The Best Day to Visit IKEA Revealed

For me, going to IKEA is an adventure. Not just because I can sample some traditional Swedish food (you know, Swedish meatballs with Lingonberry jam lol) or attempt to correctly pronounce Arkelstorp or Bodbyn, but because the closest IKEA is nearly three hours away. With my adventure to IKEA more like a day trip than a quick jaunt to the mall, I like to make sure I have an enjoyable time when I go. In this quick to read post (about 2-1/2 minutes) I’ll share with you the best day of the year to visit IKEA!

If you have never been to IKEA, it’s like a home improvement DIYer’s dream come true. Decorated room after decorated room full of inspiration from furniture and decor items to kitchen cabinets and dishwashers. If you’re updating a room or your whole house, chances are you’ll find what you need at IKEA.

My trips to IKEA are more than just spending money… I’ve found inspiration for my own projects like my DIY candle holders. And I LOVE the color of their black-brown furniture, in fact, in this post I even tried to replicate their signature stain color for my electric fireplace mantel. I even found inspiration for my friend Linda’s tiny bathroom remodel. Soon I’ll be sharing plans for the vanity I designed for her featuring an IKEA sink and faucet.

If you’ve been to IKEA, you already know about all the DIY goodness. You also know it’s not only packed wall-to-wall with home improvement ideas, it’s also packed wall-to-wall with people. And if you’re an introvert like me, you know being around lots of people and busy social settings can leave you feeling overstimulated and overwhelmed. I avoid crowds like some people avoid the dentist. I’d rather have a tooth pulled without Novocaine than hang out in a crowd of people!

So when I head out on my IKEA adventures, it would be great to visit when the place isn’t busting at the seams with people. Believe it or not, there is at least one day a year to go when you’ll have less people bumping into you, less shopping carts filled with do it yourself furniture smashing into your ankles and less kids using the carpet displays like a jungle gym!

There’s a day of the year where you can actually soak in all of the DIY inspiration. A day when you may escape without bruised ankles. It’s a day I hate to mention. I hate to mention it because it’s a day many of you will feel is unpatriotic to be shopping at a Swedish DIY store. What day is it? It’s the NFL’s most watched Sunday football game of the season! It’s the SUPER BIG GAME!!! As Steven Colbert calls it the “Superb Owl”! Notice I didn’t mention the official name? That official name is trademarked!

For the past few years, in early February, while other people are at home preparing crock-pot chili, buffalo chicken dip, meat platters, and donning team gear, my friend Linda and I hit the road for IKEA. And believe me, visiting IKEA on game day is like a little slice of paradise. The aisles are practically empty. The whole store is eerily quiet. In fact last year, I swear I saw tumbleweeds blowing around the store! OK, I’m exaggerating a bit, but it’s waaay less crowded on game day.

There it is. My dirty little secret. “Superb Owl” Sunday is the best day to visit IKEA! By the way, this is also a great day to hit up Home Depot and Lowe’s. What are you doing this big game day? Maybe I’ll see you near the Mockelby 🙂

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