So yesterday I started talking about our recent trip to Ikea and some of the reasons that I really like that place. It is strange for me to say that about any retail store, because as the Duggars say, I like to “buy used and save the difference.” Still, when we really needed to get some furniture for our oldest son’s room in order to help him be more organized, we were able to get what we need as well as a few surprises.
So here are my main reasons why I like Ikea.
The items are low priced and modular, as I mentioned in the last post. We could pick and choose pieces to put together, even down to a chair seat and table legs.
There are plenty of solutions for small spaces. This helps since most frugal people don’t live in one of the huge McMansions and instead find smaller spaces more affordable and economical. Our local Ikea had a 525 square foot “apartment” completely decorated and functional. Okay, the shower was a little small, but the kitchen was amazing. I liked one piece of furniture that combined storage with display, and other piece that could be an instant office for me if placed in a portion of our family room.
They will work with you on price. When we were looking for a set of drawers for the desk I mentioned (really a table top and then legs), an employee steered us toward a great solution that fit our budget. Since it was a floor model, she discounted it by $20, even though it only had a few pencil marks that could be cleaned up easily. In fact, we went so under budget that we were able to pick up another piece of furniture plus baskets to deal with the Lego issue (see above).
The food court isn’t overpriced. Yes, it pays to bring your own food when you are out, but since we had to make our trip right after church and hair cuts for the boys, and everyone was tired of sandwiches, we opted to eat at Ikea. The prices were more reasonable than most fast food places, and the food was better. (Ironically, two of my three children chose sandwiches anyway.) Later, we purchased six very large cinnamon buns for the ride home at a cost of only $4. A great treat that helped us avoid having to stop out for dinner, since we live 45 minutes away.
Yes, Ikea, I’ll be back.
You can read more blog posts by Mary Ann Romans here!
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