Five things you should always buy at Ikea and the items to get elsewhere
FINDING a bargain at Ikea can turn into a whole day affair given how large some of its stores can be.
The Swedish retailer sells everything from furniture to lighting and bedding.
But there are few things you should keep an eye out for that will be worth your time buying.
We reveal the five products you should pick up, and the items to grab elsewhere.
Kallax shelves
One Ikea fan favourite is the Kallax shelf.
The shelves are as simple as you can get from the Swedish furniture store, resembling a basic wooden frame.
Read more in Shopping
But the advantage to this is they look great in pretty much any room. They come in an array of colours too.
But, arguably, the best bit about the kit is its backless design, which you can use to divide a room.
People who have bought the shelves say they are quite sturdy too so you'll be getting good bang for your buck.
If you fancy buying the shelves, they currently cost £45.
Most read in Money
Blackout curtains
Ikea also stocks a massive range of home furnishings, from rugs and bedding to curtains and more.
But your curtains don't have to simply be just an aesthetic feature in your home - they could even help reduce your bills if you buy the right ones from Ikea.
Simply putting up curtains can reduce your energy usage as they lock in any heat produced.
Blackout curtains can help cut down the cost of your bills too by creating a thick later of air between your window and inside.
It means it'll be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer months too.
And you can buy the nifty product from Ikea from just £12.
Plastic containers
Ikea even stocks the little bits to fill your cupboards once you’ve got the flat-pack kit assembled and erected, including plastic containers.
The cheapest plastic tub on offer costs just 75p and has a 450ml capacity.
With food prices rocketing on the supermarket shelves, it’s more important than ever to save on your grocery bill.
So investing in a few containers to store any leftover food is a great way to save wastage.
Something second-hand
Ikea runs a scheme both in-store and online called the Circular Hub, which aims to fight waste while also offering you products cheaper than usual.
It's the rebranded "bargains corner" of the store, where old and returned stock is resold at a fraction of the price.
So if you don't mind furniture that's been in another home or out on the shop floor, you can save up to half price.
You can check online for your nearest participating store.
Part of the same scheme is the "As is" section, which hosts ex-display items which might already be constructed too - great if you're not confident with DIY.
Some of the furniture might have a few cosmetic imperfections, but all items should be functional and safe to use.
Lunch for the family
The superstore warehouses each have an Ikea restaurant, which is usually situated roughly halfway around the shop - making it the perfect pitstop on your trolley dash.
It means you don't have to fork out much for the family's lunch either.
A plate of meatballs for example costs just £4.
And your little ones can enjoy four meatballs for just £2.20.
The items to get elsewhere
Toys and plush animals could be a waste of money if you're shopping at Ikea.
When you're furnishing your home, Ikea’s selection of affordable décor can be a lifesaver.
The only downside is that their items are mass-produced, so the store can't be a source of distinctive, one-of-a-kind pieces.
And they can be pricey eye-catching pieces that trick you - or your kids into begging you - to buy.
Do you need that huge plush bear, when you're trying to budget for a sofa? Especially when it's your first home, and money is tight.
You're better off holding your horses until one of the major supermarkets or stores like Argos host one of their massive toy sales.
The budget retailers will often reduce the price of hundreds of products so the kids have plenty to chose from at a low low price.
You're also better off leaving the grocery shopping for the supermarket too.
As well as all its home furnishings and the onsite café you can stock up the freezer with foodie goodies toward the end of your shop.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
But you'll find that the cost of these goods is a little pricier than at your local grocery store.
Meanwhile you can take advantage of loyalty schemes at the rival food stores, like Tesco's Clubcard prices that give you an instant discount on your shop, while Ikea doesn't.