ikea furniture quality

[jagec]

Or he could still furnish the apartment for a couple grand buying used quality furniture that won't be an eyesore every time he opens the door. And the good stuff will still be around in 20 years while the ikea stuff is being recycled back into newspaper.

I think that the combination Craigslist/Ikea furnishing approach works well. Because you can't always find good-quality, style-matched wooden furniture on the used market, and some of the Ikea stuff actually fits in quite well.

Although I do have to admit that my favorite furniture pieces in my house are the used, good-quality ones.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

but the furniture CAN'T be pre-assembled for his purposes.

I haven't been in any apartment or house yet that requires you to buy particle board furniture and assemble it in the room you wish to use it. They make furniture to fit through doors and stairways.

 

[endlessmike]

I wouldn't buy anything there as I don't like the yard sale cheap look in my house. I guess for starting out it might be okay but you'll get tired of the cheap shit and replace in a couple years anyways. You want to walk into your home and be like damn this shit is awesome not oh look at that cheap f'ing table.
People are so stupid with money you'd be foolish not to buy used hardwood furniture. People spend thousands of dollars on the quality stuff then get tired of it or need money so they sell it for a fraction of what they paid. Hell I just picked up a $9500 leather sectional for $1400 at an estate sale. It's a couple months old too. Helps to have a gas guzzler truck and a trailer although everyone here will tell you im a douche for driving a truck.

I find it amusing that you've spent this entire thread telling people what furniture to buy, and then close with this comment about everyone here telling you what kind of vehicle to drive.

Not everyone wants the same stuff. It's not really that big of a deal is it?

 

[purbeast0]

I haven't been in any apartment or house yet that requires you to buy particle board furniture and assemble it in the room you wish to use it. They make furniture to fit through doors and stairways.

then you should probably try reading my posts in this thread because i've already mentioned the issue at hand.

 

[blackdogdeek]

I haven't been in any apartment or house yet that requires you to buy particle board furniture and assemble it in the room you wish to use it. They make furniture to fit through doors and stairways.

i'm just going by what OP has posted:

another issue is that getting furniture upstairs could be a problem for us, if it is all in one piece. we had to literally fold our mattress in 1/2 to get it upstairs because it was hitting the ceiling where the stairs go up. if we had one solid bed frame, it's not fitting up there.

 

[purbeast0]

Nothing wrong with it, just not as useful as the 2 drawer chest for the space that it takes up (our last place was 700sqft). Really like the magazine/book rack, but only has a tiny little drawer and a bunch of dead space underneath.

I also added some 2x4s between the rails and slats on the board to raise the mattress and have a taller mattress so it makes the night stand lower than it would be.

just curious if you had the king size set. the reason i'm asking is because our king size mattress is significantly taller than the previous mattress we had, which I believe was a full size mattress.

i bet the 2x4 also adds some sturdiness as well.

 

[amish]

ha, I just bought the entire Hemnes collection this weekend. 2 nightstands, 8 drawer dresser, 6 drawer dresser, king size bed, memory foam mattress, bed spring, and mirror.

first thoughts:
my wife couldn't get any of the fasteners tight enough. the screws were very soft also and I had a few strip.

the wood that the collection is made out of is pine. my wife dented/scratched the footboard while we were placing the box spring in the frame.

the frame itself is sturdy and reinforced with metal channels, beams, and straps. my first observation about the headboard is that it is not very thick and you have to build it which led to a small gap on the side of the main board and the leg. two people are definitely needed to put the bed together.

the nightstands are nice but a pain to put together.

The 8 drawer dresser is pretty solid. I was surprised after I got the frame put together.

I'm still in the process of building everything as there are so many goddamn pieces that it takes forever. in total I spent just over $2K(including taxes) for everything.

 

[purbeast0]

ha, I just bought the entire Hemnes collection this weekend. 2 nightstands, 8 drawer dresser, 6 drawer dresser, king size bed, memory foam mattress, bed spring, and mirror.

first thoughts:
my wife couldn't get any of the fasteners tight enough. the screws were very soft also and I had a few strip.

the wood that the collection is made out of is pine. my wife dented/scratched the footboard while we were placing the box spring in the frame.

the frame itself is sturdy and reinforced with metal channels, beams, and straps. my first observation about the headboard is that it is not very thick and you have to build it which led to a small gap on the side of the main board and the leg. two people are definitely needed to put the bed together.

the nightstands are nice but a pain to put together.

The 8 drawer dresser is pretty solid. I was surprised after I got the frame put together.

I'm still in the process of building everything as there are so many goddamn pieces that it takes forever. in total I spent just over $2K(including taxes) for everything.

my sister just bought the 6 and 8 drawer Hemnes dressers too, which i did not know about until she texted me this morning with the series she bought, and so far she said they are great and very sturdy. She did mention that the wood is fairly soft so you do have to be careful.

 

[endlessmike]

my sister just bought the 6 and 8 drawer Hemnes dressers too, which i did not know about until she texted me this morning with the series she bought, and so far she said they are great and very sturdy. She did mention that the wood is fairly soft so you do have to be careful.

I should mention that we bought the white Hemnes dresser. It's a much glossier, thicker enamel than the finish on the black-brown or other colors and seemed like it would be much more durable; some of the floor models of the other finishes did look like they could scuff or ding more easily.

 

[purbeast0]

I should mention that we bought the white Hemnes dresser. It's a much glossier, thicker enamel than the finish on the black-brown or other colors and seemed like it would be much more durable; some of the floor models of the other finishes did look like they could scuff or ding more easily.

ah, yea she got the black-brown one. she was saying that the white one was the only color that wasn't solid wood which it looks like is true based off the specs on the website. so i'm sure the 2 consistencies definitely have some differences.

 

[Imported]

My GF and I have most of the Hemnes line too.. 8-drawer dresser, two nightstands, TV stand, etc. and it's been holding up pretty well. We went with the black-brown since we liked the look better.

 

[Imp]

My entire room and most of the house is furnished with stuff from Ikea. Quality varies, but overall quality is good. It will not survive being moved long distances and abused heavily though.

For example, my "don't give a shit" sibling buys too much clothes and rams it all into her drawers without a care. Lo and behold, her Ikea drawer set is falling apart at the back and the shelves themselves are breaking. Compare that to all of my Ikea stuff, which is used, but not abused, and every item has lasted me at least 5 years - even the $25 bargain basement items.

Just don't plan on moving anything without disassembling it first. Everything's designed to be built, then to sit still. Putting anything in the "not upright" position will probably break it.

Also, small tip if you care about matching the colour of your items. The "primary colors" at Ikea are black-brown, beech (? the lighter one) veneer, and white. They discontinue all other colors when they feel like it.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Seriously? Buy it, assemble for a half a day, and make sure you use it gently and don't move it or it falls apart... Wow. Im having a hard time wrapping this concept around my brain. I guess I'm old fashioned and would actually prefer to use something that won't fall apart when you put too many clothes in the drawers.

 

[Axon]

Here's my IKEA stuff. Overall, they're very good.

Hemnes bedframe. I'd give it a 8/10 for build quality. Very sturdy if you take your time and correctly assemble it.

I have a small galant desk, I'd give it another 8/10. Good desk, easy to build.

Bjursta Dining table: the table I'd give a 7/10. The chairs I give a 2/10. The chairs are $25 each. At 170 lbs I'm a fairly light guy, and they feel dicey when I sit in them. Stay away.

Kivik Sofa: 7/10. Sturdy, but it's not one of those tank sofas kids can turn into a trampoline. Good for young adults. I would not recommend for families.

 

[Imp]

Seriously? Buy it, assemble for a half a day, and make sure you use it gently and don't move it or it falls apart... Wow. Im having a hard time wrapping this concept around my brain. I guess I'm old fashioned and would actually prefer to use something that won't fall apart when you put too many clothes in the drawers.

You don't have to baby it, just don't abuse it.

Overall, it's not high quality. What you get from Ikea is easy to understand and "universal" instructions, a shit ton of variety that's updated continuously throughout the year, a reasonable price, a franchise/familar shopping experience, ease of purchasing/transport, and functional products.

I don't even know where to get "real", "quality" furniture.

 

[nageov3t]

I'm not sure I'd go to Ikea for anything that's going to see a lot of use* (eg: beds, couches/chairs) but I have a lot of Ikea bookcases that have held up really well over the years.


*exception -- Ikea office furniture (computer desks, chairs) are great

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

You don't have to baby it, just don't abuse it.

Overall, it's not high quality. What you get from Ikea is easy to understand and "universal" instructions, a shit ton of variety that's updated continuously throughout the year, a reasonable price, a franchise/familar shopping experience, ease of purchasing/transport, and functional products.

I don't even know where to get "real", "quality" furniture.

Would where you buy furniture change if you had access to a truck and trailer? Do you buy ikea because it's good enough and you can throw it in the car and take it home then? Im just having a hard time understanding why someone chooses to buy particle board furniture. If it's cost then buy used but if all you have is a car then that throws a loop into it I guess.

 

[Fayd]

Wow, a whole 5+ years, huh?

A good dresser should last you 50+ years or longer. If you're willing to spend the money, when you pick out a GOOD dresser, you know it will last you your lifetime. I don't think any particle board/pressboard has that kind of life expectancy. For some things, like bedroom furniture, style doesn't change that often - things don't usually look that dated. Oddly, a lot of antique bedroom furniture is becoming more and more sought after.

my bed frame is 110 years old...that i know of.

built in solid walnut. the nails in it are smithed. hand forged square nails.

quality furniture can last.

 

[nageov3t]

I wouldn't buy anything there as I don't like the yard sale cheap look in my house.

I usually get compliments on my Ikea bookcases, I don't think it looks like yard sale cheap

(ignoring that brown bookcase on the right, which was only there waiting on my mom to come and take it)

 

[purbeast0]

I'm not sure I'd go to Ikea for anything that's going to see a lot of use* (eg: beds, couches/chairs) but I have a lot of Ikea bookcases that have held up really well over the years.


*exception -- Ikea office furniture (computer desks, chairs) are great

well the bed is just the frame, definitely not getting a mattress from them as i already have a real nice king size one. i actually have a couple shelves as well as a small computer desk that i've had for nearly 6 years that I bought when i moved into my apartment, and they survived the move just fine.

i was looking at this computer desk though because i like the corner style for the space and i will be running dual monitors most likely as well. anyone have any experience with this type or line?

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S19836057/

i'm not 100% sold on it yet though, definitely need to go check it out again at the store. i'm also not sure about the T or A leg styles. i believe the sample one i saw in the store was A leg and it definitely did not feel super sturdy.

 

[purbeast0]

Would where you buy furniture change if you had access to a truck and trailer? Do you buy ikea because it's good enough and you can throw it in the car and take it home then? Im just having a hard time understanding why someone chooses to buy particle board furniture. If it's cost then buy used but if all you have is a car then that throws a loop into it I guess.

people have explained numerous times in this thread. you just want to continue to troll it though.

 

[iamwiz82]

anyone have any experience with something like this?

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S49862714/#/S89869841

that could be a nice compliment to the MALM bed set. i'm wondering if the TV will be too high though to be a nice height to watch while in bed. will break out the measuring tape though and find out.

I made a custom dry bar using Besta. Sorry no pics, though. I like it and it appears to be able to handle the job.

I did my kitchen in Ikea cabinets, almost 7 years later nothing has broken or worn out. In fact, I just retrofitted the new door closers on all the doors. There is about 35' of cabinetry all together, plus 19' of butcher block counter. I left the counter natural and seal it every six months or so with tung oil, it's still as good as new. I have gouged it a few times. That's where sand paper and a re-oil come into play.

 

[kami333]

just curious if you had the king size set. the reason i'm asking is because our king size mattress is significantly taller than the previous mattress we had, which I believe was a full size mattress.

i bet the 2x4 also adds some sturdiness as well.

Sorry we have a queen.

The 2x4s are drilled into the slats and not the frame so they don't add much to the sturdiness of the frame but they made the mattress feel a lot firmer.

Would where you buy furniture change if you had access to a truck and trailer? Do you buy ikea because it's good enough and you can throw it in the car and take it home then? Im just having a hard time understanding why someone chooses to buy particle board furniture. If it's cost then buy used but if all you have is a car then that throws a loop into it I guess.

For us it's about cost and style. The style of furniture I like with straight lines, no scroll-work, minimal hardware, beech or black colored, simple not over-stuffed couches is usually 2x more at Ethan Allen/Crate & Barrel/boutique furniture stores and most of the time quality isn't that much better. My gf and I waited ~7months with just a futon until Ikea opened and during that time we found a great little import furniture store that had the style we were looking for in hardwoods but it would have run us 10x as much. I'm just not a huge fan of the country/Amish style furniture that most people seem to like.

 

[lord_emperor]

Ikea:

 

[CountZero]

Seriously? Buy it, assemble for a half a day, and make sure you use it gently and don't move it or it falls apart... Wow. Im having a hard time wrapping this concept around my brain. I guess I'm old fashioned and would actually prefer to use something that won't fall apart when you put too many clothes in the drawers.

It isn't hard to understand.

Buy Ikea furniture, have it last 5+ years. Buy good furniture for 10x costs that last 50+ years. Cost per year difference is negligible. Ikea has a time cost that means you might be shopping for new furniture more often but good furniture has the risk that in 5 years you'll want new stuff anyways. This is even worse if you want modern style not classic style stuff as modern stuff will absolutely look dated and you will want to replace it.

If you are renting Ikea is even better. Need to move to an apartment where your entertainment center doesn't work, you aren't out a bunch of money to replace what you have.

As someone whose bedroom when I lived at home was all hand me down 'good' furniture that weighed a ton and whose first apartment was filled with more hand me down 'good' furniture that family was happy to be able to get rid of guilt free I think the risk that you'll get sick of expensive furniture is very real.

If you like heavy, old furniture, great! Don't shop at Ikea but let's not pretend like there isn't an upside to shopping to Ikea.