Confessions of an Ikea virgin!

Well done Phoenix, especially for getting Mr P to go with you.
I visited one once, courtesy of a neighbour. He had been recently widowed, and when he found out that I had never been to an IKEA, he offered to take me. Lovely, I thought, then DH, who hates shopping, decided that he would come to. (What did he think we were going to get up to on the North Circular?). All I bought were some hooks for hanging kitchen utensils and a pair of shoe trees.
We now have a new-ish store, near our daughter. She has offered to take me, but as yet , we haven’t got there.
Something to look forward to?

that made me choke Willow!

A new Ikea opened in Sheffield last year so leaving a huge 'novelty time' gap we duly visited a few weeks later. Bad mistake - it's still the horrendous experience we've been used to in the Leeds store. My husband hates it and delights in going backwards in some of the areas - we came away with nothing as usual.

One amusing story though - years ago we took my parents to the Leeds store. Dad was just beginning with dementia and prone to saying the first thing that came in his head. We got in the lift to go back to the car park but each time the doors opened we were confronted by people going to a different floor. Finally thinking we were on the right floor the doors opened and a couple were standing there - Dad shouted in frustration 'there's more of the b*****s - GET OUT!!' Needless to say we didn't attempt that outing again

I wonder if anyone has actually broken down in tears trying to get out of the store and if they did, did anyone notice?
Has anyone been locked in overnight because they couldn't find their way out?
At least there are beds, loos and food.

I love IKEA. We did a den in the loft for DGS last year and ordered a futon, desk, etc, etc. Had to have it delivered as we live 3hrs away but it was worth it. I like the layout of the stores but have also discovered the shortcuts (dodging through open doors, etc) and don't really mind the long walk as I always manage to pick up some small bits and pieces. Used the one near Malaga to pick up stuff for our apartment in Spain - layout exactly the same but some of the stock was different.

I wonder if anyone has actually broken down in tears trying to get out of the store and if they did, did anyone notice?

Habitat is the same company, but mostly online sales. Sainsbury's has a Habitat section in some stores.

I used to go to one with a friend, however the last time I went was with DH years ago and we got completely bemused (neither of us is very obedient nor good at following instructions!).
But there are plenty of sofas and beds to try out when you need a rest.

Is there a household in the country which doesn't have a Billy bookcase?

We found a 'secret' stairway in what used to be our local Ikea. It was craftily hidden behind advertising boards! It shortened our trudge round by several hours! Love a bit of rebellion!

Oooh Jessity now that really IS rebellious!

Almost worth a return trip to try it!

I have been wondering if a small Kallax storage unit, and a couple of those seagrass Knipsas might be just the thing to finish off the office.............

Not sure if this works for every Ikea store, but I’ve managed in ours to go in the Exit (rebellious that’s me), through the checkouts the wrong way, and then you’re in the areas where kitchen, bedroom, flat pack stuff is. Works if you know what you want rather than needing to see an item assembled and on display.

I ordered a spare chair for the new office from Habitat, but that was online.

Habitat is still around *soda" Not sure if it's the same but it's still going.

anno I'm thinking that if you had found your way there, you might still be in there now, lost for ever!

The last time I planned to go to Ikea, I got lost and never arrived there!

Good job done Phoenix exploring and DIY - congratulations you are a better woman than I am.

I'm with you KatyK I dislike Ikea as well. Never find anything I actually like enough to buy. I did like the Habitat stores when they were around.

Ah, thank you suzied I will remember that about the lager, that is IF I can ever get Mr P in there again!

You don't have to follow the arrows! there are shortcuts on the map, which once you know where they are ( they are quite hidden) you can get round quickly, especially if you only want one thing. They sell lager in the cafe btw. The grandchildren love lunching in Ikea- but never at the weekend!

The arrows were projected on to the floor. I should have realised what it was going to be like when I saw the racks of maps/store guides on the wall in the foyer!

Once you get down to the section where you actually collect your flat pack stuff, it is very well signposted, and again there are plenty of staff to help.

I came away with the impression that they are probably a good company to work for, all staff were well turned out, made good eye contact and smiled, no one said "I don't know", however that could just be very good training.

I certainly wasn't falling off my chair laughing. I am very impressed by your navigation techniques and ability to not only find but to build your items.
I try to avoid IKEA but sometimes needs must.
I once made the mistake of ordering from the catalogue a coffee table but once assembled was not what we wanted. I had not seen it in display.
We had spent an evening building it but the store refused to give us all our money back unless it was returned in its box so we spent the next night taking it apart and fitting all the pieces back in the box.
Fun times. We did it

Ha ha Phoenix! I too can usually placate Mr Day with the suggestion of a beer or two later on!

I love IKEA stuff and always, always, always go mid week when it's a bit quieter in there. Weekends in IKEA are hellish.

I also had to bribe the children when they were younger with the promise of IKEA meatballs or ice cream to keep them onside. We had to travel on a motorway to get there so it was almost like a day trip for them! I didn't get "Are we there yet?" It was more like "Why do we have to go?"

phoenix as far as I can gather they are all huge and certainly my branch did not waste money on signposts.

The cafe was good and cheap.

Charleygirl as I have never been to Ikea before I can't say how our nearest one (Exeter) might compare to other branches!

The "showrooms" are on two floors, so once we'd done the U turn and got back to the lift, we went down 1 floor, and then did actually obediently follow the arrows to the collection area.

I must say I was very impressed with all the staff, really helpful and plenty of them, none of this "spot the assistant" business that you get in so many stores.

You are jolly lucky that you can walk round your Iksa phoenix, the speed round ours is a very, very slow shuffle. Drives me bonkers!

A tip from me. Never take your grandchildren to Ikea! You come home with assorted soft toy rats, can openers and fluffy cushions that you didn't expect to buy!

phoenix I hope you picked up some of their little free pencils while you were there, very useful for little grandchildren!