8 reasons why I love IKEA (but not the Billy Bookcase) and other storage solution meccas.

I love IKEA. As I have already posted previously, my love borders on the extreme. I also have love for Howard’s Storage World in Australia and Lakeland in the UK. Something about a massive catalogue and an innovative storage solution makes me overly excited. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways (yes, this is just a clever ploy to allow me to write yet another list):

• Because it makes me think I can be better. It’s a bit like starting the new school year – everytime I visit a store and see a new clever way to store my magazines, I think I’m going to be good. This time I will be neat and tidy and everything will be in an easily accessible and yet attractive place in my sleek Scandinavian home. A man called Sven will whip up meatballs and lingonberry juices (no, I don’t know if lingonberries really exist either). In short, my life will be perfect.
• Because it’s so darn BIG. Who hasn’t traipsed the hallowed and winding one-way aisles? Who hasn’t left with a packet of white napkins, a photo frame and some tea lights when they went to buy a side table? IKEA is a worldwide phenomenon that remains the largest furniture retailer in the world – and there is no denying that they have some pretty flash design. Big means lots of choice. And it is cheap. Incredibly so in many cases. Unless you count the cost of the divorce which will inevitably ensue if you take your partner there too often (see below).
• Because even when I can’t find a reason to drive there… In the UK and the US you can order online, which I believe is the single greatest thing IKEA has done to change the lives of IKEA lovers in those countries. But you can’t buy tea lights online. So I will still be making up excuses to get out there at least once a month.
• Because it’s a woman’s domain? I believe it is a universal truth that most men despise IKEA. Captain Sensible starts to sweat and go red in the face as we approach the car park.  This swiftly descends into muttering obscenities when we cross the threshold.  By the time we have reached the checkout, I have seen tears.  Does that mean all the last minute items placed near the checkouts are aimed at women? Hmmmm.
• Because now you can pay someone else to put it together for you. Yes, the hideous part of IKEA can now be outsourced. A cottage industry of flatpack assemblers has sprung up. Better them than me but we had a MOST charming man around to put together a huge number of drawers. Bless his cotton socks. Google it and you’ll find your own lovely man.
• Because I even have a soft spot for the crappy stuff. Yes, there are some crappy things about IKEA. The Billy bookcase. Oh I know it’s celebrating 30 years, but age does not mean quality (see here) – I defy anyone to show me a Billy in good condition after a year. The backs break off, the sides go wobbly and the shelf holders go missing – and woe betide if you decide to move house with one. Firewood my friend.
• Child friendly? They kind of market themselves like that, and maybe if your child is over three it’s a goer. Then you can often deposit them with kindly staff or leave them to kill each other in the ball room. If your child is younger than this – leave ‘em at home. As much as you try to excite them by looking at the tiny tables and stuffed toys, they will inevitably stab themselves in the eye with one of those tiny pencils, spill lingonberry juice down their front in the cafe and cause you to buy yet another Billy when you swore you were done with them forever. Personally, I think IKEA is best enjoyed in the early hours of the day before the crowds descend, as a solo mission.
• Because it is even bordering on cool. I am not the only IKEA obsessive out there. I am not even close to obsessive compared to some. There are facebook sites, websites, twitter accounts, iPhone apps and even songs dedicated to the Swedish gurus. There is even an awesome website dedicated to IKEA ‘hacks’ – things you can make out of IKEA stuff that it was never supposed to be used for, or ways to individualise your IKEA stuff. Hard to explain, but it’s cool (in a super nerdy cool way) – see here.

And if you like IKEA…..

• Howard’s Storage World – well, if you haven’t been there and you live in Australia, shame on you. Where on earth did you buy your wine rack and Brabantia bin? I thought this was an Australian thing, but having just googled it, discovered it is actually expanding all over the world, so clearly it’s not just me who loves it (amazing). Yes, you can get lots of stuff elsewhere, but this is quality gear man – none of the $2 shop cannisters.
• Lakeland. The UK home of the microfibre venetian blind duster and the banana bag. But my all time favourite is the stair basket. A teeny tiny basket that sits on your stairs to put things in ready to be taken up the stairs. I don’t have any idea why I love it so much (or why I haven’t bought one for that matter), but there is something about someone sitting in a room and coming up with a tiny basket to fit on a staircase that just tickles me. Anyway, Lakeland is the bomb – check it out.

My god, I could write about this topic all day. I have to stop. It’s an illness. I am not well.  I am sure there are many more fantastic outlets out there – please tell me about them. No don’t. Yes do. Aaaarrrrrrggghhhh.

photo credit: kalleboo

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