First Ikea visit! What do I need to know?

[ohiomom28]

Headed for West Chester Ohio this weekend to see my old college chum and my son's birthdad. He happens to live 10 minutes from Ikea. We are also going to see the Pompeii exhibit at the Cincinnati Center but I might be AS excited about Ikea. haha! I have no idea what to expect. My DH says, jokingly, that we should treat it like a casino: take an envelope with cash in it and when that's gone, we leave. I love modern! I'm looking for a chair that might look good as extra seating in my living room which is midcentury. I'm also looking for something that will serve as display cases for my son's/was my grandfather's Paleo tool and Arrowhead collections as well as his shell collection, which is quite extensive and has shells rarely found anymore.

Then, I want something for our pantry that I can use for more hidden storage of canned goods and rarely used appliances. My husband has been doing the cooking and he's got every appliance out on the counter. I like a clear counter.

West Chester is the closest IKEA to me!

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[cornflake]

Hate Ikea.

I like some of the stuff in (what are here) the downstairs areas, the marketplace, and the clearance, but generally refuse to go up to the mazey area. I'll only go if I really want something and then it's find it, look through the cheap marketplace stuff and hustle out.

If you do go in the mazey parts and get frustrated, there are shortcuts out. Some places there are signs, but where there aren't, you can ask (provided you can find an Ikea employee) and they'll tell you the shortcut.

 

[aprilgail2]

Hate Ikea.

I like some of the stuff in (what are here) the downstairs areas, the marketplace, and the clearance, but generally refuse to go up to the mazey area. I'll only go if I really want something and then it's find it, look through the cheap marketplace stuff and hustle out.

If you do go in the mazey parts and get frustrated, there are shortcuts out. Some places there are signs, but where there aren't, you can ask (provided you can find an Ikea employee) and they'll tell you the shortcut.

I agree-- the furniture is dorm room, first apartment cheap type/style quality at best- all cheap crap. The cheap marketplacec type stuff is fun to look around but would never buy any furniture from there.

 

[ksjayhawks]

Take a set amount of money and, before you get in the checkout lane, pull to the side and take a few minutes to unwind. Then look in your cart with a critical eye and go "do i really need x or y?" You will probably be able to get rid of some of those impulse buys--and be happier at the end of the day. It is sooo easy to get caught up in the "but it's only $xxx!"

 

[tcufrog]

Their stuff isn't always the sturdiest but it's great for guest bedrooms and kids' rooms. If you put wood glue in the holes before you hammer in the pegs the furniture is much sturdier. It's also cheap enough that you can customize it without guilt. There are lots of great IKEA hack websites.

The Billy bookcases are a great deal though. We needed a wall of tall bookcases and everything we saw at traditional furniture stores other than insanely expensive solid wood ones was more expensive, didn't look as nice and didn't have doors. We've moved ours once and they are still in great shape.

 

[cornflake]

Take a set amount of money and, before you get in the checkout lane, pull to the side and take a few minutes to unwind. Then look in your cart with a critical eye and go "do i really need x or y?" You will probably be able to get rid of some of those impulse buys--and be happier at the end of the day. It is sooo easy to get caught up in the "but it's only $xxx!"

This.

Unshopping is a valuable exercise.

I'm annoyed to be in the place and still somehow end up standing there going 'wait, why do I have an ugly $4 vase in my cart?'

 

[CurlyJo224]

Try the meatballs

Oh, yum! My mom went to Ikea yesterday and brought home the frozen meatballs and packets of sauce for dinner tonight. We love them!

 

[shortbun]

I agree-- the furniture is dorm room, first apartment cheap type/style quality at best- all cheap crap. The cheap marketplacec type stuff is fun to look around but would never buy any furniture from there.

No problem. If this is all I find, we won't be buying much there, maybe some stocking stuffers or kitchen gadgets. I'm still excited though because my decorator seems excited and we have similar taste. Perhaps I'll find one perfect item. Wish me luck!! Oh, and stop raining on my parade!!!

 

[cornflake]

Oh, you know what's good to buy there? Batteries. They have really cheap but good (like regular lasting) batteries. They're yellow in long yellow packs. Like $2-3 for 10 AA, etc.

 

[136368]

As I'm sure a PP mentioned, there are cut-thrus you can take to avoid walking through the entire store. They're generally well hidden - Ikea would rather you be enticed by everything - but they do exist.

 

[java]

Hate Ikea.

I like some of the stuff in (what are here) the downstairs areas, the marketplace, and the clearance, but generally refuse to go up to the mazey area. I'll only go if I really want something and then it's find it, look through the cheap marketplace stuff and hustle out.

If you do go in the mazey parts and get frustrated, there are shortcuts out. Some places there are signs, but where there aren't, you can ask (provided you can find an Ikea employee) and they'll tell you the shortcut.

Do you go the one near Jersey Gardens? I hate that one. The only nice thing about it is the dining room with the windows overlooking the airplanes taking off from Newark.

I am going to go to the further away one just to avoid the hell of that one. I have a son going off to college and he needs dorm stuff! Really he needs a giant pillow thing for the floor I think.

 

[suzimar57]

last week i went into the Ikea near me (paramus NJ) to buy those $2.50 slippers - found them (what an ordeal THAT was...)

but then got lost trying to find my way back out

eventually i did, but then couldn't find the car

(entered thru door on opposite side)

after i got home, remembered i had wanted to try the frozen yogurt there but forgot about it....

will attempt another "expedition" this week - and this time, i'm taking the map at the the entrance!!!

 

[Diet Dr Chill]

I agree-- the furniture is dorm room, first apartment cheap type/style quality at best- all cheap crap. The cheap marketplacec type stuff is fun to look around but would never buy any furniture from there.

Depends. I have had a lot of luck with their solid wood pieces and we move basically every 12 to 24 months. My daughter has had her bed since she was 18 months and we're only playing with the idea of getting rid of it because we think she'll grow out of the style soon, not because there is anything wrong with it. I've never bought anything made from particleboard from there. That is just an automatic no. To each their own though.

 

[NotUrsula]

I agree-- the furniture is dorm room, first apartment cheap type/style quality at best- all cheap crap. The cheap marketplacec type stuff is fun to look around but would never buy any furniture from there.

There are some exceptions. Our "casual" dining bar is from Ikea; it is 18 gauge stainless steel and cost all of $212.

Mostly I like their pots and pans and serving dishes. My favorite item is a perfectly half-round steel mixing/serving bowl, shiny on the inside and brushed on the outside -- and afaict, indestructible.

 

[sunnyday123]

does anyone have one of their Ektorp sofas? I really want a slipcovered sofa, and it's either there or PB, but they are super expensive!

 

[shortbun]

On my way in a couple hours. Will check for batteries. Back later today!

 

[jdb in AZ]

Sorry, but I just don't "get" the fascination with IKEA. Unless you're furnishing a dorm room or decorating in "early marriage."

DD wanted something she'd seen in an IKEA catalog, but she doesn't have an IKEA in her area, so she asked moi to pick up the item for her. Scoured the store and asked a couple of employees (who looked at me like deer in the headlights.) Was on my way out of the store in total disgust, when I ran across the item quite by accident -- wasn't anywhere near the section the employee had directed me. I told DD not to ever ask me to go back there.

Go ahead and chastize me -- I have my flame proof panties on. Besides, I live near Phx, and it's hotter than *$%^.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We live 3 miles from Ikea, but surprisingly we don't go all that often because for us it became commonplace rather than a destination place to shop. Their furniture is hit or miss with quality. The marketplace is fun to browse. We eat there once in a while. They have $1 ice cream cones, which was a quick treat after a few of our orthodontist appointments.

When family visits us from out-of-state, Ikea is high on the list of places they want to visit! My mom loves it there.

 

[lucas]

I really don't "get" Ikea either.

They do have some cute lamps.

 

[Lintasare]

I will be heading to the IKEA in Denver in a couple of weeks. Stopping in on our way home from a family reunion. I want some hanging closet organizers I saw and I want to look at their couches. Wish me luck.