This is the Best Time to Go to IKEA

l i g h t p o e t/Shutterstock

If you love crowds, there’s a good chance you’d love visiting IKEA on a Saturday afternoon. But for most of us, the store on a Saturday afternoon doesn’t sound like a whole lot of fun.

IKEA has just about everything — furniture, kitchen gadgets, patio chairs and tables and even holiday decorations, toys and food. But if you need to get in and out as quickly as possible, there are certain times to visit and other times to stay away.

One employee posted on reddit that shoppers should do all they can to avoid going on the weekends, as this is when stores are the busiest.

“The best time to go towards the checkout for no queue is 30 minutes to an hour after opening,” the employee wrote.

The employee added that many show up at the store 30 minutes prior to the store’s official opening so when the doors open, they can grab what they need and get in and out without much hassle.

Another strategy is going mid-week, especially in the evening hours, when you can enjoy a meal (Swedish meatballs and a soft-serve ice cream cone!) and stroll without all crazy crowds you’ll encounter on the weekend. Employees note that Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are ideal.

You can get these 15 home tech items at IKEA.

If you must visit on the weekend, try going after 6 p.m. Some bloggers note that the weekend rush often clears out by dinner time, leaving much more room to browse.

Another great time to visit IKEA? Head there late in the day that first Sunday in February when everyone else is gathered around the television watching that big football game. You’ll practically have the store to yourself!

Check out these 10 incredible IKEA hacks.

Need something but don’t want to visit the store? There’s always ikea.com.

Save money at IKEA with these eight little-known tips.