First you have to remember, I'm not really reviewing Ikea The Store, I'm reviewing Ikea, the Experience. Because it is totally an experience.
I first went to Ikea in Europe, I was visiting a friend who was doing her degree overseas. We took a train and then a bus and finally got to Ikea, bought all the stuff she needed for her room and kitchenware, and lugged it home in those huge blue bags. So walking into any Ikea automatically makes me remember this trip, and it feels like I'm right back in Europe. Which is awesome.
I love wandering through the rooms, imagining the lives of the people who might live there. I love all the different organizational storage methods, the cheap decor pieces, the handy kitchen items, and the curtains and throw rugs. I loooooove the Ikea restaurant. I always get the Swedish meatballs with gravy and if they have it ready to serve, the princess cake. I usally grab a jar of lingonberry jam to take home, too.
It's all fun and good until I get home and start trying to assemble the furniture, right? Keep an eye on the as-is section, sometimes you'll find pieces there for next to nothing if you don't mind a little repainting or fixing up.