So tell me, what do you like about Ikea? (the store)

[Lachesis00]

A new Ikea store opened in Tempe (not far from us). I've never been to one. It's the first in Phoenix that I am aware of...

What's at Ikea? Do you like shopping there? I checked out their website but I thought I'd ask others what they thought.

 

[blowinbubbles]

Unfortunately, we live in NW Florida, where everything gets here last! LOL. . .

I found a bookshelf on the IKEA website that I *so* wanted, but that item wasn't available for shipment. Grrrrr. . .

 

[septbride2002]

I love everything about Ikea - especially how simple everything is. I'm not big on the whole HUGE furinture look. However since I don't have an Ikea store near me I am forced to have things shipped which is expensive.

~Amanda

 

[Lachesis00]

Are the prices reasonable? The site had sale prices... I do not dare go there right now... they actually closed down the off ramp to Ikea... it was sooo busy.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I LOVE this place! It's a unique store. At the one I have been to, you wander through it like a path - they have paper and pencils there so you can write down numbers for items you want. You walk through several 'room' displays, so you can see how they put together diff rooms with their various items - fully decorated. Then you wander through the living rooms with sofas, kitchen cabinets, bedrooms, dining rooms, etc. Then downstairs, there is LOADS of cookware, gadgets, vases, decor, dishes, etc. Thena whole section of rugs, wall part, lighting, kids furniture and toys, storage, etc. Lastly, you wander into the warehouse area where you collect whatever items you wrote down the number for (big items, you can pick up small items in the store). Then check out! They also have a kids play area, you can check your child in when you arrive to let them play... and a food area, with meals and snacks and such.

We have bought several things there, and have been pleased with them. You have to load your own things, and assemble them, but that cuts down on teh cost- they have a loading zone, with people there to help, and tiedowns and such available for your use. Very efficent, I found.

I love their inexpensive art, lighting, and various decor. Furniture is hit or miss. We bought a 100% pine table that I finished myself, and 4 $19 chairs - they have held up great and are perfect for what we wanted. We also bought a solid wood kitchen island, which is great as well.

DH and I could spend hours in there, but we love home design and decor =) Go check it out!

 

[tinaluis]

Things are very reasonably priced, they have a play area for the kids, and the food and snacks at their restaurant are very yummy. We try to get there at least 3x a year and are never disappointed when we do.

 

[1stNoel]

I love going to IKEA, but I never buy anything except dishes and knick knacks anymore. The look of the furniture is good and they have it set up in well designed rooms where you can get some great decorating ideas, but even their higher priced stuff is not good quality. We have bought and tossed several dressers and shelves after just a couple years. If you are just starting out and need to furnish on the cheap, it's an option. I would rather buy fewer nice pieces that will last though. JMHO.

 

[Lachesis00]

I *so* want to go there but I am waiting. I think they said the store is like 342,000 sq feet.

 

[Sleepy]

The one here in Naples is a literal NIGHTMARE There are people elbow to elbow and when you are in a country where people NEVER say excuse me when they run over you, it just makes the experience worse. From what I saw, they have neat ideas with their displays and they have alot of decently prices merchandise, but with all the people, it was like herding sheep...you just had to keep moving as the rest moved. Just not worth it. Don't think I will be back anytime soon.

 

[Loftus]

Meatballs!

 

[1stNoel]

Originally posted by Loftus
Meatballs!

Yummmm. Meatballs.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Originally posted by Lachesis00
A new Ikea store opened in Tempe (not far from us). I've never been to one. It's the first in Phoenix that I am aware of...

What's at Ikea? Do you like shopping there? I checked out their website but I thought I'd ask others what they thought.

This place--you could seriously plan a day there and just window shop and browse around.

The food--the ones I went to had a large cafeteria upstairs and a more quicky service downstairs--inexpensive and GOOD!!!

The play area--children need to be a certain height--if they are, you can drop them off while you shop

If they are too short--there are stations set up throughout the store to play at.

They sooo cater to families--they want you to look, touch, sit, feel everything--it is on the walls everywhere. We encountered a very very very rude customer once--she got very mean b/c my kids were playing in the "real" kitchen (as opposed to the toy kitchen)...they were checking it out as I was...she said some rude comment and went around the corner...I did a double take and then peaked around the corner--she looked directly at me and said "yes I was talking to you"...So I made some comment back well if she raised her kids properly yadda yadda yadda (she was "young" grandma age)--she said that if her kids ever behaved like brats as mine were (which I have witnesses--they weren't)...I told her that it is plastered everywhere on the walls that children are welcome and if she didn't like it she should go someplace else--she got huffy and walked away. I did double check with an employee to make sure my kids weren't doing anything wrong. They had the same response I did about the lady--that IKEA is kid friendly...so if you are like this lady--AVOID IKEA

The kids changing rooms (diaper rooms)---are decorated better than my house.

But seriously--there stuff is inexpensive (NOT "CHEAP")--furniture is high end RTA--better quality than a wal-mart or Target--heck, I'd keep it as forever furniture. One note on the furniture--very scandinavian influence--could look weird say if you were into Victorian or colonial furniture. But I still LOVE it!

Toys are COOL--we have some pots and pans for the kids that can actually be used on a real stove--they are kiddy size, but made like the real thing--and dare I say--CHEAP (oops, I meant inexpensive). I got some beautiful lamps for my piano, and a black and white beach picture and a flower picture (very crisp looking and colorful)--there prints are AWESOME.

When they finish the Atlanta one--I think I would make a weekend adventure. I seriously think my kids equate going to IKEA almost as much fun as going to Disney.

Hubby was 6 months in DC last year--I drove up there just so I'd have a van to take stuff home in

Can't wait to go back!!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

When you want to go--I would try an outing say--at store opening...kind of like BF shopping--get there early--and scoot your way through

Also--in DC, the one in Maryland I think (they are lucky--they have 2 and the one in Maryland is the largest in the US, I think--or at least it used to be)...I found that parking in the garage was easier to getting into the store than parking in the front lot.

 

[tazz23]

ikea meatballs are gorgeous!!! another big ikea fan here! - most of my room is covered in silly knick knacks from there!

 

[Lachesis00]

OK what is up with these meatballs? I keep seeing people say meatballs LOL. Do you buy them to take home? Eat them there? Are they in spaghetti? LOL Come on spill it!!

Man I am soooo wanting to go. We have done minimum shopping since moving here for household stuff... It either cost too much or is made too cheap.... so we've held off buying stuff.


Maybe tuesday we'll go wander (next day the hubby has off) and check it out, maybe have lunch

 

[Barb D]

Much of my furniture is from Ikea. DS's bedroom is "built" out of Ikea bookcases and an Ikea wardrobe. DD has an Ikea dresser. My desk (including hutch and file drawer/bench combo), china cabinet, and coffee table are Ikea. The framed poster over my fireplace is from Ikea.

I would LOVE to be able to buy all my furniture at - say - Restoration Hardware, but there's no way I could afford that. I can afford Ikea, and I like the furniture. Mine is less Scandinavian looking than some Ikea furniture. It's "antiqued pine", and has simple lines.

 

[1stNoel]

The meatballs are in the cafe. They are swedish, of course. They carry a lot of swedish foods in the store too. Yum.

 

[Cindy B]

Some of my furniture is from Ikea. We have gotten rid of some but the kids still have some. My son has a loft bed, that he likes.

Some chairs have held up for over 10 years. We have some occasional chairs that are good as well. The TV stand and bookcases are good as well.

My son drawers have come from there also.

It is a very kid friendly place. The one Ikea near me has a free parking garage, so thats nice. The other one is newer, closer to my house, but the area is iffy. (ie strip clubs and waterfront nearby).

 

[mom2rb]

I love looking but I only buy small things there. Everytime we buy something big it falls apart. It could be that DH and I are not good at building things.