Overview
All those jokes you made about jumping into IKEA display beds are about to come to fruition. IKEA is the latest registered accommodation on Airbnb, offering Sydneysiders the opportunity to stay the night instore at the furniture giant's Tempe store. For free. Airbnbing airplanes, igloos and backyards just got old hat.
Setting up their room displays as so-called quirky accommodation, IKEA is letting three winning groups of up to four guests snuggle in to their fake homes for one epic slumber party on Sunday, August 31, as reported by SMH. Sydney's the only lucky location for the Airbnb shindig, with the rest of the country's IKEAs just settling for kicking out rotten teenagers trying to hide in the displays after hours.
On the night, you won't just be sitting awkwardly in a fake kitchen with fake fruit and fake dogs, or playing frisbee with novelty ice cube trays. You're invited to a big communal dinner feast (probably featuring dem meatballs), there'll be Playstations to take the slumber party vibe next level (as well as something painfully wine-dependent called "circus games" according to SMH) and Airbnb are putting on a whole bunch of sessions with top notch hoster Claire Ferguson on how to make your home better equipped to become an Airbnb hosting. Ahp, there's the branding exercise.
But don't get all tipsy on that elderflower syrup; apparently you're in for a "remarkable wake-up call" the next morning, because nothing says the first day of spring like an airhorn to the face in a giant furniture store. But they're giving you free IKEA breakfast and you're probably going to want to bail before all those rotten customers roll in.
Because they don't want to be left with your dirty, dirty sheets (because you know everyone's gonna get buckwild in IKEA), you'll nab them as a little gift. You're not allowed to take anything else from your set, so put those fake family photos down.
Incredibly, the cost for the night is zero beans (plus $12 Airbnb admin fee). But dude, you're getting free sheets. And you're staying the night at IKEA, who are probably going to pour meatballs down your gullet.
To enter, head over here. Families are more likely to nab a spot so don't plan on an instore booze-up just yet.