Western Sydney residents have a storage problem, and the new IKEA at Marsden Park wants to fix it.
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Taking a tour of the new store — which is bigger than the Sydney Cricket Ground — the vast range of home products seemed to be much the same as those of IKEA’s stores in Tempe and Rhodes to the eyes of this Hills News journalist.
But look a little closer and you’ll find all the things needed in your typical western Sydney home, according to store manager Annie Chandler.
‘‘This store is specifically — now that there are three IKEA stores in the NSW market — is a store referencing life in north-west Sydney,’’ Ms Chandler said.
‘‘It offers them services and solutions to create a better home.’’
A team of sales representatives and interior designers collected information from homes in the area over more than a year ahead of the store’s opening.
Their findings were unique to western and north-western Sydney: there were more families with young children than seen in other areas and those families were overwhelmingly struggling to organise their space amid the chaos of daily life.
‘‘We found that while the homes that are being built a very large they really struggle to identify the best ways to make use of their space,’’ Ms Chandler said.
Garages are so full there’s no room for the car. Children’s toys take up floor space and parents are fighting to find everything a home.
Identifying these traits, the team has created more child play areas at Marsden Park — including a colourful ball pit and interactive games — and incorporated more children’s items among its merchandise. This IKEA brings a youthful energy to its kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living spaces, all with that trademark efficient design.
And wherever possible, it’s making storage trendy.
‘‘Storage used to be made up of things you hid other things in,’’ she said.
‘‘But now because of IKEA it’s something that’s on show, something to be proud of in your home along with your furnishings. For something to be aesthetic and beautiful, but not functional, is not IKEA.’’
The brand new Marsden Park IKEA opens Thursday, May 28, at the corner of Richmond Road and Business Park, Hollinsworth Road.
