This may sound counterintuitive, but may we suggest one of these days be filled with a trip to your nearest IKEA? Sure, tempers famously fray within its warehouse, but firstly: at least you’ll be in good company. And secondly, if you’re not actually going with the express purpose of refitting your house but simply to poke about, bag a bargain that makes your garden more appealing to loll about in, and eat the meatballs, it can be a surprising winner.
Then again, if we were to pile our trolleys high, these are the steals we’d be loading in there.
BYAKORRE Open Shelving Unit, £129
Open shelving remains one of the quickest ways to make a room feel more relaxed and collected, and this playful design manages to be both practical and full of personality. Perfect for books, ceramics, toys or treasured bits and bobs, it's a cheerful antidote to bland storage.
GREJSIMOJS Room Divider, Yellow/Grey, £39 per pack
Got warring kids who happen to share a room? This fun, sunshine yellow room divider could just put paid to their land disputes, while also looking pretty sharp and even allowing for a little privacy.
SPJUTLILJA Spice Mill, Set Of 2, £12
One of those little upgrades that makes everyday cooking feel a touch more considered. Smart enough to leave permanently on the table and pleasingly tactile to use, these mills look far more expensive than their modest price tag suggests.
TOFSAND Cooling Bag, Pink/Orange, £6
A six-pound cooler bag shouldn't be this good-looking. Bright, practical and easy to sling over your shoulder, it's ideal for beach trips, picnics, park lunches and the endless ferrying about of snacks that summer requires.
FLISAT Wall Storage, Green, £13
Children's clutter has a remarkable ability to spread across every available surface. This neat wall-mounted storage keeps books, pencils, treasures and small toys within easy reach while freeing up valuable floor space. The fresh green shade is lovely too.
TERRSJÖ Door, Red-Brown Wave Pattern, £38
If you’re in the market to zhuzh up your kitchen on a budget, consider the excellent, textural TERRSJO doors, which are chic, practical and a steal at £38 each.
ISTAD Resealable Bag, Fruit/Vegetables Pattern Green, £1.50
Summer days with young ones means endless transporting of snacks. These resealable bags and cheerful and endlessly useful.
SOLUPPGÅNG Cool Basket, Bamboo, £35
You don’t need a Fortnum’s budget to do summer picnicking in style, as evidenced by this natty little bamboo number. Neat and stylish, it’ll serve you all summer long and even look lovely in your kitchen the rest of the year round.
IKEA PS 2026 Table Clock, Red, £25
Unexpected Red Theory eat your heart out! We love Marta Krupi?ska’s periscope-inspired clock, which would add vim – and jolly nautical vibes – to any room.
GREJSIMOJS Floor Cushion, Set Of 3, £59
Whether it's a sleepover, a den-building session or simply extra seating when friends descend, these stackable floor cushions are endlessly useful. The playful colours make them feel fun rather than worthy, and they'll earn their keep all summer long.
SOLUPPGÅNG Plate, Enamelled Steel, £2.50
Love always excellent Falconware? Get the look at a fraction of the cost with IKEA’s enamel plates, which are great for picnics or just everyday dining with a mildly industrial flavour.
IKEA PS 2026 Side Table, Dark Red, £35
Compact, sturdy and finished in a rich oxblood red, this versatile side table would work equally well beside a sofa, next to a bed or out on the patio with a cold drink balanced on top.
SKOGSSVALA Wall Clock, Oak Veneer, £19
If you told us this hailed from a rarefied design shop and cost five times the price, we wouldn’t question it. Timeless and beautiful.
GREJSIMOJS Children's Table, £37
This cheerful little table is sturdy enough for colouring, crafting, puzzles and impromptu tea parties, while its happy orange top brings a welcome burst of sunshine to a bedroom or playroom. At £25, it's also the sort of buy that won't induce palpitations when it inevitably acquires felt-tip pen artwork of its own.
IKEA PS 2026 Folding Chair, £50
As folding chairs go, this is remarkably handsome. Designed by Ola Wihlborg for the IKEA PS 2026 collection, it combines a birch seat and back with a graphic blue-and-black frame that’s more design-shop than flat-pack warehouse. Ideal for small kitchens, balconies, guest seating or summer gatherings when you suddenly need extra chairs.
NATTKLOT 24-Piece Cutlery Set, £39
This gold-toned cutlery set strikes a pleasing balance between playful and practical, bringing a touch of restaurant glamour to the table without veering into the flashy.
TOFSAND Lantern For Tealight, Indoor/Outdoor Yellow, £5
This sweet little lantern belongs at a midsummer picnic or dangling from a tree branch during a garden party. The cheerful butter-yellow finish feels very much of the moment, while the simple design gives it a timeless appeal. At just a fiver, we'd buy several and scatter them across a table or terrace for instant atmosphere once the sun begins to set.
GOKVÄLLÅ Soup Tureen, £29
It’s not quite Astier de Villatte, but at £29, we think it’s pretty elegant for the price. Great for gazpacho now and warmer soups when the weather turns.
GREJSIMOJS Rocking-Bird, £35
Part sculpture, part toy, this lovely rocker has a charmingly retro feel. The bold colours and clean lines give it a distinctly Scandinavian character, while the gentle rocking motion should keep little ones happily occupied for hours. We'd happily leave this one on display long after playtime is over.
FAQs: Summer Ikea Collection
What are the best IKEA buys for summer 2026?
Standouts include the SOLUPPGÅNG cool basket, the colourful TOFSAND cooling bag, the IKEA PS 2026 side table and clock, and the GREJSIMOJS floor cushions.
What is the IKEA PS 2026 collection?
IKEA PS is the retailer's experimental design range, featuring limited-edition pieces that combine affordability with more distinctive, design-led aesthetics.
Are IKEA outdoor accessories worth buying?
Yes. IKEA excels at affordable outdoor living, from picnicware and cool bags to garden furniture and outdoor textiles that deliver strong value for money.
What are the best IKEA storage solutions for children?
The FLISAT wall storage and GREJSIMOJS room divider are particularly useful for children's spaces, helping to organise toys, books and shared bedrooms.
Which IKEA products look more expensive than they are?
The SKOGSSVALA oak veneer clock, BYAKORRE shelving, TERRSJÖ kitchen doors and IKEA PS 2026 furniture all have a more premium look than their prices suggest.
Does IKEA release seasonal collections?
Yes. IKEA regularly launches seasonal collections featuring limited-edition furniture, accessories, textiles and outdoor pieces designed around particular times of year and trends.
