Young House Love

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A Visit To Ikea

First off, this post wasn’t paid for or perked by Ikea. We just wanted to share a recent pilgrimage. And we like them (especially with this cool announcement). Anyway, some people say you can tell a lot about a person by looking in their purse, their closet, maybe even their iPod. But what may give you a good peek into our lives is a look into our car trunk… after a trip to Ikea.

Ikea Trunk Open

This was the scene after a recent trip. It was our first since my parents moved out of the same area as the Ikea (which is about 90 minutes away) meaning no more quick stops after a family visit. Clearly, we’ve already become hoarders. Not knowing when our next visit will be we found ourselves grabbing more than usual “just in case” since we were up there visiting friends. Here’s the breakdown for ya:

Ikea Trunk With Arrows3

1. Two Retur recycling bins turned shoe cabinets for our laundry room, as you’ve already seen (they were one – er, two of the main reasons for our visit).

Retur Shoes Inside

2. The boxes that would become our Effektiv file cabinet for the office, as you’ve also already peeped here.

Effektiv After Handles

3. Cute napkins for big ol’ family gatherings at our house (when we run out of cloth ones). Specifically these, in green.

4. A door mat. Why? Long story short: rainy night + full-bladdered chihuahua who hates to get wet = need for a new mat. We did let the rain rinse it out and planned to continue using it. Problem is Burger had the same plan (guess it was still “marked”). The new one is so far unscathed by this silly dog (who much prefers to sunbathe with his tongue out).

Ikea Burger Sunbathing

5. Two woven planters. Because we’re suckers for natural textures. And in need of more indoor plants ’round here.

6. This blanket. We were so excited about this purchase. We’d been hunting for a spare blanket to keep in the living room, since our current brown one doesn’t jive with Karl as much as we’d like. This one looked perfect. Problem is, it doesn’t feel perfect. Despite a couple of washings, it’s still a bit scratchy. And because of those couple of washings, it’s a bit unreturnable. Shucks. At least it still looks good! Maybe someday we’ll use it to recover an ottoman or something. But warning: this is not a blanket that you want to get cozy with for very long (Sherry plans to layer it with the softer one underneath it during the winter months for extra warmth without the scratchy texture touching her skin).

Ikea Blanket On Karl

7. A light kit. Since we used our other “spare” for our clothespin light, we wanted to have another on hand. Someday we’ll get around to hanging the paper lantern that we picked up a while back in the playroom. We were just paranoid that Ikea will stop making them when it finally comes time to tackle that room (and at $3.99 they’re cheaper than any others we’ve encountered).

CPL Light Kit In Close

8. Various white frames. Do we even need to elaborate on that after this and this? We just figure they’re always good to have around, and we still have a lot of bare walls and about five million cute baby and dog pictures. Yikes, we’re those people.

9. A white duvet cover that we thought could work in our bedroom. Long story short, we’re still on the fence. So it’s still sitting in the packaging until we’re sure (since Ikea doesn’t take back opened bedding). At $50 for a king sized duvet and two shams it was a pretty good deal (we just wanna be sure there’s nothing else out there that we love more) so we’ll keep you posted.

10. Toys! Since we’ve admitted in point #8 that we’re quickly turning into “those people”, we couldn’t resist getting Clara this soft set of farm animals (she loves farm animals) and a soft set of tools (we desperately want her to love tools). The good news? She LOVES them both (esp. the goat and the ruler). Bad news? It’s not teaching us a lesson about buying her too many toys…

Ikea Clara In Living Room

Ikea Clara In Bedroom

We also scored a couple of other items while there that didn’t make it home in the trunk. For example, thanks to being on the catalog mailing list I got a random email about joining this new “Ikea Family rewards program” the morning before our trip. So I picked up my free card later that afternoon right in the store from this handy little futuristic kiosk:

Ikea John Family Card

I don’t totally understand exactly what it gets me, except for a free coffee or tea at each visit. Sold. Except that it would have been a more time-efficient idea had we not had to linger in the restaurant area for twenty minutes while Sherry waited for it to be cool enough to sip (my wife is such a diva). At least it bought us plenty of time to take pictures like this one of Clara “drinking her tea”:

Ikea Sherry With Tea

And on this particular visit thanks to picking up that free Ikea Family card we also got a free ice cream cone. Guess saving that buck really makes up for all the money we spent on everything else, right? Clara demonstrated her appreciation by smearing it all over her face. And it was adorable.

Ikea Clara With Ice Cream

Do you guys have any recent shopping trips that are particularly indicative of your personality or a particular moment in time? Perhaps a recent grocery store run for a party you’re throwing? Or a spending spree at Bed Bath & Beyond or Office Max? Do you have more Ikea, Home Depot, Lowe’s or Target receipts than you can even count these days? We used to feel like we lived at Target, but lately it has been Lowe’s and the ReStore.

Psst- We (finally) picked this week’s random giveaway winner. Click here to see if it’s you.

Comments

  4. threadbndr says

    I’m about to throw an adult sized temper tantrum. We NEED an IKEA in Kansas City. Twelve hours to any of the “nearest” ones (Denver, Dallas, Mpls and Chicago) just isn’t good enough!!!!!

    Reply

    • Sarah @ w30 says

      Seriously! Same here in Oklahoma. I guess we do have it better because Dallas is fairly close, but come on, Ikea! I’m actually shocked they aren’t in KC or here in OKC. I mean, we have a Pottery Barn, but no Ikea. Don’t they know they would be HUGE here (and there)?

      And … end rant. It is pretty awesome that they are going 100% renewable.

    • Dawn K. says

      I’m totally on this bandwagon as well. Let’s start a petition. We’ll use YHL blog as proof of all the awesome things we want to buy to make our houses functional.

    • Sara says

      Yeah…4 hours for me. At least it is doable and near my parents. We are making a trip there this weekend. Woot!

    • Sarah @ w30 says

      Ooooooooooh … I’ll sign a petition!!! We can include how much we are likely to spend in their store each year. I’m sure they would come running to our welcoming arms!

    • Katie says

      I’m dying for one in St. Louis! I’m seriously considering driving to Chicago just to visit Ikea. I’m scared of how much I would spend after a 5 hour drive! My hubs thinks I’m crazy btw

    • Amanda Z. says

      I have driven that 5 hour trip from St. Louis to Chicago many times! Sometimes in the same DAY! It is always worth the drive. My husband is an expert car packer, and a roof rack is essential.

      Going back to Chicago in a couple weeks, my list is ready!

  5. Nora says

    YOU KNOW ME! I have a literal pile of receipts from Lowes, Ikea, Home Depot. I keep it in a box in case something breaks before we use it or it’s warrantied.

    Our Ikea is 5 min away so we’re so spoiled by it. Our home could easily turn into a homage to it. And I totally debating making the BF sign up for Ikea coupons so I could get another ice cream… I’m so glad they finally came up with a rewards system!

    Reply

  6. Allison says

    Did Ikea have a decent selection of paper napkins? I’ve been looking for some cool funky ones to use for my wedding!

    Reply

  7. Mary says

    That blurring really cracked me up, too. Plus I love that hes a little pink- time to flip Burger! :) My receipt pile up?? Hm… more like Amazon box pile up. Yep. That would be the main recipient of my income. More so than me, probably.

    On another note- you guys should get a favicon- my comp science husband hooked me up with one and it is my favorite thing. Like Hansel, it is so hot right now. And your YHL logo is just ACHIN’ to be a favicon!

    Reply

  8. Lauren says

    Since you are talking about shopping trips I wanted to see if you had been couponing? I thought you had posted about trying.
    Looks like a good haul to me!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yup, I’m still couponing away, and saving around 40-50 dollars per trip. Can’t seem to get past that, but probably because we buy lots of produce and organic stuff that’s not always on sale!

      xo,
      s

  10. Marney says

    Ikea is also about a 90 minute drive from us. I was JUST there a few weeks ago and have since thought of 5 or 6 other items I should have bought.

    Reply

  11. Ashley P. says

    John,
    What size shoe do you wear? I’m considering a similar shoe storage system for our family. But my husband wears a size 13.
    Babies+ice cream cones=adorable

    Thanks,
    Ashley

    Reply

    • Sarah K says

      My husband wears a 13, and we use the black Ikea shoe bins without a problem. Although, you should know that only 2 pairs of his shoes will fit in one bin whereas I get squash about 10 pairs of my own flip flops into one.

    • Lauren says

      We signed up for the family card and it apparently will get you discounts on certain items (like a grocery store bonus card). My husband also mentioned something about how when you use it you get entered to win Ikea gift cards. I’m not sure how often they give them away, but that’s a definite perk!

  16. Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says

    I got that IKEA family email too but I initially thought it was because I shop there so much. Woops! Love IKEA trips – and it looks like you were very successful at that! We want to make one soon but know that we’ll buy much more than we need.

    Reply

  17. Britt says

    I LOVE that picture of Clara with ice cream on her face. I have an Ikea Family Card but had no idea I get free coffee and tea!! As if I needed another reason to go to Ikea.

    Reply

  18. Tristin @ Two Girls Being Crafty says

    Oh, a trip to Ikea is in store for me, SOON! It has been over a year and I’ve been pining for a visit. Maybe that sounds dramatic, but that’s how I’m feeling. You just sealed the deal… I’m going!

    Also, did you seriously pixellate Mr. Burger’s nethers? That cracked me up. Wait, why was I looking?? Oh goodness.

    Reply

  20. Sarah Mc says

    I made a trip to IKEA this past weekend too. Unfortunately my car was already pretty full of stuff so I didn’t get much. I did get the soft farm set too though and my 2.5 year old twins LOVE it! They also had a similar garden vegetables set on clearance that I picked up for them as a Christmas present. I ADORE IKEA (and you guys)!

    Reply

  21. Kathi says

    I bought that duvet cover for our master bedroom remodel in May and LOVE it! It’s really pretty on the bed and jazzes up my otherwise plain Ikea comforter insert.

    Reply

  23. Shayna says

    I’m going to go on a limb and assume that your blanket is scratchy because it’s 100% wool (and not yummy wool. If it’s not, feel free to ignore this or catalog for washing wool sweaters in the future :)

    Try soaking it in luke warm water with hair conditioner. Squeeze it a bunch of times under the water so it gets totally saturated. Let it sit some. Drain the water. Squeeze out some (don’t wring!) and rinse in more luke warm water. Squeeze again, roll it up in a towel and stand on it to get the extra moisture out then lay flat to dry for a day or two. This should soften it up a bunch. (Think about it, wool is like hair for sheep!) The knitters always know how to make things less scratchy! Hope that helps!

    PS. Whatever you do, don’t wring or hang wool or knits! And so ends your friendly unsolicited PSA.

    Reply

  24. Katherine says

    Ikea is one of my most favorite places on earth. Seriously. My sweet husband and I spent this past Friday there on a date. Like we got a sitter and went, just the two of us, cause we’re crazy like that. If you’d have told us that would be a hot date back when we were in college we’d have snored you out of the room. Anyway… my online shopping list for Ikea is nearly obscene since I’m in full on nesting mode (baby coming around Christmas) and am redecoratingeverythinginthehouserightthismoment! Ever have that happen? No? Well, then…

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, I love the Ikea date idea. Totally our idea of a good time. As for the baby on the way congrats! And yes, I nested like crazy. I scrubbed the back of our base cabinets (as in, I crawled in there with my giant belly). Insanity.

      xo,
      s

    • Teresa says

      ohh we were just talking about a “date day”(no nights, still have a nursing co-sleeping little stinker) and I would totally be all over an IKEA date!! Now to just see what hubby thinks….. thx for that idea lol

    • Michelle says

      We also have date nights at Ikea! We have dinner first (swedish meatballs) and then go shopping! Love it!:)

  27. Sara says

    You guys crack me up. Don’t feel bad Sherry, I have to wait until my tea/coffee is room temp until I can drink it:) You guys should try getting tickets for the crayfish party that they have at Ikea. My boyfriend and I are going tomorrow and it sounds pretty amazing!
    XOXO
    Sara
    lesimplethings.blogspot.com

    Reply

    • kathy says

      crayfish party? um…this must be a Southern thing at IKEA, right? I’m in Seattle and have never noticed anything about this at our IKEA store…?
      :-)

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I didn’t think it was going on at the DC one either when someone else mentioned it a while back and then I saw the sign. I think they said all US Ikeas on the sign too- so maybe yours is in on it too!

      xo,
      s

    • Sayward says

      I don’t know how Ikea decides it, but the crayfish party is definitely happening in PA.

      P.S. – I was just there this Tuesday and I almost bought the EXACT same blanket, but put it back because it was so scratchy.

  29. Jessica says

    Did the RETUR recycling bin come like that (how you have it with one bin on top of the other), or did you buy 2 of them and hang one above the other? When I clicked on the link it didn’t look the same (I couldn’t tell that it had 2 pull out bins?)….just checking – making a trip to IKEA next month when we’re in Atlanta and I’m in desperate need of a shoe storage idea!! Thanks. :)

    Reply

  30. Caroline says

    I have the that duvet cover! I have both the grey and the white — it isn’t super soft at first but it softens up after a couple washes. The stripes are subtle but add some interest, so I’m a fan!

    Reply

    • Andrew says

      I also have this duvet in white (although sometimes it looks a little cream) and I wasn’t sure about it at first. It’s a little “flat” when it comes right out of the package, but it “puckered” quite up a bit after the first wash. This adds nice texture and a certain casualness to the bed that I like. The only downside for me were the plastic snaps to hold it close; call me crazy but I prefer buttons on my duvet!

  32. Laura says

    Already planning our next trip. The closest ones are all around 3 hours away.. so it’s a TRIP. I have a list going, since they have reduced prices, there are things I passed up last time that I’m definitely going to pick up this time. Hoping for a few curtain scores like you guys!

    Reply

  33. Jennifer says

    That last line ‘used to feel like we lived at Target, but lately it has been Lowe’s and the ReStore’… Amen to that, my sentiments exactly. I have a soft spot for IKEA too, but unfortunately the closest one is about 3-1/2 hours away! We spent about 9 hours there, in one day. It was all for our new kitchen, which came in about 200 boxes that we loaded into the van we borrowed. It felt good getting free meatballs, when we were spending thousands upon thousands of dollars on cabinetry.

    Reply

  34. Jessica says

    umm….sorry, I have no idea how I missed that you said you bought TWO of them. I just noticed when I was sitting here looking at it again….Thanks for the great idea- I’ll have to see if I can find them when we make a trip!

    Reply

  36. Jazzy says

    Ikea Family gets you a GREAT discount. Or at least it does with my situation. My S.O works at the IKEA in our area… and I’ll let you in on a little secret, though I’m sure I was probably expected to keep this under wraps.

    Our IKEA is having a “friends and family” event this weekend. It’s held after hours and is intended only for IKEA family members. We get a 50% off discount on every item in the store, including brand new items. And, we also get to use our 15% off provided by the family card. Now, the family card discount may be higher for us since we literally are an IKEA family, but it’s still awesome!

    Don’t lose your card… you may regret it if you ever get an e-mail about a 50% off sale for members in your area!

    Reply

  37. Julia @ Chris loves Julia says

    I have to keep my posts about Ikea-purchases to a minimum because my bff all the way in Florida doesn’t have one close by and she admits she is a little jealous of our relationship–mine and Ikea’s. :) But when we go (it’s about 45 minutes away), we can’t help but stock up and share.

    Last weekend, we bought some open shelving for the kitchen http://chrislovesjulia.blogspot.com/2011/08/3-cheers-for-open-shelving.html

    succulents and little pots that I hand-painted http://chrislovesjulia.blogspot.com/2011/08/happy-pots.html ,

    and a floating kitchen cabinet thing that we made our entertainment center
    http://chrislovesjulia.blogspot.com/2011/08/we-got-rid-of-cardboard-box.html

    ….So needless to say, it has been a bad week for my friend in Florida. :)

    Reply

  38. Allison says

    Alas, no IKEA in the entire state of Tennessee. Closest is in ATL and I’ve never been :(. Really, really wish they would expand to Nashville!

    Reply

    • Chelley Black says

      Wouldn’t it be great if they would come to the Bellevue Center Mall? In the meantime, you can call the Houston store to place an order!

  39. Lauren says

    I have been stalking IKEA stuff online for months. Never been, and I’m finally 45 minutes away. We close on our new house tomorrow (yay!) so we’re gearing up for LOTS of trips to Target, Lowes, HomeGoods & one big adventure to IKEA. Yay, home shopping!

    Reply

  41. Laura says

    Do what Shayna suggested (hair conditioner for the scrathcy blanket). I’m a knitter – it’s an old trick. Love everything you do.

    Reply

  42. cafenoHut says

    We are also lucky. Because ikea had opened 5 or 6 six years ago in Turkey and this weekend we are planning to go there for chairs and a table. We want to change our dinning room. I hope we can find lovely things like yours..:)
    And I loved the ice cream with Clara:)

    Reply

  43. Sara says

    I have an IKEA napkin obsession. That has turned into an any-old-napkin obsession. I had to get a separate storage container just for my obsession. I have the same ones you bought ;) LOVE them!!! We got the entire farm set for my little guy. He loves the puppy but I think the little bundle of piglets is SO yummy.

    Reply

  44. Suzie says

    We become packing magicians when we head to Ikea because we have to travel 2 hours to Atlanta to shop. We are actually going this weekend and we already have a plan. We sat down with a room by room list of things we need and things we want. We go with a good idea of what we will come home with (plus a few extras of course)

    Reply

  47. Andrea says

    My office is about .5 miles from that IKEA – I’ve been known to frequent it for the amazing swedish meatballs at lunch. Fun fact! It used to be inside the mall. I’ve lived here way too long.

    Reply

  48. Renee says

    We’ve had that duvet cover for over two years and I love, love, LOVE it! It is really durable and cleans easily – a little oxiclean gets anything out of it. I used to iron it every time I washed it but gave that up for the lived-in, casual look. Plus, it does a great job of hiding all the white hairs from our white dog who sheds like it’s his job.

    Reply

  49. Ann L says

    It’s a good thing I have an IKEA trip planned for this weekend, otherwise I’d be going nuts right now—I need an IKEA fix (and a cinnamon bun fix, of course). Not sure what I’m going to get yet, but it’s one store I can go into without a plan and end up filling my trunk anyway.

    As far as receipts go, I just counted my binder-clipped Marshalls / HomeGoods receipts that are in my purse and I have…………….
    ………………..wait for it….

    ……………31 receipts in just over as many days. Between buying room accessories, pillows, having to hunt down one pillow in one store and find its match in another, my wallet runneth over. Let’s not even get started on how many times I’ve gone into the store to return something, only to rebuy it when I’m about to leave. ::sigh::

    Reply

  50. Maureen says

    Ha! I just signed up for my own IKEA Family card for my trip down to Paramus, NJ on Saturday. I am bringing $50 bucks and with that, I am getting new glasses for the kitchen, legs for our DIY desk, and some drawer organizers. All printed out, by the way, on the handy IKEA shopping list online. :) LOVE the IKEA post!

    Reply

    • Noel says

      Totally just did the same thing! I’m planning a Saturday trip to the Paramus Ikea, too…as long as my fiance cooperates- he hates driving in that area. John & Sherry, thanks for the heads up about the family card!!

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