We have a small washer that easily goes off-balance. I love IKEA white, plain towels and the small terry bathmats without any latex backing. They wash great and last far longer than any towels except my American-made hand-me-downs from the 60s and 70s.

Also:

-toilet brushes and canisters. They have new ones that you can buy extra brushes for. They’re half-size because of how they fit into the canister and so they use way less plastic than any I’ve ever used. They look nice in my tiny bath with no storage.

-drying racks for clothing. We air dry 75% of our laundry and love their drying racks. It’s hard to find similar ones anywhere else.

-drawer organizers. I use the kitchen ones for my bathroom drawers, too.

-disposable napkins. They often have cute seasonal ones.

-cork hot pads. They’re simple and cheap and look nice. We use them under indoor plants, too.

-dressers. They’re agony to assemble but we’ve had ones for 15 years and just got a new one for a long term houseguest and the quality has actually improved since we last bought one. We swap out the knobs for nicer ones.

-vertical magazine/file organizers. Hard to find anywhere else these days. We use them to make folders of school paperwork and stuff that can’t be discarded right away look tidy on an open kitchen shelf.

-kitchen drawer liners. We have big, deep drawers that we store pots and pans and colanders and other clanky, heavy stuff in. They have these gray, wooly liners that you can cut to size. They muffle sound well and make me happy every time I put a pot away.

-curtains. I’m not a big curtain person but if you need nice sheers with a ton of length, you can’t even buy the fabric for the cost of finished IKEA sheers.

Avoid:

-all lamps with the exception of the Fubbla desk lamp (cute and functional, we have 3 in our house because we realized they work better than the others we had). Ikea lamps are often attractive but they have the most complicated bulb arrangements and no universal pieces. I’m sure it’s because of energy requirements across tons of countries, but I can’t deal with weird bulbs and fussy replacements. Once in a while I see a lamp base that’s perfect and in that case I’ll rewire it myself and add my own shade.

-pillows: you’re better off going to a department store.

-shades or any curtain attachments. They always have ridiculous mounting instructions and a million strange pieces.

Anonymous wrote:Hemnes dressers hold up well. They are actual wood. Ikea vanities are also nice

+1

Also have various sizes of the Kallax shelf. Currently using one as a space divider in the basement, one in a closet, and one as a bookcase in the office. Very versatile.

Guest room bed and nightstand are from IKEA and have survived multiple moves. I think both are also Hemnes.

I live their meatballs and lingonberry sauce

We used a Mislboro to make an indoor greenhouse. Otherwise, the plants get nibbled to death by the cats.

https://theindoornursery.com/blog/ikea-cabinet-hack/

If I'm buying furniture, I go online first and look for things made with real wood- those hold up better. I've had a Hemnes dresser and bedside stand for years- it's a good line.

They have really good plant items- inexpensive pots, stands, etc.

I'm over Ikea, used to love it. They now are so expensive for furniture, and for crap. Online places like Wayfair have better quality for cheaper or the same price. The one great thing they have are the vegan hot dogs, those are delicious.

Download the app and use it to create a list and find item in store

We went recently to fill in some holes for DC's dorm room and I was shocked at how junky it is now. Not just quality, which is terrible, but the designs aren't thoughtful like before. We left with one thing. Sounds ridiculous, but it made me sad. I used to LOVE it.

Hemnes dressers hold up well. They are actual wood. Ikea vanities are also nice

They have inexpensive area rugs / entry mats

Bathroom - towels and storage
I prefer their higher priced towels.

Do NOT buy comforters. They get very mixed reviews and it is too much energy to do a review of each in the store.

Lighting

Kitchen - their knives get good reviews
Heavier pots
Glassware
Plates
Utensils
Cutting boards
Mixing bowls
Kitchen towels / sponges / scrubbers etc
If you line your drawers in the kitchen, these are the least expensive you can get
Kitchen drawer organizer (The inexpensive white one if you have deep drawers / the grey one if you don't)
Every kitchen gadget you need (can opener, etc.)

Do they need furniture as well?

I can go on - But what I would recommend is to take it slow. Take pictures of the rooms you are furnishing before you leave.

Open cabinets and measure so that you do not 2nd guess is something is going to fit.

Their furniture quality has gone way downhill from when we started shopping there 20 years ago but I really like the Skogsta dining table, the Rimsforja kitchen stand, Kallax shelves, Hemnes dressers and the evergreen Billy bookcases.

Dishes, baskets, pots for plants, lamps, textiles.

I have an Ektorp couch in our family room. It's been okay. I like the fact you can wash the slipcovers.

Nothing I don't like ikea anymore.

I love ikea.
Groceries, sheets, towels, batteries, bulbs, anything.
First stop is the As-Is section.

I’ve only been a hand full of times as there isn’t one too close to my house. I plan to go this week to help a loved one furnish a new/first apartment. What are some things you love from IKEA? Things to avoid? I’d love to walk in with a shopping list so I don’t miss anything.