The Alternative to Throwaway Tat

Don’t Waste Money on Throw Away Items from Ikea

Ikea is like a Haven of Ambrosia (the food and drink of Greek gods, not the custard), as you’ll never know what you’ll find around the corner. It has become the go to shop for all sorts of home improvements items that won’t cost too much. However, Ikea and its products have a number of problems, the first being it’s shops and products, despite serving a purpose are lifeless and not usually too long lasting. They won’t cost too much, but you can tell when something’s from Ikea and it probably won’t be a nice piece to own.

Another problem with Ikea is because the price is so reasonable and they make you walk around the whole shop to get to the exit, you end up coming out with twice as much as you wanted and spending more than you had planned. This is all too easy with many shops but Ikea is especially bad as you see a good deal on a lamp to replace the one in the corner you’ve always hated and suddenly the expenditure is ratcheted up.

There is an alternative!

The antique market or even the charity shop can hold hidden treasures for even less than the cost of an Ikea and can add character to any room. Yes they may not come in pristine out of the box condition, but that’s what gives them their character as they each have a story to tell.

There is no convention or similarity to these objects and there will probably only be one of each item in these shops. However, I do understand that some of the modern houses which have far more modern looking rooms will make an antique lamp stick out like a sore thumb. However, if you don’t go you’ll never know and you may find something you like that would go perfectly in a certain place in a room.

There’s more?

Moreover, not only do you just have to discard the item when you think that it’s time for an upgrade, you also have the option to sell it yourself. The value of antiques can often be difficult to judge as it really depends on what someone is willing to pay for it. With the Internet now at your fingertips, you could put it on eBay, take it to a car boot sale or donate it to the charity shop to try to help their cause. Whereas antique Ikea items will have absolutely no value on the internet as so many were produced and available at Ikea.

Instead of heading off to Ikea, why not look in your local Antiques shop, charity shop or even online, you never know what you may find!