Wardrobe crisis

Wardrobe crisis

We moved into our new house 6 months ago and my clothes are still hanging in the garment boxes that the removal company provided.

I have not complained (much) thus far because this was only to be a temporary measure until we had gorgeous new alcove wardrobes fitted.  However, we did not budget properly plan for replacement windows, a new loft hatch, loft flooring, damping, plastering, new carpets, new bed,  painting, new locks, made to measure plantation shutters (stunning!) with matching kitchen blind AND fitted wardrobes.

So, something had to be pushed back into phase two of the house overhaul… or cut back on wine and sack the cleaner.

I grew to love those cardboard hanging boxes.

Even though I had to re-iron every item that I pulled out of them and even when they eventually buckled under the weight of all the clothes stacked in them and on top of them.

This is how I found myself in IKEA on Saturday morning measuring up self assembly storage systems with a grumpy Greek God(zilla).

“Would you like somewhere to hang your belts and ties?” the nice IKEA lady asked him.

“Yeah ok” he answered, mildly irritated.

“Trouser hangers and a shoe rack?” she suggested

“Yeah ok” he responded, bored.

“A tray to keep your sunglasses and accessories?”

“Why not…” he said with a smidgen more interest.

On ‘my’ side of the storage system, I went for a short and long hanging compartment, shoe rack, fitted drawers, glass display shelf, wire baskets, little canvas boxes and the accessories tray along with frosted doors and a white frame.

We arranged to have it all delivered AND to make sure it looks like the brochure once assembled we have also arranged for someone to come and assemble it properly.

On the walk round the rest of the store to the checkout, we picked up a two sets of wine glasses (the Greek God(zilla) broke our last one on Friday), two roasting trays, various tupperware, photo frames, cushions, food containers, dish brushes, food bag clips, two ceiling shades, a draining tray for the washing up and plastic cutlery (no, I do not know why either… probably because it was £1).

All in all, the final cost was probably not too far off how having built-in alcove wardrobes.

But, that would have been too easy…

IKEA – Heaven or Hell on Earth?

8 Comments

  1. Jenny paulin
    September 11, 2011 / 12:36 PM

    I laughed at your first photo because it’s bit like my situation. We domhave hanging rails which were meant to be a temp arrangement when we moved here almost 3 years ago. But we still have them – problem is they collapsed one toommany times and now all our clothes are onnthe floor still onnhnagers! It’s my protest to my OH but t seems to have gone unnoticed! Men x

    • Grenglish
      Author
      September 11, 2011 / 12:44 PM

      I cannot tell you how many times those rails have collapsed on the floor! I would maybe try telling your OH that you need to buy new clothes to replace the ones ruined on the floor – bet that would get his attention! x

  2. September 11, 2011 / 1:58 PM

    I love Ikea so much! I don’t think I’d ever really bought anything from there until we moved to Abu Dhabi and it was really my only choice for furniture unless I went with over the top gold stylings that the locals are used to! So pretty much our whole house over here is furnished by Ikea and I must say I got really addicted to the place! You can never come out of Ikea without buying something! There is no Ikea in Doha something which has taken me a long time to recover from! BUT things are looking up – rumor has it they are building an Ikea here and it’s set to open 2012 – you know I’m going to be one of the first in there!!!!

    • Grenglish
      Author
      September 15, 2011 / 9:48 AM

      It is so dangerous because everything is so cheap but when you get to the checkout… not so much 😉

  3. September 11, 2011 / 4:08 PM

    In the 10 years or so i have been in the UK i have never once gone to Ikea.. Doesn’t matter how much i try and convince the OH that where we need to go.. he refuses.. Could drive my self i guess… Thank goodness for online shopping…

    • Grenglish
      Author
      September 15, 2011 / 9:47 AM

      Haha, it is quite dreadful! I think the whole of London was in there at the same time too. Unless you have seen something you really want, my advice would be to avoid at all costs (or buy online!) as you will end up with a trolley full of stuff you do not want or need, just because it is a bargain!

  4. thomo
    September 13, 2011 / 3:00 AM

    How funny – we are getting quotes to ave built in installed. I feel the pain. With baby number two on the way, we are having to rearrange and swap the three bedrooms around. Nightmare.
    I’m ploy was to avoid IKEA – but I’ve already spotted a new rug I quite fancy for the kids room….http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/70166450

    • Grenglish
      Author
      September 15, 2011 / 9:45 AM

      Oooooh I likey very much! I have not been to IKEA in years. I think it was Pan’s first time! It’s a nightmare now but will be worth it in the end. xx

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