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By Robert J. Hawkins



SIGNONSANDIEGO STAFF WRITER

Inside the Store

This is the store that has become a cultural icon, by promoting form, function and affordability in its furnishings. IKEA starts with a price and works back from there, designing furnishings that complement today's compressed living spaces, compressed budgets and compressed leisure time -- yet recognize the expansive tastes of young, upwardly mobiles.

Chances are, if your purchase is bigger than a breadbox, some assembly will be required. That's a big part of the IKEA culture -- turning that loose assemblage of parts in a flat box into an aesthetically pleasing and fully functional piece of furniture.

This store is huge: 200,000 square feet.

The History

IKEA got its start in Sweden in 1943. The name IKEA was formed from the founder's initials (Ingvar Kamprad) plus the first letters of Elmtaryd and Agunnaryd, the farm and village where he grew up.

IKEA stores have been in the U.S. since 1985 -- but the idea of flat-package shipping and home assembly was a store concept dating back to 1956.

When You Go -- And You Will ...

This place is huge. Wear comfortable shoes. IKEA encourages you to check its Web site first, make a list of the things you want and measure, measure, measure before coming to the store.

When you get there, you'll pick up a pencil, checklist and measuring tape. (There is a printable form online, too.)

IKEA is actually a collection of stores under one roof -- a small mall. Besides home furnishings, the store carries an extensive line of cookware, gifts, specialty foods and lighting fixtures. There are many showroom settings in which IKEA furniture tastefully is gathered in real-life arrangements. There's a self-service warehouse where you pick up your flat boxes full o' furniture.

Hungry?

How many furniture stores do you know of with their own restaurant? Well, now you know one. And they serve -- surprise -- Swedish food. More than 60 million meatballs served annually worldwide. (Take that, McDonalds.) The restaurant seats 129.

Make your own list