Here are my steps to successfully navigating IKEA:
1. Go on a weekday.
2. Eat the meatballs first, before you start shopping. You don't want low blood sugar in this maze. You should probably order a dessert too, who are you kidding?
3. Preemptively grab a big yellow bag. You're gonna want one for impulse purchases.
4. Vigorously shake and abuse the floor model of whatever it is you're considering purchasing. Anything that feels like a mess in the store will be worse in your home. Don't buy.
5. Stop by nearby Total Wine for supplies before attempting to assemble anything you may have purchased. Trust me, you'll want liquid reinforcements.