Our IKEA Trunk Haul: What We Bought and Why

To be clear: this post isn’t sponsored by IKEA. We just wanted to share a recent trip and what ended up in our car. We’ve always liked the brand — especially after that announcement about renewable energy — and a long visit turned into a full trunk reveal. You can learn a lot about someone from their purchases, and our IKEA haul tells a pretty clear story about priorities: storage, texture, practical decor and a few treats for the family.

This was the scene after our trip. Since our nearest IKEA is about 90 minutes away and we can’t pop in as often now that our parents moved, we bought a bit more than usual — the classic “just in case” mentality. We were visiting friends while we were in the area, so it made sense to stock up on a few essentials and a few impulse finds.

Here’s the breakdown of what we brought home:

1. Two Retur recycling bins that we plan to repurpose as shoe cabinets for the laundry room. These were among the main reasons for the trip — inexpensive, compact and perfect for corralling shoes.

2. Cardboard boxes that will form the base of an Effektiv-style file cabinet for the office. Affordable and modular storage systems like this are an easy way to create a clean, functional workspace without a huge investment.

3. A stack of pretty paper napkins for family gatherings when we don’t want to use cloth — we chose a green pattern that feels fresh and festive for large meals.

4. A new doormat. Long story short: a rainy night and a full-bladdered chihuahua who hates getting wet meant the old mat needed replacing. We tried to keep using it, but the dog had other ideas. The new mat is still intact (for now), and it was chosen for durability and easy cleaning.

5. Two woven planters — we’re suckers for natural textures and wanted to add more indoor greenery. These woven pots add warmth to shelves and corners while giving plants a more organic look.

6. A throw blanket that looked perfect for the living room but turned out to be a touch scratchy even after a couple washes. It still reads well visually, so we’re keeping it for layering or possibly reupholstering an ottoman someday. Tip: always test fabric feel in-store if you want something cozy for long lounging sessions.

7. A spare light kit. We already put one to use for a clothespin light and wanted a backup for a paper lantern we plan to hang in the playroom. Small, inexpensive lighting accessories like this are useful to have on hand when you’re slowly finishing rooms.

8. Several white frames. We always seem to need frames for new photos — we have a lot of bare walls and even more baby and dog pictures. White frames are versatile and keep gallery walls looking cohesive.

9. A white king-sized duvet cover and two shams. We liked the style and price, but we’re still deciding if it’s the right fit for the bedroom. It’s staying sealed in its packaging until we make a final call, since IKEA’s return policy on open bedding is restrictive.

10. Toys for Clara: a soft farm animal set and a soft tool set. She absolutely loves both — especially the goat and the toy ruler — which made those purchases totally worth it. We’re learning the lesson about moderation slowly, but her excitement made it hard to resist.

Not everything we picked up went into the trunk. On the morning of our trip I received an email about the IKEA Family rewards program, so we signed up in-store and grabbed the free card from a kiosk. The main perk we noticed right away was a complimentary coffee or tea each visit — a small convenience that always feels nice on a busy shopping day. We lingered in the restaurant while the drink cooled, which turned out to be a fun break for photos and a moment to let Clara pretend she was sipping tea.

Being an IKEA Family member also scored us a free ice cream cone on this visit — a small victory that nearly balanced the day’s spending. Clara wore hers as face paint and seemed delighted.

Do your recent shopping trips reveal anything about where you’re at right now? Maybe a grocery run for a big party, a marathon at a home improvement store, or a spree at a favorite decor shop? Lately our receipts show more visits to Lowe’s and the ReStore than Target, but every season brings its own priorities: storage, finishes, and the little pleasures that make a house feel like home.

P.S. We recently announced a giveaway winner on the blog — check back there to see if it’s you.