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Great Finds, Hidden Gems For Everyday Home Goods At IKEA

By Anna Berend

I know what you're thinking. Shop IKEA for quality household goods? Yep, that's what I'm saying. Unless you are well-versed in the IKEA departments and lay of the vast blue and yellow building rivaled only by the gigantic MOA across the street, it can be difficult to locate these quality finds. And that's where I come in.

I know IKEA well enough that I can walk directly to the area I need to shop in and can get in and out pretty quickly. Well, I would get in and out quickly if not for all the sweet deals that grab my attention as make my way through the maze-like floors. I happen to shop there frequently, and I have figured out what the best buys are there.

3/27 Shopping & Style Kitchen Gadgets
Photo Credit: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Many people think of IKEA for affordable furniture, but I go there for fabrics, decorative pillows, duvets, towels, kitchen items and more in addition to affordable furniture. While IKEA is a {very} big box store, I can't think of a more "local" site for IKEA to set up shop, considering the prevalent Swedish heritage in the Twin Cities and IKEA's Swedish roots.

One of my favorite finds at IKEA is the fabric. It's thick and of good quality; excellent material for making curtains, pillows and wall hangings and upholstering furniture. The patterns are vibrant, interesting and you won't find any other like them. Considering the quality, the price is quite good too; between $7 and $10 a yard, on average.

3/27 Shopping & Style Ikea Living Room
Photo Credit: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

I also love the vast collection of rugs at IKEA. No matter what your budget is you will find a beautiful rug to fit it. From solids to patterns; monochromatic to quite colorful; modern to very traditional; thick and fluffy to thin and smooth; square to round to oval to rectangle; narrow to wide, IKEA's got it in stock. With all of the rugs out on the floor, it's easy to compare and make design decisions.

The duvets in the bedding department will revolutionize your bed making in the morning. Just throw the duvet over the top of your bed and you're done. They are extremely warm and cozy in the winter and cool and lightweight in the summer. Select from various weights, warmth levels and fillers.

The kitchen department is full of great gadgets at great prices, but it's the dishes that really shine in this area. You'll find dishes in fascinating colors and shapes and a multitude of attractive patterned paper napkins too. It's fun to mix and match with colors and patterns to create a unique and appealing table style.

3/27 Shopping & Style Kitchen Set up
Photo Credit: John Moore/Getty Images

And to me, that is what IKEA is all about; creating a beautiful space in your home using various colors, patterns and textures. The IKEA lines are meant to inspire shoppers to define their own style and make their spaces reflect this personal style. Keep these tips in mind next time you visit IKEA, and I bet you'll find more than you bargained for.

Anna Berend is an attorney and the author of Motherly Law Blog. On Motherly Law, Anna writes about legal issues that affect families and offers tips and resources that pertain to those legal topics. On occasion, inspiration strikes and Anna writes about something totally unrelated to the law. You can find Anna at www.motherlylaw.com, on Facebook at Motherly Law and on Twitter @MotherlyLaw.

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