A few familiar options often pop into our minds for second dates, perhaps the most popular one being the classic dinner and a movie night. But how about trading in these time-worn plans with a visit to Ikea instead?

Reminiscing to my own dating experiences, I connected with a gentleman on a dating application last January. We decided to meet for drinks in Brooklyn, which went impressively well. We recently even celebrated our one-year anniversary. But in my view, the second date is when the meaningful connection truly sparked - when we embarked on an adventure to Ikea.

Now, you might have a mental replay of the famous 500 Days of Summer Ikea scene, but our date didn’t exactly follow in these footsteps. We weren’t pretending to be a married couple in the model kitchen area, instead, we spent a light-hearted, informative few hours strolling through the vast space of the 346,000-square-foot Ikea store in Red Hook, Brooklyn. It became such a memorable and enjoyable experience that we decided to revisit the store about eight months later, just for the fun of it. I want to inspire everyone now to view Ikea as the ideal second date spot.

Upon arriving at Ikea, you can kickstart your Swedish furniture adventure with a delightful meal at the Ikea cafe. With affordable prices and an easy-going, cafeteria-style setting, it's an informal and relaxed way to start your date. Even if your date prefers a plant-based diet, they’ll enjoy the vegetarian version of Ikea’s iconic Swedish meatballs.

Feeling like an early bird? You’re in luck as Ikea serves breakfast that includes crêpelike Swedish pancakes and their signature lingonberry jam. Unlike a movie theater date, Ikea allows you to engage freely in deep conversational exchanges whilst exploring the store.

The unique charm of an Ikea date lies in the spontaneous conversation starters it gifts you. Your second date can focus on more elusive aspects of personality traits and preferences. You can see what type of fully staged studio apartments they like or discover their color preferences for a kitchen sink. It’s a dynamic, interactive way of subtly learning more about each other without resorting to awkward personal questioning. The physical layout of Ikea ensures that you will consistently find new dialogue topics, whether it's about your wine glass preferences or the ideal dining table.

Whilst we do not officially recommend it, to spice up the experience, your date might concoct a light cocktail packed in a Thermos. This lends the date a fun twist, but remember to keep the alcohol intake moderate as respect towards Ikea is important.

The best part about an Ikea date? You don’t necessarily have to be in the market for any furniture. Irrespective of your buying intentions, you will likely end up with a few inexpensive goodies that you never knew you needed. For instance, I found myself going home with a charming potholder adorned with illustrations of broccoli and a strand of string lights for my living room.

Finally, remember: should your date decide to purchase furniture, offering a helping hand in assembling it can be a highly thoughtful gesture. Ikea can even help you plan your next date. From discounted gingerbread kits for an at-home assembly session to Swedish snacks for a cozy movie night, Ikea holds countless possibilities. Most importantly, if your date yields a successful furniture purchase, helping your date to assemble it is the ultimate romantic gesture.