IKEA - what and what not to buy?

[tkyes]

We are finally getting an IKEA in MN - it opens next week!!

I'm extremely excited to go check this place out, I've never been in one before.


So, I'm wondering from all you experienced IKEA shoppers - tell me the good, the bad and the ugly about IKEA.

Anything you love that's a great value?

Anything you shouldn't have wasted your money on?



Tamie

 

[oogieboogie]

Everything is good at IKEA!

I love IKEA. I don't have one near me and the closest one is in Pittsburgh (1.5 hrs away), but anytime we go to Pittsburgh I have to make a stop there. The kids love it cause they can play in the playroom and they have this huge ball pit there.

The items I really fell in love with are the little things:

my 365 line of knives. Man those suckers are sharp
the knife sharpener
12oz glasses ( I think it was $5 for 12)
we have the wavy green striped rug for the kids room
their sheets & duvet covers - so soft
their 50 cent mousepads
oh... and their swedish meatballs in the restaurant are YUMMY!

When I get my dream house (someday... sigh) I'll have it decked out in IKEA.

 

[caitycaity]

i've been happy with everything i've bought there too. it's pretty much wysiwyg.

it's great for cheap, but nice, basic frames.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I was wondering about it too, Tami. I suspect it is going to be the wrong style for me though.

 

[monkeyboy]

Bought a bunch od stuff there years ago, so not sure if it's still the same or not

It was all KD which is great
easy to put together
has lasted me over 10 years and several moves

It is of course Scanadavian style

 

[Planogirl]

Our flatware came from IKEA fairly recently and we've also bought towels, toys, lamps, storage items, rugs, pots and pans, bookshelves, our son's bed and so on. Everything is holding up really well too.

We're also getting one close by next Spring. No more trips to Houston just to shop there!

 

[minniepumpernickel]

I love the place! I also have a catalog at home. I like the furniture. It's not as expensive as a place like Ethan Allen, but it suits my tastes and it's comfortable.

The only things that I'm not too thrilled about are the paper lamps. They just seem kind of flimsy.

Is yours going to have the restaurant too? try the Sweedish meatballs.

 

[tkyes]

Not all of it is my style either Diane, some of it is though.

It seems like they have great storage solutions.

You can see a few things on their website www.ikea.com and there is an article and a couple of pictures in the Star Tribune.

I won't be going on opening day though - from the article it says they expect people to be sleeping out, waiting for the store to open.

 

[oogieboogie]

btw, when they have sales, their sales are usually pretty good! Like wooden hangers for $1 each! WooHoo!

 

[elgerber]

Sleeping out??? Geez, that is taking shopping a little too seriously LOL. I'm sure I'll venture out there sometime, but probably not right away. I have only been to the MOA once in the last few years, so I'm sure I won't be to IKEA real often either.

Erika

 

[stinkerbelle]

I won't be going on opening day though - from the article it says they expect people to be sleeping out, waiting for the store to open.

local radio show is running a contest - the winners get to sleep out in front of the new Ikea opening at the end of this month in New Haven CT (first Ikea in New England) with the opportunity to win $2k shopping spree (it was $3k...changed all of a sudden)

My coworkers and I are VERY excited for this store to be opening...we've already set a date in August to go check it out (after it's been open for a few weeks)

 

[monkeyboy]

a little OT but I remeber reading when a second one opened in NJ they had special exit ramps built for it, and had major traffic problems at 1st

They must do something right if all those people are shopping there

 

[tkyes]

I think they are doing the same thing here Stinkerbelle!

I don't know if I can wait a couple of weeks though. I might have to go the Saturday after it opens!

It's right across from the Mall of America - think of all the shopping possibilities

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by tkyes
It's right across from the Mall of America - think of all the shopping possibilities

I get excited if there is an Old Navy/Gap/Pier 1/Marshalls or TjMaxx and Target all in a 10 mile radius...I think I'd go into shock at the MOA!

 

[Disneyfanatic01]

I have been dying waiting for Ikea to open!!! Everytime I drive past the MOA, I say..."There's my store! Hurry up and open!" Sadly, we planned a small trip and we are leaving for the Dells on the 14th....WAAAAAA!

I haven't heard about any of the radio stations having a contest worth $2K, but Ikea is giving out a free POANG chair to the first 100 people in the store!

Here is the info from Ikea's web-site:

Grand Opening Events!
Enter to win $1,000 in IKEA home furnishings!

Ten winners will be drawn from all entries received from July 14 through July 18. See official rules for details.

Kids! Participate in IKEA's Summer Reading Program!
Read ten books between July 14th and October 15th and receive a free Flarke bookcase ($19.99 value). Pick up a special bookmark July 14-18 at IKEA Twin Cities and get reading!

Free POANG chair to first 100 adults in line on July 14th.

Win your entire purchase on us!
Random drawings all day in the cash lanes - win up to 100% off of your purchase July 14th-28th.

Free soft toy
Free soft toy to first 500 children in line on July 14th.


See you at IKEA...but not at the Grand Opening .
Korey

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

I LOVE Ikea. We have one at Potomac Mills. It used to be attached to the mall. Got way too crowded. They had to build a separate store with underground parking. That place is always packed.

No trip to Ikea is complete without Swedish meatballs and ligonberries YUM

 

[kaseyC]

Originally posted by Pooh Girl 71
I LOVE Ikea. We have one at Potomac Mills. It used to be attached to the mall. Got way too crowded. They had to build a separate store with underground parking. That place is always packed.

No trip to Ikea is complete without Swedish meatballs and ligonberries YUM

When we lived in the Manassas/Woodbridge area. I basically lived at the "new" Ikea at Potomac Mills. Our DD's play kitchen is stocked with cookware and china from the Ikea kids department.

My kitchen is stocked with Ikea utensils, cutting boards and baking dishes. I love their deep dish Lasagna pan.

Make sure you spend some time in the "Marketplace" section. They have some of neatest accesories, pillows, frames and othe nic nacs.

Oh yeah, do not forget to try one of the yummy cinnamon rolls.

 

[Cindy B]

The one in Philly was attached to the Plymouth meeting mall , and it got too crowded as well. Now it is in a new building, free parking garage, free lot, etc.. great kids are, and I love it.!


Lets see, we have dishes, glasses, flatware, entertainment center, rugs, desk hutch, kids bedroom furniture and chairs from IKEA. We did get rid of our IKEA sofa, the frame was flimsy.

Thier return policy is pretty good, and they are really good service. Be forewarned, the directions are only in pictures, not text so keep that in mind.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I LOVE Ikea! DH and I took a weekend excursion in Houston just to shop and buy things there.

We bought our kitchen island, dining table, chairs, 2 chandaliers, wine glasses, mirrors, picture frames, etc from there.

Most of it is cheap, you're not buying Ethan Allen quality, but for the price, it's good stuff. Our island and table are solid wood, and are wonderful for what we need. We have had no problems with any of our stuff =)

The several times I have stopped at the Houston location, it's always been a zoo, so I'm not sure it will die down MUCH after the grand opening =)

 

[kejoda]

Originally posted by tkyes
I think they are doing the same thing here Stinkerbelle!

I don't know if I can wait a couple of weeks though. I might have to go the Saturday after it opens!

It's right across from the Mall of America - think of all the shopping possibilities

Were planning on going then too, maybe we'll run into each other!!!!