We've rolled our tongues round such linguistic beauties as Skarpt, Effektiv and Duktig. Now, when it comes to Ikea's long-standing store in Richmond, it looks like we'll have one more singsong word to master: Större - or the Swedish word for bigger.
After 35 years in Richmond, and 30 at its well-known Sweden Way location, the större store immediately next door on Jacombs Road is set to open on Wednesday.
"It's time for us to grow again and evolve," explains manager Maya Abdou, who has been with the home-furnishings company for nearly a decade. "We're only in setup mode here right now, but I'm already get-ting the wow factor."
The new statistics are notable: Parking - which will include underground spots for the first time - will shoot from 780 to 1,400; everything will be "all under one roof" so the current need to visit another building to collect certain items is being eradicated; and the new store's square footage will balloon from 201,285 to around 334,000.
While it still houses a similar number of items totalling around 9,000, the chain aims to present them in a new, more expansive "fresh inspirational" way, Abdou continues.
The one thing likely to hit you when you walk through the doors is the rise from 31 to 51 in the number of so-called "inspirational room settings" to tickle your home-décor tastebuds.
"We'll be able to present things to customers in a more convenient manner," the manager continues. "It's all about a brand-new shopping experience, and it's definitely going to be bigger and better."
To help "support customers who are doing bigger projects," she adds, there is also the arrival of a free service featuring home-furnishing consultants, which people can sign up for at the store.
The sustainability high points are set to include 100 bike spots, an edible rooftop garden for staff, and solar panels to generate electricity for the parking lot, as well a geo-exchange heating and cooling system.
In terms of a nod to the environment in its new spring/summer out-door lines, Ikea has wood on its mind with its freshly launched Applaro range, named after an island in Stockholm's archipelago. Ikea is set to promote the use of sustainable acacia in the customizable low seating range that's designed to double as storage, too. Fanned out at the back, the new Sundero armed deck chair is also worth checking out. (Tables and benches complement the range that's stained grey with a nod to weather-beaten wood.)
Away from wood, Ikea has also launched Enholmen, a handwoven plastic rattan seating line that boasts rustproof - and lightweight - aluminum frames.
Other new ranges to watch out for include is Solvinden, with 2012's must-have trend: LED lighting. The whimsical outdoor lighting is designed to harness the power from the sun and ingenious lighting effects when it rotates in the wind.
For the bright stuff, witness the check and striped patterns of Greno and its range of vibrant cushions and gazebos, as well as the Roxo line with chairs (in unmissable pink as well as grey and white), as well as tables, stools and benches. The plastic stack-able chairs of Ps Vago also joins the pink revolution this year.
Learning about all these new lines - and how to pronounce them - is the "fun part" of Abdou's job.
"Of course, it reinforces our 'Swed-ishness' and our Scandinavian culture so we always look forward to learning these names. I'm sure we don't do them justice," she laughs, "but we try."
Oh, and people whose trip to Ikea is not complete without a plate of those meatball morsels?
Along with a new Swedish Food Market, 600 seats are replacing the current 100-seater restaurant. Let the salivating begin.
The grand opening celebrations start at 7 a.m. on Wednesday at Ikea, Jacombs Road, with entertainment, as well as giveaways for the first 1,000 people. Official ceremonies start at 8 a.m.
The current store will close Sunday.
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