IKEA was started in 1943 with the objective of selling general merchandise at reduced prices. Throughout the decades, IKEA has grown to a group with 90,000 employees in 44 countries, selling nearly 10,000 items. IKEA specializes in providing good quality furniture and household items at very low prices.
The IKEA Shopping Experience
IKEA stores are massive, and IKEA savings are equally as massive. Although the stores can get crowded, IKEA tries to keep customer shopping experiences pleasant with free parking and supply kiosks at the entrance with pencils, paper, a store guide, tape measures and catalogs. IKEA provides a free supervised children's play area and children who stay with parents for the shopping adventure are invited to test toys in the children's department.
IKEA has many showrooms which are fully furnished and shoppers are encouraged to try out the furniture by sitting or lying on it.
IKEA Shopping Pros
- Vast selection
- Good quality furniture at low prices
- In-store restaurant for quick, healthy eats at low prices
- Clearly priced merchandise
- Staff does not bother customers, yet are available assist if asked
IKEA Shopping Cons
- Huge store with vast floor space means navigating crowds
- Moving between floors with carts is confusing at first, but helpful staff shows first-time shoppers how it is done
IKEA Furniture
IKEA has furniture for bedrooms, offices, kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms and kids' rooms. When you select furniture at an IKEA store, it can be picked up at a self-serve warehouse. Furniture is packed flat to make transporting it home simple and yes, you have to put it together, but this keeps the furniture prices low and slashes delivery costs. You can also order from an IKEA catalog or the IKEA website, but you will incur shipping charges.
Anyone who has assembled furniture knows how it feels to be so frustrated with assembling furniture that using it for firewood becomes a temptation. IKEA furniture is designed to be easy to assemble, so you will not be tempted to get out the matches.
IKEA Kitchens: Everything and the Kitchen Sink
IKEA has a large kitchen area with a variety of cooking and baking utensils, bake ware, dishes, silverware, cutlery and cookware. You will even find kitchen sinks, appliances and faucets at IKEA along with kitchen carts, cleaning tools and organization items.
Even More in Store at IKEA
Just about anything you would need for decorating your home can be found at IKEA. You will find wall art, indoor plants, fabric for decorating, blinds, curtains, bedding, towels and shower curtains, cushions, floor coverings and much more all at low prices.
The choices IKEA offers for low-costs home organization are unmatched:
- Heavy duty storage shelving
- Boxes and bins
- Clothing and shoe organizers
- Shelving and brackets
- File cabinets
- Desk and bookshelf organization
- Laundry room storage and organization
- Basement and garage organization and shelving
IKEA carries other general merchandise for the home as well, like clock, waste baskets, mirrors, lamps and bathroom scales.
Refunds and Exchanges at IKEA
Most anything purchased from IKEA can be returned for a refund or exchange within 90 days, but you must hold on to your receipt because you need it to return merchandise. Check the IKEA return policy for details.
IKEA Locations
You can shop IKEA Online or visit a store. The money saved shopping at IKEA is worth the time and cost of driving if you do not have a store close to you.
- IKEA U.S. Locations
- IKEA Canada Locations
- IKEA Online and Locations in Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific
Shelley Elmblad - Shelley Elmblad has been writing about personal finance and reviewing money management software since 2005.
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