I’m an interior designer. Here are 6 things I’d buy at Ikea and 6 I’d skip.

Good frames are hard to find and they’re usually overpriced when you do find them. But Ikea offers colored frames in a multitude of sizes.

Using frames in the same colors is a plus because you can incorporate them throughout your home and keep a sense of continuity. Ikea has a great variety, from polished-brass to matte-black frames.

You can also scatter the frames throughout the home to marry different rooms and provide a flow to the design of your space.

Ikea’s Pax closet system really impressed me. It was essentially customizable and came in so many different finish options.

If I saw this closet system in someone’s house, I’d think it was custom casework. In reality, all of the parts were in the $3,000 range, which is impressive for a closet system of this size.

I also liked the doors on this collection, as they could minimize the appearance of clutter and maintain cleanliness throughout a space.

It seems many patios, porches, and front steps could use a quick facelift, especially in the summer. Luckily, Ikea’s selection of outdoor decking seemed extremely affordable and appealing.

I especially loved the tone of the natural-wood option, which looked like treated teak. It came in a variety of colorways that could elevate your outdoor space by adding some texture and warmth. 

Having a lightweight nightstand can be a plus in terms of mobility, but I think there are far better options on the market than the ones I saw at Ikea.

The quality seemed a little cheap compared to other metal tables I’ve seen, almost to the point where I’d be afraid to set anything of value on the table.  

Ikea’s canvases and printed posters were better quality than I’d expected them to be but that wasn’t my issue with them. Ikea is known for mass-produced pieces at an affordable rate, and I think art should be more personal than just hanging up reprinted stock photos.

I purchased a couple of Ikea’s clearance canvases to repaint and give new life to, though, because it was cheaper than buying new ones from an art store.

Unless you have a similar plan, I’d recommend staying away from the canvasses at Ikea and thinking of more personal art for your home.

I wouldn’t always generalize a whole department of a store as something I’d skip over, but, in my opinion, the bedding at Ikea is not very desirable.

I found the sheets, comforters, pillows, and blankets I came across weren’t the quality I look for in bedding. Some of the looks were super current and enjoyable, but once I laid my hands on the fabric, it was an instant “no.”

Bedding should be a high-quality investment — something you should look forward to touching. Consider purchases like these carefully since you can spend about a quarter of your day in bed.