Planning my first trip to IKEA

[Imzadi]

You might want to do a Google search for "Ikea Hacks." Some people are really inventive with taking the basic Ikea furniture and really changing them into high end looking pieces, or for a totally different function than intended. It would be good to see the basic pieces before or after to appreciate the work these people put in.

 

[Christine]

The zip-up framed cloth storage is really nice, inexpensive, and keeps out dust. Underbed size is great.

This is my favorite household item. I used to pack up my seasonal items in compression bags, but I like these things so much better.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Have fun Tippy - I have to admit it was a one and done for me when I went there about 16 or 17 years ago. Wasn't my thing. But I don't like Buc-ee's either so maybe I'm not a good judge of these things

Actually I'm a one and done as well. It's fine for decorating in "early marriage" style but it took forever to find what I was looking for and i just didn't need the frustration.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I had just started shopping one day and the lights went out in the entire store..just a few seconds but it was weird to experience .
So imagine my surprise to discover this book at the bookstore about a haunted ikea style store I had to buy it !

HorrorStor a novel by Grady Hendrix…something strange is happening at the Orsk furniture superstore …

 

[sam_gordon]

Never been. No plans to. Hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[TippyThomas]

Never been. No plans to. Hope you enjoy your trip!

Honestly doubt I'd be going if it weren't for the invite to join the gang. I've never been so it sounded like it was at least worth a single trip. It's something new for me so figured it'd be fun.

 

[NotUrsula]

Honestly doubt I'd be going if it weren't for the invite to join the gang. I've never been so it sounded like it was at least worth a single trip. It's something new for me so figured it'd be fun.

Lots of people like going to Ikea for the experience and the food (and if you sign up for the free Ikea Family program, the free coffee!) The upper floor is kind of like a modern-design museum in some respects, except that you can touch and fiddle with everything.

When my kids were younger they loved going to Ikea just to walk around and discover things to fiddle with and hide behind, because some of the designs Ikea makes are pretty ingenious. (And no, not when the kids were really tiny, and they were not allowed to run wild and get in others' way; just to quietly indulge their curiousity.) I even like to do that sometimes; the nearest one is only 10 minutes from my house, and it can be a pleasant way to spend an hour or so on a rainy afternoon.)

 

[hardcorestitch]

Curious what your "don't miss" items might be? I'm going with some friends from the shelter and I don't want to miss out on anything good. It's a bit of a drive so I don't know when or if I'll make it back, so figured I'd ask before I go. Thanks!

I hope you get their meatballs. IKEA has a nice restaurant inside.

 

[disneychrista]

I went to IKEA for the first time this past summer and for me as a non-shopper who didn't have anything I needed/wanted, the meatballs were the highlight for me. It takes awhile to get through, as they have it set up as a path you have to follow through the warehouse. You can't really just go in to the sheets (or whatever), plan to spend double the amount of time you think you need.

 

[disneychrista]

Honestly doubt I'd be going if it weren't for the invite to join the gang. I've never been so it sounded like it was at least worth a single trip. It's something new for me so figured it'd be fun.

This is why I went. I'm all about new experiences.

 

[easyas123]

Honestly doubt I'd be going if it weren't for the invite to join the gang. I've never been so it sounded like it was at least worth a single trip. It's something new for me so figured it'd be fun.

That’s as good a reason as any! Enjoy your time w/ your friends

 

[irlandaise]

You might want to do a Google search for "Ikea Hacks." Some people are really inventive with taking the basic Ikea furniture and really changing them into high end looking pieces, or for a totally different function than intended.

Like using their DUKTIG doll beds for small pets. Just do a web search for "IKEA doll bed pets" to see some very cute photos with cats, bunnies, and small dogs. I actually bought a few of these for a local animal shelter once. Another volunteer made some comfy bedding. (The beds come with basic bedding pieces.)

 

[clh2]

I’m not going to lie…the first time I went to IKEA, I was good and ticked off I needed to buy an IKEA bag to haul my goodies out to the car.

I have since learned that IKEA bags are about the best invention ever. They work great for moving kids into/out of dorm rooms. They also work great for moves, Ie for non-breakable things like blankets, sheets, towels, board games etc.

I’m actually debating if I should take one on our upcoming Disney Cruise for a beach bag. There will be 7 of us…so, still trying to figure out how much stuff we will be taking with us to Castawy Cay.

 

[Cadiewampus]

Have fun Tippy - I have to admit it was a one and done for me when I went there about 16 or 17 years ago. Wasn't my thing. But I don't like Buc-ee's either so maybe I'm not a good judge of these things

I was one and done as well with Ikea but it took my wife about 5 trips to be done. It was an agonizing 5 trips for me but at least she finally came to her senses. We will have to see about Buc-ee's. We have been once and I am done. So far I have been able to convince her we do not need to go back but I am afraid I will eventually lose that conversation.

 

[jimmymc]

1. Eat the meatballs. Vegetarian ones are good too if you don't eat meat.

2. My favorite thing I've bought from Ikea is a Kallax shelf that I use as a TV stand and entertainment center. I think their shelves and storage options are some of the best products.

3. My other longest-lasting items are simple kitchen things. Metal mixing bowls, metal spoons and spatulas, and stainless-steel pots and pans are easy to scrub clean and will last a while.

 

[NotUrsula]

Like using their DUKTIG doll beds for small pets. Just do a web search for "IKEA doll bed pets" to see some very cute photos with cats, bunnies, and small dogs. I actually bought a few of these for a local animal shelter once. Another volunteer made some comfy bedding. (The beds come with basic bedding pieces.)

A cat cafe here has large plate-glass windows on two sides, and they have these lined up all along the sills, with that black & ivory IKEA cat pattern fabric on the cushions. It's like a cat nursery, only the residents are adult cats.

 

[AustinTink]

You might want to do a Google search for "Ikea Hacks." Some people are really inventive with taking the basic Ikea furniture and really changing them into high end looking pieces, or for a totally different function than intended. It would be good to see the basic pieces before or after to appreciate the work these people put in.

Definitely. My kiddo does this all the time. Very inventive hacks out there. He just did the one that uses an IKEA kitchen countertop as the top of a customized desk. Came out great.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Definitely try the meatballs!

The first time I went, I was overwhelmed by the maze effect.

But I really love their shelves and their small kichen items.

 

[Imzadi]

2. My favorite thing I've bought from Ikea is a Kallax shelf that I use as a TV stand and entertainment center. I think their shelves and storage options are some of the best products.

The Kallax is the best shelving I got from Ikea that I DIDN'T buy. Turns out the Kallax 2x2 unit is a favorite item that people buy as a stand-alone unit or to stack next to, or on top of each other in multiple configurations.

The 2x2 unit is very easy to assemble, lightweight, and moveable. So much so, that many parents of college students buy them for their kids to be able to have the semblance of a furnished apartment while at college here.

AND when the students finish college and go back home or onto their next chapter in life, these units are easy to pass on because they are so lightweight. When I first joined my local Freecycle-type group, I was able to snag one almost immediately. It was a brown wood-tone color I didn't want, but I figured could easily paint it. (I never got around to painting it.) It was over the course of the next several months that I found out how popular they are to pass along. I was able to snag 4 more Kallax units, and in white, which is the color I wanted. I then gave away the brown one I didn't want. I now have the four Kallax 2x2 units stacked as a room divider.

It's looks similar to this, which is a Kallax (real) 4x4. I love it! Has storage, yet is open & airy.

 

[NotUrsula]

I went to IKEA for the first time this past summer and for me as a non-shopper who didn't have anything I needed/wanted, the meatballs were the highlight for me. It takes awhile to get through, as they have it set up as a path you have to follow through the warehouse. You can't really just go in to the sheets (or whatever), plan to spend double the amount of time you think you need.

You actually can visit efficiently, if you know the store layout well. (Obviously, that doesn't help when visiting for the first time). I can get in and out in 20 minutes without any problem.

It also can be useful to head straight for the cafe and go in backward if the stuff you want is near that side. Probably 8 out of 10 visits I make are to the lower floor only; you can do that by going through the doors under the entrance escalator.