Svalka red wine glass, $5/pack of 6, Ikea.

simple stemmed wine glasses on white background

Dish brushes

Perfect for scrubbing pots, these brushes have a suction cup at the bottom so they stay put on your sink. Their price means you can stock up on multiples when they start to get grubby. Antagen dish brush, $2, Ikea.

a row of colourful dish-scrubbing brushes on white background

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Hangers

Made from solid wood, these hangers are excellent for hanging heavy items of clothing like winter jackets and dress pants. At $6 for a pack of eight, you can stock up for every closet in your house. Bumerang hanger, $7/pack of 8, Ikea.

row of wooden hangers on white background

Frames

Custom-framing anything is a major investment, especially if you’re going for a statement gallery wall. Ikea frames come in all sizes at a reasonable cost, so you can frame your art yourself. Fiskbo frame, $2, Ikea.

white rectangular picture frame on white background

Tealights

Pretty ambiance doesn’t need to be expensive. Stock up on a pack of 100 of these tealights to ensure your votives are never forgotten. $5/pack of 100, Ikea.

pile of tealights on white background

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Storage carts

We all need more storage, right? This utility cart is on wheels, making it easy to move from room to room. It’s perfect for the bathroom, kitchen or any other room where you could use the extra shelving. It’s also available in two additional colours. Raskog utility cart, $40, Ikea.

12 Things You Should Always Buy At Ikea That Cost Less Than $40

Shower curtains

A new shower curtain can give your bathroom an instant facelift, but they can get pricey. Not at Ikea, though. They’ve got tons of minimal and bright options, and their shower curtain liners are also a bargain. Vadsjon shower curtain, $10, Ikea

12 Things You Should Always Buy At Ikea That Cost Less Than $40


12 Things You Should Always Buy At Ikea That Cost Less Than $40

This post is part of Spend It Better, a personal finance collaboration between Chatelaine and MoneySense about how to get the most for your money. You can find out more right here.


Originally published April 2018; Updated July 2019.

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