Ikea experts over here please!

[besmirchedandbewildered]

Hi there

I'm about to make the Big Trip to Ikea as our building work hopefully please comes to an end. I was all excited but then remembered I normally come back with a load of disappointing tat that doesn't fit or work and I thought I'd bypass that stage by getting some Expert Advice.

4 questions (for now!):

I was planning to get a couple of light fittings but I've just looked at the installation instructions and they all seem to need hooks in the ceiling. Does anyone know why this is and do you really need them?

Also I'm thinking of getting the MASKROS big dandelion shade, has anyone got one, do they continue to look good or do they get tatty, are they getting on your nerves at all? They look like a bitch to put together, is that the case?

Also does anyone have the Urban junior chair - are they easier for your kids to sit on at the dining table, if so, how old are your kids? Mine are 3 and 6 and we have a lot of spilling and general not-being-able-to-sit-still at dinner time, I'd like to think it's the fact they're sitting on grown-up chairs which are uncomfortable for them to sit on properly rather than their behaviour but I don't want to spend £60 on 2 of them to find they make no difference!

Finally can anyone recommend an Ikea rug for a playroom? Ideally washable but soft enough to put on a wood floor and play on?

Thanks!

[NotQuintAtAllOhNo]

The hooks.

You need the hooks because the light/lamp is too heavy to "hang off" the electrics. An uplighter or a shade will be light enough to attach to the bulb fitting.

There is another reason, too.

In Scandinavia, they often dont install light fittings in ceilings, but a wall socket by the ceiling skirting boards (yes, there is skirting on the top of the room too ) This means you have plenty of choice as to where to install your ceiling light! What if you decide to rearrange your room so that your dining or coffee table is in a different location? Then you just add another unobtrusive white hook and move your lamp! Genius!

[MrsDmitriTippensKrushnic]

Maskros shade - are a complete bitch to assemble but worth it (work for IKEA and have seen many people weeping when putting them together for displays) They look good for ages, even in a display setting where they get touched by grubby-handed customers all the time. We have to replace them because people pinch bits... Never seen them in an actual real-life setting though, I don't know anyone with a room large enough, or with ceilings high enough for it to work.

Only thing I can say about the rugs is don't get Hampen, even if it's on offer, or tempts you with its softness. Shaggy high pile rugs and kids just don't work. You'll be finding bits of lego, pen caps and blu-tac in the depths for bloody years...

[besmirchedandbewildered]

That is indeed genius, thanks NotQuint - but doesn't it mean you have wires running across the ceiling instead of neatly tucked in between the joists?

[ItsNotUnusualToBe]

We have the dandelion shade. It's beautiful. My Dad put it together. I believe he needed a lie down in a cool dark room afterwards

[suntodayplease]

Not an expert by any means, but I went a couple of days ago.

I liked the look of that light online, but v disappointed when I saw it in real life, very papery, and yes I think it will look tatty. ££ for what it is IMO.

No idea about the chairs, but they look easy to clean so plus point.

Rugs - there were loads of large sort and tactile rugs which I loved, and I'm also looking for a playroom rug (with wooden floors) but my DD is really into pushing things around so none were appropriate.

Good luck, I left with a few things I didn't plan on buying and a bag of meatballs but DD is pleased with her new play kitchen pots and pans!

[NotQuintAtAllOhNo]

Yes, you do have a white neat cable across the ceiling, but it is stretched across and kept in place by those nails used for telephone cabling...

[besmirchedandbewildered]

Ah, get your DAD to do it. This thread is full of genius!

[IvanaHumpalotCountDracula]

I recommend the junior chair. Looks smart, allows the child to sit up to the table and wipe clean. Always used to get asked where I got it from. DS is 6.5 now and prefers to use the normal dining chairs.

[amazonianwoman]

We have the Lusy Blom rug in the playroom, colourful but with a short pile and Lego friendly.

I wanted the Vemb but thought it was a bit too £££ for a playroom. I might upgrade to that one when their play dough days are over

[besmirchedandbewildered]

Oh that is nice amazonian, thanks for that.
Think we will go for the chairs, even if DD1 thinks she's too big for it we'll have one for when DD2s little friends come round.
Ooh I'm excited (does a little dance)
Definitely need to get out more!

[LilMissSunshine9]

I love the light shades from Next..


I love the crackle shade - I will be getting them for the bedroom hey look so fab, they have a flower ball which is similar to the IKEA one you prefer.

www.next.co.uk/shop/category-lights-productaffiliation-lighting-type-pendantsshades-0

If you look at the main page for lighting they have this brown shade made of circular disks that looks pretty cool too >> www.next.co.uk/homeware/lighting

I also like this chandelier - www.next.co.uk/x501084s1#479460x50

[besmirchedandbewildered]

The crackle shade is nice, I quite like the heart fairy lights as well, thanks LilMissSunshine