The £100 shop.....

I think you are right J52, lots of people like to knock IKEA but most of the stuff is well designed and doesn't date.
I would never go there when it's going to be crowded, but MrA and I went there one Monday afternoon recently to get some stainless steel kitchen shelves that I had coveted at my cousin's house. They look fab. We also came away with 3 new lampshades for our sitting room.
I've still got some wall lights that we bought in 1985 and my kitchen curtains date from 1999. They still look good.

Our Ikea trips are always like that KateK. And the final bill is nearly all made up of 'bits and pieces', things that individually are such good value that it's hard to walk past them. Things that, at the time, you really believe you need, but when you get home you realise they are just more 'stuff' in the kitchen drawers. Or things that are 'so cheap it would be stupid not to buy it'.
Our nearest branch is over 100 miles away, and I think that's part of the psychology with us - you know, 'might as well get it while we're here' and of course, if we spend a sizeable amount, we believe we've justified the cost of the fuel to go there.
A branch is going to open much nearer to us before too long. Will our total at the checkouts be much less? Hmm, not holding my breath...

My nearest has a super "bargain basement" which I used to make a bee line for but these days I cannot make my way around the store so I at least have the money in my purse.

More than 20 years ago I bought a lovely baby's quilt which is superb for a cat, all for a fiver in a sale. It is used daily and washes well.

It is just like that!

We have bought some great pieces of furniture there. The leather bendy chair and footstool ( can't remember the name, but loads of people seem to have one! ) is such a classic, good design.

But, it's all the other things you pick up on the way round! The lights are well designed also, but how many lamps do you need in your life! x

I have only been to IKEA once many years ago but DD and her H would go on a very regular basis and mostly do the same Katek. DD is going again tomorrow for a desk for GS's bedroom. She will then phone to tell me what else she bought while there.