We live about 120 miles away from Ikea, so until now, I have not had the energy to travel there. Sunday afternoon, I finally got to go. Let me tell you, It was a real experience walking into an Ikea. It was totally beyond what my expectations were. The Ikea I went to was about the size of 6 super walmarts… maybe even larger. It was just HUGE!
I was really overwhelmed and not prepared to see so much stuff.
But, that did not stop me from getting a little shopping done. I had to limit myself since the whole family was with me (I guess I could have left one of the kids at the store- to fit another piece of furniture, lol). Next time I go, it will be without kids & the back seats in my minivan. 🙂
I LOVE this vintage style alarm clock. A $5.99 find! The jars behind it are planters. Im thinking some basil & sage on my kitchen counter.
The pillow cases were dirt cheap at around $6-7. They will go in my “new” bedroom. The “reveal” to come sometime soon. 🙂
They even roll up the pillows for a compact fit.
The main reason we went to Ikea was to get my 8 year old a new bed. I love this black-brown color. For his birthday, we are redecorating his bedroom (paint, bedding, curtains, furniture, etc…). He has no idea. Boys are clueless. 😉
I love these storage jars. I got a black hanging rod to hang them on ‘s’ hooks. They will go in my bedroom, above my little desk.
I got a few more things from this shopping trip, but I already have another trip planned for the spring. There was so much more I wanted to get and could not fit.
Here are a few pictures from my phone…
Yes, they have escalators and massive elevators!
These silver candle “skimmers” would look great on a night stand. ($5.99-$10.99)
Pottery barn looking picture frames, only $9.99!
Vintage style wall clocks… cheap!
Storage…
Storage…
and more storage.
Expedit cubbies…
LOVE these frames…
Chalkboards…
My next purchase, a king sized black wrought iron bed. $229 (I think).
So vintage looking…
Ikea even has fabric!
Very cool lighting…
This picture shows how massive the store is. This is one of about 50 stock isles.
What a sport! My husband had a headache by the time we left. Shopping overload. 🙂 Men just can’t handle it.
I hope this gives you a good visual of Ikea. If you have not yet visited one, you must. Its a unique shopping experience everyone must do! I forgot to mention that my two youngest kids played in the Ikea play-land while we shopped. We dropped them off & got a pager (in case they needed to get ahold of us). They even have a restaurant in the store. Just amazing!
Do you have any favorite items from Ikea?
ikea Posted in 60 comments
60 comments on “My trip to ikea…”
I LOVE Ikea!! I live about 45 min from one. I’m there ALL the time. The majority of furniture in my house has come from there. My absolute favorite thing at Ikea is their Trofast storage system. It is the best thing for toy storage in my son’s room.
I live 4 hours from an IKEA…but I am thinking I need to take a trip there ASAP- no kids!!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing all the great finds!! 🙂
Totally love Ikea!!! you simply MUST get the swedish pancake mix & the frozen meatballs & gravy pack – so yummy! total fav’s in our home. Ikea is awesome! For an organized person it’s LOVE from the moment you walk in 🙂 Baskets have been probably one of my fav’s from there! They’re in my pantry, and in many of my closets.
DaNita
I LOVE Ikea and I’ve totally been going through withdrawal! I live about 70 miles from one and don’t get there nearly enough. From the first time I got my hands on a catalog, I’ve been hooked!!
My favorite item by far is the Bjursta dining table. It EASILY pulls out to go from seating 4 to 8 or more! I actually use it in my craft room. It’s GREAT for laying out sewing patterns because it’s a HUGE table that folds up to a regular size table.
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!
I need to make a trip! Ours is close and I’m shocked that my BF who has lived in Houston all of her life has NEVER BEEN. It’s a crime. It’s the first place I went when I moved here! After the waters of Tropical Storm Allison retreated that is…
You snapped pics of some of my fave stuff! The black clocks are a major favorite here!! Glad you had a good time!
I agree with DaNita – the Swedish pancake mix is SOOO good! I have several items in my home that you took pictures of in the store! I am so glad to live 3 1/2 blocks away from Ikea….yep, it’s that close. Well, the parking lot is 4 1/2 blocks away! I have so many Ikea items in my home- my favorite is my drawers in my kitchen, which they don’t carry anymore. I’m so happy for you. Now come to L.A. and I’ll take you to my Ikea too!!
Becky B.
http://www.organizingmadefun.blogspot.com
Organizing Made Fun
I have only been once, and my only purchase was that black vintage style alarm clock you showed! I will get back someday…
Lynne
♥♥
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Ooooo…Ahhhh…
I haven’t been there for years. Perhaps it’s time to go again?
Love all the photos-really beautiful! Scanning thru your blog made me inspire more.
dining room furniture sale
cheap bedroom furniture UK
I’ve heard so many great things about IKEA, but I’ve never even seen one. I wonder if they are any stores in the SE USA. Going to check it out now….
I looove Ikea – always have, but being from Norway – we’ve had Ikes around for ages – I remember my first trip there at age 7 or so – and I still love it. I buy lots of fabric there and I love their vintage kitchen sinks.
Tone
I am so lucky in that I live in the same town as the first Ikea that opened in the UK! many years ago I might add
I love it, not been for ages as my plastic friend always takes a hiding when I go lol
Though I have seen so many cool things in your post and others that a trip might be on the cards for me and my plastic friend lol
OMG HUGE store amazing!!!
Love the clock you got:)
One of the 2 IKEA stores here recently burnt down, it’s really sad, many people out of work because of it etc…
So now the other remaining store is having a big sale so they can get rid of all the stock they had for the second store… I am really considering a big shopping trip but wow the size of the store scares me 🙂
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Daniela
http://isreview1.blogspot.com
You are making me so jealous right now!!! I finally got to go to one in July last year when I was visiting out of state. But I was only able to grab a handful of things that would fit in my suitcase. We will finally get one here in Colorado in November. I am soooooooooo excited!
I LOVE IKEA!!! My closest (and favorite) one is by Pittsburgh, PA. I have also been to the one in Shaumburg, IL. ALL of their stuff is amazing. When my daughter needed a new dresser that’s where we headed. It’s beautiful and was inexpensive, but not cheap. Made of real wood that we put together, drawers have gliders so they move so smoothly and the finish is gorgeous and it was only $300. There is one sad note…I want one for my room but it won’t fit 🙁 I haven’t been up there for awhile I feel a road trip coming 🙂
Ikea is my favourite store … I make 2 annual trips by myself, no one else is invited! 🙂 I make a day of it, take my time looking through the rooms, treat myself to lunch and a coffee (LOVE their coffee) … and a few items for my house! My hubby doesn’t like it, so I just go alone and have some “me” time!
Jo @ Squeaky Clean!
http://www.squeakycleanlife.blogspot.com
We are fortunate to have an IKEA less than 30 minutes from our house, but I only go there about once a year because I find it so overwhelming! One of my favorite IKEA pieces is the Expedit unit. We’ve got one in our playroom, but it is so versatile and could be used in almost any room of the house for great storage!
I’m so glad you finally got to shop at IKEA! We lived near to the first one to open in the UK, then moved to Houston and were so relieved when one opened there, now we live in Malaysia and, guess what, we have an IKEA!
My favourite item is the black, king sized Tromsnes bed we bought back in 1996, it is vintage looking and sturdy. My second favourite is our red, metal filing cabinet.
LOVE Ikea! My favorite find? Rugs – cheap and they wash up great! I also love the Bondost cheese in the deli 🙂
I think that is the same one I shop at at times (I noticed the Ohio license plates!)
Anyhow, I love those holders you got, every time I am there I think about purchasing them, but then I don’t know where to put them in my apartment!
I love the bed and bedding we got for my son there, as well as different picture frames and lights!
I could spend all day there if I had to!
The closest IKEA for us is 104 miles.
We plan trips around being able to stop there! I never get to stay long enough…but I always stop shopping in time to have a cinnamon roll!
Now, I’m thinking, surely we must need to go to Orlando for something…
Oh how i miss IKEA!! *sniff* We used to be stationed about an hour away from one but now we live in the middle of nowhere and the closest IKEA is TEN HOURS away!!! (and yes I have possibly contemplated taking a trip just for that LOL)
I LOVE Ikea!! We have one about 45 mins away and I always drag my hubby there…I think he secretly loves it though 🙂 That king size bed is great ~ I’m definitely keeping that one in mind when we redo our bedroom!
Kaitlyn @ The Birds Nest
http://nestdecorator.blogspot.com
no matter how long you are in that store, you never feel like you see everything. I love it!
I must have an alarm clock like that. I want a silver one for my night stand. I also adore those planters…I’ve seen them all over blogland and have loved them for a long time. I plan on making the trip there this summer…can’t wait.
Great post! I felt the same way the first time I walked into an Ikea store about 8 years ago. At that time, we didn’t have one near us and so made bi-yearly pilgrimages to the next state! I’d say our favorite item to have and recommend to others is the Billy bookcases. So flexible for storage and decor displays! They come in a variety of color/finishes and can be configured in so many ways! Love!
OMG, this is perfect. We are going on Sunday. It’s about 50 minutes away so I have never been before. I am so looking forward to it and I really love some of the things you bought.
I am 20 minutes from Ikea. I love that store. I am so glad you posted today. I needed a picture frame for pics from my daughter’s birthday. The Ribba frame will be perfect.
I am so jealous of so many of you who live so close to Ikea. Becky, WOW! its right around the corner from you. (Shopping envy)… 🙂
Toni
I live 30 minutes from one Ikea and 45 from another! The Asker storage jars are on my list for my next trip.
We’ve got one about 15 minutes away–I love going too!
Here’s one of my favorite purchases–the malma mirrors that I decorated for a whole wall display. You can see it here:
http://craftingintherain.blogspot.com/2011/02/ikea-mirrors-on-wall.html
I did NOT need to know that Ikea has fabric!!! 🙂 I’ve never been to one, but I’m thinking I must add that to my spring-break to-do list… I might even be able to drag the hubs with me!!! 😀
I love IKEA… and I bought the bed you want for my 10 year old there last weekend!! Great bed, don’t forget the side rails and bed slat’s otherwise you will be back at the store getting them!!
A great portion of my house is from or inspired by ikea…
good luck!!
Glad you enjoyed your first visit to IKEA! I found IKEA near San Francisco and never appreciated how close I lived to it until now (in Wisconsin) when I live two hours from the closest one!
My favorite things at IKEA are the expedit bookcases, the pillows and colorful covers, the storage boxes (you showed white but I have my eye on some orange ones that are cute!), the frames, the jars that have matte silverish lids, the pretty tea towels, and the fabric I use as artwork (stretched over canvases) or in my shabby Honda sedan – to cover the disintegrated visor fabric that just fell off slowly. now the car went from shabby to chic with some cute gray/white/orange IKEA fabric.
After reading this post and seeing photos of products I’d been thinking about (the big wall clock, the frames), I will be going this weekend! I make a day of it, going first thing Saturday morning, shop, grab lunch, then I’m home by mid-afternoon – happy as can be (with a smaller bank account, of course).
I love IKEA – I am soo overdue for a trip. I have no excuse, its only about 20 mins from me via freeway. Thanks for sharing your finds!
ooooh how i wish wish we had an ikea here…
oh my. I keep hearing about these stores, but I’ve never been. I just read that one opened that’s about 1 hour 15 mins away. that’s the closest I think we’re going to get! I have to drag DH there. we have to plan a day when the little man is in school so we can take our time! 🙂 Looks fun! if a bit overwhelming!
I haven’t been to Ikea yet but that’s a great deal on beds! We need a new one, might be worth the drive!
I love Ikea! I designed my whole craft area with furniture from Ikea. Many of the things you took pictures of are things I have. I need to go look for pillowcases though. I missed them.
love IKEA! A number of years ago when the closet one was Seattle 2 of my girlfriends kidnapped me for the weekend and we went up there. First trip we spent 5 hours in IKEA. Thank goodness about 2 years ago they built one in Portland. My friends and I call IKEA the Mother ship.
I live 20 minutes from IKEA and I can tell you it is not good for the pocket book…LOL
I live really close to an IKEA which I love, but my hubby doesn’t so much. Though we have stopped by for dinner every once in awhile to have their delicious Swedish meatballs and macaroni & cheese. My hubby loves that part of our IKEA trip. 😉
I love everything that you bought and want to buy. I have some of what you bought. Those picture frames & the pots. I have a lot of those storage bins also for my home office. Love them. Thanks for sharing your shopping trip.
I just recently came across your blog and love it.
I LOVE Ikea. Half our house comes from there. I used to live an hour and a half from one and now I am 20 minutes from one.
I am actually planning a trip tomorrow for swings, but I know that swings won’t be the only thing I bring back. That is the problem with Ikea. 🙂
How could you not love IKEA!! I was there today! The Swedes know how to do it! I could go there everyday and find something new that I like….absolutely love love IKEA!!
IIIIKKKKKEEEEAAAA….OH MAN! Let me wipe the drool off my computer! Our closest on is about an hour away! I love that place. My FAVORITE thing from there?!…EVERYTHING. SO glad you finally got to go, but I’m also SO jealous.
Jennie {CInnaberry Suite}
Ohhhh…I didn’t know you were an IKEA virgin! lol 🙂 We’ve got one about 2hrs away in West Sacramento, and we’re headed there next weekend. Can’t wait!
I LOOOOVE Ikea!! We live right down the highway from ours, it’s about a 20 min drive – which is very dangerous for our bank account;) We just bought the big EXPEDIT shelf for our dining room – you can see it here:
http://teebliterary.blogspot.com/2011/03/welcome-home-shelf.html
I love it!! I love finding fun things to put on it and decorate with, as well as making it functional for our family. Ikea really rocks:) I love the alarm clock!
i love love love ikea!!! They have so many nice items and the prices are pretty incredible:) My boyfriend and i could spend hours in there (thankfully he likes design as much as i do!)
Hubby and I just love Ikea! Our first trip was to Atlanta, GA Ikea about 5 hrs away from us…he took me for a v-day weekend gift. We spent almost $1000 the firs time. Our second visit we spent about $600.00. We’re going to Disney World week after next and will be going to the IKEA in Orlando, FL…5 hrs away. So excited..just love IKEA!!! 🙂
I have the Expedit cubes too in my entryway. I love IKEA. There is one about 20 miles from my house. We’ve bought a few great rugs too all for under $20!
I am lucky to have an IKEA about 20 minutes away. Love the place and the restaurant is delicious and reasonable too.
The closest IKEA to me four hours away in another state! I wish we lived closer to one. Thanks for the posting the pics of what it looks like inside. Can you believe I’ve never been in one before?
Wow, the IKEA you went to is much bigger than the one we have here in Texas. I too like going there but it can be overwhelming and I must go without the kiddos! 🙂
Toni, I can’t believe you’ve NEVER been – It’s so overwhelming, right? It’s like you want everything, but can’t decide so you get nothing. Oh wait, that’s projection… At any rate, I hope you had some Swedish Meatballs! My new offices at KW are entirely ikea in the brown/black. We each get a desk and an expedit! Love your purchases, and you should most def get that iron bed!
Kit, thanks for the comment 🙂 project away… we’ve all been there! I, personally, love the black/brown!
I LOVE this. When you don’t live next to one and have been to one, you know exactly what you are missing out on. We are moving in March and will be 30 minutes away from one!!! I am soooo excited. I will definitely be buying an Expedit and the beautiful green storage pieces that go inside. Thanks for sharing such an awesome trip. Now I’m even more excited for my trip!
Ikea is one of my favorite go to stores. I have done so many projects in my home using things I have purchased there. I’m in the process of re-doing of my girls room and have purchased the Brimnes daybeds. Next time you go check out their “As-is” section. I got 3 shelves there for a total of $6.
When I lived in Schaumburg I lived right across I90 from IKEA. Every time I walked my dog I could see the glowing yellow IKEA! Most items in my first place came from there. I could never name just one thing I love because really is nothing I do not love from there. Well, maybe meatballs but I am not a fan of any meatballs. 😉 My DH loves this chair that we have had forever. I asked him yesterday about getting rid of it because a pregnant friend was coming over and I was afraid she would sit in it and it would break. He was so heart broken that I would consider tossing it. Now every time I come into the living room he or his dog are sitting in it. We live about an hour north of IKEA now; absence does make the heart grow fonder!!!!