Coming alive to the flat-pack generation

Swedish furniture giant Ikea will open its first store in New Zealand, the company announced today. Jesper Brodin, Ikea global chief executive, will host an event in Auckland on Friday, January 11, where an exhibition of "iconic Ikea range" will be on display. The company will be showing off its democratic design principals "where good design is the perfect combination of form, function, quality, and sustainability, all at an affordable price." The concept behind Ikea is to show people how their homes can be changed with the products which are displayed in the stores, so kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and lounge rooms are all shown, fully furnished. While the product range and prices are at this stage unknown, if the New Zealand Ikea is anything like in Australia, Kiwis could grab outdoor products like a three-seat sofa for A$465, table with four chairs for A$459, or a charcoal barbecue with cabinet for A$528. Spring bed mattresses start from A$99, and there are wardrobes at A$95, and clothing storage units at A$14.95. But the question is: will the products be any good?