How to Go to IKEA As a Couple Without Parting
The true strength of a relationship is tested not in easy circumstances, but in difficult ones. Over the weekend, my companion and I embarked on a journey to test our resilience. Our ability to communicate, compromise and be patient with each other is what has held us together through the ordeal, but one thing is for sure: going to IKEA with your significant other is no joke.
Yes, my partner and I went to IKEA over the weekend, and we are still together. To make this dream come true, we laid the foundation for our success even before we walked into the store. This is what helped our relationship survive.
Establish ground rules
Getting into IKEA without a plan is a recipe for disaster. So when it came time to go on a trip to get a replacement lamp and a new bookcase, I knew I needed to set (and stick to) a $ 200 budget that would allow us to buy the two pieces of furniture we needed while still allowing some flexibility to purchase missed items and impulse purchases. Of course, deciding what these additional items are is a separate task. We’ve agreed on two rules that will make it easier to sort the items we accumulate during adrenaline-fueled shopping.
Choose a price without a fight
This is IKEA and everything is pretty darn cheap here. You will almost inevitably get a few trinkets for a dollar or two as you make your way to the checkout line. To accommodate this influx of low-cost merchandise and reduce unnecessary controversy, we chose a “win-win price” – anything below $ 10 could be added to the cart without (long) discussion. Anything over $ 10 requires the consent of both parties. We knew we weren’t getting everything we added, and wasting time discussing every single element just ate up the time.
When placing an order, a mutual agreement is required
However, just because something is in a yellow polypropylene bag does not mean it made it to the checkout. When it came time to reject the cart, we decided to unanimously decide what would remain. $ 1.99 plastic bag holder? Unnecessary and a little ugly. A pair of wireless charging pillows ? Their limited use case and excessive impact on our combined budget meant that both had to go. Other items that had been cleared away included a pair of felt drawers, a giant pot for a growing tree, and a privacy screen on the table.
Preparing for Success
Eat breakfast, leave early
It’s the most important meal of the day, and you’ll need your energy to push carts, dodge kids, jump on beds, and hold back tears during checkout. An early visit to IKEA also means you’ll be leading the group by the time the stragglers arrive to eat meatballs and buy bath rugs.
Prepare your home
We knew it would take more than a screwdriver and tape to assemble a bookcase and install a new fixture. We also knew that trying to find everything we needed to make furniture would only add to our stress when we got home. Before we left, I grabbed a stepladder and whatever tools I thought I would need for the job, removed the furniture from the driveway, removed the bulbs from my aging ceiling light, and made room for a mess of cardboard boxes. I would figure it out when I open everything. You will be glad you made the landing pad when you get home.
Expect the unexpected
Although I’ve already compiled my shopping list, I’ve increased my budget by a few dollars to accommodate any contingencies. I’m glad I did. I mistakenly assumed the light would come with its own set of bulbs because I hadn’t thought far ahead of that (and assumed I could use my existing bulbs at home). What I didn’t count on was the price of the bulbs. At $ 6 apiece, this $ 40 light just morphed into a $ 70 light, which meant that wiggle room in my budget just diminished a bit. Luckily, the bookcase I wanted suddenly dropped in value by $ 20, which almost made up for the $ 30 light bill and restored my financial flexibility enough not to feel bad about buying a giant plush pillow with sharks (mutually agreed, of course).
How to survive inside
Make a plan, keep the pace
IKEA is a store designed to accept your money in exchange for various goods, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun while you’re there. My partner suggested that we set aside extra time for window shopping, while I put in time limits to keep everyone moving at a decent speed. While she spent a few minutes testing mattresses and comparing storage containers, I looked at the light fixtures, cooking utensils, and the range of available pots for my succulents. Compared to the flustered and quarreling couples we saw rushing through every section that didn’t fit their particular interests, we were completely serene (and half-asleep on a particularly comfortable memory foam topper).
Don’t skip lunch
Unless you’re a department store speedrunner, you’ll probably be there a little longer than you expected. My estimated 2 hour trip turned out to be a 3 hour trip, so I’m glad we stopped at a closed cafeteria for lunch . Indulge in some Swedish meatballs and skip the cold dessert. You are better than this.
Go peasant, leave the king
By the time you finish your tour of Sweden’s greatest store, you will probably already have a bunch of things in your cart. Now is not the time to skimp and drag your load onto a bus or a passing car. Hire a taxi, order an SUV from Lyft, and get as far away from the emotional horror as IKEA is experiencing. Congratulations: your relationship has remained intact.