My name is Caro and I have a bit of a thing for IKEA.
There. I said it.
It’s been one of my favourite places to shop for the last 25 years, ever since the first time, when I joyfully accompanied my mum to choose stuff for university.
But when you find yourself suggest the IKEA café for a date-night with your love, you know you’ve got it bad.
Those iconic yellow and blue buildings are not only filled with fab things for the home but I have a real love of their meatballs too.
And bumper packs of mini Dime bars.
Food and homeware. For me — that’s a heady combination.
I also love the fact that their canteen is full of their own furniture — plates, cutlery and glassware — ALL own brand.
And more recently they’ve started doing soap and hand-cream, so if you go into an IKEA loo the hand-washing facilities are also now their own product too.
It’s SO clever. For someone who has worked in brand development, these little touches certainly don’t go unnoticed ;)
You could literally move into an IKEA store and have everything you need.
Comfy beds, tasty food, an ever-changing supply of lovely cushions. I LOVE it.
Every time we visit our local store, I am heard (at least once) to say;
‘Aaah I could live in here!’
IKEA hacks have taken the western world by storm; people are creating bespoke items using their products as a base.
I created a bathroom bench from a shoe-rack, for example.
Most people you know will have at least one item from IKEA in their home.
We’ve got a fair few, even though some of them don’t look quite like they did when we bought them.
Their furniture makes such a fab blank canvas and sometimes is just crying out for a makeover.
The chest of drawers in our bedroom had a little face lift; it started out life as an unassuming little unit but with a lick of Annie Sloan — and some lovely new handles — it was transformed into a thing of beauty.
Our home is full to bursting with RIBBA frames, GLIMMA tealights, plants of the week — and I regularly get told off for ‘just popping in for one thing’ and ending up with a carboot full of stuff I never intended to buy.
So that’s it.
I just thought I’d put that out there.
I heart IKEA.
Do you have any shops that you’re a little bit obsessed with? Please tell me it’s not just me!! ;)
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
I am with you on this. I love IKEA! x #HomeEtc
High fiving you on that!! ;)
That made me chuckle to think of you on a date-night at IKEA! I totally agree with you though. The shop I’m probably most obsessed with is Liberty – when I lived in London I was a frequent visitor, and now when I’m up I always pop in, it’s a ritual. But I can afford lots more things in IKEA than I can in Liberty!
Haha!! HONESTLY — IKEA meatballs and chips is right up there with dinner at the Ivy — I LOVE it!! And, I’m totally with you. I love Liberty too. But I DEFINITELY have more of an IKEA budget!! :)
I absolutely LOVE Ikea too, but our nearest one is about 2 hours away so I don’t go in often. I think I will need a trip for the new house though. #HomeEtc x
You will DEFINITELY need to go when you move!!!
PS — I’ll come with you? ;)
Ikea blogger meet… lovely home-wear with meatballs for lunch… when shall we go?!
Hahaah!!!! Can you IMAGINE????!!! That would be my favourite day out EVER!!!!!!! :)
Ha ha I love IKEA too, I always have the smoked salmon when I go thought, it is soooo good. I love what you have done with the shoes Rack that would go well in our eaves in our bathroom with baskets. I need a trip now for that I am on a mission. The boys love going to kit their rooms out too, its so great for bits and bobs x
I blooming LOVE it Sarah!!!!! I think I’m a bit obsessed to be honest. I love it all. Tea-towels, rugs, kitchenware, cushions…! ;)
You are not alone! I was very tempted to take my mother off to Ikea in Dublin this afternoon. Her utility room could do with a serious makeover and I was itching to get at it. Sadly she wasn’t.
I love TK Maxx, Homestore & More and Dunnes Stores too.
Whaaat?? How could she not have wanted to go???! I’d have been there like a shot!! ;)
You are not alone my friend. From entertaining the little ones on rainy school holidays to free coffee to cheap but great home decor ideas – surely we ALL heart IKEA?!!! Lovely post x
Haha! I’m SO glad it’s not just me!!!!! :)
You already know I love IKEA and IKEA hacks, Caro! You didn’t know I can consume the biggest plate of meatballs though. Outed!
If they give us the ten minute warning I’m heading for ikea as I think that’s our best chance of survival in a post nuclear society.
Love the painted drawers!
#homeetc
Hahaha!! That really made me laugh — I read it out to my husband! We both agree — a brave new world in IKEA — hahaha!!!!
Oh heart IKEA too! It’s over 2 and a half hours to get out closest one but there are rumours of one coming closer soon & im already bubbling with excitement! I even stopped off in one after landing back from New York just to pick up some breakfast bar chairs. Shopping & jet lag, an interesting combination!!
After New York??!! WOW — that’s dedication!!!! Loving the idea of that Jo!! ;)
You can never just pop to Ikea for just one thing! I actually need to go but am trying to avoid going with the kids, I know I will spend twice the amount I would anyway – but they would love the canteen! x
Get a babysitter and go one evening, midweek. After 7 is always good — go and have your supper there!! I LOVE it, but always have to plan my trips carefully!!! ;)
I love Ikea too, I’m just not such a fan of going there – or their car parks. Unless it’s an evening trip and that’s doable. I once went there on a saturday, because I had to. Big mistake as the saying goes, but still love their stuff!! Thanks for hosting #homeetc XX
We always go at around 7pm in the evening — usually on a Wednesday. Very civilised. No crowds and there’s always a space in the carpark!! ;) I avoid weekends like the plague!! ;)