As an educator, you pour your heart and soul into your work. You‘re shaping young minds, sparking creativity, and fostering a love of learning in the next generation. But let‘s be real: teaching is not a cushy, high-paying gig. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average teacher salary in the U.S. is around $61,730 per year. And that‘s before taxes and the hundreds of dollars most teachers spend out of pocket on classroom supplies.
So it‘s no wonder that budget-savvy educators are always on the lookout for deals, discounts, and smart shopping hacks—especially when it comes to big-ticket items like furniture. That‘s where IKEA comes in. The Swedish retailer is known for their affordable, stylish home goods that can easily translate to the classroom. But does IKEA offer a teacher discount? And if not, how can you still stretch your hard-earned dollars there?
As a longtime bargain hunter and regular IKEA shopper myself, I‘ve done the research and gathered insider tips to help teachers navigate the IKEA savings landscape. Trust me, you don‘t have to pay full price to deck out your dream classroom!
Does IKEA have a teacher discount?
Let‘s cut to the chase: IKEA does not currently offer a standing, year-round discount for teachers. Unlike retailers like Michaels, Office Depot, or Barnes & Noble that give educators a percentage off every purchase, you won‘t find a standard "teacher discount" at IKEA.
However, that doesn‘t mean IKEA has left teachers out in the cold completely. The retailer does periodically run special appreciation events and promotions just for educators (more on that below).
It‘s also worth noting that IKEA‘s everyday prices tend to be lower across the board compared to other furniture and home goods stores. That‘s thanks to their unique business model of selling flat-pack, ready-to-assemble items that cut down on labor and shipping costs. So in a way, everyone gets a "discount" at IKEA—teachers included.
When does IKEA have teacher events?
Now for the good stuff: the elusive IKEA teacher discount events! A few times a year, select IKEA locations will host special shopping days just for educators, usually in the late summer or early fall (a.k.a. back-to-school season). During these events, teachers who show a valid school ID can score some sweet perks, like:
- 10-20% off their entire purchase
- FREE breakfast, coffee, or other small food items
- Mystery goodie bags with IKEA products and gift cards
- Exclusive teacher-only coupon books
- Gift card raffles and giveaways
- Hands-on workshops and product demos
Some past examples of IKEA teacher events include:
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IKEA Atlanta‘s "Educator Appreciation Shopping Spree" in August 2019, which gave teachers a coupon for $25 off a $150 purchase, plus free breakfast and a swag bag. [Source]
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IKEA Renton‘s "Teacher Appreciation Event" in September 2018, where educators got goodie bags, a free meal, and 10% off their purchase. [Source]
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IKEA Round Rock‘s "IKEA Teacher Appreciation Day" in July 2017, which offered teachers free breakfast, a coupon book with over $100 in savings, and a chance to win a $500 classroom makeover. [Source]
As you can see, these appreciation events can be a great way for teachers to save big on larger IKEA hauls. The only catch is that they‘re often announced on short notice and are only offered for a day or two in select cities. To stay in the loop, I recommend signing up for email alerts from your local IKEA store or checking their "Events" page online regularly. You can also follow deal blogs and forums for teachers, where these limited-time offers are often posted.
Other ways teachers can save at IKEA
Teacher event or not, there are plenty of other ways for educators to save money at IKEA all year long. As an avid deal seeker and IKEA Family member, here are some of my go-to hacks:
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Join the IKEA Family loyalty program (it‘s free!). Members get exclusive discounts, early access to sales, free coffee/tea in the restaurant, and 30 extra minutes in the Småland play area.
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Check the "As-Is" section near the registers for returned, damaged, or display items at deep discounts (up to 50% off). I once scored an entire classroom reading nook setup for under $100!
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Browse the "Deals" page on IKEA‘s website to see the latest sales, bundle offers, and limited-time promos. You can filter by category (like "Office & Desks" for classroom furniture).
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Download the IKEA app to get digital coupons, create shopping lists, and see what‘s in stock at your local store.
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Look for discounted IKEA gift cards on resale sites like Raise.com or Gift Card Granny. You can often find cards for 10-20% off face value—an instant discount!
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Schedule your shopping around major IKEA sales, like the semi-annual Kitchen Event (usually in March and September). While not specifically for teachers, these store-wide sales can still save you 15-20% on big purchases.
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Don‘t sleep on the IKEA restaurant! With $1 coffee, $2 breakfast plates, and food-focused family offers (like kids eat free on Tuesdays), you can fuel up for cheap before or after you shop. [Source]
To give you a sense of the everyday savings at IKEA versus other stores, check out this price comparison on some common teacher purchases:
| Item | IKEA Price | Competitor Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billy Bookcase | $49.99 | $129 (Wayfair) | $79 |
| Lack Side Table | $9.99 | $31 (Walmart) | $21 |
| Långfjäll Office Chair | $99.99 | $140 (Staples) | $40 |
| Micke Desk | $79.99 | $180 (Office Depot) | $100 |
*Prices sourced from respective retailer websites as of September 2021.
As you can see, shopping at IKEA can lead to serious savings over time compared to buying similar items at other big box or online stores. And those savings can really add up for teachers who are trying to stretch their classroom budgets!
Creative ways teachers use IKEA in the classroom
One of the best parts about IKEA products is how versatile they are. With a little creativity and elbow grease, you can easily hack, modify, or repurpose basic IKEA pieces to fit your classroom needs. Here are some clever ways real teachers have used IKEA finds at school:
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Turning a Kallax shelf unit into a mobile teacher cart with hooks for bags and supplies. [Source]
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Using Trofast storage bins to organize math manipulatives, craft supplies, or student journals. [Source]
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Hacking a Latt kids‘ table and chair set into a sensory sand table. [Source]
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Filling a Råskog utility cart with flexible seating options like pillows, lap desks, and wobble cushions. [Source]
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DIY-ing a class library with Billy bookcases and picture ledges. [Source]
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Creating a cheap-and-easy photo backdrop with a Dignitet curtain wire. [Source]
The possibilities are endless! I love seeing how educators repurpose affordable IKEA basics into functional, inviting learning spaces. It just goes to show that you don‘t need a huge budget to make a big impact in the classroom.
Why supporting teachers with discounts matters
On a personal note, I want to acknowledge how important teacher discounts are, even if they seem small. Having grown up with two educator parents, I saw firsthand how much of their own money they spent on their students and classrooms every year. According to a recent survey by AdoptAClassroom.org, 96% of teachers spend their own money on classroom supplies, with an average of $750 out of pocket per year. For teachers in high-needs schools, that yearly spend jumps up to $1,000 or more.
In an ideal world, our education system would be fully funded and teachers wouldn‘t have to spend a dime of their own money on basic classroom necessities. But until that day comes, every little bit of savings can make a difference. Whether it‘s a 10% discount, a free slice of pizza, or a $10 gift card, gestures like these from retailers can really add up and show educators that their work is valued.
Plus, offering teacher discounts is a smart move for retailers like IKEA. Educators make up a huge, loyal customer base with a lot of purchasing power. By supporting teachers with exclusive savings and appreciation events, companies can boost sales, positive brand recognition, and customer loyalty all in one go. It‘s a win-win!
The bottom line
So, does IKEA have a teacher discount? Not a year-round one, unfortunately. But between their periodic educator events, everyday low prices, and plethora of other cost-cutting hacks, teachers can still find plenty of ways to save on classroom essentials (and treat themselves to a few fun splurges too).
The key is to take advantage of every deal, promotion, and rewards program available to you, both at IKEA and beyond. Sign up for those teacher newsletters, keep an eye out for end-of-season sales, and don‘t be shy about asking stores if they offer educator discounts. As the old saying goes, "a penny saved is a penny earned"—and those pennies can quickly turn into a classroom full of cozy reading nooks, flexible seating, cute storage bins, and more.
Most importantly, I hope this guide has shown you all the creative ways you can maximize your hard-earned cash at IKEA as a teacher. You work so hard and give so much of yourself to your students every day. You deserve to shop smart, save big, and create the classroom of your dreams on a budget. So go forth, brave educators, and may the deals be ever in your favor!
