Hi, my name is Erin and I IKEA.

Like all addictions, I was hooked from my first visit. Three years ago my husband and I took our kids to a Great Wolf Lodge in Ohio and I convinced him we should make a stop at the Ikea a few exits away. We went with the intention of finding an inexpensive chair and ottoman for the lake. I needed something that was reasonably comfortable and stylish balanced with a price tag that could handle wet bathing suit bottoms. We ended up with the Ektorp chair and ottoman in white.

The slip cover options are limited and basic, ie. red, black, white, etc. but they are washable and very inexpensive if you need to replace ($29.00!). But if you want to go beyond the basic colors and patterns, Knesting.com  sells covers for many Ikea chairs in multiple patterns and colors. Here is a chevron cover from the site.

 

Photo via Knesting.com

We have since made Great Wolf Lodge and Ikea an annual trip. The kids look forward to an incredible water park in the doldrums of winter and I look forward to my stroll through the showrooms of Ikea. And with a little imagination, many Ikea items can be used as a less pricey design substitute. 

A favorite is the PS Maskros pendant light. It comes in white, but you can see it's easily transformed with spray paint to set off any decor ($89.99).

 

Photo via Ikea

The spray painted version:

Photo Via Pinterest

There are also many near knock-offs. The Stockholm Rug (7'10" x 5'7") is a ringer for the much pricier Madeline Weinrib black buche flatweave rug. 

The Weinrib original ($2,000).

Photo Via Pinterest (Nate Berkus Interior)

The Ikea knock off ($299)

 Photo via Pinterest

Can you tell the difference? Weinrib vs. Ikea Stockholm

Photo via Pinterest (The Krazy Coupon Lady)

The Saarinen tulip table is a high-end table featured by many interior designers. It's beauty is that it's sleek enough to live in a modern home, yet still transitional enough to be paired with classic furnishings for an eclectic feel.

 

Photo via Pinterest

Photo via Pinterest

 And the Ikea knock offs. The Docksta tulip table ($199) and Tobias acrylic dining chairs ($79.99).

Photo via Ikea

Photo via Pinterest

(Photo by Patrick Cline for Lonny Magazine)

Photo via Pinterest 

I haven't found a spot for my Docksta yet, but I'm working on it!

The Ikea Expedit bookcase series is another design favorite and can be found in many high-end home decorator magazines. From bookshelves to toy storage to room divider, the Expedit gets the job done. This photo shows the Expedit with a mirrored backing.

Photo via Pinterest

Photo via Pinterest

Photo via Pinterest

And my own interpretation of the Ikea Expedit.

The shelves come with wall-mounting brackets as well so you can stack them higher.

If you don't care for Ikea in it's natural state, then take a look at the websites Ikeahackers.net and Myoverlays.com.

Ikeahackers.net is dedicated to the art of taking basic Ikea furnishings to the next design level. The picture below is the Ikea Tarva dresser "hacked".

Photo via Ikea

Photo via Ikeahackers.net

Myoverlays.com sells wood overlays that are specifically made for various Ikea dressers, tables, etc.

Photo via Myoverlays.com

(Amanda Carol at Home)

Photo via Myoverlays.com

 Photo via Myoverlays.com

The only draw back to Ikea is that if you live outside their delivery zones, you pretty much have to go to the nearest Ikea because their shipping charges sometimes double the cost of the original item! However, the Ikea experience is worth the drive.

A friend of mine says that every room should have a touch of black. I say a touch of black and Ikea. Oh, and like any good addict, I already have my next purchase planned. . . .Erin

For more Ikea-inspired designs, visit our Ikea board on Pinterest. And if you like this post and want to continue receiving them, please "like" House Envy Blog on Facebook and become a member of House Envy.