IKEA

[gella]

So we're moving and I've been thinking about buying us some furniture from Ikea, does anybody have any reviews good or bad of their stuff?

I know it's flat packed, which I don't mind, but is it good quality or just so-so?

More specifically we are looking at a table and futon, how are their mattresses if anyone has a futon?

 

[eroomlorac]

My computer desk is from Ikea. It is so-so. But we were looking for cheap and it was in our price range. The desk is about 8 years old and still functional.

 

[alli713]

I really like IKEA. Of course I don't think most of their furniture is top notch, but being cheaper, you can obviously tell that some of it isn't going to be the absolute best. But I've bought many things from there and haven't had any issues so far.
I've got tables and organizers from there and everything works fine.

 

[BellaBella]

I love Ikea. They have most items in a range of quality from really cheap to moderate/nice. You will be able to tell when you see the items in the store what you'll be getting - are you going to a location or ordering from the catalog?

One thing I will say - on couches - they are always coming out with new slip covers each year with the new fall catalog, you can almost have a new couch once a year! Though they don't always keep continuity in mind there i.e. one year they came out with a lovely turquoise slip cover for my couch and I ran right out and got it, and it velcros to the couch. Unfortunately, they reversed which side got the loop and which side got the hook of the velcro so I had to make alterations to use it. I called and let them know that was really, really uncool of them to do.

if your Ikea has fabric, you can always make your own cool stuff too.
Have fun!

 

[mishellyshel]

If you can go to an actual store, I recommend that. The experience alone is worth it! They have SO many cool things and such fun decorating ideas. Plus the organizational stuff is so worth it. I have purchased many items from them and I would have to say they are not top of the line but in this economy they will do just fine! As long as the assembler knows what they are doing your furniture should last a long time. Good Luck.

 

[Peep_erz]

Its so so but looks great. I always had problems getting shelves to sit level and doors to sit straight. Its building for dummies but looks clean and amazing. Pretty durable too.

 

[gella]

are you going to a location or ordering from the catalog?

We're going to the closest store, but I'm bringing a list from looking online otherwise I predict we'll end up with a carload

 

[macygray]

IKEA, The swedish company right? Yellow letters, blue background ,we have lots of stuff from IKEA. Its not good quality but it must be the most easiest to build and modern furniture. We have a nice long white desk, long shelves and a book shelf cabinet thing from ikea...Sure beats Spanish stores dark furniture

 

[BellaBella]

We're going to the closest store, but I'm bringing a list from looking online otherwise I predict we'll end up with a carload

If there are certain things you know you def. want, call ahead first and see if they have it. They can usually give you an idea of when it will be in stock again if they're out - save yourself a trip. I know when I got my place I was there every weekend for about a month.

 

[macygray]

When we went, we went just to see and suss it out for the first time.....Came home with a whole carload and a whole lot of stuff not able to fit into the car to be ordered....Some 5 hrs later, LOL.

 

[TillyChinchilla]

We go to IKEA every time we drive back down from CT (we stop at the New Haven one) and pick up a few things that can fit in the car. I love their stuff. You have to do a GOOD job at putting it together or it won't last you as long. But for the prices - getting a peice of furniture to last 6-8 years is worth it. Stuff like lamps, shelving, rugs, kitchen supplies, etc ... are going to last as long as pretty much any furniture of the same type.

The store is a great place to go - and you can't order much of the stuff online anyway. You will be able to sit down on and touch all their furniture in the showroom and go down the the warehouse and pick it up flat packed. The New Haven one has their showroom upstairs and warehouse downstairs. We spent 3 hours there last time and it felt like 1. Every room in the showroom is a compilation of my dream room... :tantrum:

 

[Sycamore Chins]

Definitely check out any furniture you're interested in, in their showroom. That's the easy way to tell if its going to be sturdy enough for your use. I have a futon that I absolutely love as well as a shelving system and various other things The wood is not treated so that is another thing to take into consideration. (We like the natural wood so don't care that it isn't treated)

 

[Silverrose]

When I was in California.. I LOVED Ikea... and I am completely sad that I haven't been near an Ikea since I moved away from socal. I loved just going to the store and finding knick-knacks as well as new furniture. I've gotten everything from clocks to silverware to lamps to entire living room sets. Even the stuff that requires assembly, is not that difficult to do so, although I had big strong boys put it together for me heh. The pricing isn't too crazy, and some of their stuff is so cute and trendy.

 

[equus_peduus]

I like IKEA, but their cheap stuff is really cheap; their expensive stuff is decent. The cheap stuff works well enough, but if you can afford the better version, it's worth it. "read" the directions at least twice before assembling - a few things once you do something, it's really hard to undo it to fix, and it can be very easy to attach something upside down or backwards (not that I'd have any experience with that...); most things are fixable though.

 

[I<3MyChinnies]

More specifically we are looking at a table and futon, how are their mattresses if anyone has a futon?

I bought a futon chair from IKEA for my dorm room about 5 years ago and am sitting in that chair as I type this! It's held up pretty well and is very versatile. Many a friend has slept on it over the years and it folds up into a great chair for every other day. I had the choice of 2 mattress sizes and chose the thicker one and am very happy with that choice. When I moved to NYC I bought some more IKEA furniture because it was functional for my small room - I got the metal loft bed with the large desk underneath. It worked GREAT and my husband and I still use it and are planning on moving it when we move again soon because it's still in solid shape. I slept on that bed mattress for 2 years and was very happy with it as well.

Sure, some of the furniture isn't the best quality comparatively, but it's worked out great for me and is easy to assemble and disassemble. All-in-all, we have a bookshelf, corner desk (previously owned by someone else and still in good shape), dresser, futon chair, storage box/ottoman, HUMONGOUS underwater photo wall poster (that was on sale for 30 bucks might I add) and the above mentioned loft bed and desk combo all from IKEA and I'm happy with everything! Not to mention it's just fun to go there :thumbsup: If you can go to the store, you should eat there too - they have cheap, tasty food.

 

[FiaSpice]

My parents and I have a lot of Ikea stuff. About 10 years ago, my parents won a showroom woth more than 5000$ and we still have some of the suff. I have the computer desk I'm using now and it's in perfect condition. I love the fact it's flat packed, durable and modern looking. I recommend!

 

[seachin]

I am lucky enough to live 10 minutes from IKEA. While I do not buy most of my furniture there, I do go every couple weeks and keep an eye out for specials and their twice a year sale (I would recommend signing up for the email list to get sale notifications and coupons). Some of theirs sales are out of control! The quality is pretty good for what you pay for. If you compare quality to similar price range with say, Target or WalMart....you get better quality for the same price at IKEA..and it looks better. Plus, they tend to have a better design style as well as easier assembly and durability than other similarly priced items. Also, they can't be beat for great deals on plants!

 

[tskoffina]

I like Ikea. I go when I get a chance. You're at all handy, they also have an As Is area where the stuff is really deeply discounted, but you can't return. Mom got a little shelving unit, with a scratch on the back 50% off. My son got a dresser, the box was distroyed, but nothing wrong with it, 30% off, and I got a bookshelf, with a bit of dammage, I didn't care, I have so many books I needed a giant shelf thing, and it was way out of my price range, but this had damage in the back where I don't care, at 70% off. If you're careful you can find good deals there. And one day of the week in that section, if you bring a battery to recycle, they give even more off. I brought a AAA size, and got it.

 

[Cinder and Me]

I love their cinnamon rolls. :rofl: Seriously, when I go there, that's what I get. hahahaha
We have quite a few around, so its not that big a deal for me. :tease:

Their stuff is ok, and the stuff I like is normally pretty expensive. As for gizmos and gadgets, you'll find everything you can imagine there!

 

[Jeanette]

I'm looking around at my apartment... I can't pinpoint anything that HASN'T been bought at Ikea!

There is some really nice stuff there! They have about 3 price ranges; cheap, moderate and expensive. The expensive stuff is really nice. I know people who have bought the really expensive stuff there and it has lasted them for a long while and looks nice. Being students and living on our own, we mainly buy the cheap stuff. But even that has turned out to last for quite a while. It just doesn't LOOK as good.