We are unabashed fans of Ikea, but we are also realists. Just because something appears great in their catalog doesn’t mean it looks the same in real life. When they do get it right, though, and marry incredible design with solid materials at affordable prices, we feel it in our bones. Here are 7 of our favorite examples.

Photo by Dustin Aksland and Eric Striffler, courtesy of Elizabeth Roberts

Ikea nails the unfinished wood trend with their raw pin Ivar line.

Photo courtesy of The Modern House

This Scandi-inspired attic office makes use of an Ikea five-drawer unit.

Photo courtesy of Maaike Koster

Photo by Matthew Williams

This elegant modern sideboard is actually an Ikea piece with custom light gray cabinet fronts.

Photo by Richard Round-Turner, courtesy of Lisa Jones

Mounting a quartet of Ikea Ivar cabinets to the wall of a children's room has a monumental effect.

Photo by Alexa Hotz

This Ikea drawer chest was upgraded with a fresh coat of Farrow & Ball paint.

A wall of Ikea cabinetry surrounding a stacked washer/dryer unit has the look of custom built-ins.

Photo by Dana Gallagher

Photo by Justine Hand

This Ikea wardrobe was given a coat of Benjamin Moore Sea Salt.