How IKEA Can Turn Couples into Frenemies: A Psychological Perspective

home insemination Kit

Planning a trip to IKEA with your significant other? Brace yourselves—you’re almost guaranteed to have a spat. If you somehow manage to exit the store without a blow-up, the real battle begins when you start assembling your new furniture. It’s just the way it is; science says so.

In a nod to Valentine’s Day, Home Insemination Kit spoke with some psychologists to uncover why IKEA can be a relationship minefield. Their insights are quite illuminating. “Any significant shopping trip as a couple can be a recipe for conflict. You’re faced with countless choices while also trying to navigate each other’s preferences, which creates the ideal storm,” explains Dr. Lisa Harmon, a psychology expert. Navigating the labyrinthine aisles of IKEA can be overwhelming enough, but add your partner’s opinions into the mix? It’s a recipe for disaster.

As the article points out, frustration tends to breed more frustration. Whether you’re getting lost among the aisles or feeling irritated by the throng of shoppers, it’s easy to direct that irritation at your partner. “You might find yourself saying things you wouldn’t usually say or acting less kindly than you normally would,” Dr. Harmon notes.

IKEA suggests that couples peruse the catalog first to streamline decision-making. “Then, while at our store, couples can share a meal or drink in our café to discuss their options. Once they’ve made their choices, we offer several services to simplify the final steps,” a representative for IKEA stated. Simplified? That’s debatable. No amount of Swedish meatballs will help unless one of those friendly employees follows you home to assemble the KALLAX or whatever you’ve just purchased.

Once you navigate the maze (which might involve some animated debates—“I told you we should have turned left at the fake plants!”), you’ll face the Herculean task of fitting that eight-foot-long, impossibly heavy box into your car. And wait until you crack open the instruction manual, which is devoid of any words. One of you will likely end up in tears.

Assessing Your IKEA Assembly Compatibility

We’ve created a handy guide to assess what types of IKEA furniture assembly your relationship can withstand, especially in light of studies showing IKEA’s relationship-destroying potential. If you’re keen to test your bond, consider these options for your next IKEA adventure:

• TROFAST storage box
  Difficulty level: novice
  Instruction manual length: 6 pages
  Completion thoughts: We did it! High five!
• LACK side table
  Difficulty level: beginner
  Instruction manual length: 10 pages
  Completion thoughts: Why was that so hard? It’s just pictures!
• HEMNES 8-drawer dresser
  Difficulty level: advanced
  Instruction manual length: 34 pages
  Completion thoughts: Seriously? Where did all these screws come from?
• LIATORP storage unit
  Difficulty level: NO
  Instruction manual length: 40 pages
  Completion thoughts: I can’t even look at you right now.

The secret to safeguarding your relationship? Consider hiring someone to assemble your furniture. This little-known option could save you a lot of drama, although it somewhat defeats the purpose of buying budget-friendly furniture.

Oh, IKEA. We’ll adore you forever—perhaps even longer than we’ll cherish our partners, thanks to your intricate assembly processes.

Conclusion

IKEA shopping can be a harrowing experience for couples, often leading to more than just furniture disputes. If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, check out our other blog posts at Intracervical Insemination and Make a Mom. For more information on pregnancy and home insemination, visit CDC’s ART Resource.