Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Ikea favorites

When it comes to Ikea I think there is something for everyone, right? I don't get there often, but it seems when I do I'm consistent with what I purchase or what grabs my attention. Truly, for me it is the simple things at Ikea I gravitate towards....here are some of my absolute favorites. 

I am 100% sold on Ikea's Bumerang wooden hangers.
I love opening a closet and seeing uniformity with all the same hangers.
This seems silly, but I am nuts about the Fantastisk white paper napkins. They are large, absorbent and great for meals where you aren't using cloth. 
I have a Blaska set in the laundry room, the garage, in the hall closet and inside the wooden storage unit on the deck...just about any place where it is convenient to have a dust pan and little broom handy.     
I must begin with saying I've had a ton of fancy pepper grinders over the years and haven't exactly done cartwheels over any of them. This simple one from Ikea is the one I've loved the best. I cook daily and have been using same one for the past four years, when I first discovered its magic. It's a great size for holding in my hand, I don't have to pump a little nozzle at the top to grind my pepper, it's compact, tucks away nicely in the pantry or cupboard and works well.   
 I first fell in love with the Expedit bookcases five years ago when I was pregnant with my daughter who is now four. I use them for confining toy bins to one location. Since toys are so colorful, I use simple off white bins that I bought at the Container Store. I like the clean lines of the piece and the function of all the cubbies for putting bins. The Expedit comes in two different sizes (as shown below) and several color options. It also comes with anchors for the wall to prevent it from tipping over. Since buying ours five years ago, I've seen the Expedit bookcase with favorable write ups several times and in many magazines...it is really a perfect piece!

And, this one I like sitting horizontal, but it depends on your space as to how you would use.
And, because these colorful plastic dishes/flatware are perfect for the kiddies when snacking outdoors. I'm also planning to use them for my son's second birthday party this summer (which will be a Monster Bash Birthday Playdate!)

 What are some of your favorites at Ikea? Perhaps I'm missing some goodies! 

29 comments:

Unknown said...

I hardly ever get to Ikea anymore...only because I don't know of any near here. This post is making wish there was one...love the pepper grinder!

jewelry without jewels said...

I love their wooden salad bowl--only $7.99!

xo,
E

FrenchBlue said...

Oh I KINOW!! Ikea has so many fun and inspiring things. I have not been for a long time. I think you have just talked me into going sooner than later:)
XO

Unknown said...

i don't hit up IKEA all those often either - and like u - i sorta just grab whatever i like - i know it'll never last long - but some things r just a good deal - like there sherpa rugs! .. holla!

*muah*
Erika
~Tiptoe Butterfly~

Cashon&Co said...

okay this makes me want to go to IKEA like NOW. i haven't been in so long, it's a 40 minutes drive. but now it looks like the drive is worth it !

Kathysue said...

I love Ikea, I feel like a kid in a candy store. I have bought ooodles of the hangers also. that is what I have in my closets. They look so neat and tidy hanging in perfect order. I walk around Ikea and think of all kinds of applications for some of their pieces. It is fun to shop there on a weekday instead of a weekend. On the weekend I feel like an ant marching line with all the other ants, hehe, Happy Wednesday,kathysue

Anonymous said...

Here is something funny... I have never been to Ikea! I am probably the only one. lol There is one this way but it's kind of a hike. I guess I need to plan a day trip! xo

style chronicle said...

The closest Ikea is in Atlanta (a 4 hour drive). Such a bummer!! But I do have those same plastic cups and an expedit shelf!

North of 25A said...

I would choose all the things that you did and will go & get that grinder too. I used to think of Ikea as having disposble furniture, but I think they have evolved.
Best,
Colleen

Deepali Kalia Interior Design Blog Filling Spaces said...

Yes,i agree with collen ty have evolved you find things good from time to time!
i love the hangers ,bath rugs,Kids stuff!Btw i have a giveaway...my ver first giveaway pls participate it will mean much to me~Love Deepali
http://www.fillinspaces.blogspot.com

MaryBeth said...

While I was renovating my house I bought two of the bookcases and put them in an extra bedroom as a closet for sweaters and t-shirts. I only have the metal hangers for my closet and the wooden hangers for my coat closet. I love them but always forget to bring a shopping bag when I go and end up having to carry them out and dropping them as I go.

Gwen Driscoll said...

Ikea is the best. I just spent 3 hours there last time I was in Atlanta.

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

I use the bottom plates/bowls for my 2 year old....they easily slip into my diaper bag for meals out and are perfect for her high chair....I also have a sweet little lamp from Ikea in her bedroom and I have a funky laptop table that I use if I am watching TV while surfing the internet, etc.

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

I don't go to IKEA very often anymore but I have purchased a bookcase for my work office. Also some of their frames are great. Yours are all great picks. You're making me want to stop off there when I'm on Long Island this weekend :)

Emily {Frilly Details} said...

Oh Ikea, I miss you... :)

I love their kitchen stuff. I have several of their cutting boards and storage containers. And I love all the fun 'little' things they have in the huge bins. Also, their apple cake with vanilla icing is soooo tasty!

Karena said...

I love everything (almost) Ikea. Wish there was one nearby Kansas City!!

Karena
Art by Karena

Andrea said...

I do love Ikea. For me, it's an all day affair. I like to get there early and browse the whole store including the showroom.

Acanthus and Acorn said...

Darn it! I was just telling a bloggy friend how much I want to go to Ikea...have't been since last fall!

I'm with you on hangers...wooden all the way!

Traci Giles said...

We love my daughter's Ikea art easel. The paper roll is so inexpensive and always in stock, so she can paint her heart out. Also, when you need loooong white curtains, they are the best! Oh, and garden containers. . . maybe I should stop now.

Leigha said...

Something for everyone for sure! I really love their inexpensive planters and vases. They are plain and simple - very versatile.

Natalie Thiele said...

I love IKEA! Asis is my favorite department, although I love the rest of the store, too. They have great fabric for pillows, tablecloths, and napkins, etc. I also love the Tulsta (tub chair). I have 8 of them. LACK (mini parson's tables) I must have 20 of them. At times I go to IKEA twice a day everyday for a week, then I ease off and stay away for a few days. I'm a hopeless addict!

Silvia C said...

I can always find something fun and unique at IKEA. I love it. Love their kitchen items!

Splendid Willow said...

Oh, I am an Ikea junkie! (I am Swedish after all!). I go there for the food store (yes, meatballs and Swedish chocolate!) and the same napkins, and quite a few things for the kids' rooms and play room.

There are many pillows that I like and everyone compliments me on my fab glasses for daily use.

And some of their vases are terrific. And the candles! (No lead).

In Stockholm you will see members of the royal family pushing around shopping carts!

Ikea rocks!

Happy rest of the week (I have added you to my blog roll).

ox, Mon

Jennifer said...

If I'd stop looking at posts and writing - I'd get to where I want to go and keeping meaning to be - IKEA - thanks for the great items to see - Jennifer jennsthreegraces

Hamptontoes said...

I'm glad so many of you love Ikea too! It's so much fun right?

Marija said...

It's 950 on Friday night and I just got back from Ikea - for the third time this week. I'd say I'm pretty much addicted...

Punctuation Mark said...

I have to go there really soon to stock up on a few things... the pepper mill is really good and works perfectly... have a lovely long weekend!

Unknown said...

i've been on the lookout for some wood hangers! i totally agree about the happiness that comes from seeing your closet all organized and uniform. thanks so much for posting these! i love ikea's rug selection... where else can you find a decent-sized black and white striped rug for $13?

大麻藥農阿wee的田野調查 said...

Hello,
Are those blue cap pepper grinder still available in your nearby IKEA? I bought one(made in Taiwan) before and was astonished with its quality these years. Recently IKEA replaced it with a Made-in-China look-alike but with a black cap. It doesn't turn nearly as smoothly nor have a ratchet(a mechanism that allows movement in only one direction). Thanks! I live in Taiwan, btw.