I visited Wayfair's first physical store and got major Ikea vibes — with a few surprises thrown in

I arrived expecting a stand-alone building, but Wayfair's store is in a suburban strip mall in a space once occupied by a department store.

The renovation is crisp and inviting, with a main entrance for shoppers and an online order pickup area around back.

Lots of companies say they're 'omni-channel,' but Wayfair really means it.

Like an Ikea, this Wayfair is part showroom, part store, with a selection of items to take home directly, or scan QR codes in-store and have items delivered.

There were even Ikea-style shopping bags.

I'll be curious to see if these take over on college campuses as the de-facto laundry carrier.

The space was huge, but clear signage made it easy to navigate.

The layout flowed very naturally, and I never had trouble getting oriented.

Like any furniture retailer, there were model rooms showcasing design themes.

I was surprised to see some larger sectionals, since my impression of Wayfair has skewed more toward smaller pieces.

A cardboard cutout of brand ambassador Kelly Clarkson showed off a cozy living room setup.

Wayfair describes the collection as "French-country looks designed for real life."

The eclectic collection of accent chairs...

Something about this display felt eerily like an e-commerce site come to life.

... and the carpet selection struck me as peak Wayfair.

There was a time when I would have thought that Wayfair exclusively sold accent chairs and carpets. That's certainly not true now.

Several design studios were located around the store to help shoppers mix and match textures and finishes.

The more I walked around, the more I got the sense that I would need someone to help me process the sheer volume and range of options available.

I definitely was not expecting to see a pool table or a shuffleboard.

Both games were playable, which will probably keep some kids happy while their parents talk about tile.

There was even a whole section for tidying up your garage.

I could have spent an hour fiddling with different storage options, but alas, time was limited.

The center atrium features everything you need for drinking and dining...

Wayfair calls this area "Market Square."

... like glassware and dishes...

There was stemware for every occasion.

... to cocktail shakers and wine chillers.

Shakers downstairs, bar carts upstairs.

Every once in a while something would catch me by surprise.

I don't think I've ever considered the illuminating qualities of feathers.

A nearby sign offered instructions on how to order customized versions of this artwork.

Like many products in the store, scanning the QR code on an item would bring up a bunch of personalization options.

The children's furniture selection was bright and cheerful.

There were a few thoughtfully designed pieces that caught my eye, especially those with integrated storage, like the craft table.

Over in the 'Dream Center,' there were a plethora of mattresses to test out.

I don't know how many styles of mattresses exist, but I'm pretty sure they're all represented in this room.

There was even furniture for pets.

Fancy dog kennels, cat condos, even pet sofas.

Here you can find a bath tub, bath towels, and bath robes.

The scale of home improvement projects just kept ticking up.

There were also more budget-friendly options for sprucing up your space.

I saw some peel and stick tile too that would make for an easy kitchen backsplash project.

The 'Shower Experience' display was pretty clever — it allowed you to see how the water flowed.

The shower head display reminded me more of a science museum than a home improvement store.

Similarly you could test out all sorts of faucets.

Here you could really mess with the different settings.

There were doorknobs in every fit and finish...

We don't usually think about the sheer variety of something so simple as a doorknob.

... a hall of appliances...

Do you need the fancy ice or the flatscreen display? So many choices.

... and a section for designing custom cabinetry.

There really are too many choices to make sometimes.

But the end result can look pretty slick.

I'm not sure people would believe you if you told them, "I got this kitchen from Wayfair."

These sorts of touch-and-feel displays definitely helped overcome my primary reservation about buying things online.

Here's where I'll admit I've never bought anything from Wayfair. Texture and durability are important qualities in choosing housewares, and that can be hard to convey online.

Overall, this store does an effective job of inviting customers in to Wayfair's world.

The closest thing I can compare it to is Ikea, but I preferred this shopping experience.

Like Ikea, Wayfair has a restaurant to grab a bite to keep you going. There's even beer and wine available, and you can bring your beverage along as you shop.

If Ikea skews more toward urban renters, Wayfair is trying to be the store for suburban homeowners.