IKEA furniture - good or bad?

Someone sent in the following question through our website recently:

"Do you think that IKEA furniture is that good?  My family find that their items do not last as long as expected."

As Professional Organizers, we get asked this question quite a fair bit, because we do use quite a bit of IKEA items because its modular furniture is very adaptable to storing different types of items.  

So, will IKEA furniture fall apart on you after a short period of use?  Yes and no.  Here's why. 

For the same type of furniture, say a bookshelf, IKEA usually has at least two different range of products - one made out of lower quality materials, and the other, better quality ones. 

Take for example, the bookshelf.  There's BILLY, then BESTA, and finally IVAR.  No they're not names of our children - just different types of bookshelves by IKEA.  BILLY is made of particle board with veneer overlay; BESTA is largely fibreboard; and IVAR is made of solid pine (all this information is available on IKEA's website).  In terms of quality, particle boards are the worst, and solid wood would be the best.  That's why BILLY bookcases start at $59, and BESTA starts at $80.  The basic IVAR (of equivalent configuration)?  Well, that goes for over $100.  The price difference tells all. 

Looking for sofas?  Try comparing KNOPPARP, KLIPPAN, KARLSTAD and EKTORP. 

Looking for wardrobes?  There's DOMBAS, BRIMNES, PAX and HEMNES, to say the least. 

So, it may come as a surprise, but not all IKEA furniture are made equal after all.  We highly recommend reading up on the material composition before committing to a purchase, especially since IKEA has made such information so readily available on their website.  That way, you won't end up being a d***a** for buying a DOMBAS wardrobe (see picture above). 

Have a question?  Or want to know how to have every item in your home/ office/ outlet within a 10-second reach?  Leave us a comment below.