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It is virtually impossible to avoid a trip to Ikea as a Young Person in a Major City with a New Apartment—trust me, I tried. Eventually, eating dinner upright from the counter of my studio's kitchenette got tiresome (physically and psychologically), and I really, really needed a place to put my books. I caved and made the trek to the mecca of inexpensive furniture, shopping alongside couples arguing over couch slipcover colors and disillusioned parents sharing plates of Swedish meatballs with their offspring. What a sexy, fun dream of an afternoon.
Emotional roller coaster shopping experience aside, there's a reason Ikea is king for stocking up when you need, like, all the things. Its stuff is darn cute for the price point, and you can find everything from a headboard with secret storage to stemless red wine glasses.
Watch in the video above as I navigate the cavernous store to secure a home-improving piece for each "room" in my "house" (or quadrant in my studio), including a re-issued 1950s side table, a handsome update to the legendary Billy bookcase, and a clutter-hiding vanity. Oh, and we have a $500 Ikea gift card up for grabs—just subscribe to the Racked YouTube channel and let us know in the video comments what you'd spend the dough on.
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