Ikea MoneySaving tips
Including extra 25% on buyback scheme, free tea & coffee, and more
If you’ve ever shopped at Ikea, you’re probably familiar with how quickly the costs can pile up. You go in for one item, and hours later, you’re walking out with a car packed with cacti and scented candles. To help you make your Ikea trips more efficient—and budget-friendly—we’ve put together some tips. These include taking advantage of Ikea’s furniture ‘buyback’ program, finding great deals on ex-display or slightly damaged items, and even scoring free tea or coffee.
For some of these, you’ll need to be an Ikea Family member (have its free loyalty card). If you don’t have one, you can sign up for free online or in a store (find your nearest).
Ongoing Ikea MoneySaving tips
Here are some of our current strategies and helpful tips for saving money while shopping at Ikea.
1 – Trade in old Ikea furniture for gift cards
Exchange your old Ikea furniture for a gift card worth up to 50% of the item’s original price.
Ikea’s “buyback” program lets you return select Ikea furniture in exchange for a gift card, redeemable both online and in-store. Eligible items include cabinets, bookcases, and chairs, but not every piece of furniture qualifies – for instance, beds are excluded. Be sure to check the complete list of items that can be returned under this scheme.
How much can I get for my second-hand Ikea furniture?
Based on the condition of the item, you can receive up to 50% of its original price as an Ikea gift card. The item must be in good shape—though minor cosmetic wear is acceptable, it may reduce the amount you’re offered. According to Ikea, the values are determined as follows:
- ‘As new’ (no scratches) – 50% of the original price
- ‘Very good’ (minor scratches) – 40% of the original price
- ‘Well used’ (several scratches) – 30% of the original price
Enter the details of your item via Ikea’s buyback estimator tool to get an idea of your item’s buyback value.
You might not get the highest price by selling your item back to Ikea. For alternative options, take a look at our guides on selling through Facebook Marketplace and eBay for more tips on how to sell your unwanted items.
How do I claim the Ikea gift card?
If you’re satisfied with the offer provided by the buyback estimator tool, bring your item to a participating store (excluding Hammersmith and ‘Plan & Order’ locations) within 30 days for a review by Ikea staff. They may adjust the initial quote if they notice any differences from your description. For larger items, keep in mind that you may need to arrange your own transport.
Your gift card will not expire and can be used both online and in-store, though it cannot be redeemed in the Bistro, Swedish Food Market, or restaurants.
What happens to my second-hand item?
Your item is available for resale in Ikea’s ‘Re-shop and Re-use’ section (formerly referred to as the ‘Circular Hub’—further details about Re-shop and Re-use can be found below). See Ikea ‘Buyback & Resell’ for full info and terms.
Which furniture you can trade in
The following items can be returned as part of the ‘buy back’ scheme:
- Bookcases and shelf units
- Cabinets
- Chairs and stools (excluding upholstered or leather chairs and stools)
- Chest of drawers
- Children’s furniture (excluding baby items such as cots and changing tables)
- Dining tables and desks
- Display storage
- Dressers
- Multimedia furniture (for example, TV benches and storage units)
- Office drawer cabinets and other small structures with drawers
- Accessories for Ikea’s PAX wardrobes (for example, clothes rails, shelves)
- Sideboards
- Small tables
Ikea won’t accept the following items:
- Non-Ikea products
- Hacked or modified products
- Non-assembled Ikea products
- Products that have been used outside including outdoor furniture
- Mattresses & bed textiles (such as blankets and mattress toppers)
- Sofas/armchairs
- Other soft good (pillows, towels, curtains etc)
- Items containing glass
- Kitchens including worktops, cabinets and fronts
- PAX wardrobes
- Other over-sized items
- Appliances and other electrical items
- Baby products such as cots, mattresses and changing tables
- Upholstered or leather products
- Market hall products
- Non-furniture items
- Products purchased more than seven years ago
2 – Free tea and coffee
Family cardholders (registration is free) can enjoy a complimentary tea or filter coffee on weekdays (typically priced at £1). Even better, all drinks come with free refills. To take advantage of Family member offers, just scan or swipe your card during checkout. Only one membership is needed for your group, with no limits on group size.
This offer is available at all Ikea locations, with the exception of Hammersmith and Plan & Order points. Check out our Free Tea and Coffee deals for additional spots to snag a free hot beverage.
3 – Free in-store events including workshops and card making
Visit the Ikea ‘Store Events‘ section on their website, choose your nearest Ikea location, and you’ll see a list of all the upcoming in-store activities. As of Tuesday, March 12, we found events like complimentary Easter egg decorating for Ikea Family members at the Greenwich location and free Easter wreath crafting for Family members at the Glasgow location.
While many of these events are free, some—like the ones mentioned—do require you to be an Ikea Family member.
4 – Ikea replaces missing parts for free and will even deliver them to your door
If you require replacement parts like screws, cam locks, dowels, and others, Ikea offers them at no cost. To pick them up in-store, just visit the returns department at your nearest location.
You can also place an order online through the spare parts section of their website, where you can have the items shipped to you at no charge. This page provides guidance on locating the spare part number, ensuring that you order the right components.
5 – When is the next Ikea sale?
When Will the Next Ikea Sale Occur? Discover the Best Time to Save Up to 50%. Ikea typically hosts a few major sales annually, with events occurring in both summer and winter. Previously, these sales focused primarily on in-store discounts, but recently, there has been a notable increase in online promotions as well.
Customers can often enjoy discounts reaching 50% on a wide variety of items, including furniture, lighting, bathroom essentials, textiles, and kitchenware. Below is an overview of when we anticipate Ikea’s major sales to take place:
Summer sale – predicted to start early July
Here’s when it’s started in previous years:
- 2023 – Monday 5 June to Sunday 9 July. Online and in stores.
- 2022 – Monday 13 June to Sunday 10 July. Online and in stores.
- 2021 – Monday 7 June to Sunday 18 July. Online and in stores.
- 2020 – Monday 13 July to Monday 31 August. Online and in stores.
- 2019 – Thursday 6 June to Sunday 30 June. In stores only.
- 2018 – Tuesday 5 June to Sunday 1 July. In stores only.
Winter sale – predicted to start from mid-December
Here’s when it’s started in previous years:
- 2023/24 – Monday 11 December to Sunday 7 January. Online and in stores.
- 2022/23 – Monday 12 December to Sunday 8 January. Online and in stores.
- 2021/22 – Monday 13 December to Sunday 9 January. Online and in stores.
- 2020/21 – Tuesday 1 December to Sunday 17 January. Mostly online with limited availability in stores.
- 2019/20 – Thursday 19 December to Sunday 12 January. Online and in stores.
- 2018/19 – Thursday 20 December to Sunday 13 January. In stores only.
6 – Look out for ex-display or second-hand bargains
Keep an eye out for discounted ex-display or slightly damaged items in the designated ‘Re-shop and Re-use’ section.
This area, previously referred to as ‘Circular Hub’ and ‘Bargain Corner,’ features Ikea’s reduced products, typically located near the checkout counters. You can also find Re-shop and Re-use items available for online purchase. The products in this section are often ex-display, second-hand, or have minor damages, such as a torn box.
7 – If you’ve lost of forgotten your Ikea Family card, you can still get its benefits
Ikea Family is a free loyalty program that allows members to enjoy discounted prices on selected items, personalized offers, and a complimentary hot drink from Monday to Friday. Registration is available online at no cost.
If you’ve misplaced your card or didn’t bring it along, you can easily download the Ikea store app (available for free on the App Store or Google Play). By logging into your account, you’ll gain access to a digital version of your card. Additionally, you can often print a temporary card at kiosks located in the store.
8 – £2.50 for small cooked breakfast or £3.50 for large
At the Ikea restaurant, you can enjoy a six-item breakfast for just £2.50 (£2 for the vegetarian choice) or opt for a nine-item breakfast for £3.50 (£3 for the vegetarian selection). This offer is available daily from 10am to 11am, though times may differ by location.
The breakfast selection features classic “fry up” items such as eggs, bacon, sausages, beans, and hash browns, along with vegetarian choices. While the Ikea restaurant previously provided a discount for Ikea Family members on breakfast items, this offer is no longer in place. However, we believe that prices ranging from £2 to £3.50 for a cooked breakfast remain a good value.
The breakfast menu features additional options, such as a breakfast roll priced at £1, a vegetarian breakfast roll available for 85p, and a kids’ breakfast that costs £1.30.
9 – Keep an eye on your emails for offers in your local Ikea store
If you’re an Ikea Family member, you could be emailed exclusive offers and vouchers for your local store.
10 – Free product insurance on your journey home and while you assemble your items
When you present your Ikea Family card and swipe it at checkout, you’ll receive complimentary product insurance covering accidental damage incurred during transportation and assembly. This offer is valid exclusively for items purchased in-store and does not extend to Re-shop and Re-use products, cut fabric, or custom-made items. To file a claim, you must show your Ikea Family card and receipt at the store within 90 days of your purchase.
According to Ikea, if an item is damaged, it will be replaced with an equivalent product, or you will be issued a store card reflecting the current selling price of the item.
11 – Remember to bring your own bags
Ikea bags are larger than typical ones and quite durable, but at prices ranging from 50p to 75p each, expenses can accumulate quickly. If you already have plenty stored in your kitchen cupboard, be sure to use them again.
12 – Free tool to help avoid queuing during busy times at your local Ikea
Ikea can frequently be crowded, but you can utilize Google’s complimentary ‘Popular Times’ feature to determine when your local store is likely to experience peak traffic. To access this, simply search for your nearest store, such as ‘Ikea Manchester.’ Here are two ways to leverage this tool:
- The most reliable method is to check shortly before your visit to see if it’s a good time to go. For many Ikea locations, Google provides ‘Live’ visit data, indicated by a pink bar on the graph. This information is updated in real-time, giving you a fairly accurate idea of how busy or quiet the store is at that moment.
- Alternatively, you can look ahead by examining different days of the week. This feature is quite useful, but since it relies on historical data, it may not always be entirely precise for the specific day of your visit. However, it can help you identify when your local store tends to be less crowded, serving as a general guide rather than a definitive forecast.
Where to find the ‘Popular Times’ tool
- Begin by searching for your nearest store, such as Ikea Lakeside or Ikea Manchester, on Google.
- If you’re using a mobile device, look for a box displaying Google’s Ikea listing at the top of your screen; you may need to scroll down slightly to locate the ‘Popular times’ graph.
- For those using a laptop or desktop, the graph will be displayed on the right side of the page.
13 – Go prepared with measurements written down
When visiting an Ikea store, it’s a good idea to take note of your measurements, including the dimensions of any areas you plan to furnish and the items you intend to replace. This preparation can help you avoid additional trips to the store, which can be both time-consuming and expensive if your purchases don’t fit as expected. Additionally, keep in mind that the paper measuring tapes available in-store are only one meter long, so it’s wise to bring your own tape measure, especially when considering larger items.
14 – Ikea furniture hacks
A quick search for ‘Ikea hacks’ will reveal a plethora of creative ideas for reimagining and repurposing your Ikea furniture.
15 – Get extra offers and discounts with Ikea Family
With a free Ikea Family card, you can access ongoing deals and special discounts on select items. For instance, there’s currently a 15% discount on outdoor furniture, a mattress available for Family members at £280 (compared to the usual price of £350), and a 4-for-3 promotion on roller blinds.
16 – Check online marketplaces for cheap second-hand Ikea furniture
If you’re open to purchasing secondhand items, you’ll often discover individuals selling used Ikea furniture on online platforms like Facebook Marketplace or eBay. This can be a great way to find the piece you need at a significantly lower price.
17 – Keep an eye on our weekly email for short-lived Ikea deals
Over the years, we’ve highlighted some fantastic Ikea offers, such as its well-loved prize draw where every participant receives a reward and the ‘£9’ genuine Christmas tree promotion (where you purchase a £29 tree and receive a £20 voucher for future use – although it wasn’t as appealing last year).
18 – Save time (and money) using a shortcut to your flatpack
To determine the location of a product, visit the Ikea website and adjust the store locator to your nearest location. Next, navigate to the specific product page and select the store name. A side panel will appear, revealing the aisle and exact location of the item.
19 – Ikea’s product recalls online
The Ikea website consolidates all its product recalls in a single section. If you have purchased any of these items, you can return them for a complete refund, often without the need for a receipt.
20 – Re-use Ikea’s brown paper
Once you’ve completed your shopping at Ikea, you’ll often find brown paper available for wrapping delicate items. If you find yourself in need of it, consider repurposing it to contribute to environmental sustainability. You can use this paper for packaging shipments or wrapping gifts, ensuring it gets a second life.
21 – Free crèche in stores to keep your little ones entertained
Parents and guardians can now enroll their children, aged three to ten, in an Ikea crèche (Småland) for a duration of up to 45 minutes while they shop. Situated at the entrance of the store, this facility will be staffed by trained childcare professionals. The crèche offers a variety of activities, including toys, books, and arts and crafts. All major Ikea locations provide this service, except for those in Manchester, Birmingham, and Croydon, which are scheduled to open in 2025.