Ikea - what do you like?

[snomofinn]

I hate Ikea...we purchased some things for my DDs dorm room a few years ago, and it literally fell apart. You get what you pay for, but I figured if I get 1 year out of it I would be lucky..that didnt happen. I do however love the lingonberry products, including the juice!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

The first one in our area is going to open next month...I can't wait to check it out!!!

 

[If U Had Wings]

I love Ikea! Most times I just hit the marketplace and wander. I'm always picking up stuff for my kitchen, lighting, wrapping paper, organization stuff - it's a real problem. It's been so dangerous since they opened the store in New Haven - it's way to close to my house.

I'm on a limited budget (especially if I want to squeeze in trips to Disney) and I like that I can get some stylish accessories for my place inexpensively.

Don't miss the batteries near the register's either! I think most sizes are about $.99 and they last just as long as energizers or Durecell's. I stock up whenever I go. They also have bins at the exits to recycle your old ones. Love that! Ohhh and the big tote bags you can pick up for $.59! Love, love, love Ikea!

 

[deide71]

Interesting thred...

I just got back from Ikea about an hour ago, and I bought a pop-up tent for the boys and a laundry hamper.

Spent less than $20 (not including the $8 we spent there on dinner).

I think that is a record for me!

 

[CTdiznymom]

For quite awhile the closet one to us was in Jersey, so we would make an overnight getaway trip when our kids were small. We would get a room near the airport, watch the airplanes from our room, and then spend the next day at IKEA. We had a ball. Our 2 dd's have had their white dressers for over 10yrs. and they still look great. Now we have one 30 minutes from home. I love their knives. Best ones I have ever had for the price. I always stock up on batteries and candles. The girls love the artwork, and frames are always a bargain. The furniture really isn't our style, but I love browsing anyway. We did buy double beds with duvet covers for college, which were somewhat of a pain to put together with all the slats and screws, but we found a cheap $20 battery powered drill which takes care of the job easily. Nothing beats the swedish meatballs and ligonberry juice after shopping, and we usually finish our cone by the time we walk the parking lot to the car!

 

[bumbershoot]

I hate Ikea...we purchased some things for my DDs dorm room a few years ago, and it literally fell apart. You get what you pay for, but I figured if I get 1 year out of it I would be lucky..that didnt happen. I do however love the lingonberry products, including the juice!

I'm sorry her things fell apart! I wonder what happened? I know that I put all my furniture together, and I've had most of it for going on 5 years now. And that includes 3 moves (some furniture taken apart and put back together, other furniture just manhandled). Oh wait, we just finally got rid of (moving from a big place to a smaller place and just didn't need it anymore) a big shelf unit I had had since I moved back from the east coast...so that's 9, maybe even 10 years depending on when I got it. And that was...SIX moves (omg I move alot), half the time I manhandled it, half the time I took it apart.

You might reconsider hating Ikea for your experience, b/c really, others have had different experiences!

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Wanted to add...since I'm veggie, I don't get into the meatball thing, BUT you can ask for a bowl of potatoes, and they will give you 4 (usually), and it's a whopping 80 cents. Of course, they'll ask if you want gravy on them, but still, 80 cents for some nice potatoes? Thank you!

I also like their veggie lasagna, but a friend of mine who worked in food service (not at Ikea, just knowledgeable) said it's just Stouffer's veggie lasagna...made the mistake of looking at the fat grams on that, and now I rarely get it.

 

[Emmaline Lola]

The first one in our area is going to open next month...I can't wait to check it out!!!

which one opens next month? the one in Orlando or the one in Sunrise?

I am desperate for ours to open, want to buy my dd2 big girl bed from Ikea......used to live in NY, and always make it a stop on my visits home........

Next month would be awesome to get my dd's bed!!!!!

Where is it opening???

 

[ducklite]

The best buy there of all is the tea light candles. 100 for $2.99 or something along those lines. We've also got the cheap-o champgne flutes, perfect when you're going to have a housefull of people that will be wandering around, or a clumsy DH. (Don't go there... )

I also love thier CFB's. They have a warmer cast than most of the ones you can buy in stores like Home Depot, and they are very inexpensive. My old boss loves their AA batteries. He had two young daughters who would leave their toys turned on and run down the batteries, so long life wasn't important but cheap was.

We have one of the black Parsons style tables in DS's room, so far it's been indestructable, but it's far from fine furniture.

Anne

 

[hentob]

Stemware. Seriously. There was a time I would enjoy breaking out my Nortake or Lenox for any event. But then, it has all disappeared piece by piece Smashed or chipped.

Now, for bigger gatherings (ie people walking around with their drinks), I will use the Ikea stuff. CHEAP! And it looks pretty darn nice. Plus, I don't have to worry If it is smashed, oh well I'm only out $3

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

which one opens next month? the one in Orlando or the one in Sunrise?

I am desperate for ours to open, want to buy my dd2 big girl bed from Ikea......used to live in NY, and always make it a stop on my visits home........

Next month would be awesome to get my dd's bed!!!!!

Where is it opening???

Sorry Emmaline, you're a long way off...I'll be shopping at the new Portland, OR store!!! I live in the "liquid sunshine" state (which is a lot different than Florida).

 

[rparmfamily]

I love their batteries, they have cheap CF lightbulbs, I have their tealights and so far my sofas are doing great too!!

I love Ikea, but they won't even ship here to HI.

 

[flagdaytwins]

I LOVE IKEA - we have some furniture from them and they are the only pieces in our house that people rave about!

On a rainy day, I take my kids there...drop 'em off in the play area and then I go to the cafe for a quiet and delicious lunch by myself! You cannot beat their food prices and everything has been delicious.

We shop alot in the second hand/clearance/broken stuff section......my husband makes is crafty and we have built a few things incredibly inexpensively from this section.

 

[Emmaline Lola]

Sorry Emmaline, you're a long way off...I'll be shopping at the new Portland, OR store!!! I live in the "liquid sunshine" state (which is a lot different than Florida).

oops! I got excited and read too fast! Our Ikea in Orlando is being built and expected to open in the Fall............another good reason to visit Orlando for all you Disney/Ikea lovers!

Thanks for your response calypso a go go!

 

[sorcerormickey]

Our Ikea in Orlando is being built and expected to open in the Fall..........

I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!! We drive by the build site every couple of weeks - so EXCITING!!!!!!

I have been getting the IKEA catalog for years now, but I had never set foot in an actual store until last fall when we went back to Michigan for a few days. I thought I loved their catalog, but the store is so much better!!! And my boyfriend LOVES the meatballs, so he will actually go in without complaining!!!

We actually have one room in our house that has no furniture in it, the den. My BF wanted to make it a space to display his vintage Disney collectibles, but could never decide on the perfect shelving. When I dragged him to IKEA, he fell in love with their shelving. Can't wait for them to open here so we can get started on that room!!