Yesterday I took my second trip to Ikea, bought two pillows for my bed, two duvet covers that had shams with them. Soo pretty and summery. I love all their storage items.

They have some nice place mats made of natural sea grass that I on our night stands and living room tables under lamps. I don't think they carry the ones I have anymore but there are still a couple of different ones available. They are hand made and for a couple of dollars they look great.

We also have a few of their Rotera Lanterns for when the power goes out, I love the whimsical way they look and they work great with tea candles. Ours are silver and I have a huge sized red one but they also come in other colors as well.

I usually gravitate to their kitchen stuff because I love their knives and cutting boards. They have the thicker plastic cutting board with a handle in it for much less than you can buy them at other stores. They usually offer a couple of different colors and I use 1 color for each type of food. They're like the thin ones a lot of stores sell only better.

Their duvets are nice as well, we haven't bought one because it is a European store and I'm always afraid the sizing may be a little different for things like bedding but a lot of people say you can't beat them for the price.

I found the sizing of the duvet covers to be spot on for our beds.

I love their flexible plastic cutting boards. They are strong enough to hold their shape but you can bend them if you want to scoot something off. They are also cheap.
I love a lot of their kitchen stuff but what I might recommend has glass or ceramic so may not be the best idea for transporting.
If you are doing a kitchen of bath anytime soon, they have nice faucets for good prices.
Their bath accessories are also a good deal.
Frames are very reasonable. May be worth risking the glass.
They have some really nice lighting options too.

Don't forget to eat at the restaurant!

The thing I like about Ikea is the portability of their itmes. Most things must be assembled, so it's easy to pack. Before we had one in our area, I used to fly to my folks place and bring an extra suitcase. (This was well before the restrictions, however!). I once brought home a huge area rug stuffed in my oversize duffle bag!

While you're there, pick up their catalog, so you can order things from home. It's easier to get an idea of what they look like in the book than on-line. And be sure to take a note pad to write down the items you like for future reference.

Lots of cute vases, frames, fun art, kitchen accessories.

Their feather pillow stuffers for decorative pillows are at a price that you can't beat, and I have never had an issue with odors. Great decorative pillow covers and pillows, and regular sleeping pillows as well.

Visit the restaurant for sure, and then hit the market downstairs. Delish limpa bread (sold frozen) meatballs (again, frozen) lingonberry jam and blueberry jam. Get some of the packets of the meatball gravy mix, even if you don't buy the meatballs. I like the coffee, too.

If you are a sewer or want modern fabrics, check out the fabrics. Lots of great patterns that you could use for pillows, drapery, or just to frame and hang on the wall.

Kitchen scissors. I have a friend who sews and quilts, and swears by them. She says that they are cheap (maybe $1 or $2) and sharp, and then down the line when they get dull or she loses them, she doesn't feel bad when she has to replace them. I swear she keeps 5 pair sitting around in different places in the house.

Some very cool lighting, but likely not something to take home in a suitcase.

Just one suggestion. Try to go during the week. Weekends are generally VERY busy, and not as much fun.

I am a little embarrassed to admit that my favorite small item from Ikea is their black wash bowl (for washing dishes). It fits perfectly in my large, deep kitchen sink, has handles for easy lifting out even when full, and always looks crisp and clean. Not exciting maybe but very practical.

Yes to the kitchen items! Especially the cutting boards, plain white candles, small vases, candleholders, white dish and pottery items! Also -- a stack of their cork trivets! And the paper napkins are the BEST!

Yes to the food items! LOVE the coffee, frozen food items, cookies etc. Do have lunch there! :)

Yes to the panel curtain selections! :)

Yes to the cushion covers!

If you check your bag with the IKEA stuff, the knives will be fine, and then look for some of their Grundtal items, such as the S-hooks. And the bars which can be used for hanging towels, or those hooks, or cooking utinsels above your range or prep area. I think they come in 24 inch 36 inch and 48 inch lengths. Most every IKEA kitchen illustration shows something like them.

I cannot wait to get me to an IKEA, the closest one here is in Atlanta, 400 miles away, but in Massachusetts I will be visiting Stoughton's new store, then doing like you and dragging them home best way I can.

Over the years I've bought many small items from Ikea altho never any furniture. I've found they don't always have the same items so it's wise to spend some time looking at everything. I never leave there without spending at least $50, sometimes on things I never knew I needed! When we travel we always find an Ikea - never met one I didn't like! LOL

Years ago I bought a set of transferware dinnerware made in England (yes, at Ikea!) and wish I had bought more sets at the same time as they've never again had them and they were very inexpensive. I also bought several sets of duvet covers as they were so inexpensive and worth it for the fabric alone which I used to sew other things. They have a small area rug I use in my kitchen which I've bought several times. It's almost a throw-away item price wise altho washes well and is durable. I have some solid metal lamps which were very inexpensive and I've repainted them a couple of times for a different look - a great find many years ago. Plant pots, vases, dishes, glassware, placemats, storage containers, laptop bag, mousepad, toilet brush (just put it in a more decorative holder at home), seasonal decor, gift wrap, candles, and candleholders are some other bargain items I've purchased. I've bought many interesting children's items for my Grandchildren.

Ikea has lots of prints and picture frames, area rugs, small shelving, which would fit in a suitcase. Take a good look around and you'll be sure to find some treasure! LOL We've often gone in the morning as it's less busy then had lunch in the restaurant which is very good value and quite edible! They also have a very inexpensive breakfast served even before the store opens I believe. Just google the Ikea you plan to visit for more info and availability of items you may be interested in if you want to make a list before you go.

Ikea quality is much better than the dollar stores (actually often comparable to higher end stores) and the price is usually very reasonable.

Happy shopping!

Love their knives and scissors, I didn't suggest them because your flying, but you may want to consider just getting what you want and if it's too much, ship it before you leave because a lot of their inventory isn't available online. That's what we've done for people who have visited and over bought. Definitely worth the expense.

I also got 2 of these there and their great for storage in our mudroom or entry.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70083501

Just returned from an Ikea road trip! Love their window coverings and you cannot order then on-line. Also, great picture frames, linens and vases. Have fun!

If you have photos laying around that you need to frame, I'd recommend that you grab a tiny spiral notebook (or use your smartphone) to jot down the dimensions. Same thing for window treatments. If you're the kind of person who still has little paint chips or upholstery swatches, bring them.

Ikea can be sensory overload and you'll likely forget just how big that cute photo of the kids is -- 4x6? 5x7?
(And not just sensory overload for the first-time visitor! Sometimes I finish up at the cashier's station without even having looked for what I went in for!)

(I have a weakness for Ikea's hanging hardware -- hooks, knob -- and small storage items; found the perfect little zip-top pouch for my portable hard drive for just a couple of dollars. Actually felt so guilty thinking about price versus how much the assembly crew gets for making those.)

Do pick up a catalog, if they have any left.
But the new one comes out in September.

Just got back from the big city and our IKEA trip. I picked up shelf liners, two light fixtures (cheaply made not sure if it was worth the price) bath sheets,hanging closet shelves,and a plastic bag caddy. I found some fun candle holders, but they were out of a color that was on display. It is a great idea store, but I wasn't bowled over by the quality of a lot of their furniture, and sadly much of it said "made in china".