10 Ways To Save Money at IKEA

IKEA is my heaven.

Seriously, the St. Louis IKEA just opened a few months ago, and I can honestly say that it’s making my life better already. Bookshelves, mattress protectors, pillows and other household good have already made their way into my home at drastically cheaper prices than can be found elsewhere.

Even my husband likes the stores – provided he’s not already tired – and the food will keep him happy if all else fails.

But with that being said, IKEA, just like any other store has it’s pitfalls. Yes, it’s prices are pretty great, but there are still ways to save money at IKEA that are super simple and that can add up to BIG savings. Here are my favorites:

The Clearance Aisle

Every store has ’em, and IKEA is no exception. Theirs is called the ‘As Is’ aisle and it’s usually located at the end of the store, near the checkouts. The items here were either returned, damaged, or or used as display products, so be sure to check each items thoroughly before purchasing. But, if you’re careful you can score huge discounts on these items!

IKEA Family Program

The IKEA Family Program is not only FREE, it is designed to save you money. It offers no-obligation discounts for interested customers on specific items, as well as additional benefits like 90-day price protection, early sale announcements, special discounts, members-only savings, and even free beverages in the store restaurant.

Watch Out For Price Traps

Because of the large proportion of items for only a few dollars each, your cart (bag) can quickly become filled with trinkets and treasures if you’re not vigilant. Before you head to the store, put together a list, measurements, and game plan – some even find it helpful to use a map of their store to help with this – and take advantage of the IKEA Online shopping lists, in-stock notifications, and items you want to check prices on for future trips.

{Price traps aren’t just found at IKEA. Here are some others to watch out for}

IKEA Moving Program

IKEA’s Moving Program is one of the hidden gems within the store, designed to help you furnish your home for less. When you spend $250 (about 2 pieces of furniture) you’ll save $25. As an added bonus, you can browse the inspiration boards and use helpful tools like shopping lists.

Local Deals

Usually only found on your local store’s website, IKEA Local Deals give coupons and offers available only in your specific locale. They’re usually for food, so check before shopping in case you need a quick meal after traipsing through the gigantic store.

Don’t Be Afraid of Small Parts

IKEA furniture is notorious for the amount of assembly needed, which is part of the charm, if you ask me. But with that “some assembly required” bit comes the possibility of lost or missing pieces. If that happens, don’t feel like you need to run to the hardware store and purchase replacements, simply determine the missing part number from the instructions, call up your local store, and they’ll replace it for free!

Credit Card Rewards

IKEA stores accept credit cards, and since they do sell furniture, chances are you’ll make a large purchase there at some point. When you do, you can take advantage of up to 5% back (from this card) or work towards a $200 bonus (from this card).

Free Wifi

IKEA stores offer free in-store wifi, which is great if you’re trying to save money with the $10 Unlimited Talk + Text plan I recommend, but the in-store wifi can save you even more than that. Use the wifi to look up prices on big purchases before you reach the checkout to take advantage of the “offers” section of the IKEA website, as well as read reviews of produccts before you make the final purchase decision.

Gravitate Towards Cheaper Items + DIY Hacks

Bloggers everywhere have discovered that you can make cheap IKEA pieces look high-end with a bit of paint, creative colors, and a designer’s eye. Or, if you lack creativity, like yours truly, check out boards like these for an endless supply of DIY that any skill can accomplish.

{Not much for IKEA? This one trick saved me $1,400 a year}

Skip Delivery

IKEA does have a very convenient local delivery service that starts at about $60, but let’s be honest: you know someone with a truck. And, a case of thank-you beer + some gas money will cost you a whole lot less than $60, which is a win for your wallet.