im an ikea fan - well for some things.


1. for your kids furniture, yes definately because they grow out of stuff in a matter of years - i would not buy a top of the line bedroom for your kid unless you have the money to burn and/or you are using it for other kids. they have great bedrooms for kids!

2. do NOT shop online! you cant get a true feel for the stuff since their website is just so so.


3. for your bedroom set, i say stay away from ikea. their stuff is good - but its really geared for 1st house, 1st apartment type people - and europeans who dont really stress over furniture like we do! i would invest in a quality set if again you have the cash for.


my suggestion - if you have the time to drive the 2 hrs - then go. you can spend quite a few hours there since they have a drop in child care area and a great eatery (sweedish meatballs yum!)


so good luck

We bought four things from Ikea when we lived in San Francisco:

A twin bed frame in unfinished solid wood for our daughter. I painted the pieces then put it together (so it would be easy to take apart). It was perfect for the $99 we paid for it and easy to put together. She used it for six years and we just replaced it because we bought her a Canwood loft (need the room otherwise she'd still be using the bed). The bed is taken apart and stored in the basement since it's still in great shape.

Twin mattress - still in good shape but daughter doesn't weigh very much.

A glass wall lamp (sconce) still being used by daughter and it's great.

Kid's finger paints which I threw out as soon as I tried to wash her clothes! The black does not come out! Not recommended.

I wish there was an Ikea closer because I'd like to pick up some lamps and storage items from there. I think their furniture is great but I don't care to spend a lot on furniture.

We bought my dd's twin bed there and are happy with the head and foot board but I would't purchase another mattress from them in the future. I did LOVE the store and their prices were great for household items.

Best of luck.

you have to remember that you might haveto asseble the furniture too. I would rather have somebody else put it together, if you are not handy, you might not get it together right and it might never withstand the kids.

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We buy things we dont need,
with money we dont have,
in order to impress people
we dont like?
(Ramsey, D)

I think it depends on what you get. We have several of their tables around our place, and their fabulous. One though, will probably need to be replaced in a few more years, but hey, it was only $40. Not bad, considering we've had it for 3 years and will probably have it another 5. I also bought a cheapy dresser and nightstand set there, which I only expect to have for maybe 10 years. But there are better quality items there, and they don't cost an arm and a leg.

We have several nightstands and tables that are lightweight and good quality. I wouldn't buy one of their couches or chairs without trying it first. There are some nice ones there, but there are some that are hard as a rock. We have some of their lamps- they work well, look good. Have some kid's toys- durable.

As for assembling the stuff yourself, it's not a big deal at all. It's all super easy. DH and I are not super mechanical, but we buy stuff there all the time and have not had a single problem.

Just a tip, I've recently found that Big Lots has better quality furniture for very comperable prices. A lot of their stuff is from Ashley- it looks better, feels better, is a bit sturdier, and around the same price or even less. Example: DH and I have been looking at a leather couch at Ikea that was small but comfortable, selling for $499. Found a bigger, much more comfortable couch by Ashley at Big Lots, and it was under $400!

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Christine's Corner



Mom to Matt, 3 years and Catie, 7 months!

This has nothing to do with IKEA, but you can always look at unfinished wood furniture stores for very sturdy, solid-wood furniture. They will stain it for you at an extra cost. I've seen lots of kids furniture, dining room sets, etc. there. And entertainment centers.