My 3 step game plan for nailing a trip to IKEA

Last week I went to IKEA – twice – in the one day.  I got all the way there only to realise I had left my wallet at home.  My love of IKEA is so great I turned around, drove home to fetch it and finally got back to the big blue box for a bit of fun.  Well, at least I had fun because otherwise it wasn’t the most successful trip.  I bet everyone who has ever been to IKEA could fill in the blanks with ease:

I went to IKEA to get a __________________

and I came back with _________, ___________, _____________, etc

I went to IKEA to get Bekvam spice racks so I could complete a book shelf project I’ve been wanting to do (more kids book storage inspiration here)

but I came home with:

Unfortunately I’m always getting overwhelmed and overstimulated by the awesomeness that is the IKEA Showroom and I can’t walk through the Marketplace without shoving something into the ubiquitous yellow bag.

Time to get a game plan

Here’s my three step game plan for nailing a trip to IKEA, and it’s all in the planning.

Step 1: Inspiration (fantasy world)

Far safer to drool over IKEA’s awesomeness from the safety of your own home.  I love their catalogue and it has it’s place among my Home Beautifuls in the magazine rack.

Check out how they put looks together and how they use different products in different ways.  It might be a dream to think your home could look like this, but start thinking how you could achieve that look.  How could you use a particular item?  The website is also another good source of ‘safe’ inspiration.  The main bonus is you can spend as much time as you like browsing without screaming children and sulking husbands holding you back ;)

Step 2: Before and After (real world)

Time to snap out of the dream world that is beautifully staged rooms that you think you can never achieve.  Nothing is more motivating than seeing some real life before and afters. Check out these 4 videos showing how IKEA staff swoop into a home in desperate need of IKEA-ing (is so a word).  Some of those real-life scenarios are a bit too familiar.  How about you?

Step 3: Planning

OK, so now you’ve had a dose of the wow and a touch of reality, it’s time to start some planning so you can beat the ‘overwhelm’ of IKEA in real life ;).  Get thee to a computer and visit the IKEA online store.  Look up all the items you want and create a shopping list. Most importantly, check stock levels!

The reason I came home without a Bekvam spice rack is because they were out of stock.  I had checked the availability and it said they had 6.  The lovely man staffing the kitchen area said it needed to be more like 60 to ensure safe stock levels.

Print out your list and check your budget.  You now have a game plan!

Once you’re in the store you’re on your own – stick to the game plan and hopefully the only extras you come home with is tired children with soft-serve moustaches.

Tell me, can you fill in the blanks?

I went to IKEA to get _______________ and came home with _________________

Laney x

This post is sponsored by Rocketfuel. I love IKEA and am excited to share these great resources with you.