We went to IKEA today. We bought some furniture, then put it together and now, here we are. Going to IKEA isn’t hard, but coming out of there feeling like you won? That’s a bit tougher. Here are a few simple tips that will make you an IKEA hero.
Learn the Map: You don’t have to know where everything is, but know the general paths (almost always a clover-like shape) and the general sequence of rooms. That way, if you need to move quickly, you’ll know where to cut through the center and what loops of the main path you want to hit. Of course, if you’ve got time, walking the full path is a lot of fun.
Use That Little Pencil: Each of those little IKEA papers you use to write down aisle numbers of items you want to pick up in self service is large. The empty list that stares back at you when you pick it up is very long. So, don’t worry about writing down too much. Take notes, write down any piece of furniture that looks interesting, and make sure you get those aisle numbers the first time you go through the store.
Eating at the Cafe: First, do it. The food is a great deal and the meatballs are delicious. How many meatballs should you order? Figure out how many you think you’d eat, and then add 5. Also, if you get a drink, try the lingenberry juice. You can get soda anywhere; there’s no need to get it here.
Labels Out and Checkout Calculations: If you’re taking home a stack of boxes from the self-service area, put them onto your cart with the labels out. It’ll make checking out twice as fast, especially if you get a self-checkout lane. Also, when deciding what lane to go into for check out, look at the numbers of “loose” items that people have. Checking out with a stack of furniture boxes, be they 2 or 10, takes less than a minute. A family with a cart full of knick=knacks, baskets, and small storage solutions will take much longer.
Think Beyond Furniture: IKEA has great deals on furniture, sure. But did you know they also sell cookware, flatware, bed/bathware, and men’s wear? Well, not men’s wear…yet. If you’re looking for a cheap set of forks or a inexpensive wok and have a trip to IKEA planned, add it to your list. More often than not, you’ll find quality goods at a price cheaper than what you’ll find at your local Target or Bed, Bath, and Beyond.
As you become more and more of an IKEA aficionado, you’ll find your own ways to become the best honorary Swede that you can be, but these tips should help you well on your way to being an IKEA hero. And if there’s anything this country needs, it’s more IKEA heroes.