Ikea Favorites?

[JaysTeri]

We just got a new Ikea store in Atlanta and I'm planning a trip there next week. What are some of your favorite items that you have bought there?

TIA,

[nitaghei]

Baby related or in general?

Our top rated toddler purchase was the easel - about $20. A gift from my parents. DS uses it every day. He's tall, and it works better for him than most of the others we saw, and it's cheaper too. The whiteboard is magnetic, BTW. Works really well with the Melissa & Doug magnetic letters.

A more recent purchase is a hobby horse ($10). DS has named his BB Back. Classic toy. No annoying noises or colors. Also a gift from my parents.

We also like the plastic plates and bowls (4 for $1) and some toddler flatware.

We also recently got a play pots and pans set from there ($4). They also have some very cool finger puppets, a pop-up tent and tunnel. All very reasonably priced. We're checking out the kids chairs and tables, but haven't decided as yet.

I also love my Poang chair. This is our "nursing/nursery" chair, because 1) DS's room is too small for a rocker/glider and 2) I don't care for rocker/gliders.

They also have very cool looking lamps - for kids and for generally. Some nice kitchen type stuff - good value for the price. I have water glasses from there for some ridiculously low price for a dozen. And they look and feel nice.

They have some nice book-shelves. I'm partial to the IVAR system - even though it is unfinished pine. We have several (just finished them with clear polyurethane) and they've held up extremely well. Generally have nice storage solutions.

IKEA doesn't haven't heirloom quality stuff. But most of the stuff is very nice looking and does the job. When I was single, about 90% of my furniture was from Ikea. Now that I'm heading back to apartment living for a while, I'm back haunting our local Ikea. They really do have very innovative stuff for living in small spaces.

HTH

Nita (fleece is my friend)
mom to Neel, January 2003
dog mom to a PWD and a cocker (at the Rainbow Bridge)

[zen_bliss]

i'll have to keep updating as i think of more :) i buy a lot of accessories there, but not so much furniture.

EXPEDIT cube bookshelf system $99 & storage cubes $10 (red & clear) great for kids things. great alternative to the popular and so spendy pottery barn system.

HEMNES daybed. $349 enclosed on 3 sides, great for toddler. 3 giant storage drawers & pulls out to a full bed if you choose.

TUNDRA laminate flooring

playthings from kids dept:
easel $20
w/ paper roll $6
pots & bakeware ~$5/set
clothes rack $5
teaset $8
train set -- there are often partial sets for a dollar or two in the as-is room
soft carryalong farm set $15 (i think they recently changed the design though)
SORK table & chairs in a nice periwinkle blue
neon plastic bowls, cups, plates, cutlery, $1/set
babyproofing things, like no-slip tape $3, and a gate that is comparable to kidco

fitted twin sheets (red!) $6
blankets, comforters

and there are yummy cookies in a 3-pack for .99 by the checkout in the restaurant. chocolate & crispy.
muesli at the food market

[lpl47]

We got an unfinished toddler table and chairs set from IKEA and then my husband's aunt painted it for us. It's adorable and very inexpensive. Perfect for our son - we started using it just after his 1st birthday.

[pritchettzoo]

We just went yesterday! Park on the E row on the green level one and you're right at the exit/entrance door. :) Also, wear comfy shoes. It took us 2 hours to go through, although I was waddling slowly. ;) The whole place smells like a giant cinnamon roll, so you'll be picking those up on the way out!

We got:
A huge wooden cutting board with a trough all the way around for $9.99
The neon bowls, plates, cups, and cutlery for 99 cents each (DD loves these!)
A train set and extra tracks for a gift for 2 little brothers ($15 each?)
A footstool so we can sit at DD's tea parties and not worry about crushing her tiny chairs ($39)
A large bathmat $9.99
20% down feather pillows $15 each
chair cushions $5 each
recycling bin things
ummm...

They had tons of cool kids' stuff. The tunnel is $17 and the tent is only $10. The rocking horse was really cute. I didn't see the easel but I was so tired by that point I was kind of glazing over.

Anna
Mama to Gracie (Sept '03)
and a BOY! (coming July '05)

[lisams]

We just got DD's twin mattress set there because they don't use PBDE flame retardent (the stuff found in the milk of breastfeeding moms a while back). We also got her sheets, comforter/pillow case set, and curtains that match the comforter set. We will be returning the sheets because it doesn't feel so soft, instead I got a jersey knit set at Target.

I always go with something specific in mind or I'll just buy stuff I really don't need because it's a good price and end up spending more than I thought!! I love IKEA!

Lisa

[MelissaTC]

I love Ikea and miss being close to one. DS's bed is an Ikea bed and it was the bed I slept on when I lived at home...10 years ago! It still looks awesome.

When we were there in March (Conshohocken, PA) we got the plastic plates and cups that everyone has mentioned. We also got a wok, popsicle molds and a spatula for the wok. We also bought DS a faux down comforter. He loves it! We also pigged out on some cinammon rolls. DS had a hot dog and we brought some swedish fish home.

[LucyG]

Anna,

Was it crazy crowded? I'm dying to go, but I'm afraid it will be swamped until at least September at the new store!!


http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_sapphire_24m.gif[/img][/url]
2 years and counting!

[kathsmom]

I went opening day and it was a madhouse! I also returned that Saturday and had to park in some parking garage about 1/2 mile away and walk with 2 kids in the heat. When we left, there was actually a line to get in!

I am hoping that things slow down soon. I need to get DS a big boy bed and we found several that we like. We're also looking into getting my 9 y.o. DD a loft bed so that she has more floor space in her room.

When we went, we bought:

2 Granat pillows - $3.99 each
Toddler plastic plates, cups, bowls (couldn't find the cutlery)- 0.99 for packs of 4
2 laundry hampers (I can't remember the name - maybe Jarr?)-$3.99 each
2 velvet "treasure" pouches-$2.99 each
Dressing salt and pepper shakers-$3.99
2 boxes of gingersnap cookies (which DS ate most of!)

Good luck and have fun! It does take a while to walk through, so wear comfortable shoes!

[JaysTeri]

Wow! That is incredibly helpful! I've talked DH into going with me this afternoon. I'll report back on what I find.

Thanks,