Can I realistically get all my son's university essentials at IKEA?

[Superscared]

Son is off to uni - am I being overly optimistic or is there anything I CANT get at IKEA? I’m planning a single trip, with a list, and hoping to get everything in one go. Is this realistic??

Not sure if you could get all of it - but managed to get a large amount from our local Tesco superstore , if you can do click and collect on what you cannot get from IKEA should be straight forward

I would say that you definitely can, but you could check online and also get things delivered

We got bedding from John Lewis but everything else from Ikea

Probably, but it will be the same as loads of his flatmates and prone to being ‘accidentally borrowed’ as a result.

Is there an ikea near his university?
Its an ideal situation if there us.

Also, the supermarkets inuniversity towns stock up on essentials for Move In weeks (at keast thats my experience with the city I have to visit for teen sport regularly which has two universities... and an IKEA. They all have a "student arrival" stockpile)

A kettle? If he wants (and is allowed) his own for his room.

Otherwise I can't think of anything you wouldn't get there, assuming you're not including materials for his actual degree course!

Not sure that you’d want to get it all at IKEA, it will be considerably cheaper if you spread it out across places like B&M but you CAN get everything there if you want to. As others have said, if there is one close to where he is staying, it’s much easier to wait until you take him up and then go and get it then. You’ll have a better idea of what is needed too.

They are his essentials, why isn’t he getting them? How does he really know what he needs until he gets there ?

I've heard that Ikea will be open until 10pm from 31st August to 6th September, if that'll help anyone avoid the daytime crowds. It was from a staff member a while back so it might be best to check before you take my word for it.

IKEA, B+M, Home Bargains, Poundstretcher, Supermarkets..... whichever is your nearest shop.
Although can't he take stuff like his bedding from home?

Yes definitely the best and easiest one stop shop. The only things to get elsewhere is if he wants any electricals e.g. kettle or air fryer and to stock up on toiletries or get a few cleaning bits. They do delivery though that isn’t that expensive, presuming it’s all parcel stuff not furniture, should you want to avoid schlepping round with the trolley.

IKEA has a ready for uni box for £49. Not sure exactly what’s in it tho.
Are you sure you need to buy new stuff? Have a look at what you’ve got at home, they’ll only need a couple of plates, couple of bowls, some cutlery, a few utensils, chopping board etc
Might be worth getting new bedding and towels tho depending on bed size. We use white bedding and towels at home but got DC coloured sheets, towels and duvets cos it’s easier in the wash if they need to mix colours etc

There's always one...

Yes, almost everything he needs will have a ‘basic’ to ‘luxury’ version but if you have stuff at home give him that first - a few plates, cups, bowls, cutlery, glasses, towels, wooden spoons, pots and pans, duvet covers, lamps etc. Use it as excuse to clear out your old crap! I bought my DD a little table to use as a bedside table and a rug as the floors were tiled and cold.

Yes, I think ikea is a safe bet.

Everyone will have ikea stuff though

So what if everyone has Ikea stuff? He’ll fit right in. Most student gear gets trashed by the end of uni. It‘s not worth spending a fortune. Cheap and cheerful is the way to go. Once he graduates and gets a job, he can replace with nicer versions at his own expense.

We did IKEA for 2 of mine, except plates, they had old ones from my parents house. Dunelm for the other one & he's still using his plates years later. Everyone will have IKEA stuff do it will get lost!
When DS started we went to the local Asda & there was loads of stuff aimed at students there. I'm not sure he ever used the clothes dryer 😂

I did a spreadsheet and some research on the Internet before shopping for my offspring. Pans from IKEA last well, but students are careless, so I got cheaper ones from Morrisons instead. IKEA isn’t always the best (or cheapest) option.

Make sure you have all the relevant paperwork for your student discount sorted before you go.

I don’t have extra of anything except maybe mugs and glasses! My local supermarket is Sainsbury’s so not exactly cheap. The suggestion of a kettle for his room is a great idea thanks.
MotherOfLittleCrocodiles student discount at ikea?

Or he can keep using the IKEA stuff. Just about all our household goods are from there and some of it is decades old. It lasts really well.

Ikea is good for kitchen bits - cheap pans, plates, glasses cups and utensils. Towels and bedding are cheaper in supermarkets or B&M. Most uni beds are small doubles and you get get the small double fitted sheets cheap on eBay.

A lot of places won't let you have kettles in your room.. so check before you buy.
When dd went, the main thing she wanted before she went was a couple of nice bits to make her room a bit cosier... a rug, a nice lamp.
We thought we could get away with no mattress topper... but ended up getting one after her first night, because they make the mattresses out of spikes and pain.... so maybe get one of those!!
We didn't go too mad in Ikea and just fot a few bits, and I'm glad because I think a lot of it would have been wasted... we got bits on Amazon and had them delivered as and when she wanted them.
Her aunt gave her take away vouchers for the first few nights, which were a really good idea.

Yes, we pretty much did that. And didn’t buy anything electrical like kettles - got to give them a reason to go and meet people in the kitchen, apart from regs likely in place!

Definitely get a decent mattress topper. If you’re going to spend your money spend it on that. I splashed out on a big puffy M&S one - and get some decent pillows. Your child will thank you.