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August 11, 2023March 19, 2025

Vol. IV: Field Trip to IKEA, Part I

Vol. 3: Field Trip to Ikea, Part I Summer is winding down and we are quickly approaching back-to-school (and organizing season at my house!). This time of year always includes a trip to Ikea and I wanted to share what I’m currently picking up from the Swedish outlet. Tips for in-store shopping

Back in to a spot by the exit, not the furniture loading zone but next to it. Unless you need furniture that you haven’t seen in person, walk straight into the market — do not go through the maze of the store. It is draining and will give you a hangover without the fun! The pickup location for all the furniture is listed online if you add it to your cart and enter the store info.

FurnitureThere are a few pieces of furniture that Ikea makes that I think are a great solution when you’re in a pinch, on a tight budget, or want to make room in your budget for a purchase you’re excited about. The Kallax system is one of my go to Ikea items because I love the size of the cubbies. They fit large storage bins, file folders, carpet samples, large binders, and big design books. I have always used them as shelves and table bases in my offices, and will keep doing so until I ultimately have a woodshop copy the cubby size to make real wood furniture for me.

Shop the Kallax

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I sometimes will turn a Kallax shelf sideways, add legs to it, and have a custom skirt made. It makes a great storage piece and works especially nicely in small apartments. Here’s my skirted Kallax storage from my apartment in the West Village.

I love the simplicity of these desks and used the larger desktop offering on mine.Shop the desk
Shop the desktop

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This little cart is such a nice office supply storage system that fits a little printer on top perfectly.

Shop the cart

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These dressers were the perfect bedside tables for us in our West Village apartment, too!Shop the dressers

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I have never bought a sofa from Ikea but just read that Olympia and Ariadne Irving did in their apartment in london, and they had a custom slipcover made for it. I love this idea!Read the story

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RugsI have used this jute rug from Ikea many times. It is such a great price point. Can you spot it in the corner of the photo in this room?Shop the rug

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This rug was a bit of an impulse buy, but I ended up loving it in Grey’s room. I am not sure it will be there forever, but for now I am not worried about stains or the boys living too hard on it, so it is perfect.Shop the rug

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OutdoorI’d been looking for good plastic wicker baskets for a while before I found these on Ikea’s website. They are great for storing toys and gardening tools that might be wet when its time to clean up.

Shop the baskets

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Then, these are the perfect simple, classic rush mats for your front door and porch.

Shop the mats

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Lilse McKenna Inc.

About the Firm

Lilse McKenna designs homes that are rooted in tradition and tailored to reflect each client’s personality and lifestyle. Drawing on years of experience in residential design, Lilse expertly layers pattern, color, and texture to create spaces that are sophisticated yet eminently livable.

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