IKEA offers you a map at the entrance to the store. There are "hidden" shortcuts everywhere; probably required by fire codes. Seek them out and mark them on your map. Next visit, take the shortcuts. The last time I was there, I went in through the checkout area.
I love this article!!! I totally agree with what you wrote. I love your mugs example as your thinking echoes mine.
As a long-time IKEA shopper--30+ years--I am extremely mindful when I do buy items at IKEA. When I first starting shopping from IKEA in the early '90s, many if not all of their products were made in Europe. From my early days as an IKEA shopper, I still own several high quality items, e.g., a gorgeous outdoor cafe table and chairs set which was made in the Czech Republic.
Now that very few of IKEA items are made in Europe, I am extremely mindful of any purchases I make, I shop with a list, don't deviate from that list, and double-check country-of-origin before putting in my bag. IKEA still offers some very high quality items, but they need to be sought out and mindfully purchased. I found some amazing plastic organizer bins about 5 years ago that I will use til death. They were made in Germany and Italy. Now, they make the same ones in Asia so I would never buy more.
The bottom line is I only buy very high quality items, preferably made in Europe, that I have a need for and not just a want for. Thanks again for such a brilliant article. I wish everyone thought like this.
Yep - absolutely true! 😂. I am usually so overwhelmed by complete sensory overload , (before I’ve even got down the first corridor) that sometimes I actually end up buying nothing. Not even the thing that made me convinced I had to go there in the first place! 😂 (ditto Hobbycraft or any big store) So I’ve wasted valuable time and fuel for absolutely no reason!
Keeping everything crossed for you that your residency application goes through very smoothly, Charlie! 🥰
This is a great article. I used to love an IKEA visit but would always be £300 down hours later when finally arriving at the tills. Over the past few years I’ve tried to be much more thoughtful about what I buy, what I need and where it comes from. You’re definitely right to wait and buy the mugs from the local potter. Ceramics are such a beautiful, tactile thing (especially for tea) that it’s worth waiting for the good stuff. 🤞🏻 for your residency application (and the mugs).
Loved this read. This won’t have been your intention but it made me WANT to go to ikea 😂 when I do go probably about twice a year I’m either in the buy nothing camp or I’ve bought this one thing so I mayaswell buy all these other things... HOW does it do it to us?! I’ve got an idea book shelf that’s never been on our wall but has been round every room in the house hoping to be on a wall! I’ve promised myself I won’t go back until it’s on the wall!
I'm bookmarking this as psychological armour for the next time I have to go. They are sneaky devils aren't they and it's so hard to resist the impulse buys. I need to go with my son in advance of him going away to Uni but I need to balance cheap/practical with the desire not to send him with the exact same stuff that everyone else has picked up at Ikea :)
IKEA offers you a map at the entrance to the store. There are "hidden" shortcuts everywhere; probably required by fire codes. Seek them out and mark them on your map. Next visit, take the shortcuts. The last time I was there, I went in through the checkout area.
I love this article!!! I totally agree with what you wrote. I love your mugs example as your thinking echoes mine.
As a long-time IKEA shopper--30+ years--I am extremely mindful when I do buy items at IKEA. When I first starting shopping from IKEA in the early '90s, many if not all of their products were made in Europe. From my early days as an IKEA shopper, I still own several high quality items, e.g., a gorgeous outdoor cafe table and chairs set which was made in the Czech Republic.
Now that very few of IKEA items are made in Europe, I am extremely mindful of any purchases I make, I shop with a list, don't deviate from that list, and double-check country-of-origin before putting in my bag. IKEA still offers some very high quality items, but they need to be sought out and mindfully purchased. I found some amazing plastic organizer bins about 5 years ago that I will use til death. They were made in Germany and Italy. Now, they make the same ones in Asia so I would never buy more.
The bottom line is I only buy very high quality items, preferably made in Europe, that I have a need for and not just a want for. Thanks again for such a brilliant article. I wish everyone thought like this.
You forgot IKEA's most devious tactic: Meatballs, which I'm convinced were invented to lure in reluctant male shoppers.
BRAVO .intelligence and action are the undoing of commercialism.
I have been to IKEA one time and bought nothing
Yep - absolutely true! 😂. I am usually so overwhelmed by complete sensory overload , (before I’ve even got down the first corridor) that sometimes I actually end up buying nothing. Not even the thing that made me convinced I had to go there in the first place! 😂 (ditto Hobbycraft or any big store) So I’ve wasted valuable time and fuel for absolutely no reason!
Keeping everything crossed for you that your residency application goes through very smoothly, Charlie! 🥰
Minimalism for means going to the thrift shop/second hand store (I'm not sure how you call it in English) first.
I needed a small vase and found one last Monday for €0.79
This is a great article. I used to love an IKEA visit but would always be £300 down hours later when finally arriving at the tills. Over the past few years I’ve tried to be much more thoughtful about what I buy, what I need and where it comes from. You’re definitely right to wait and buy the mugs from the local potter. Ceramics are such a beautiful, tactile thing (especially for tea) that it’s worth waiting for the good stuff. 🤞🏻 for your residency application (and the mugs).
Hannah x
Amen Sistah!! Well said!!
Loved this read. This won’t have been your intention but it made me WANT to go to ikea 😂 when I do go probably about twice a year I’m either in the buy nothing camp or I’ve bought this one thing so I mayaswell buy all these other things... HOW does it do it to us?! I’ve got an idea book shelf that’s never been on our wall but has been round every room in the house hoping to be on a wall! I’ve promised myself I won’t go back until it’s on the wall!
I'm bookmarking this as psychological armour for the next time I have to go. They are sneaky devils aren't they and it's so hard to resist the impulse buys. I need to go with my son in advance of him going away to Uni but I need to balance cheap/practical with the desire not to send him with the exact same stuff that everyone else has picked up at Ikea :)