# What's so important about IKEA? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 25, 2004, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839 "2004-07-25T20:17:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/21 "2004-07-26T03:05:07Z")
Man, I could go for some Lingonberry juice. That stuff is so good, so long as you dilute it properly. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/22 "2004-07-26T06:36:21Z")
Three words: Lingonberry Slush Puppy šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/23 "2004-07-26T06:52:12Z")
Iā€™ve been to a few IKEAs and I think they are fun. I am looking forward to the one being built in Plano in 2005. Overall, I think that they are great for people on a budget who want things to have a ā€˜designyā€™ look to them. I especially like their whimsical designs for children. The one thing I didnā€™t like were their linens. I saw a pattern that I thought was fabulous for my bed. It was, until I washed it. The print quickly looked faded and horrors - it would need to be ironed to look nice! I think that they were also pretty crappy in quality, overall, but hey, when you are broke they canā€™t be beat! ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/24 "2004-07-26T07:47:37Z")
Particle board is the curse of the furniture industry, but itā€™s everywhere, not just IKEA. But if used in the right way, it can actually work. The Billy bookshelf is simply the only affordable option if you have lots of books, as I have. I made some calculation, and realized I needed about 75ā€™ of shelf space. Buying Billy for those books would cost me about $600. The next nice looking option was ~$3.500. And Billy lasts. OTOH, the frames of many sofas are from particle board and wont last. Their classic ā€˜Klippanā€™ is such an item and the design, with the armrests attached with a couple of screw to the mainframe, which is particle board, simply wonā€™t last very long. OTOH again, my bed came with a 12 year warranty and is simply fabulous. So in short - you need to be an enlightened and smart costumer. They have stuff Iā€™d never hesitate to buy and other things that are pure crap, as it is with most stuff. The other thing is, I have an affinity for Bauhaus and Modernistic furniture. Breuer, Le Corbusier, Alvar Aalto, Jacobsen, Eames. That stuff is expensive. [The Lounge Chair](http://www.circa50.com/hmlounge2.jpg) by the Eamses is about $3000 for a copy and up to $7000 for the original, at least here in IKEA-land. I donā€™t know if I could ever justify paying that much for an armchair. In the range where IKEA plays, the competition is mostly butthole ugly, clumsy, dark furniture and IKEA offers a range of passable stuff that look really nice with the few choice pieces I do have. E.g. [this coffe table for $100](http://www.ikea.se/PIAimages/38224_PE130123_S3.jpg) which would work very well with [this armchair](http://www.simplices.com/images/objects/SAA20.jpg) by Aalto for about $3.500. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/25 "2004-07-26T08:23:32Z")
I bought a shelving unit and a huge ass entertainment center at IKEA. Both lasted a long time. The entertainment center may still be going strong. As assembled, it was too big for me to move when I moved out, and I was in a hurry. ---
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/26 "2004-07-26T10:00:38Z")
I bought some stuff from IKEA when I was living in Germany, and they were great buys. I wish IKEA would haul ass over to India soon. ---
**Author:** ![SaxFace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@SaxFace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaxFace)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/27 "2004-07-26T12:03:01Z")
I absolutley refuse to set foot in an Ikea in the US ever again because the customer service was a complete nightmare every time I visited. I think the stores are better here (not even crowded!). We bought some stuff for our apartment at Ikea (CD shelves, a desk) and the quality is terrible (the particle board desk arrived damaged and the grey ā€œpaintā€ has already started to chip on the CD shelves) but I figure you get what you pay for. It was dirt cheap so Iā€™m not expecting much. Oh, did I mention that the Ikea here serves REINDEER meat in the cafeteria? Do they in the US? ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/28 "2004-07-26T13:53:19Z")
I love IKEA. I fell in love with the lines and style the first time I laid eyes on a cataloge somewhere. Every place around Detroit is either Way Over Priced Contemporary ( which I cannot afford) or what I refer to as Modern Colonial Country. Iā€™m not that either. We looked for 8 years for an entertainment center that wasnā€™t Uber Yuppie, Lower Class Trying to Impress, Cheap & Awkward Looking (Which, frankly, are the only ones I see in everyoneā€™s houses. Itā€™s like they just gave up and the room never looks complete, it looks desperate). 8 years. 8 freaking years. Then we drive 6 hours to an Ikea in Pittsburg and in 10 minutes we see the Perfect unit for us. At about $2,000 less than any place else. Our living room is the only room that is completely pulled together in looks. The rest is evolving out of _Early Poverty_ to _Some kind of Theme that we havenā€™t figured out yet._ I hate dark wood furniture ( dusting & lighting issues) and I donā€™t mind paying less for a well made product that I have to put together. IKEA is suppose to be opening in Michigan soon. I am nearly orgasmic. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/29 "2004-07-26T14:01:05Z")
Two things baffle me: 1. The characterization of IKEA as ā€œoverpricedā€. This one has been handled already. 2. The dissatisfaction with IKEAā€™s customer service. Here in IKEAā€™s heartland you can go into an IKEA store with a paper bag full of smashed up wood and sawdust, say itā€™s the bookshelf you bought, and youā€™ll get a new bookcase for free, no questions, no hassle, no trouble. Ever. I donā€™t know of anyone whose complaint hasnā€™t been honoured. IKEA rules. Oh, and the Swedish economy hinges entirely on IKEA, so get shopping, merkins. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/30 "2004-07-26T14:42:08Z")
I like IKEA for two reasons. 1. Everytime I have been to Sydney IKEA has given me a couple of hours of entertainment. I have merrily oohed and aahed over all the STUFF. I donā€™t need the stuff but I do like looking at it. 2. I canā€™t have it. Donā€™t we all want what we canā€™t have? ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/31 "2004-07-26T16:22:20Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > The Houston outlet, for some reason, always seems to be out of much of their catalogued stock. Yeah, the Houston can be pretty crappy sometimes. Butā€¦theyā€™re about to open a brand,new store right next door that is _twice_ the size of the original one. So Iā€™m hoping for better stock and selection. I canā€™t wait to make a field tripā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/32 "2004-07-26T16:38:03Z")
> [@Bad News Baboon](#): > > The one thing I didnā€™t like were their linens. I had good luck with Ikea linens so far. I got a great set of curtains which were good quality and much cheaper than anything I could have gotten at a normal store. I also got a cute duvey cover with matching shams, which has worked out very nicely, also for much cheaper than anything comparable. They also have some really good kitchenware, by the way ā€“ once again, for much cheaper. One of my favorite things I have gotten there is this cool garlic press. I have been searching for a good garlic press for years and finally found the perfect one there. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/33 "2004-07-26T16:41:35Z")
> [@nyctea scandiaca](#): > > I also got a cute duvey cover That should read ā€œ_duvet_ cover!ā€ ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/34 "2004-07-26T16:55:17Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > IKEA is suppose to be opening in Michigan soon. > > I am nearly orgasmic. Are you _serious_? Eeeeeee! Where in Michigan? When? These are questions I must have answered! ---
**Author:** ![Jaade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dfb087/32.png) [@Jaade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaade)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/35 "2004-07-26T17:53:23Z")
> [@tremorviolet](#): > > Yeah, the Houston can be pretty crappy sometimes. Butā€¦theyā€™re about to open a brand,new store right next door that is _twice_ the size of the original one. So Iā€™m hoping for better stock and selection. I canā€™t wait to make a field tripā€¦ Itā€™s done! I havenā€™t been there yet, but it IS hugeā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/36 "2004-07-26T18:02:40Z")
Iā€™ve read the Michigan Ikea will be in (IIRC) Canton. Somewhere downriverish so that Ohioans can partake in the goodness that is Ikea. Originally, they wanted to and petitioned for a spot in Troy, but Troy being the buttheads that they are did not like their electric blue warehouse style buildings. Then one was suppose to open by me ( Auburn hills) but that didnā€™t pan out. Nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/37 "2004-07-26T18:03:46Z")
[Canton 2006](http://www.detnews.com/2004/business/0403/26/b01-104154.htm) w00t! ---
**Author:** ![stately\_plump\_buck\_mulligan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/858c86/32.png) [@stately\_plump\_buck\_mulligan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stately_plump_buck_mulligan)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/38 "2004-07-26T18:23:35Z")
[The Tromso loft bed](http://www.ikea-usa.com/PIAimages/22203_PE092115_S3.jpg) is the sleeping arrangment of choice for every person I know who is under 26, broke, and living in a cramped space. It costs $150, can be assembled in under two hours, looks great in almost any room, and opens up invaluable space in tiny rooms. Lots of their furniture is designed like this: to look nice and design-y while maximizing space and stretching a budget. They also have more classic, ā€œgrown-upā€ furniture, well-made and sturdy, but still at low prices. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/39 "2004-07-26T19:18:24Z")
IKEA: blond wood, simple clean lines, and Modernist design, good. Dark quasi-Victorian pseudo-heritage design in most Toronto furniture stores, ick. I choose IKEA. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Trigonal\_Planar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@Trigonal\_Planar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trigonal_Planar)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839/40 "2004-07-26T20:25:12Z")
Are Ikeaā€™s new to the U.S. or something? I always hear about these big whiz-bang openings down there and I have to wonder. I live in Ontario and theyā€™ve had Ikeaā€™s up here for years and years. I remember playing in the ball pit when I was but a wee lad šŸ™‚ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-important-about-ikea/256839.md?page=3)