Ikea~ - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**benna2** · 07-21-2005, 10:04 AM

I am the typical definition of a drifter. I have had over 30 different addresses in my 25 years of living and I lived in only two different houses from the time I was born until I was 17. So basically all my moving has happened during my post college years. Right now I am living with my cousin in Texas and all of my "stuff" is randomly stored in my mom's house, my grandma's house and a storage unit.

So why is it that when I go to IKEA, I get this overwhelming need to buy stuff for my home? I do not have a home. I do not have a bed, which is why I still do not understand why I bought $100 worth of bed outfittings? I literally looked at a display bed, loved the way it looked and then went ahead and bought everything on it. This stuff is literally going to go back home with me at the end of the summer and stay in a closet for god knows how long.

Even so though, I love it. I can't wait for the day to actually come when I am settled and have a bed that is mine all mine. And when I do, I will have the most beautiful bed to sleep on.

Anyone else ever experience this kinda thing? I know I am not the only drifter on these boards...

**beergal** · 07-21-2005, 10:12 AM

i like most of ikea's merchandise much to the annoyance of my friends who think its too mass produced

**omisan** · 07-21-2005, 10:16 AM

"The Ikea nesting instinct..."

I used to be exactly the same. And I've come to the same conclusion as BeerGal's friends - while the stuff is nice, if I'm going to invest in "versatile solutions for modern living," I'm going to buy some quality, lasting stuff.

Of course, that's the cool thing about Ikea's cheap, cool-looking wares - it gives you the opportunity to buy new crap every six months. But nowadays, I'm more interested in putting my money into more interesting things.

I dunno, just watch Fight Club a zillion times and that should snap you out of it

**d_fresh** · 07-21-2005, 10:31 AM

the stuff I bought from ikea 5 years ago is still holding up very well.

wish we had an ikea store here.

**my retro career** · 07-21-2005, 12:08 PM

same'ere.....my Ikea stuff is living like true legends in my house while other stuff from like - say - k mart - is rotting away...

But then again, I have a bitchin' favouritism for ikea goods so maybe that's why...

**omisan** · 07-21-2005, 12:16 PM

I have to admit, the Jerker is one of the best deks ever. I've had mine for over 5 years and it's indestructible.

**Joker** · 07-21-2005, 01:03 PM

I've had my eyes on an Ikea sectional, but... ummm, nahhhh

Most of my ikea shit is various things like glassware, the apartment starter kit of crappy pots and pans that all rusted, and this really slick butcher block i use as a wine-rack/glass rack... But it was $70 down from $200, and it looks cool in my kitchen...

Otherwise, umm, yeah.

I really do want a Poang chair, though. So comfortable!

**TheJake** · 07-21-2005, 04:00 PM

i finally walked through a month ago and was unimpressed...

**benna2** · 07-21-2005, 04:02 PM

Yeah I haven't bought any actual furniture from Ikea. Just a few decor things and now I guess the bed stuff. It is mass produced but so is Pottery Barn and Pier One and all those other places. I don't mind mass produced stuff. I'm not one to shell out money on one of a kind furniture right now anyway. Although you can get some cool antiques at really good prices.

Anyway...hopefully someday soon I will have a bed!

**LaurieL622** · 07-21-2005, 04:21 PM

i know excatly what you're talking about. except i do it with everything, not just home furnishings.

i always have to buy something because it's "a good deal"...even if it's 50 pieces of dinnerware or a fouton. i also buy tons of casual clothes and shoes...allof which i can only wear for a few hours on saturday and sundays (because of work).

i love ikea, but i'd have to agree with some of you...most of that stuff is crap. ikea=college life furnishings.

**elfmaiden** · 07-21-2005, 04:26 PM

I have some ikea bedroom stuff we bought a few years back. The stuff has been kinda fun, but yeah it's cheap stuff. The dress is really not standing up to any sort of wear at all. I barely use it, just to grab my underthings in the morning, and already some of the vaneer (sp?) is coming of the front and bottom of the drawers are wierd.

They do have funky stuff, but I'm def with the school it ain't gonna last me forever. I've moved like over 15 times...so if it's light, cheap, and won't make me cry if it gets broke...it's not really such a bad thing to have around.

Jenn

foofiter · 07-21-2005, 08:18 PM

They just opened one here in Atlanta. I went to the "Grand Opening" to see about 500 girls packed in at the door. I laughed at them and went to the bar for a beer. Ikea is such a racket. A true backpacker doesn't need particle board furniture.

Represent.

Foo

RegentRat · 07-21-2005, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by benna2@Jul 21 2005, 01:03 PM
I do not have a bed, which is why I still do not understand why I bought $100 worth of bed outfittings?

Um hey,

i went to Ikea for the first time with a friend recently, they had a cafe that served breakfast for a dollar, I then bought 6 bike tire mirrors, 3 galvanized boxes, curtains and these cool picture magnets...

R.R.

**omisan** · 07-21-2005, 11:09 PM

Oooh, I dig their cafe - nice and cheap!

**MeTurk** · 07-22-2005, 03:23 AM

Their building one in Ireland now, they wheren't alowed to because their building would have been to big for Irish building regulations. I hate shopping, the bigger the shop the more I hate it.

**bluepea** · 07-22-2005, 04:17 AM

I absolutely love Ikea. Their stuff is inexpensive and I love the style. Plus there are so many little things that are so versatile you can do so much with. My mother in law got some stuff there for our wedding centerpieces that she decorated - people raved about them.

Ikea's purpose was never to make quality furniture. They claim style, not quality. It was based on people with modest incomes wanting stylish and modern looking furniture at prices they could afford and they definitely hit that nail right on the head.

I could spend hours and $$$$ in that store... ahh... No Benna, I don't blame you at all. We went shopping there a couple weeks before we left and I still bought stuff. :P

**benna2** · 07-22-2005, 11:42 AM

Yeah I ate breakfast there for a dollar, went shopping for a few hours, then ate lunch there for three dollars!! And those little chocolate candies they give out...yumm!! I ate like five of them (ok, ten)

I agree that it isn't meant to be a real quality furniture store. Which is a good thing I think. Unless I am planning on furnishing a house for the rest of my life, its so nice to be able to buy stuff and then once I'm sick of it I can go out and get something new.

I think when I move into a place of my own I will be spending a lot of time and money at Ikea...hmmm I guess I will ask my family for gift cards...

**space virgin** · 07-22-2005, 11:58 AM

I love Ikea.

Generally speaking I don't purchase a *lot* of their stuff, but they're absolutely fantastic for domestic items like dishes, glasses, etc. I have a lovely shower curtain and other bath items from there. Also the mirrors that I paint are from there. Some of their items are shite for quality but they *do* have a few things-- bookcases, for one!-- that are wonderful. It's a total guilty pleasure.

**bluepea** · 07-23-2005, 10:44 AM

SV I have that same mirror that my mother in law painted for me. Very nice design by the way.

**benna2** · 07-23-2005, 11:19 AM

Jeanie that mirror is gorgeous. I think when I do eventually settle down I will have to hit you up to sell one to me!! You're very talented.