Re: IKEA

well, I will say a good portion of their stuff DOES last. Practically our whole apartment is IKEA, and I've only had 1 piece of furniture wear out.... and it was a VERY VERY CHEAP recliner ($79) and it died after 2 years. The rest of our stuff, mostly 5 years old, is in perfect condition....

I will say you generally have only one chance to put each screw in, and if you make a mistake, it likely will be rickety.... which is the short side of particleboard furniture... but overall, I'm really happy with all of it.... and their down pillows/comforters are GREAT.

I do dislike their wine glasses, though... they break easily in the dishwasher.....

Re: IKEA

We've bought a few pieces from them. I'm satisfied for the price. Alot of their furniture seems to be on the smaller side, jmo.

Re: IKEA

I think if you go in with the right expectations, you won't be dissapointed.

I bought an office desk from them years ago that's just the desk surface, five legs, and a screw-on shelf. Oh and another extension piece for the end.

I've moved it three times since then, and it's still in good condition. But it was a higher-end model, meant for professional offices.

But my husband had a bunch of things from his college years including a free-standing closet that literally fell apart once we put it back together after moving.

As for accessory items, I've purchased seasonal things from them because their summer stuff tends to be very brightly colored and cute. I've also bought hangers, planting pots, some other accessores and not been dissapointed.

Re: IKEA

When DH and I first moved in together straight out of college, we bought 2 desks, a bookshelf, a dresser, and our dining table from Ikea and 4 years later they are still in great shape

I think its a very affordable way to furnish a home or rooms when you are starting out or on a budget.

We plan on getting more from Ikea when we have a house and need to furnish more rooms

Re: IKEA

I loved IKEA when I was right out of college, in my first apartment and needed to furnish the whole place for like $100. Got the cheapo coffee table, the glasses, the silverware, the tea light candles, everything.

Then when I was maybe 27 or so I started to get my 'grown up' furniture and said that I wouldnt buy furniture from IKEA again - still used them for accessories (you cant beat their prices for candles).

Now at 33 - I like IKEA again - they have dark wood pieces that are actually made of wood - the MARKOR line, for example. I needed a white dresser and bookshelf for a baby nursery and after looking at baby stores, ended up getting exactly what I wanted at IKEA.

So I'm back to liking them.

Re: IKEA

like other posters wrote, it depends on the product and how you will use it. Our whole kitchen is IKEA and fabulous. We had some dressers which fell apart when we moved.

Re: IKEA

I would say be careful with disassmbly and re-assembly. We had purchased a kitchen table and 4 chairs, used it for 9 months, dis-assembled it to move, and then went to re-assemble it. Well....apparently some Ikea products dont do too well when they've been taken apart and put back together because most of the screws refused to stay in the furniture after that. We ended up having to glue the peices of wood together with carpeters glue and then eventually sell it all.

I do have a bedroom set that I gave to my parents from Iea thats held up pretty well for 2 years so far tho.

Re: IKEA

IKEA products are good if you don't plan on moving or having to disassemble the furniture. When DH and I each had our first apartments, we had a lot of IKEA furniture. They don't travel very well - whether you disassemble them or try to leave them as is and carry them.

Re: IKEA

We love Ikea....I completely agree with those that posted if you don't buy their lowest end stuff and take care while putting it together it should last awhile. Honestly probably 65% of our home is Ikea furniture, and almost two years after moving in everything is still together and sturdy