The things that I always bring back from a trip to Ikea

Last week we took a trip to Ikea. This is quite exciting for me, as we don't have one close by and so we need to make a specific trip. We usually only go when there is something in particular that we are after, but I can't stop myself picking up a few extras as I go round. 

Here are some of the things that always seem to make their way to the checkout:

Baskets and trays

I have a gorgeous basket in the living room which I use to store blankets, and square baskets which fit perfectly onto my Billy bookcases. I always spot some pretty storage item that I know will be both useful and decorative around the home.

Plants

Recently I've been buying fake plants as I'm not very green fingered when it comes to houseplants. Some of them are better than others but I like how they look, and they are often conveniently situated next to a pretty plant pot that suits the plant perfectly!

Ikea also sell a great range of real plants. In my final year at university I bought myself a small yucca plant, and over twenty years later it is still alive and well!

Candles

I think most people struggle to resist buying scented candles at Ikea. Every visit there is a new scent that I want to try, and because I don't burn candles very often I now have quite a stash which I need to make an effort to work through! I'm also partial to the little glass candle holders.

Kitchen utensils

I always seem to need a new wooden spatula or wooden spoon, and I find that the Ikea ones are really sturdy and comfortable to use. I usually spot some kind of kitchen gadget or storage solution that is new to me and I know would be really useful - on our most recent visit it was a set of reusable silicon food covers. I'm a huge fan of their cheese grater with a handy container underneath, I'm always grating cheese and it makes it so easy.

Rechargeable batteries

We get through a lot of batteries. We have many smart devices and sensors around the house, and my daughter has a room filled with battery powered fairy lights. We use the Ikea Ladda rechargeable batteries and we always seem to need another pack or two.

Sandwich bags

I really love the resealable Istad bags which come in a range of sizes. I don't actually use them for food, I use them for storage around the house. They are really thick and sturdy and so they are great for bundling sets of cables or other accessories that all belong together. I use them for storing stationery supplies, to keep jigsaw pieces together inside the boxes, to store my in progress craft projects, all sorts of things.

Photo frames and prints

Ikea has a huge selection of photo frames, often in unusual sizes that you can't find elsewhere. The frames are really reasonably priced too and are well made, we have them all over the house and they have lasted for years. They have some gorgeous prints too which are different each time we visit and so I always like to look through them even if I don't have any wall space to hang more!

What do you always return with after a trip to Ikea?

Photo credit Adam Kolmacka via Unsplash