The best IKEA alternatives – just because you can!

Do you have IKEA fatigue?

Maybe you’re bored of IKEA, or maybe you just hate the experience of shopping there, but we thought it’s definitely worth the time to share with you some of our alternatives to shopping at the big blue Swedish store.

1. Craigslist / Gumtree

These two sites are probably most well known in the English-speaking world as a local classifieds site, where you can hunt for jobs, advertise, and also buy and sell items. Listings aren’t organised by the item, but by the seller so you’ll have to search for specific items with keywords and descriptions. Here, you might find some good secondhand items that are worth buying from someone else, such as sturdy shelving and kitchen appliances. Just remember to be careful, negotiate and ask for information, and know how to spot scammers!

Best for: Getting something locally, especially if you’re in a big city. As a student I bought a sturdy dining chair set for close to nothing (okay $20) including home delivery by a kind stranger.

Not good for: Fabric items of questionable origin, mainly for hygiene and allergen reasons.

2. Etsy

Etsy is a treasure trove of handmade and vintage items, but be prepared to browse, browse, and speak to the sellers and makers for a good idea before purchasing your item. A quick glance at the Home and Living category will bring up the listings of various sellers and you can browse through all the upcycled or salvaged vintage furniture which might suit your style. The other great thing about Etsy is that most makers can customize items for you, so if you want that particular style or shape, it’s definitely worth speaking to the maker to see what they can do.

Best for: Smaller goods like decorative accessories, artwork.

Not great for: Bulky furniture like cupboards, drawers and bed frames, unless you’re lucky enough to find a seller in your area.

3. Muji

Muji has made a name for itself with its minimalist aesthetic and unbranded products, like their dreamy-soft travel neck pillow and their equally soft beanbags (which they call the Beads sofa). Their range of unbranded clothes, bedsheets, furniture, and even processed food are popular not just because of affordability but quality. At the moment Muji is present in almost 30 countries around the world including Australia.

Muji store in California

Best for: Plain cotton and linens, stationery, storage boxes and shelving.

Not so great for: Decorative items, not like you can find any in Muji.

4. Nitori

If you’re lucky enough to live in Japan, then you’ll probably already know about the country’s biggest furniture and home accessories retailer as Nitori has hundreds of stores all over Japan, as well as an online store. In the US, some of their products are marketed under the brand Aki Home, and the brand has also expanded to Taiwan. Nitori has been known to offer a massive range of products and low prices, so it’s no wonder people often compare it to Ikea.

A Nitori store in Takatsuki, Osaka

Our Japanese colleague says, “Yes, very cheap! Good quality and reasonably priced.”

Best for: Anything, as long as you’re in Japan!

Not great for: Anything, if you’re not in Japan!

5. CB2

CB2 is the sister store of the massively popular Crate & Barrel store and sells homewares and accessories and is targeted at young adults, which presumably means young adults with smaller budgets than our financially more established adult-adults. In a nutshell, it’s like Ikea’s stuff with Crate & Barrel’s aesthetics without the Crate & Barrel pricetag, I mean just look at this:

CB2’s amazing outdoor collection

Best for: Rugs, dinnerware, glassware, lighting, bedding.

Not great for: Sofas, if you want something within the Ikea price range. Bedframes are also impossible gorgeous but also a little pricey.

In conclusion:

Regardless of your budget or aesthetic, it’s definitely worth shopping around and considering what you’d like to splurge on, and what you’d like to save on. If you spend a lot of time entertaining, it’s worth investing in a lovely dining set or great outdoor furniture. If you love spending time curled up in bed listening to music, you might want to get the best bed your budget can get you, and save on the other stuff. Most importantly, you have the opportunity to decorate your home in a style that you love.

Image sources: Muji, Nitori, CB2