home ownership

Is IKEA Furniture A Worthwhile Investment?

So… You need new furniture and you are thinking of buying from IKEA. IKEA sells a large selection of bedroom, bathroom, dorm, living, kitchen and dining room furniture. The options are expansive and you think you may be able to find just what you are looking for at a price you can afford. Before you decide to get your new bedroom suite or couch from IKEA, consider if it is truly a good investment. In the end, you will get exactly what you pay for. It may be nice that the furniture is low in cost, but it is also going to be low in quality and lifespan.

The Quality of IKEA

The reason that the bookshelves and bed frames are so cheap is because they are very poorly made. They will not look or feel the same once you get them into your home. We believe that it will not be a worthwhile purchase for you and your family.

Typically, IKEA’s items are made of particle board and an artificial veneer. You receive them in flat boxes and then have to struggle to assemble them yourself- don’t lose your barrel nuts! The items look nice at first, but quickly begin to look and feel cheap with minimal age.

The pieces may break or tear easily, and the furniture definitely will not look brand-new for long. The poorly made items will wear down much rapider than better made pieces. Remember, better quality items typically cost more money up-front! As long as you can afford to, spending more may actually be a smart financial decision.

The Lifespan

Furniture that is made poorly does not last long. Do you want a cheap sofa that lasts one year, or a nice couch that stays sturdy for fifteen years?

Well-made pieces can last so much longer. Wood and hard furniture can last decades, and sometimes even centuries with little wear at all. Spending more on wooden tables, chairs, bookshelves and more can save you shocking amounts in the long-haul.

Although IKEA is the cheap option, it may not be the best for your personal finances. It is just as expensive to buy multiple items over a period of time; when you take into account all of the replacements you will have to eventually order, IKEA may not be the route to go.

But What If You Can’t Afford to Go Somewhere Else?

We suggest that you wait and save. Give it time and grow your savings account. Set up a special fund just for furniture and live for now off of whatever you already have. It will be worth the time and money in the long run if you are able to purchase furniture that will last.

Don’t settle now for sub-par pieces that will not make it past next year. Decide what amount you can pay for valuable and worthy furnishings. Save up if you need to, or make the bigger purchase now. It will be worth it in the long run!

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2 Comments

  • I’m going to get an IKEA couch this year because I have dogs! Jerks have taken their toll on our other nice couches throughout the years, plus IKEA has removable covers for easy washing. I’d take the dogs over a thousand dollar couch any day but I would like the stuff I have to be able to look decent even if it is cheap.

  • We have a lot of bookshelves, tables and dressers from Ikea and they are just fine. We’ve had zero issues and they’re used everyday by the family and in kids rooms. I don’t really like the looks of their couches and furniture so would have no opinion there.

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