Ref. 75837-96I DON'T think I really came to appreciate Ikea fully until I had to make one of the most important purchases of my adult life to date.

Having found the perfect flat to rent, the only thing missing was the sofa with my name on it.

The nearest Ikea is in Bristol, which was my first port of call.

I saw the one I wanted within minutes of walking in. A no-fuss three-seater, long enough for even 5ft 11ins, lanky-me to stretch right out on, for under £300 easy.

The only decision left was whether to go for the brown or red.

But I didn't want to rush into it so I did the obligatory trawl around all the sofa shops within a five-mile radius knowing nothing would come close.

Even if I could have found one which wasn't plastic-looking, hideously floral or caught in a time-warp taste forgot, they were all way above my budget, at upwards of £600.

I left it a week so I couldn't be accused of doing anything rash and then had to head back up the motorway to place my order. (You can't do it over the phone or by mail order because demand is so high.)

There's nothing faffy or fancy about Ikea, the price tags are no-nonsense and it's all so practical.

I had to wait four weeks for delivery but even that wasn't a problem because at the same time I had also discovered what is without a shadow of doubt the most comfortable chair in the world for just £29.

What's more, only minimal assembling is required with no words, just simple pictures to follow.

Spending money always makes me feel peckish and what better way to round off a successful shopping trip than with a hot dog and ketchup for an equally reasonable 60p.

The news that Swindon could be getting its own little slice of Sweden is joyous indeed and will mean the 80-mile round trip to Bristol, which costs you more in petrol than it would to buy a stylish little coffee table, could be a thing of the past.

The downside? The car park is always packed and you'll probably come out with more than you meant to due to the cunning tactic of making it incredibly difficult for you to find the exit, forcing you to wander around for hours until you have spent your last pound.

Tamsin Davis