Mydall bunk beds by IKEA
Credit: IKEA
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The Very Best IKEA Products for Families

updated Nov 18, 2020

Here at the Cubby, it’s no secret that we love IKEA. We love IKEA’s famously low prices and Scandinavian style. But we also love the company’s commitment to sustainability.

We polled our team and fellow parents to come up with a list of the best products for families from IKEA. These are the products that we know work well and don’t fall apart. In the Live section, many items are made from solid, untreated wood, a staple of IKEA’s collections that appeals for its durability and lack of VOCs. In Play, we highlighted the many amazing toys and play furniture that are evergreen favorites.

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When it comes time to furnish a child’s room, IKEA is often our first stop for its affordable options. We love that IKEA’s designs are rarely baby-ish, so they grow with the child.

Made from untreated birch, this crib is a classic design that will match with many styles of decor. The mattress has two heights and one side comes off to convert the Sniglar to a toddler bed later on.

The Most-Versatile Shelf

Kallax is our pick for the best bookcase for kids’ rooms: Its cube compartments are the perfect size for toys and books. You can buy a variety of bins that fit in Kallax to hide the clutter.

Unlike most of the junky plastic step stools on the market, the Trogen is chic enough to keep out on display. Plus, the bright pop of yellow is a welcome dose of color!

The next step after a booster seat, IKEA’s junior chairs, including the Agam, are a genius transition stage before your child sits in an adult-sized chair.

The Best-Value Bunk Beds

There’s a reason you’ll find this bunk bed in hundreds of pins on Pinterest: It’s made of solid wood and costs less than $150—an incredible bargain! Plus, you can paint it any color you like!

The All-Natural Rug

Forget the plastic-y rugs marketed to parents, and opt for one of IKEA’s 100-percent wool ones instead. Wool off-gases no nasty VOCs and is naturally stain resistant. If you opt for the Halved, you’ll get brilliant, rainbow color kids will love.

This simple stool is made from untreated birch and is just the right size for little kids. It can be used as a step stool or small occasional table too.

The Brilliant Book Ledge

These wall-mounted ledges are a space-saving way to store books that lets you child see her favorite titles easily.

Play

IKEA is also a great source of playthings, including a range of classic wooden toys and larger playtime furnishings that help to get the energy out.

A toy that allows for endless creation, IKEA’s train tracks are extremely affordable, but be warned they are not really compatible with the similar ones from Brio.

The Customizable Kitchen

A full-sized play kitchen for less than $100 is a great value. Add to that the fact that Duktig invites customization and you’ve got what might be the most popular toy kitchen in the world.

The Doll Dishes You Can Use

This classic set has been in IKEA’s line for years. The play dishes are made from real ceramic and can be used for kiddie-sized snacks too!

You’ll be amazed by all the imaginative play this simple, circus-style tent inspires. It’s big enough for a grown-up to sit in comfortably and can store flat when not in use.

The Minimalist Doll House

A great beginner doll house, the Flisat can sit on the floor or be mounted on the wall as a shelf.

Etc.

This wouldn’t be a full round-up of the best IKEA products for families if we didn’t mention IKEA’s infinitely versatile products.

People have been using IKEA’s big blue (and yellow) bags to tote things other than IKEA purchases for years. We love this rainbow striped version of the classic sack that can be used for everything from laundry to a huge collection of stuff animals.