I've only been to IKEA once - NEVER EVER AGAIN! Ceilings too low, oneway systen following brain dead idiots who dawdle and won't get out of the way, no exits... I'm borderline claustrophobic and honestly, I'd rather nail my feet to the floor with a Hilty gun than set foot in one of those stores again*.
I had the same issue in Fenwicks a few weeks back and have vowed not to set foot in there again until that one way system is done away with.
*Well, not unless I had a Klingon Bat'leth...
The Ikea here has short cuts designed into it to so you can bypass the dawdlers. Or, if you have worked out what you want from their website you can walk in backwards through the checkouts to get to the warehouse area without going through the display section. They are not happy about me doing it but I make sure I am armed with a clipboard and they haven't stopped me yet.
You have to choose your time though to avoid crowds. The ceilings are at an adequate height.
Whenever I go I reward myself with a box of chocolate covered oat biscuits.
However, I know what you mean about the bat'leth. I hate crowds and have often, when forced to attend busy places, wished for a sub-machine gun to clear my way.