Why do so many in the 18-to-35 demo seem heck-bent on furnishing their homes in soup-to-nuts Ikea? Sure, the stuff’s cute. And surprisingly affordable! And who doesn’t love those Spike Jonze-directed ads! But even the blindest of lemmings thirsts for a spot of uniqueness once in a blue. With that optimistic notion in mind, the editors at DailyCandy have undertaken to subtly guide where many a lifestyle publication has guided before: To some special, truly cool items for the home.

Blik House
Wall stenciling is so shabby chic. Yet as the trend fades, the urge to add some wall spice persists. Blik makes modern, playful decals that can be stuck to the wall in any configuration, creating fun patterns or designs. (The kid in you will clamour for the asteroids one.) Once applied, they look like shiny acrylic paint. (Available online at whatisblik.com.)

Shed Light
Truth? That Chinese lantern has seen better days. A real, grown-up lamp adds more than just light to the room, sporto. For a song (or, okay, a little more), these vintage Danish Hoyrup fixtures give off a thoroughly modern glow. Best of all, they come in original, very jazzy packaging. (Available at Plastica, 8405 West Third Street, 323-655-1051.)

Seat Yourself
When is a chair not a chair? When it can be dismantled in seconds into a flat stack of slotted wood? Nah. That just makes it a great chair. Slipslot furniture, designed by local genius Casey Lurie, is for people who are on the move — or just really stylish. The bright, primary colors cheer up a drab, monochromatic vibe. And they’re surprisingly comfortable, too. (Available at Four x Four, 6324 Yucca Street, 323-461-4440.)

Wax Poetic
Some things never go out of style. Scented candles, however, are sort of on the cusp. Unless they come from Samadhi Candles, the new minimalist shop in Silver Lake that has beautiful, modern-looking specimens for very affordable prices. All merchandise is made in the back of the store; the color range is endless (and you can custom order any you like). Our favorites, however, are the ones you get in chrome or hand-blown-glass containers: Once they burn down, bring them back in and get a cheap refill. (Available at Samadhi Candles, 3137 Glendale Boulevard, 323-665-9840; samadhicandles.com.)

Tile High
Few surfaces in California have escaped the Great Terra-cotta Invasion. Don’t be part of the problem. Do something different. Like, for instance, get some of these bright, cheerful tiles at Lost & Found. The decor gods will thank you. (Available at Lost & Found, 6320 Yucca Street, 323-856-5872.)

Good Timing
Yes, you can tell time. Is that any reason to show off? A few digital clocks around the house bespeak the proper modesty. Show yours with the Yoshitomo Nara clock. The oh-so-hot Japanese artist has created a new picture for every minute of the day, so you can watch the time pass and still get a great show. (Available at Homework, 1153 North Highland Avenue, 323-466-1153.)

Now that wasn’t so bad, was it? Sure, it takes a little extra legwork, and none of the above-mentioned places offers a daily Swedish-meatball special. But that’s a small price to pay for making a house into a home.