38 Affordable Items for a Man’s Home from a Recent Walk Through Ikea · Primer

Outfit your place, save money, and no one will ever know you bought it from Ikea.

Ikea has always been a go-to for young people setting up their spaces. But it used to be pretty obvious when something was from Ikea. These days, though, you can find well-designed, modern home pieces at solid prices. On a recent walk through my local store, I spotted some great finds—and I’m also featuring a few pieces I’ve had for a while that have held up well. Like something you see? Let’s talk in the comments!

This nickel-plated table lamp with a smoky gray glass shade has a retro-futuristic vibe, like something out of a stylish sci-fi lounge. Classy with some interesting personality, it’s compact and moody, and great for a side table, desk or nightstand.

A full-length mirror with a slim black aluminum frame that leans modern and minimal. Large mirrors are surprisingly pricey, but this one keeps it budget-friendly while making a room feel more open. Placing it where natural light hits is key—good lighting lets you proof your outfits properly, catching details like fit, color balance, and texture that bad lighting can hide.

Plant pots get weirdly expensive, especially as you size up, but this one keeps it reasonable. It has a terracotta-like color, a simple shape, and—unlike many IKEA pots—comes with both drainage holes and a saucer, so your plants actually have a chance.

Also known as a snake plant, this low-maintenance plant that thrives on neglect, making it ideal if you’re not exactly a green thumb. Mine is proof, the one in the photo has to be about 9 years old. Tall, structured leaves add some life to a space without demanding much in return—just an occasional watering.

Rodalm Art Frame, $30

A simple, sleek frame at large 27 ½×39 ¼” for $30 is almost unheard of, making this the best option at this size for the price. Frames are notoriously overpriced, often running over $100 (and usually way more) for anything comparable. This updated design improves on an older IKEA frame that I also loved and have many of, by adding an adjustable insert, letting you choose whether your artwork sits flush or inset, creating a depth effect usually only found in higher-end framing.

Valet trays keep your everyday carry—keys, wallet, watch, sunglasses—from ending up all over the place, making it easy to grab what you need on your way out. The minimalist white lid from the Kuggis storage box line works surprisingly well as a dirt-cheap option for this, giving you a clean, modern spot to drop your essentials for just $2.

If you have more of an industrial preference, this metal cabinet would work great. Alternatively, if you’ve got a hefty whiskey collection, this would make a nice, functional way to store it.

The best bigger items are transitional: This wooden coffee table would look great when paired with mid-century, boho, or farmhouse decor, allowing you to continue using it long after your style preferences change.

Speaking of modern, a dirt cheap way to upgrade that ugly 90s towel rack in the bathroom is with this black $7 rail.

These handsome matte black bathroom sink items will do wonders for elevating a messy bathroom.

Whether you use it as a bar cart, a workstation, a prep table, storage, or an actual tool cart, the utility aesthetic will fit in with all types of interior decor styles.

This clothing rack offers room for boxes or up to four pairs of shoes on the bottom rack, while the clothes rail doubles as hooks on both ends for hanging longer garments or bags. It’s a practical, stylish solution for keeping your space organized and clutter-free.

$1800 may not sound “affordable” until you consider how much this full-sized design would cost from other living room sofa retailers.

A simple, classic lounge chair that’s minimalist and masculine.

This LED floor lamp has a space-age design and it’s small form is ideal for less-roomy spaces.

One of the ugliest and most outdated parts of rentals is usually the light fixtures. You don’t have to spend a ton to replace them with something a little more modern.

Lightweight and easy to move, this rattan ottoman is a breeze to assemble – simply screw in the legs.

This storage table is perfect for keeping everything from throws to newspapers and hobby items within reach. Use it with or without the fabric bag, depending on whether you want to keep your items visible or hidden for a cleaner, less cluttered look.

This versatile table quickly transforms from a higher side table to a lower coffee table, perfect for any activity around the sofa. The fabric pouch underneath provides handy storage for small items, and the table’s sleek, industrial look fits seamlessly into most décors.

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Get away from the go-to black or industrial TV stand and add a pop of modern. The Besta platform offers multiple configurations and you can even design your own. I’ve had this stand for a couple of years now and still dig it. It’s moved from the living room to my bedroom as additional clothing storage that also houses the tv.

An easy way to give yourself some functional storage for books and decorations that won’t eat up the floor plan in a clean, modern design that let’s the contents be the focal point.

If your style is rugged, what could be more so than this floor lamp in the spirit of a giant drafting light?

Sure, every guy wants a leather chair – but good ones cost a lot of money. That doesn’t mean you have to settle for something without personality.

Having “lots of things” only looks bad when those things don’t have a proper place. Use stylish but affordable bins like this to give your gear a home.

One of the more expensive items on the list – that also looks the least like it came from Ikea. You could use a side board like this for a lot of uses, from a bar stand to a TV stand to a record player console. Not only that, it could be a star player in most interior decor aesthetics, from mid-century modern, industrial, boho, seaside–you name it.

Imagine a modernist designer retires to an old farm and takes up woodworking. This is is the beautiful table he would make.

This lamp looks like it’s straight from the future. It features a unique smoked glass top connect by a wood shaft to a hefty marble base.

Give that patio space some function with an outdoor shelving unit like the Kolbjorn.

Some guys can have a hard time introducing color into their home decor – the Tobias is a tastefully subtle and modern way to do it. Surround it with wood, white, or black and it will look amazing.

Bronze is an awesome metal to incorporate: It has a vintage vibe and doesn’t have the baggage gold can come with.

Ikea remains one of the best in the game for providing affordable wood hangers, which help protect and preserve the shape and condition of your clothes.

This adaptable storage solution lets you mix and match open and closed spaces to fit your needs. The sleek long legs add a stylish touch, and adjustable feet ensure it sits perfectly on any floor. I installed a configuration in my loft that didn’t have a normal closet.

Or, if you just need some additional drawers for t-shirts or workbench gear you can grab the shorter Jonaxel frame.

Don’t have much in the way of closet space, or need something for your coats and shoes by the door? This freestanding clothing rack has a decent amount of space for its smaller footprint.

Give your closet additional space on the floor for storage with this mega budget-friendly shoe rack.

This wardrobe works as a great room divider, with a fixed wall on one side and a sliding door on the other for some privacy. You can easily access your clothes by sliding the door from either side, and the shelves are perfect for showing off your favorite items or keeping things organized.

This gaming shelf is made to keep your gear organized and easy to reach, with adjustable dividers and a side compartment for smaller items or games. It keeps everything cool with ventilation holes and lets you roll it around with ease, locking the wheels when you’re ready to settle in for a session.

Part of the Nytillverkad collection, this swivel armchair has a fresh look while keeping the relaxed comfort that made it a classic. Originally launched in 1967 as the MILA, it now features a 5-leg base for extra stability, so you can unwind without worrying about tipping over. Available in orange, green, and black.