So I really like Ikea as well. Attractive design, transparency, availability, combination options, etc. are really good there. And if you don’t move around all the time anymore, the stuff also holds up.
We have a lot of Ikea ourselves. Many things still from student days, and when we move in, a lot will be replaced too, but I do think you keep seeing many pieces of furniture again and again. Somehow I don’t like that anymore or I feel like we have outgrown it.
There will still be Ikea in our new house. Children's room, Pax and Besta are fixed for us. However, I will no longer buy an Ikea couch. Sure, it’s inexpensive, but after 3 years with significant seat sagging and now really worn through after 5.
I think heavily used furniture simply needs a bit more quality and also money, like for example with a sofa.
I don’t just have a list with all possible cost positions of our build, but also an Excel sheet with all furniture items including lamps, rugs, blinds, etc.
Maybe it won’t always be exactly the lamps I currently have on my list, but that way you get a pretty good feeling for what is needed and while browsing online you see what you like and develop a sense of prices.