If I could legally marry a store, I would devote my life to IKEA. This wonderland offers me everything I'd ever want from a life-long partner. Before you say I'm crazy, let me ask you this: Does your hubby cook you Swedish meatballs or provide you with nearly 30 comfy living spaces to meet the needs of your daily choosing? Yeah, I didn't think so. *drops mic*
On a slightly more serious note, I went to the Canton, Michigan IKEA location this past weekend. I was on the hunt for furnishings, as I moved into a studio apartment and needed furniture, as well as decor.
I kid you not, every time I walk into this massive emporium, I immediately get an adrenaline rush followed by an urge to sing, "I-KEY-YA! I-KEY-YA!" in a weird chant-like repertoire. It's truly a sight to be seen....the IKEA store that is. Specifically, here are a few main reasons why I love IKEA and a handful of stigma-squashers to go along with them.
1. Reasonable Prices
The LACK series is one of the most reasonable furniture collections known to man. Items within this line are perfect for kids, teens, college students or newly-weds who want to furnish their room or home on a budget. Many of their items can attest to individuals who enjoy the looks of the finer things in life, but don't have the funds to do so. I like to look at this series as, "faking it until you make it." I'll save that real-wood stuff for later.
2. Find The Style You Love
IKEA has a multitude of different looks. Whether you prefer wood-grains, white, black or pops of color throughout your home, you'll find what you need. Several of their pieces also have options as to which tone you are looking for. IKEA is all about simplicity for shoppers!
Don't know what you like? That is why the upper floor is devoted to a variety of kitchen, office, bedroom and living space models so you can quickly acquire a taste.
3. Boxes = Easy Moving
IKEA is known for packaging their furniture pieces in a way that is compact. Often times, people cringe when they become aware they now have to put their newly-bought future together. However, what a lot of individuals fail to realize is moving pieces of furniture in boxes, rather than when they are all set up, is a much easier way to move. Rather than loading your bed into the elevator, you are now loading your bed, two end tables, coffee table and entertainment center. Less trips = less time during your move.
When it comes time to put your furniture together, don't stress about it. Just grab a screwdriver and some friends. If you can read (which I assume you can, since you've made it this far into my article), the furniture will be put together in no-time.
4. One-Stop Shopping
There is nothing worse than bouncing around between stores looking for your essentials. Luckily, IKEA is your best friend and will always have your back. You can literally furnish or decorate your entire place at IKEA. Whether you need wall art or kitchen cabinets, you will find it at IKEA.
5. Cute 4-Year-Old Kids Are Hired To Showcase Furniture Collections
Just kidding, that's my nephew. He was determined to make it into my next article.
6. You Get The Quality You Pay For
With reasonable prices, comes the question of quality. A lot of people stigmatize IKEA furniture as not being very sturdy. Sure, you will find $7.99 end tables and, shockingly enough, they probably aren't going to be extremely heavy duty. But that is why I love IKEA so much. I don't need an end table that will withhold a magnitude ten earthquake (thank gosh). Therefore, I'm all about that $7.99 furniture. However, if quality is your thing, IKEA offers several higher-end series (Hemnes, anyone?) that are still pretty darn wallet-friendly.
By now I'm sure you are at the edge of your seat just dying to know how my IKEA-inspired studio apartment turned out. If you aren't, well, here is some photo evidence of how well IKEA products actually look in a real space.
Here you have it folks. IKEA-born products have made their pretty little way into my now-adorable dwelling. I couldn't be more pleased with the result.
