Shopping At IKEA Is About To Get Easier Than Ever. Here's What You Should Know

IKEA is so much more than a store for home goods — it's an experience. But, for many people in the U.S. wanting to shop at IKEA, it means an all-day drive or even an overnight stay in the city where their nearest store is located. And yes, those Swedish meatballs are good, but not that good. In 2020, IKEA introduced more delivery options and expanded online purchasing, which made it easier for more customers to buy their favorite IKEA products. But now there is another option that will bring the IKEA experience even closer to home. IKEA has partnered with Best Buy, and it just may be a match made in heaven for those planning affordable home improvement projects.

The partnership between Best Buy and IKEA will feature 1,000-square-foot spaces in select Best Buy stores, showcasing kitchen and laundry room furniture from IKEA along with Best Buy's appliances and electronics. IKEA experts will be on-hand to help with design, while Best Buy associates will help you with the tech. It's the perfect merger of design and appliance shopping, and a one-stop shop for those wanting to purchase IKEA products without traveling far to get them. The pilot program is being tested this fall in 10 stores across Texas and Florida, with the anticipation that if it goes well, it will be implemented across the U.S.

You might be wondering what you as the customer will be getting out of this partnership? For most trial locations, you won't be able to pick up those great IKEA home essentials for under $10 – only kitchen and laundry room furniture. However, two Best Buy locations — Lakeland, Florida and Alamo Ranch, Texas — will offer free pick-up for most IKEA products purchased online. The biggest benefit will be the ability for customers to see their entire kitchen or laundry renovation visualized in one place (appliances included). Imagine going to the store, designing your new kitchen with your favorite IKEA products, picking out all the best deals on Best Buy appliances, and having it delivered to your home or ready for pickup — all in one place.

With home trends showing a move towards integrated smart design, this partnership experience is the next step for customers to implement new technology into their own renovations. This unique "shop-in-shop" concept will allow you, as the customer, to experience new tech for homes while using IKEA's kitchen planner to design your dream space. You'll be able to see whether you like the designs in-person and maybe get inspiration for your own budget-friendly smart home transformation. Smart consumers know there is nothing better than trying before you buy. If you're curious about trying out this new store concept, you can check out the IKEA website for locations near you.