For the last month, much of Australia has been gripped in an insane tempest of petulance and stupidity because single-use plastic bags aren't available in supermarkets any more. This is so first-world problems it's almost as embarrassing as our national energy policy, but for anyone who is still stressing about this, I'm here to tell you IKEA can save you.

If there are two things I love to play with, it's IKEA and LEGO. Both start as kits with a predefined purpose but there are so many possibilities. My two step-sons have birthdays coming up and they love LEGO. The problem is, while we have room for them to play, we really don't have a space where they can leave their LEGO set up so they can return to their games and adventures. So, we set out to create a portable play centre where they could store their LEGO and keep it assembled. Naturally, that led to a trip to the local IKEA.

The true strength of a relationship isn't tested when circumstances are easy, but when they are dire. Over the weekend, my partner and I embarked on a journey that would test our mettle. Our ability to communicate, compromise, and show patience toward one another is what held us together through the trying ordeal, but one thing is for certain: Going to IKEA with your significant other ain't no joke.

If you're trying to learn about computer algorithms, or explain them to someone else, three computer scientists have built some helpful visual aids in the style of IKEA instructions.

Yes, like every other product in the universe, IKEA has its own brand of rechargeable NiMH batteries. At $10 for a four-pack, they're worth considering if you're in the market, particularly when compared to Panasonic's more expensive $30 Eneloops. But aren't the Eneloops better? Time to find out.

If you have kids who love LEGO, you've probably shouted in pain after stepping on LEGO bricks. Those things get everywhere. Here's a DIY solution from The Handyman's Daughter. Using an IKEA Lack side table, a Trofast bin and some baseplates, you can create a play table with a drawer to keep the pieces contained.

The world of advertising and marketing is competitive with creative professionals going to all sorts of lengths to cajole customers into spending their hard-earned cash. One of the most trusted tools is the good old discount and who needs a helping hand on saving bucks more than an expectant parent? IKEA is currently offering discounts to expectant mums as long as they prove they're pregnant. Enter - the pregnancy-test-in-a-catalogue.

IKEA products have a wide variety of interesting names. Some are Swedish words, others are named after places, and some are just made-up names made from mixing other words. This dictionary lists them all.

The blue $1 IKEA FRAKTA carrier bag is an iconic part of the Swedish furniture store's line-up. It's a Good Bag, and one of the most recognisable things in the world. Even Balenciaga made one (for $3000). As part of a new set of Scandy furniture, the FRAKTA has been redesigned in a few different colours.

Some people love the challenge, the meditative peace of wordless instructions and 50 tiny bags of tiny screws. But some of us scream at the mere sight of a hex key. Depending on which group you fall into, this is either a challenge or a warning to stay far, far away.

I'm about to set up a new home office so, naturally, I visited my local IKEA for inspiration and ideas. And, I'm also keen to get the new iPhone X when it's available later this year (yeah, I know it's expensive and all that but I'm entrenched in the iOS ecosystem and it's so shiny and new). And that means I can take advantage of IKEA's range of office gear that integrates Qi wireless charging.

IKEA's interest in food isn't quite as well advertised as its homewares and furniture business, but it's definitely not an afterthought for the company. And if IKEA ever wants to merge its DIY philosophies with cooking grub at home, marketeers from Leo Burnett's Toronto office hit the jackpot with their "Cook This Page" campaign.

Happy weekend, and welcome back to 3-Ingredient Happy Hour, the weekly drink column featuring super simple yet delicious libations. This week we're making a mimosa for mum -- a "mumosa", if you will -- and we're making it kind of fancy.

You can now buy rechargeable batteries and charging stations from IKEA, as part of a new range designed to be stylish enough to be left out in the open at home.

Moving forward from wireless charging furniture, "smart lighting" is the next product to be launched in IKEA's Home Smart range. Here are the details.

LEGOs can be tough to keep organised, but over on IKEA Hackers, they have put together a guide that fits a number of IKEA parts together with a few third-party drawers to get things organised.

Last year, IKEA began an aggressive expansion into Australia by adding new stores, home delivery and an online store. The fruits of these labours are now paying off in the form of more products than ever - 400 to be exact. Fantastiskt!

If you're currently reading this from the comfort of your IKEA MYSINGSÖ outdoor beach chair, you might want to park your butt somewhere else: The ACCC has issued a safety recall due to an assembly defect that causes falls and "finger entrapments". Here are the details.

Those $1 IKEA plastic bags at the checkout are near indestructible and great for just about anything, especially if it's heavy or otherwise awkward, but we never thought we'd see a full backpack made from them. Well, SanDiegoMitch bought three, hacked them up and built this super-light carry-all with them.