Sydney's Newest Accommodation: Sleep at IKEA

Need a place to stay? Why not spend a night at IKEA for free. You won't even need an Allen key to build your own bed.

Need a place to stay? Why not spend a night at IKEA for free. You won't even need an Allen key to build your own bed. It sounds like a joke but this quirky offering by the Swedish furniture giant is real and open for bookings. In a one-night only stunt, Australians will be given the chance to bed down at IKEA’s Tempe store for a giant slumber party through accommodation booking site Airbnb. IKEA will be transforming its room sets into “quirky accommodation” options for three groups of up to four guests for one night on Sunday 31 August. Guests can expect an evening of tips and tricks on ways to improve their homes and how to make it more 'Airbnb friendly', as well as a big communal dinner. For the kids; there will be TVs, Playstations and circus games. On deck will be Airbnb host Claire Ferguson, whose home is a hit with overseas travellers. Guests can also apparently look forward to a “remarkable wake-up call” the next morning to “welcome the first day of spring”. The hint: there’ll be no “traditional alarm clock in sight”. As a parting gift, IKEA will let staying guests walk-away with the bed sheets and linens used during their stay. However, all other furniture will remain as part of the Tempe room sets. While the IKEA stay is cost-free, guests will need to pay an $12 Airbnb admin fee. Nonetheless it's still good value for a free meal and bed. Not to mention some free sheets. You do have to put up with two other families, but presumably the guests will have moved on before the day's customers arrive to gawk at their living quarters. Spend a night in the “big blue box” is open to all Australian residents age 18-years and over (children have to be 6-years or older). Source: SMH