Ikea things are filler for me - things that I like but don't want to have to keep if I ever move out. A bed for an apartment I only plan on being in for a year or two, a dresser to put my clothes in while I hunt for for the perfect find at another store. The quality of their pieces are a crapshoot: Items can break in months or last for years, it just depends, and I'm not convinced it is related to the price you pay for an item there. Also, Ikea is nice because a lot of their designs are funkier than you'd find in your standard Pittsburgh furniture store - I'd love to know where to find a high-gloss red media center in Shadyside. Actually Weisshouse has some cool pieces, but that is way out of my price range.
Of course, every now and then I will find a great little gadget there(spice holders, and the top can swap with a grinder - a cute wooden fold-up dish dryer, etc). The place is clean and certainly fun to walk through, although the end shopping/warehouse portion makes me a bit uncomfortable. Also the staff here is always friendly - if you can find anyone.