Ikea - your perfect problem solver

Our interminable bathroom project has/ had literally been going on as long as the COVID epidemic. What began as a slow trickle in a bath tub drain, then became a major leak in the downstairs wall and ceiling - ultimately emerged as our new & improved $18,000 bathroom. Thank God for Home Equity loans!

We are very pleased with the results. Our lovely blue star tiles in the warm, pulsing shower. Our fantastic high pedestal sink that no longer requires crouching over. A real ceiling light fixture instead of a light bulb with a globe and pull chain. But one of the many wonders are the great IKEA stackable cabinets that make great use of a very tiny space. We were able to custom order 3 shelf cabinets of a short 12" width to make good use of a crawl space. We made one a pull out for all our regular toiletries. Two with shelves for everything from medications to plungers to towels. Our contractor put them in with a matching face panel so they appear to be built in cabinets. Perfect.

Of course, we were not the only ones during a pandemic to be making home improvements. We were caught in the endless cycle of surplus back orders. We tried to secure a holding place via on-line orders, but the details would erase after a period of time. And there was no guarantee they would ever come in directly to the stores. After some 5 months we finally hit the Jackpot and were able to place a home delivery for a $50 fee, but could actually get them into our hands. Voila!

It seems the IKEA craze of home design miracles is a somewhat recent trend. But I found some catalogue images that show what their contemporary styles in furniture look like going back to their roots in 1951. Did you know that IKEA stands for founder Ingvar Kamprad from Elmtaryd in the village of Agunnaryd? I-K-E-A! He started out a young entrepreneur at age 5 peddling matches, seeds, Christmas cards and pens from his bike. He moved on to furniture in 1948. From the beginning, it was all about value and in a short span of 2 years, other major Swedish furniture companies were boycotting him at trade shows because his products were already making such an impact. At that point Ingvar set his sights bigger and expanded to outsource his products to other countries. Back in the 50s, shipping was an obstacle even then, so his major concept to the industry was the idea of flat-stack and self assembly. Even back in 1953, his showrooms began. Not originally as a walk through exhibit, but a chance for him to meet his customers and personally ask them what they were searching for so he could find new practical solutions for them.

In 1960, he brought the 1st restaurant into the store complete with a microwave for fast food service to masses. A major Norway store opened in 1963. A huge shift in its evolution was caused by a fire at the flagship store in Stockholm in 1970. Much merchandise was lost so a self service counter was made to accommodate as many customers as possible. That was the lighting bolt moment that brought about his new concept for customers of in-store pick up. At this point, the industry exploded into Europe and Japan. And in 1995 he cornered a new concept he labeled Democratic Design which includes everything from sustainable forests to energy saving LED products.

I am so thankful to have a major store here at the Mall of America where shopping is an experience each time we go. From the Swedish meatballs and lingonberry jam to the wall art and kitchen gadgets. I am not always into the stark minimalist look of much of the furniture. But they rack up major points for practicality and color which I love. Some people get irritated with the self assembly. But I look at it as a great jigsaw puzzle that does come with instructions. It takes only patience. And I am loving my new bathroom including the fabulous IKEA cabinets that were worth the wait.