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August 11, 2023September 3, 2024

Vol. IV: Field Trip to IKEA, Part I

Vol. 3: Field Trip to Ikea, Part I Summer is winding down and we are quickly approaching back-to-school (and organizing season at my house!). This time of year always includes a trip to Ikea and I wanted to share what I’m currently picking up from the Swedish outlet. Tips for in-store shopping

Back in to a spot by the exit, not the furniture loading zone but next to it. Unless you need furniture that you haven’t seen in person, walk straight into the market — do not go through the maze of the store. It is draining and will give you a hangover without the fun! The pickup location for all the furniture is listed online if you add it to your cart and enter the store info.

FurnitureThere are a few pieces of furniture that Ikea makes that I think are a great solution when you’re in a pinch, on a tight budget, or want to make room in your budget for a purchase you’re excited about. The Kallax system is one of my go to Ikea items because I love the size of the cubbies. They fit large storage bins, file folders, carpet samples, large binders, and big design books. I have always used them as shelves and table bases in my offices, and will keep doing so until I ultimately have a woodshop copy the cubby size to make real wood furniture for me.

Shop the Kallax

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I sometimes will turn a Kallax shelf sideways, add legs to it, and have a custom skirt made. It makes a great storage piece and works especially nicely in small apartments. Here’s my skirted Kallax storage from my apartment in the West Village.

I love the simplicity of these desks and used the larger desktop offering on mine.Shop the desk
Shop the desktop

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This little cart is such a nice office supply storage system that fits a little printer on top perfectly.

Shop the cart

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These dressers were the perfect bedside tables for us in our West Village apartment, too!Shop the dressers

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I have never bought a sofa from Ikea but just read that Olympia and Ariadne Irving did in their apartment in london, and they had a custom slipcover made for it. I love this idea!Read the story

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RugsI have used this jute rug from Ikea many times. It is such a great price point. Can you spot it in the corner of the photo in this room?Shop the rug

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This rug was a bit of an impulse buy, but I ended up loving it in Grey’s room. I am not sure it will be there forever, but for now I am not worried about stains or the boys living too hard on it, so it is perfect.Shop the rug

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OutdoorI’d been looking for good plastic wicker baskets for a while before I found these on Ikea’s website. They are great for storing toys and gardening tools that might be wet when its time to clean up.

Shop the baskets

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Then, these are the perfect simple, classic rush mats for your front door and porch.

Shop the mats

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