We've had some challenges with permitting that has stalled the process that is outside of our control. I haven't been too public with it just because I don't want to give away too much info about the exact location of the house. Since I plan on being so public with the build, I need to be vague about the location and giving away too much info might tip someone off. Best case scenario - we are starting to build this spring. Pinned because I get this question a lot. More content is coming, but it's just that there isn't much interesting to say right now.
As a former employee, you're correct about all of this. I love the fact that they design around the price, that way lot of students without money can actually afford to buy something for their first apartments. Nowadays I have a lot of midrange priced Ikea stuff and love them, they hold very well. And for me, assembling furniture is fun, I like learning how it's build, what materials it uses and I feel kinda proud that I was able to make something. :D It's stupid, I know. :D But it really is a genious idea and probably one of the main reasons IKEA is so cheap and popular. Also, flat packaging means cheaper nad easier transport for both the company and the customer, like, I can fit a whole bed into my car? Nice. Generally - go to everywhere, IKEA included, with critical eyes and thinking. But I think it says a lot about the company, when your former employee still loves you and your products. :)
Flat packs and other things they do are also better for the environment. I've always appreciated that the workers are not kissing up to me to make a sale as an example. I bought an office, shipped it to the Philippines when I moved and had an incorrect part that I needed to trade in. I was able to do it the next time I went to Singapore, not a big deal in any way.
Absolutely have no issue with the self-assembly aspect of IKEA. I personally really enjoy assembling flat-packed furniture and don't feel tricked by the "IKEA effect". In so many cases were alienated from the hard work people around the world put in to build the products we use daily. Ikea is one of the few companies that really gets you to experience the joy of making stuff yourself. Of course, IKEA isn't always going to win awards for being an ethical company when it comes to labour conditions, but I do think self-assembly also has ethical benefits. I would rather stick the legs on my coffee table myself than outsource it to some worker at a Chinese factory who does the same task 50,000 times a day. For me assembling my furniture is enjoyable or at least something I can feel proud of. For them I strongly suspect it's not.
I agree - I actually really enjoy assembling flat-pack furniture. Kind of like Lego for adults lol. & I think you do feel more 'invested' in the piece as a result.
I choose DIY because I have a small house with stupid sized and shaped entries and stairwells. I can take it where I need to and put it together in the appropriate room. When it's time to replace it I can take it apart again to haul it away. I also like that I can make small changes without feeling like I'm ruining something.
I agree about the cheapest furniture in their range. The Lack items, for example, were so helpful when I first moved out and had very little money to spend on furniture but needed to furnish an empty apartment. But now that I have more years in my career, I can afford to invest in the higher quality options (that are a better value long term).
Totally. I had a lack table myself once upon a time. I think they are priced aggressively and work if that's your budget, but I don't think they're a great value long term.
I have to laugh a little when people question the longevity of the Lack side tables. I inherited one from a European friend who was moving back home about twelve years ago, and used it every single day as my bedside table for another decade. At the end of that time? Not a chip, not a scratch, not a wobble. It was as good as the day it was purchased despite years of things like keys, cups of coffee, books, etc. being banged down on it every single day. I think 4,500 days of flawless wear is a pretty good deal for a $10 to $20 table! What is that? Eighty cents per YEAR. I'll take it. ;0)
@@jeanvignes Probably better material back then, which caused its longevity. Good for you! I want things to last; I don't need to change it every year. Would rather spend my money on something else or just save it Enjoy your day!!
@@jeanvignes I think the average person is not very gentle with their furniture. The amount of entry level ikea stuff I see for sale, water damaged and looking like it fell down every stair of a 10 story building, listed on the usual 2nd hand online market places... and more often than not the seller has the cheek to describe it as 'slightly worn' and ask for half the price of a new one, when it's only suitable for a dumpster.
I've had my Billy shelves and Lack table for 10-15 years now and they're still going strong. I just have to live with knowing they're not real wood. Will keep them until my next move hehe
Nick, the thing I love most about you is the respect you have for other people’s opinions. I can’t tell you how important that is to me and how much I respect it in you. When other designers start talking about things like it’s a law and anyone who doesn’t see things their way or the trendy way is some kind of idiots, I really just can’t listen to them anymore. But I will always respect your opinion because you respect other people’s opinions.
I do the labor cost analysis of corporate meetings! But I'm a Finance Director that built my career in cost accounting. Don't use your hourly pay rate, calculate your pay per hour (if you're salary) and multiply it by 2.5 and you will have the full burden rate after benefits and employer taxes.
Totally agree with you. And yes I love Ikea. The stuff is just so versatile and clever. When I am stuck with a home problem I go to the Ikea catalogue and usually find a solution. I am moving into a tiny condo with a galley kitchen and the island forms a bar in the living room. Not for me. Kallax to the rescue and now I have a wall of storage behind the sofa just by putting the kallax under the granite overhang. Added drawers and doors to keep the lines clean and uncluttered.
I've noticed that the pricing of the Kallax inserts sort of breaks the price point expectation of the base unit. The quad shelf is like 45% of the four cube exterior. With my brain, I find it harder to buy the insert. But I was late to discovering the Kallax being the go-to for crafters before the Create Room box was even a thing.
The cheap (furniture) products/version are not only to "mess with our heads", it's also for 2 other reasons: For the image/reputation that _everybody_ can go there to furnish his place and find sth. that he can afford. Meaning Ikea is for _all_ people. That way they cover the whole range of customers. And 2nd that those people that come there for this reason (mostly young people like college students or whatever) _then also_ buy other stuff - all the nicknacks that we all love Ikea for.
I studied marketing about 7 years ago and I work in marketing now. When you are talking about the perception of value, I believe that's what we call "lost leader pricing" where they specifically price items at a loss to encourage people to come in store or order on online and start to make that connection between value and the brand. Very interesting, but like you said there is more value in something that will last longer.
Love all the points made here! Especially the bit about 'loss-leader' items like the Lack. We learned about that concept when I was in business school, and it's a super useful thing to know about because SO many stores make use of it. It's like the end-cap items at Walmart, or the rotisserie chickens at most grocery stores - they put those items out knowing they won't make money on them, but it's worth the loss because it draws people into the store and they end up buying more than they intended.
Some of the cheapest products from IKEA I have had for years and they still look like I bought them yesterday. I have not had a second of regret in terms of "they do not go with this or that" and I have not gotten sick of them design-wise.
Pro Tip: If you have an RV, some of those lightweight, super cheap Ikea furniture options are PERFECT for RV's precisely because they are soooo lightweight. We ditched the big heavy recliners that came in our fifth wheel (which were hideous anyway) and bought a loveseat (with drink holders and reclining seats) from Amazon and purchased an Ikea coffee table for like $20. We can easily move it when we need to pull in the slides at the end of the trip and toss it on top of the loveseat and it adds almost no weight to our total overall towing weight.
Two counter points to consider: 1. There is a convenience of buying everything from the same place - both from a design standpoint and a time factor. It is worth $20 to me to do this only at one store, and things are on similar dimensions/aesthetic when I get them. 2. I actually enjoy assembling furniture. It is almost a feature, not a bug to solve that puzzle.
I love my hemnes bookcases. I paired them with used coffee tables I refinished to match. The Ikea effect is definitely present, but also the mid-range bookcases are about a million times better than the cheapest bookcases, but not as big and heavy as solid wood construction.
Yes! I’ve three of the Hemnes bookcases in the light wood color they no longer make. I would love to find another one because they are a great midrange item. I’ve even moved them (fully assembled!) and they did great and are still going strong. Very glad I didn’t get the cheapest option, they have been worth it.
Thanks Nick! I think you've really done a great service to shoppers with all the information you've provided in this video. I've bought many Ikea pieces over the years (which I still own). I tend to only buy furniture that is made of all solid and natural materials (no particleboard, MDF etc) and they have stood the test of time and I still enjoy them. But, to your point, we need to be discerning shoppers and this video is super helpful to that end.
Lack items were really helpful when furnishing my daughter’s college apartment. I was glad they had them because it was possible to get a very cohesive look for very little money. However, I agree that I wouldn’t purchase those if I were looking for a long term piece of furniture.
While factoring in the cost of assembly is important to some, I see it as a good thing. I'm a die-hard do it myself person, I actually enjoy assembling my Ikea pieces. For me, it's a cheap way to satisfy my furniture building itch. I have built an Ikea kitchen. A recent project was cutting down Ivar shelving units to fit under the windows in my 4-season sunroom, and to make a matching work desk. The wood alone for home made units would have cost a lot more, let alone the shop tools. If you're thinking of paying for assembly, you MUST factor that cost.
The lower floor requires discipline, definitely. But I live 5 minutes drive from an IKEA so have picked up an almost commando raid method (go in quick, accomplish mission goal, get out) that allows me to remember and evaluate for the next time, which may be next week or so. Cool and levelheaded gets you good deals.
I totally agree. It is a running "joke" with my family and friends that it was impossible to leave an IKEA without buying something, especially if you didn't buy the item you actually went to IKEA in the first place! I've had to be very mercenary and only get the item I had planned on purchasing without adding anything else. Period.
This reminds me of how I often go backwards if I just need one or two items from close to the end.😆 Better to avoid the temptations (and the time) of going through the maze.
I worked 15 minutes from my IKEA and got really, really good at being able to make an IKEA run on a lunch break. I only shopped the lower level and went in with a list.
To be honest that second to last point, about the build it yourself, is the main reason I shop at IKEA. I want to be involved in the making of my living space feel like a home, not just splash some money at it and call it a day. Love your content ! Your videos have helped me a lot, thank you.
i currently live alone and sometimes finding ppl to sacrifice a day to help you build something isn’t alway easy. it’s really hard foe single people to build ikea furniture alone. it’s not just ikea target and amazon are the same way. i would prefer ordering pre assembled but that’s hard to come by
Always buy black furniture from IKEA. That way when it chips just take a black sharpie to it. Lol. I loved my ikea faze. I still love walking through there. It gives me all kinds of ideas. It is more the 20-25 vibe. Love it. I just rarely buy it. Sometimes I do though! Love/hate relationship now with it.
i have two of their $800 dollar rugs and i love the SILKEBORG rugs. also, the placement of the stupid stuffed animal bins if you take a tot, thats why we have a giant orange octopus doll loose in our house
The flip side of Ikea furniture's labor costs is the delivery costs on fully assembled stuff, and the fact that you have to work around delivery schedules vs just picking it up and taking it home. That Article coffee table has a $49 delivery fee, so the cost is now $400 - and in some cases you still have to do some assembly (albeit usually minimal). For me, the convenience of picking something up vs ordering online, waiting two weeks and then having to be at home to meet the delivery people - is definitely worth money.
I’ve heard this complaint by before and think the system is still very much adapted for Sweden. IKEA was never meant to be an online store, they don’t really want to be. They want people to go to the store and have the IKEA experience, and they’ve built a strong brand around that. Here in Sweden that works well because there’s a store in every single city. There are very few swedes who have to travel far to get to IKEA, most have it within a few miles, so it doesn’t really matter if the online service is slow (it is here, too). Maybe they’ll change to fit in, or maybe they’ll keep their old ways for the sake of brand integrity 🤷🏼♀️ No idea. Also I have no idea if I’m right. I’m just guessing.
Excellent insights. I went to Ikea yesterday for a few inexpensive towels. One was out of stock. I assumed they were all comparably inexpensive and I didn't check the price. Ended up spending $20 more than I planned.
Hot take! I like the Regolit! I initially bought it as a cheap lighting fixture many years ago when I was first living on my own.. for some reason I like the simplistic "paper lantern" look that works with the feel of my space, and I have yet to find one I like better haha. PS I'm not offended at all that other people hate it, it's all good.
The time argument is spot on. I'm usually pretty good about estimating whether or not something will cost me more in time or money, but I totally failed when I bought a double width Pax wardrobe and built it myself. I didn't manage to do it in one sitting, so I ended up doing it over three weekends, that didn't just cost me time, but also space for those three weeks it was all over my floor. The packaging is also another cost, I don't have a car, so getting rid of large pieces of cardboard takes quite a bit of time from me as well because I have to cut it into smaller pieces myself.
When I get sick of my ikea wardrobe doors, I'm planning to get some cheap trim from my local big-box hardware store and some wall decals. I'll measure the place on each door where I want the trim to be, and mark the door accordingly. Then cut the wall decals so the edge of the decal is in the middle of the trim. Paint the trim, place the decals, attach the trim, and I now have brand-spankin' new doors for next to nothing!
13:26 I remember reading an article some years ago about how make your own dessert companies put together their cake mixes for just this reason. I always wondered why they insist on having us add in eggs, oil and things like that when they could put dried versions in the mix. It turns out it's a way for people to feel like their the ones making the cake. If they make it as an 'add water only' item then they're just as likely to buy one already made and not bother with the mix. Doin the extra steps is a cheat way to say they baked it themselves.
Yes, that and the fact that dried egg powder imparts a kind of yucky undertone to the baked item. I made and sold brownies at high school to raise money for a choir trip (no, not the "funny" kind of brownies!) My grandmother suggested using powdered eggs to save on costs & maximize my profit. There was definitely a taste improvement using fresh eggs instead of the powdered eggs.
In Israel, you pay 250 ₪ ($85) for Assembly services and it covers *everything* you buy except kitchens! So I paid only $85 for for assembly of a wardrobe, dining set, a kitchen cart, a desk and a nightstand! Well worth it!
Wait, I always thought Ikea was an escape room where you have to write down 3 things to be able to find the exit ... ;) But seriously - if you need to hand your customers a map... you may want to reconsider the layout.
I use those cheap coffee tables for Lego Logo tables for my children. You glue four Lego green base squares to the top. My kids had tons of Lego and loved to make their own creations!
Hi Nick! This video topic is so true! All these situations have happened to me a few times (even yesterday! ) 😅🤪 Buying more than I needed, being happy with a “good deal” then spending 3+ hours assembling a very small piece of furniture, getting a cheap item that didn’t last at all etc. But luckily (and I don’t really know how) I’ve noticed that the high end items price is above the market average, so I am more careful about getting them. Big hug, Nick! Love your videos! You have inspired me in many ways for my apartment renovation! 😘
I filled in a lot of gaps with cheap IKEA furniture when I got my first place. It was great until I moved. Most of the pieces didn't survive being disassembled and reassembled. The ones that I didn't take apart survived just fine.
🤔 I disassembled and reassembled a kallax bookcase that had been damaged in a move. The bigger ones aren't sturdy enough to withstand the shifting during a move. If your careful about it it's easy enough to disassemble and reassemble. PAX. The structure to keep it from folding over sideways is the cardboard back board...
There are companies that will make an IKEA item that’s been discontinued. Like the Vallentuna sleeper. Such a great piece. Can’t believe it’s gone. Great video!
This was very interesting. I’ve only recently started shopping at IKEA so I really appreciate this info - thanks! It’s always advisable to never trust that one store is always the lowest prices. I know it a extra work, but always price/value compare before buying.
I think it depends on the item. For high value items (whatever that line is for the individual), it pays to comparison shop, but I'm not driving all over town to save $2 on a product of similar quality. Online helps so much, too, so easy to check competitors from home, or right in the store! 😊
I got a Lack table at least 10 years ago and never actually used it, it camped out in my parents bsmt. But when we moved into our house in March, I finally used it, but only as a riser for the temporary mini fridge in our bedroom for our baby’s milk 😂 I had to get rid of it at the end of the summer because it showed so much wear and was hard to clean
The best part about the custom companies for ikea is getting a hand-me-down or marketplace ikea furniture for cheap, and buying a new custom cover. I have a 13-year-old ikea kramfors sectional my parents gave me. The cover was worn through. I waited for a sale and an outlet option on Bemz, spent $400 CAD and now have what looks like a brand new couch.
Great video Nick, one thing I have experienced is that I did in fact compare a bookshelf and coffee table from ikea and article. I chose the Article items. That being said, the packaging that Article used was over the top. I mean, it took several weeks of breaking up the styrofoam and the cardboard and the plastic to fit in my recycle bin ( my city only picks up recycle every other week) but it arrived safe, no damage.. So it took about 6 weeks for me to get rid of the packaging. That being said, the bookshelves and the coffee table are far superior in my opinion to anything ikea offers, but there was some assembly required. not on the level of ikea, but still some assembly.
Thanks for the vid! I really liked what you said at the end and how you treat your viewers time with respect and show us things that are actually more behind the scenes rather than promising "ikea hacks" in a vid that usually doesn't actually have any.
I love putting together IKEA furniture. Other retailers…not so much. So many IKEA products have such clever design specially to be easily assembled and I love it. Ive considered doing some ikea task rabbit assembly as a side hustle. But yea…I totally agree. If you’re not a weirdo who likes assembling ikea furniture…if it’s a chore, the cost of your time should totes be taken into consideration.
You perfectly articulated things I've been thinking about IKEA for a long time! I mainly buy accessories (candles, napkins) from Ikea and occasionally storage solutions (shelves, baskets, etc). The interesting thing is when people walk into my house their response is "hey, Ikea!" My furniture is from Scandinavian Designs, CB2, West Elm... no Ikea. Same thing with my lighting. My art is 100% original because I'm cool like that. I do love IKEA for certain things, but it's kind of annoying because people think everything I own is from Ikea. 😅
In Germany Ikea is not necessarily known/called to be a cheap retailer. In fact there are many cheaper ones here. Instead the image/reputation they have here, is to be the "cool"/stylish/boho -one.. 😁
When I moved into my first apartment, maaaaaany years ago, I went to IKEA…I bought a mid range sofa and dining set and then the coffee table, end tables and side chairs were lower priced. The lower priced items probably lasted about ten years and I just tired of the style. The sofa, which was in great shape after 10 plus years, I sold to friends and I have lost track of it…the dining table still has a place in my home after more than 35 years. It has moved on to other uses in my home, but I would still proudly serve a meal at it. You get what you pay for 😊
Lack is AWESOME, I've had some products for decades. I wouldn't buy other cheapest products unless they're your transition furniture (until you buy something more durable that you like).
Nick, thanks for another great video! When Ikea first hit SF Bay area, I went to their store in Palo Alto. Learned on my 1st & only trip there, that I'm not Ikea's target market. I didn't like the whole experience of having to go to different levels, then find out that the product that I was interested wasn't in. The sales associates had not idea when the products would be in or if they would ever be in. The customer service, if one can call it that, was poor, no one wanted to take my number and follow up. While the show room areas were decent, I learned that I need more of a premium retail experience. While I do have a stunning Danish desk that I imported from Denmark, that was a sizeable investment about 18 years ago, its still the focal point of my office. So, when one calculates the lifetime value of quality, it can become more affordable.
I agree that "spending a little bit extra" is the way to go for those who want to keep their purchases for a while. For a person on a tight budget, or the young, new apartment owner, for example, who still hasn't figured out a personal style, inexpensive IKEA furniture and lighting might be just the ticket.
I love the “open your wallet” warning. I think the other IKEA trick is almost everything is in stock. Wait months for the perfect sofa or go home with it today?
Part of the reason for this is they can store it incredibly efficient due to how small they manage to package their products, but yeah its a great trick and tbh i wish more furniture stores did it
Pick-up only was one way I avoided buying a $900 chair. I don't understand the buy and pick-up service so I didn't buy it. Trying to avoid the cool impulse items and sorting my cart is why it takes me hours to get out of self-serve and through checkout.
Good Ikea hack is to look at your cart before you get into the cashier line, pull out the items and remove ones you really don't need. Saves so much money :)
Its funny because you cannot deny the quality is *not* there. But It reminds me of my dresser. Even as I've moved from a tiny city apartment to a much bigger house i still always keep my Hemnes dresser. I love it. My husband has massive SOLID heavy furniture. He doesn't get why i love my dresser so much (i just keep it in the closet). Something i actually consider a plus is furniture i can move without help. While heavier solid furniture is nicer, it's impossible to move around on your own. I kind of hate that aspect of it. I think i need something in between ikea and his heavy solid stuff.
@@mschenandlerbong8539 I think they still work on carpet if the nap isn’t too deep. Regardless, they are less than $15 and certainly worth trying. I absolutely HATE asking for help or waiting for someone to help me.
I'm thinking this is why I always bought ClosetMaid and now buy Elfa wire bin units. Moving my clothing storage is not a problem if I'm given any sort of cargo van. Remove and stack the bins, move the frames all in one go. Reverse process at destination. Even when I stored and shipped in a Pod, it was easy.
1) Lack tables aren't made of particle board. They are actually made from cardboard with a thin waterproof layer of lacker. The cardboard inside has a honeycomb structure, making it very sturdy. 2) Ikea US (compared to Ikea Netherlands) is way more expensive by the looks of your video. In The Netherlands the white Lack table is only €6,99 ($7,49), while the white Lack parlor table is only €19,99 ($21,39). The Viskafors sofa is €1399 ($1497) 3) It doesn't matter if (the inside) of a sofa is made from particle board, plywood or solid wood, as long as you use it as a normal person, so no kicking it, jumping on it, etc. Even if you have solid wood it will still break if you don't use it what it's meant for. The base of a sofa is made from solid wooden or metal beams. The particle board/plywood is just for extra strength. I used to work at a furniture outlet store where we would often get furniture that are alightly damaged. In the case of sofa's most damage were cuts in the fabric. Sometimes there was something wrong with the structure, and it really didn't matter what material it was made of. 4) Assembling a product yourself really isn't that bad. Smaller furniture can be assembled in 5-20 minutes. At my former job it often took more time to clean up the packaging materials than to assemble the products. A lot of people in The Netherlands don't have big cars (like pick-up trucks) so it's also easier to transport products when they're still in the box. I recently bought a Slattum bed from Ikea and I was able to assemble it in about one hour by myself (recommendation in the manual was 2 persons).
I would add that it's also easier to get the items into the house/apartment. They are in multiple boxes, therefore can be lifted and carried by one person and you don't have to think how to get your item through doors or any other tight spot. Also, all needed holes are pre-drilled so the whole assembling is never difficult and will be precise no matter if one is an expert or complete novice when it comes to furniture.
I have put together lots of IKEA furniture, I have never had it take more than an hour and a half (that was a huge glass and wood grain tall display cabinet) and I have done these by myself, no helper.
I love Cheap ikea stuff for krafts with kids. You don’t wanna be annoyed if there is paint on stuff and with a cheap table that’s used for kids Krafts in general is a good value.
The price ladder you spoke of is the same thing used in a lot of other businesses. I see it a lot in subscription based software. They give you the 3 tiers and actually highlight the middle one and call it out as the best value.
I have at least 6 IKEA items, but half were second hand and my trusty desk came off the side of the road! Being able to disassemble and transport lightweight pieces by yourself is a lifesaver for renters with no friends. I'm not sure how anyone can wander through the store and think it's cheap though.
Another great video, Nick. This is similar to Walmart and their groceries (at least here in Canada). People think that everything at Walmart is so much cheaper, when that isn't the case at all. I will buy some groceries at Walmart, then stop at no frills on my way home for the rest of my groceries. They have a wider selection and often cheaper prices than Walmart. An excellent book on this overall phenomona is "Why we Buy" by Paco Underhill. I cannot recommend that book enough. Also have to add in that I'm a recent subscriber and I've been binging your content. Love your design opinions and your ideas, especially with the perfect amount of sass added in. Thank you.
Great video, especially the part about the labor involved. In 2008 my husband and I bought an Ikea kitchen. It seemed like great value for what we were getting, but we didn't factor I two things: the price of all the "extras", like cabinet handles, side coverings, and so on, and the cost of labor. We were NOT ready to assemble it ourselves and had to pay someone to do it for us. Long story short, a kitchen that was supposed to cost us 2000 euros at best ended up costing around 5000. I could have gotten a lower price Scavolini for that much! 🤦🏼♀️
I love flat pack furniture and I would hands down pay EXTRA to assemble it myself! I'm a very active and hands on person but I'm not very practically gifted. I'd love to build from scratch but I really don't have that in my skill set or the time to learn. So flat pack furniture is a really great half way house for me, where I can be involved and practical and fulfil that need but still end up with a visibly pleasing and functional item. Very satisfying! 😍
I go for used before I would pay a high priced Ikea item. Iearned this from growing up working class and a clever mom who knew vintage and antique furniture.
I think ppl who live in apartments should appreciate IKEA furniture more mainly because they re usually space efficient and light enough to move around.
The IKEA Flinshult armchair, most specifically in the brown/beige herringbone pattern fabric, is a classy, timeless chair that looks much more expensive and designer than it is. I've see this chair in person and it's quality constructed. This chair can pair well in almost any decor. Check it out, I think you will agree.
The nearest IKEA is a two-hour drive from me and I've not been to the store. I think a lot of people just like the idea of it. I've assembled similar furniture items from Wayfair and Target, with good results for the price.
IKEA effect has the opposite effect on my husband and I. Neither of us are very hands-on people and the frustration and the mistakes that go into self assembly (like wobbly chair legs) make us hate our own furniture! Now we usually never buy IKEA furniture (just the household wallet-opener type items).
Also a way that companies make money is with placing a really expensive item to make you buy the less expensive item. For instance you have choice: a watch for $20, $50 of $80. You will most likely choose the $50 item. But by placing a watch for $120 the $80 seems cheap and make you feel like you got a deal. Thus, making the company extra profit.
One of Ikea's advantages is their kid sitting (do they still have it?). When my kids were little we could drop them off before entering and then pick them up when it was time to check out. It made shopping for non-kid item so much more pleasant and they had a great time.
Yes Ikea still has it :) It's called Småland, named after the Swedish county where Ikea was founded. In Swedish, it's also a pun because it consist of two words; Small Land, which you can interpret as "a country/land for the small ones" :)
From my own experience, I noticed that the best price/quality values are on the storage items and their metal or part metal furniture. Their mid range storage boxes are generally cheaper and higher quality than things I can find in other stores, plus the design is always simple and clean. Another thing is their furniture or decors made in galvanized steel and powder coated steel. I have their metal kitchen cart, and it's of much better quality than another one I got from Wayfair at around the same price. I also got the Tommaryd table and the Trotten desk. Their leg construction and finish on the steel are nicer than some higher end brands I've seen, and the legs are only around $200 CAD for each table. And I feel like if I wanted, I could go to a local woodworker and have them make a solid wood top for an upgrade (or you can diy it if you can). It'll still cost much less than high end furniture, and you can swap out the top when it gets too used
Every UA-cam designer and their dog does these super lazy (IMHO) “what to buy at IKEA” videos, because I guess we’re way too stupid to figure it out for ourselves. But you’re the first one I’ve seen to tell us why or why not. Good for you! 👏👏👏
Completely agree with everything in the vid. However, it's not just ikea that does this. Every shop/company actually employs psychologists to suggest product placement to get customers to buy more products, it's actually a real thing. I've always had to buy very cheap furniture because I've had little money due to disability. But I have started to buy more expensive pieces and paid them off monthly. The only thing I didn't agree with was the labour thing, because honestly I'd sir there for 12 hours if it meant it was free and I didn't have any actual plans lmao. If I didn't have to put any physical money into it I will def put my time into it. When I've got no money and I've got time, that's what I'm gonna do, and actually it usually results in a lot of things being cheaper. Why pay somebody when I can do it myself for free. :)
I have bought things that I still have for my Kia like seven years ago and they’re still intact and look great. I think it’s how you take care of your furniture is a longevity.
LOL, that (perception of value) is what almost all stores, car dealerships, salons and others do. A bit of marketing trickery, the salesman is not our friend in any variety and that is our responsibility. IKEA is selling rugs recycled from other rugs which I greatly appreciate. IKEA hackers shows that even if a product is very basic it seldom stays that way. The Tylosand sofa is incredible, I had slipcovers shipped from Europe. Being able to switch out legs or get new covers for furniture is a plus and keeps things out of the landfills. I agree to shop sources and be skeptic. I don't know anyone who thinks of IKEA as the cheapest place or even Walmart or Dollar Tree for that reason. IKEA is also great on their warranty of products and recycling, other programs. LOL I don't get a cart anyplace. We can be okay with a mix of all things. My favorite thing to get at IKEA is lunch and the vegan soft serve. I have a card that I get a free coffee. I don't feel they are tricky at all. Entertaining video.
I think this is a really great video of advice, good caution to just check your assumptions before you buy. Anecdotally I have a small Ikea leather couch we have had well on 6 or more years, I paid 200.00 USD for it at the time of sale. It's still super comfy, springs holding up and the leather has held up really great through many moves and pets(did get some surface level scratches but did not peel or anything yucky). That little cheapy couch is so perfect for a home office or tiny apartment and I feel like it was just such a great value to get. For a cheapo living room sectional in the past we went to American furniture to find something, we chose one which had pillow backs and plasticy leather bond that peeled after 4 years- looked bad and couldn't keep cushions from pushing out, think we paid 600.00 at time. Total waste of money by getting that cheaper option as we had to get a new sofa and thought the Ikea morabo was the answer with the cute wood legs and option to expand the sectional sides if we wanted. We got the morabo sofa in the last 12 months, about 1400 I think? Chose it in the grey fabric which seemed to have several reviews for holding up good in families with pets. Unfortunately it's holding WAY too much dog hair and just looking not as new as it should this fast with some pilling and wear already. I'm disappointed and I paid full price for that couch to look not great. I will say if I had gotten the leather it would have held up better, but I don't like sticking to the couch if I'm wearing shorts.
Their sofa couches are so much more comfortable than anything else, even expensive things. The slats are from top to bottom and the mattress excellent no bar in your back!
Most higher-price couches and couchbeds at IKEA have really poor-quality soft foam apart from a few gems. It's like designer clothes, you always need to check material and manufacturing. My strategy for IKEA: I plan before, Imagine what I want my rooms to look like, and I look online, and I budget. And I also keep in mind that when I purchase something I will automatically promote more waste in the short or long run. So the question is whether that waste is worth it. This didn't happen overnight, but it helps a lot.
We bought a few IKEA pieces and 90% we regret in less than 10 years. I've been lucky in finding items at thrift and vintage stores which need TLC or perhaps a makeover but I like the DIY aspect. Last year, we bought a mid range day bed after we tested out the low range one (very sad quality) and noted that IKEA beds, mattresses etc have slightly different rising than standard so you open up your wallet there. One item that looks great for a short period of time is the floating shelves however it is all in the installation. It's know as drywall crush ... over time, the shelf will crush the drywall underneath and it will not be level + slope down drastically. We almost went with IKEA for our kitchen including a few floating shelves. The correct installation involves the bracket to be attached directly to wall studs and the drywall fixed around the shelving. Thanks Nick!
When I put the first thing in the cart my thought is "I have to stand in the checkout line now so I might as well make waiting in line worth it so get everything you think you need to make it worth the trip." Before I put the SECOND thing in the cart I have to convince myself that the first thing is something I'm committing to. From that point on I'm filling that cart up!
"IKEA effect". This is very interesting to me. In the last 15 years or so we have bought six furniture items. Two were from Ikea and the other four were from four different retailers. Of the six pieces, two I want to get rid of. And they happen to be the two we did NOT put together ourselves. Very interesting 😊
LOL! You should also mention the Checkout Line effect. This has happened to me several times where I have gone through the store, put a few small things in my cart, made my way through the marketplace, seen the checkout lines and said, “Forget it!” Called it a day and walked out with my wallet intact. I think it gets harder to do that as the number or purchase price of the items in your cart increases. 😁
I always go twice. Once to figure out what to buy, and then a second time when there's nobody in the store to buy stuff. That way I get to have hot dogs twice. :)
IKEA implemented mobile checkout at some UK stores, so you can scan the things as you shop, checkout on your phone, and leave without queuing. If they have it in other countries, I’d love to know.
I think the part where we value the furniture more because we assembled it is actually a GOOD thing, which hopefully contributes to a slower market, where other aspects of IKEA's low-cost flat pack stuff admittedly likely contributes to a wasteful fast market. I love all our IKEA furniture, and all of it is still going strong, but I knew going in which kinds of things would weather well given the materials - we don't skimp on the couches!
Are we going to get updates on your new house? I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
We've had some challenges with permitting that has stalled the process that is outside of our control. I haven't been too public with it just because I don't want to give away too much info about the exact location of the house. Since I plan on being so public with the build, I need to be vague about the location and giving away too much info might tip someone off. Best case scenario - we are starting to build this spring. Pinned because I get this question a lot. More content is coming, but it's just that there isn't much interesting to say right now.
@@Nick_Lewis Wise decision to protect your privacy. With that said, looking forward to seeing what you do with that lovely space.
Thanks so much. Hope the rest of the build goes smoothly!!
@@Nick_Lewis OMG! You are wearing my preferred color, en français, "vieux rose" it's gorgeous on you even if you don't like it😂😉
Im moving into a new house in a few months, after getting rid of almost everything i own. So, this video is so topical for me! Thank you!
Loving the dusty rose sweater nick!
😆
You know how much I love pink! 🌸
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
😁
Me too!
As a former employee, you're correct about all of this. I love the fact that they design around the price, that way lot of students without money can actually afford to buy something for their first apartments. Nowadays I have a lot of midrange priced Ikea stuff and love them, they hold very well. And for me, assembling furniture is fun, I like learning how it's build, what materials it uses and I feel kinda proud that I was able to make something. :D It's stupid, I know. :D But it really is a genious idea and probably one of the main reasons IKEA is so cheap and popular. Also, flat packaging means cheaper nad easier transport for both the company and the customer, like, I can fit a whole bed into my car? Nice. Generally - go to everywhere, IKEA included, with critical eyes and thinking. But I think it says a lot about the company, when your former employee still loves you and your products. :)
Flat packs and other things they do are also better for the environment. I've always appreciated that the workers are not kissing up to me to make a sale as an example. I bought an office, shipped it to the Philippines when I moved and had an incorrect part that I needed to trade in. I was able to do it the next time I went to Singapore, not a big deal in any way.
Best comment I have seen today here
One point to IKEA couches: the 10 YEAR warranty. I’ve used it and it was super easy to get my entire couch replaced after it broke at year 8!
And a year to bring back something that you erroneously bought.
Did you have to prove you purchased 8 years prior? I wouldn't know how for some items.
@@theendgamebeau yes, I did, I kept the receipt but I’m sure they could also look it up under the ikea family account
Sitting on a Natuzzi leather couch, 19 yrs old…
Absolutely have no issue with the self-assembly aspect of IKEA. I personally really enjoy assembling flat-packed furniture and don't feel tricked by the "IKEA effect". In so many cases were alienated from the hard work people around the world put in to build the products we use daily. Ikea is one of the few companies that really gets you to experience the joy of making stuff yourself.
Of course, IKEA isn't always going to win awards for being an ethical company when it comes to labour conditions, but I do think self-assembly also has ethical benefits. I would rather stick the legs on my coffee table myself than outsource it to some worker at a Chinese factory who does the same task 50,000 times a day. For me assembling my furniture is enjoyable or at least something I can feel proud of. For them I strongly suspect it's not.
And studies have shown you love the furniture more as a result!
I agree - I actually really enjoy assembling flat-pack furniture. Kind of like Lego for adults lol. & I think you do feel more 'invested' in the piece as a result.
I choose DIY because I have a small house with stupid sized and shaped entries and stairwells. I can take it where I need to and put it together in the appropriate room. When it's time to replace it I can take it apart again to haul it away. I also like that I can make small changes without feeling like I'm ruining something.
I also love assemble the furniture. My family always asks me to assemble their furniture.
@@Nick_Lewis wow!!!
I agree about the cheapest furniture in their range. The Lack items, for example, were so helpful when I first moved out and had very little money to spend on furniture but needed to furnish an empty apartment. But now that I have more years in my career, I can afford to invest in the higher quality options (that are a better value long term).
Totally. I had a lack table myself once upon a time. I think they are priced aggressively and work if that's your budget, but I don't think they're a great value long term.
I have to laugh a little when people question the longevity of the Lack side tables. I inherited one from a European friend who was moving back home about twelve years ago, and used it every single day as my bedside table for another decade. At the end of that time? Not a chip, not a scratch, not a wobble. It was as good as the day it was purchased despite years of things like keys, cups of coffee, books, etc. being banged down on it every single day. I think 4,500 days of flawless wear is a pretty good deal for a $10 to $20 table! What is that? Eighty cents per YEAR. I'll take it. ;0)
@@jeanvignes Probably better material back then, which caused its longevity. Good for you! I want things to last; I don't need to change it every year. Would rather spend my money on something else or just save it
Enjoy your day!!
@@jeanvignes I think the average person is not very gentle with their furniture. The amount of entry level ikea stuff I see for sale, water damaged and looking like it fell down every stair of a 10 story building, listed on the usual 2nd hand online market places... and more often than not the seller has the cheek to describe it as 'slightly worn' and ask for half the price of a new one, when it's only suitable for a dumpster.
I've had my Billy shelves and Lack table for 10-15 years now and they're still going strong. I just have to live with knowing they're not real wood. Will keep them until my next move hehe
Nick, the thing I love most about you is the respect you have for other people’s opinions. I can’t tell you how important that is to me and how much I respect it in you. When other designers start talking about things like it’s a law and anyone who doesn’t see things their way or the trendy way is some kind of idiots, I really just can’t listen to them anymore. But I will always respect your opinion because you respect other people’s opinions.
I do the labor cost analysis of corporate meetings! But I'm a Finance Director that built my career in cost accounting. Don't use your hourly pay rate, calculate your pay per hour (if you're salary) and multiply it by 2.5 and you will have the full burden rate after benefits and employer taxes.
Totally agree with you. And yes I love Ikea. The stuff is just so versatile and clever. When I am stuck with a home problem I go to the Ikea catalogue and usually find a solution. I am moving into a tiny condo with a galley kitchen and the island forms a bar in the living room. Not for me. Kallax to the rescue and now I have a wall of storage behind the sofa just by putting the kallax under the granite overhang. Added drawers and doors to keep the lines clean and uncluttered.
I've noticed that the pricing of the Kallax inserts sort of breaks the price point expectation of the base unit. The quad shelf is like 45% of the four cube exterior. With my brain, I find it harder to buy the insert. But I was late to discovering the Kallax being the go-to for crafters before the Create Room box was even a thing.
The cheap (furniture) products/version are not only to "mess with our heads", it's also for 2 other reasons:
For the image/reputation that _everybody_ can go there to furnish his place and find sth. that he can afford. Meaning Ikea is for _all_ people.
That way they cover the whole range of customers.
And 2nd that those people that come there for this reason (mostly young people like college students or whatever) _then also_ buy other stuff - all the nicknacks that we all love Ikea for.
I studied marketing about 7 years ago and I work in marketing now. When you are talking about the perception of value, I believe that's what we call "lost leader pricing" where they specifically price items at a loss to encourage people to come in store or order on online and start to make that connection between value and the brand. Very interesting, but like you said there is more value in something that will last longer.
Love all the points made here! Especially the bit about 'loss-leader' items like the Lack. We learned about that concept when I was in business school, and it's a super useful thing to know about because SO many stores make use of it. It's like the end-cap items at Walmart, or the rotisserie chickens at most grocery stores - they put those items out knowing they won't make money on them, but it's worth the loss because it draws people into the store and they end up buying more than they intended.
This! I was about to bloviate about “loss leaders” but you did it better than I could!
Some of the cheapest products from IKEA I have had for years and they still look like I bought them yesterday. I have not had a second of regret in terms of "they do not go with this or that" and I have not gotten sick of them design-wise.
Pro Tip: If you have an RV, some of those lightweight, super cheap Ikea furniture options are PERFECT for RV's precisely because they are soooo lightweight. We ditched the big heavy recliners that came in our fifth wheel (which were hideous anyway) and bought a loveseat (with drink holders and reclining seats) from Amazon and purchased an Ikea coffee table for like $20. We can easily move it when we need to pull in the slides at the end of the trip and toss it on top of the loveseat and it adds almost no weight to our total overall towing weight.
Two counter points to consider:
1. There is a convenience of buying everything from the same place - both from a design standpoint and a time factor. It is worth $20 to me to do this only at one store, and things are on similar dimensions/aesthetic when I get them.
2. I actually enjoy assembling furniture. It is almost a feature, not a bug to solve that puzzle.
I love my hemnes bookcases. I paired them with used coffee tables I refinished to match. The Ikea effect is definitely present, but also the mid-range bookcases are about a million times better than the cheapest bookcases, but not as big and heavy as solid wood construction.
Yes! I’ve three of the Hemnes bookcases in the light wood color they no longer make. I would love to find another one because they are a great midrange item. I’ve even moved them (fully assembled!) and they did great and are still going strong. Very glad I didn’t get the cheapest option, they have been worth it.
Thanks Nick! I think you've really done a great service to shoppers with all the information you've provided in this video. I've bought many Ikea pieces over the years (which I still own). I tend to only buy furniture that is made of all solid and natural materials (no particleboard, MDF etc) and they have stood the test of time and I still enjoy them. But, to your point, we need to be discerning shoppers and this video is super helpful to that end.
Lack items were really helpful when furnishing my daughter’s college apartment. I was glad they had them because it was possible to get a very cohesive look for very little money. However, I agree that I wouldn’t purchase those if I were looking for a long term piece of furniture.
Love how you give us food for thought! A gentle mindful way of saying buyer beware!
While factoring in the cost of assembly is important to some, I see it as a good thing. I'm a die-hard do it myself person, I actually enjoy assembling my Ikea pieces. For me, it's a cheap way to satisfy my furniture building itch.
I have built an Ikea kitchen.
A recent project was cutting down Ivar shelving units to fit under the windows in my 4-season sunroom, and to make a matching work desk. The wood alone for home made units would have cost a lot more, let alone the shop tools.
If you're thinking of paying for assembly, you MUST factor that cost.
As a Swede and long-time IKEA lover, I really appreciate this perspective and advice! Thanks!
The lower floor requires discipline, definitely.
But I live 5 minutes drive from an IKEA so have picked up an almost commando raid method (go in quick, accomplish mission goal, get out) that allows me to remember and evaluate for the next time, which may be next week or so.
Cool and levelheaded gets you good deals.
I totally agree. It is a running "joke" with my family and friends that it was impossible to leave an IKEA without buying something, especially if you didn't buy the item you actually went to IKEA in the first place! I've had to be very mercenary and only get the item I had planned on purchasing without adding anything else. Period.
This reminds me of how I often go backwards if I just need one or two items from close to the end.😆 Better to avoid the temptations (and the time) of going through the maze.
@@lauraday3163 I have memorised the shortcuts through the maze to limit exposure to temptation
I worked 15 minutes from my IKEA and got really, really good at being able to make an IKEA run on a lunch break. I only shopped the lower level and went in with a list.
To be honest that second to last point, about the build it yourself, is the main reason I shop at IKEA. I want to be involved in the making of my living space feel like a home, not just splash some money at it and call it a day.
Love your content ! Your videos have helped me a lot, thank you.
i currently live alone and sometimes finding ppl to sacrifice a day to help you build something isn’t alway easy. it’s really hard foe single people to build ikea furniture alone. it’s not just ikea target and amazon are the same way. i would prefer ordering pre assembled but that’s hard to come by
Always buy black furniture from IKEA. That way when it chips just take a black sharpie to it. Lol. I loved my ikea faze. I still love walking through there. It gives me all kinds of ideas. It is more the 20-25 vibe. Love it. I just rarely buy it. Sometimes I do though! Love/hate relationship now with it.
I love how you anticipate a criticism or a rebuttal to whatever you're saying. priceless!
i have two of their $800 dollar rugs and i love the SILKEBORG rugs. also, the placement of the stupid stuffed animal bins if you take a tot, thats why we have a giant orange octopus doll loose in our house
The flip side of Ikea furniture's labor costs is the delivery costs on fully assembled stuff, and the fact that you have to work around delivery schedules vs just picking it up and taking it home. That Article coffee table has a $49 delivery fee, so the cost is now $400 - and in some cases you still have to do some assembly (albeit usually minimal). For me, the convenience of picking something up vs ordering online, waiting two weeks and then having to be at home to meet the delivery people - is definitely worth money.
I’ve heard this complaint by before and think the system is still very much adapted for Sweden. IKEA was never meant to be an online store, they don’t really want to be. They want people to go to the store and have the IKEA experience, and they’ve built a strong brand around that. Here in Sweden that works well because there’s a store in every single city. There are very few swedes who have to travel far to get to IKEA, most have it within a few miles, so it doesn’t really matter if the online service is slow (it is here, too).
Maybe they’ll change to fit in, or maybe they’ll keep their old ways for the sake of brand integrity 🤷🏼♀️ No idea. Also I have no idea if I’m right. I’m just guessing.
Unless you buy secondhand furniture nowadays nearly all furniture comes assembly required, flat packed.
whoa 49 for shipping fee. Here in the Philippines, its 11 USD for shipping fee and 16 USD if you want Ikea to assemble it at your place.
@@patrev $49 shipping fee is for Article not Ikea
@@mrde0mrsai plenty of new furniture doesn't come flat packed this is just wrong
Excellent insights. I went to Ikea yesterday for a few inexpensive towels. One was out of stock. I assumed they were all comparably inexpensive and I didn't check the price. Ended up spending $20 more than I planned.
Hot take! I like the Regolit! I initially bought it as a cheap lighting fixture many years ago when I was first living on my own.. for some reason I like the simplistic "paper lantern" look that works with the feel of my space, and I have yet to find one I like better haha.
PS I'm not offended at all that other people hate it, it's all good.
The time argument is spot on. I'm usually pretty good about estimating whether or not something will cost me more in time or money, but I totally failed when I bought a double width Pax wardrobe and built it myself. I didn't manage to do it in one sitting, so I ended up doing it over three weekends, that didn't just cost me time, but also space for those three weeks it was all over my floor. The packaging is also another cost, I don't have a car, so getting rid of large pieces of cardboard takes quite a bit of time from me as well because I have to cut it into smaller pieces myself.
When I get sick of my ikea wardrobe doors, I'm planning to get some cheap trim from my local big-box hardware store and some wall decals. I'll measure the place on each door where I want the trim to be, and mark the door accordingly. Then cut the wall decals so the edge of the decal is in the middle of the trim. Paint the trim, place the decals, attach the trim, and I now have brand-spankin' new doors for next to nothing!
13:26 I remember reading an article some years ago about how make your own dessert companies put together their cake mixes for just this reason. I always wondered why they insist on having us add in eggs, oil and things like that when they could put dried versions in the mix. It turns out it's a way for people to feel like their the ones making the cake. If they make it as an 'add water only' item then they're just as likely to buy one already made and not bother with the mix. Doin the extra steps is a cheat way to say they baked it themselves.
I read that too!
Yes, that and the fact that dried egg powder imparts a kind of yucky undertone to the baked item. I made and sold brownies at high school to raise money for a choir trip (no, not the "funny" kind of brownies!) My grandmother suggested using powdered eggs to save on costs & maximize my profit. There was definitely a taste improvement using fresh eggs instead of the powdered eggs.
@@jeanvignes Always!! Fresh! How you made enough money for the trip!
@@jeanvignes I remember how gross my Easy Bake mix was. That explains it.
So many of them are just a box of flour with a recipe printed on it 😜
In Israel, you pay 250 ₪ ($85) for Assembly services and it covers *everything* you buy except kitchens! So I paid only $85 for for assembly of a wardrobe, dining set, a kitchen cart, a desk and a nightstand! Well worth it!
Wow!
Wait, I always thought Ikea was an escape room where you have to write down 3 things to be able to find the exit ... ;)
But seriously - if you need to hand your customers a map... you may want to reconsider the layout.
I use those cheap coffee tables for Lego Logo tables for my children. You glue four Lego green base squares to the top. My kids had tons of Lego and loved to make their own creations!
Hi Nick! This video topic is so true! All these situations have happened to me a few times (even yesterday! ) 😅🤪 Buying more than I needed, being happy with a “good deal” then spending 3+ hours assembling a very small piece of furniture, getting a cheap item that didn’t last at all etc. But luckily (and I don’t really know how) I’ve noticed that the high end items price is above the market average, so I am more careful about getting them. Big hug, Nick! Love your videos! You have inspired me in many ways for my apartment renovation! 😘
I filled in a lot of gaps with cheap IKEA furniture when I got my first place. It was great until I moved. Most of the pieces didn't survive being disassembled and reassembled. The ones that I didn't take apart survived just fine.
🤔 I disassembled and reassembled a kallax bookcase that had been damaged in a move. The bigger ones aren't sturdy enough to withstand the shifting during a move. If your careful about it it's easy enough to disassemble and reassemble. PAX. The structure to keep it from folding over sideways is the cardboard back board...
There are companies that will make an IKEA item that’s been discontinued. Like the Vallentuna sleeper. Such a great piece. Can’t believe it’s gone.
Great video!
This was very interesting. I’ve only recently started shopping at IKEA so I really appreciate this info - thanks! It’s always advisable to never trust that one store is always the lowest prices. I know it a extra work, but always price/value compare before buying.
I think it depends on the item. For high value items (whatever that line is for the individual), it pays to comparison shop, but I'm not driving all over town to save $2 on a product of similar quality. Online helps so much, too, so easy to check competitors from home, or right in the store! 😊
I have hemnes dressers for myself and my kids. We’re a military family and these dressers hold up soooo well!
My kitchen is Ikea with the custom fronts. They're the walnut fronts, I believe, from Norse. I am a HUGE fan. I highly recommend this combo!
I got a Lack table at least 10 years ago and never actually used it, it camped out in my parents bsmt. But when we moved into our house in March, I finally used it, but only as a riser for the temporary mini fridge in our bedroom for our baby’s milk 😂 I had to get rid of it at the end of the summer because it showed so much wear and was hard to clean
The best part about the custom companies for ikea is getting a hand-me-down or marketplace ikea furniture for cheap, and buying a new custom cover. I have a 13-year-old ikea kramfors sectional my parents gave me. The cover was worn through. I waited for a sale and an outlet option on Bemz, spent $400 CAD and now have what looks like a brand new couch.
Great video Nick, one thing I have experienced is that I did in fact compare a bookshelf and coffee table from ikea and article. I chose the Article items. That being said, the packaging that Article used was over the top. I mean, it took several weeks of breaking up the styrofoam and the cardboard and the plastic to fit in my recycle bin ( my city only picks up recycle every other week) but it arrived safe, no damage.. So it took about 6 weeks for me to get rid of the packaging. That being said, the bookshelves and the coffee table are far superior in my opinion to anything ikea offers, but there was some assembly required. not on the level of ikea, but still some assembly.
Thanks for the vid! I really liked what you said at the end and how you treat your viewers time with respect and show us things that are actually more behind the scenes rather than promising "ikea hacks" in a vid that usually doesn't actually have any.
I love putting together IKEA furniture. Other retailers…not so much. So many IKEA products have such clever design specially to be easily assembled and I love it. Ive considered doing some ikea task rabbit assembly as a side hustle.
But yea…I totally agree. If you’re not a weirdo who likes assembling ikea furniture…if it’s a chore, the cost of your time should totes be taken into consideration.
You perfectly articulated things I've been thinking about IKEA for a long time!
I mainly buy accessories (candles, napkins) from Ikea and occasionally storage solutions (shelves, baskets, etc). The interesting thing is when people walk into my house their response is "hey, Ikea!" My furniture is from Scandinavian Designs, CB2, West Elm... no Ikea. Same thing with my lighting. My art is 100% original because I'm cool like that. I do love IKEA for certain things, but it's kind of annoying because people think everything I own is from Ikea. 😅
In Germany Ikea is not necessarily known/called to be a cheap retailer. In fact there are many cheaper ones here.
Instead the image/reputation they have here, is to be the "cool"/stylish/boho -one..
😁
When I moved into my first apartment, maaaaaany years ago, I went to IKEA…I bought a mid range sofa and dining set and then the coffee table, end tables and side chairs were lower priced. The lower priced items probably lasted about ten years and I just tired of the style. The sofa, which was in great shape after 10 plus years, I sold to friends and I have lost track of it…the dining table still has a place in my home after more than 35 years. It has moved on to other uses in my home, but I would still proudly serve a meal at it. You get what you pay for 😊
Lack is AWESOME, I've had some products for decades. I wouldn't buy other cheapest products unless they're your transition furniture (until you buy something more durable that you like).
Nick, thanks for another great video! When Ikea first hit SF Bay area, I went to their store in Palo Alto. Learned on my 1st & only trip there, that I'm not Ikea's target market. I didn't like the whole experience of having to go to different levels, then find out that the product that I was interested wasn't in. The sales associates had not idea when the products would be in or if they would ever be in. The customer service, if one can call it that, was poor, no one wanted to take my number and follow up.
While the show room areas were decent, I learned that I need more of a premium retail experience. While I do have a stunning Danish desk that I imported from Denmark, that was a sizeable investment about 18 years ago, its still the focal point of my office. So, when one calculates the lifetime value of quality, it can become more affordable.
Excellent point about factoring in the cost of who is doing the labor.
I agree that "spending a little bit extra" is the way to go for those who want to keep their purchases for a while. For a person on a tight budget, or the young, new apartment owner, for example, who still hasn't figured out a personal style, inexpensive IKEA furniture and lighting might be just the ticket.
The dusty rose sweater really looks nice with your living room palette!
Assembling ikea furniture is the best part!! It's like lego for adults! Buying an assembled coffee table is such an anticlimax...
I love the “open your wallet” warning. I think the other IKEA trick is almost everything is in stock. Wait months for the perfect sofa or go home with it today?
Part of the reason for this is they can store it incredibly efficient due to how small they manage to package their products, but yeah its a great trick and tbh i wish more furniture stores did it
Pick-up only was one way I avoided buying a $900 chair. I don't understand the buy and pick-up service so I didn't buy it. Trying to avoid the cool impulse items and sorting my cart is why it takes me hours to get out of self-serve and through checkout.
Good Ikea hack is to look at your cart before you get into the cashier line, pull out the items and remove ones you really don't need. Saves so much money :)
Its funny because you cannot deny the quality is *not* there. But It reminds me of my dresser. Even as I've moved from a tiny city apartment to a much bigger house i still always keep my Hemnes dresser. I love it. My husband has massive SOLID heavy furniture. He doesn't get why i love my dresser so much (i just keep it in the closet). Something i actually consider a plus is furniture i can move without help. While heavier solid furniture is nicer, it's impossible to move around on your own. I kind of hate that aspect of it. I think i need something in between ikea and his heavy solid stuff.
Have you tried those felt pads? I use them on heavy furniture and don’t have to ask for help. 😊
@@Dbb27 Its over carpet unfortunately
@@mschenandlerbong8539 I think they still work on carpet if the nap isn’t too deep. Regardless, they are less than $15 and certainly worth trying. I absolutely HATE asking for help or waiting for someone to help me.
I'm thinking this is why I always bought ClosetMaid and now buy Elfa wire bin units. Moving my clothing storage is not a problem if I'm given any sort of cargo van. Remove and stack the bins, move the frames all in one go. Reverse process at destination. Even when I stored and shipped in a Pod, it was easy.
1) Lack tables aren't made of particle board. They are actually made from cardboard with a thin waterproof layer of lacker. The cardboard inside has a honeycomb structure, making it very sturdy.
2) Ikea US (compared to Ikea Netherlands) is way more expensive by the looks of your video. In The Netherlands the white Lack table is only €6,99 ($7,49), while the white Lack parlor table is only €19,99 ($21,39). The Viskafors sofa is €1399 ($1497)
3) It doesn't matter if (the inside) of a sofa is made from particle board, plywood or solid wood, as long as you use it as a normal person, so no kicking it, jumping on it, etc. Even if you have solid wood it will still break if you don't use it what it's meant for. The base of a sofa is made from solid wooden or metal beams. The particle board/plywood is just for extra strength. I used to work at a furniture outlet store where we would often get furniture that are alightly damaged. In the case of sofa's most damage were cuts in the fabric. Sometimes there was something wrong with the structure, and it really didn't matter what material it was made of.
4) Assembling a product yourself really isn't that bad. Smaller furniture can be assembled in 5-20 minutes. At my former job it often took more time to clean up the packaging materials than to assemble the products. A lot of people in The Netherlands don't have big cars (like pick-up trucks) so it's also easier to transport products when they're still in the box. I recently bought a Slattum bed from Ikea and I was able to assemble it in about one hour by myself (recommendation in the manual was 2 persons).
I would add that it's also easier to get the items into the house/apartment. They are in multiple boxes, therefore can be lifted and carried by one person and you don't have to think how to get your item through doors or any other tight spot.
Also, all needed holes are pre-drilled so the whole assembling is never difficult and will be precise no matter if one is an expert or complete novice when it comes to furniture.
I have put together lots of IKEA furniture, I have never had it take more than an hour and a half (that was a huge glass and wood grain tall display cabinet) and I have done these by myself, no helper.
Love this. The psychology involved in shopping. Thank you for sharing. ❤ 🙏
I love Cheap ikea stuff for krafts with kids. You don’t wanna be annoyed if there is paint on stuff and with a cheap table that’s used for kids Krafts in general is a good value.
Best Blog of yours...no_best Blog of anyone ever...thank you and Happy Holiday
That Article coffee table is almost identical to my mid-century side tables I inherited from my mother 😍 …. aaaand now I miss her again 💕💔
The price ladder you spoke of is the same thing used in a lot of other businesses. I see it a lot in subscription based software. They give you the 3 tiers and actually highlight the middle one and call it out as the best value.
I have at least 6 IKEA items, but half were second hand and my trusty desk came off the side of the road! Being able to disassemble and transport lightweight pieces by yourself is a lifesaver for renters with no friends. I'm not sure how anyone can wander through the store and think it's cheap though.
I wish you a happy new year - and may you find friends! Lots of!!😉🤗
Another great video, Nick. This is similar to Walmart and their groceries (at least here in Canada). People think that everything at Walmart is so much cheaper, when that isn't the case at all. I will buy some groceries at Walmart, then stop at no frills on my way home for the rest of my groceries. They have a wider selection and often cheaper prices than Walmart.
An excellent book on this overall phenomona is "Why we Buy" by Paco Underhill. I cannot recommend that book enough.
Also have to add in that I'm a recent subscriber and I've been binging your content. Love your design opinions and your ideas, especially with the perfect amount of sass added in. Thank you.
I can vouch for the Sven sofa. I have it in black leather and it's surprisingly comfy.
I love these types of videos Nick! I've learned so much as a consumer as to what to look for when shopping.
Great video, especially the part about the labor involved. In 2008 my husband and I bought an Ikea kitchen. It seemed like great value for what we were getting, but we didn't factor I two things: the price of all the "extras", like cabinet handles, side coverings, and so on, and the cost of labor. We were NOT ready to assemble it ourselves and had to pay someone to do it for us. Long story short, a kitchen that was supposed to cost us 2000 euros at best ended up costing around 5000. I could have gotten a lower price Scavolini for that much! 🤦🏼♀️
I love flat pack furniture and I would hands down pay EXTRA to assemble it myself! I'm a very active and hands on person but I'm not very practically gifted. I'd love to build from scratch but I really don't have that in my skill set or the time to learn. So flat pack furniture is a really great half way house for me, where I can be involved and practical and fulfil that need but still end up with a visibly pleasing and functional item. Very satisfying! 😍
I go for used before I would pay a high priced Ikea item. Iearned this from growing up working class and a clever mom who knew vintage and antique furniture.
I think ppl who live in apartments should appreciate IKEA furniture more mainly because they re usually space efficient and light enough to move around.
The IKEA Flinshult armchair, most specifically in the brown/beige herringbone pattern fabric, is a classy, timeless chair that looks much more expensive and designer than it is. I've see this chair in person and it's quality constructed. This chair can pair well in almost any decor. Check it out, I think you will agree.
The psychology is fascinating.
Good analysis Nick . . . to say nothing of the incredible "aggravation" of having to figure out the diagrams and THEN put the bloody thing together 😊
The nearest IKEA is a two-hour drive from me and I've not been to the store. I think a lot of people just like the idea of it. I've assembled similar furniture items from Wayfair and Target, with good results for the price.
IKEA effect has the opposite effect on my husband and I. Neither of us are very hands-on people and the frustration and the mistakes that go into self assembly (like wobbly chair legs) make us hate our own furniture!
Now we usually never buy IKEA furniture (just the household wallet-opener type items).
Great to know these psychological practices they do. However, I very much enjoy putting the furniture together and the DIY warm fuzzies it brings.
Ya those lack tables are highly customizable and get turned into display cases and enclosures for 3D printing.
Choose aniline dyed leather always, if from a quality dealer. It saturates the leather better and tends to hide scratches better.
Thanks! Good to know!
Also a way that companies make money is with placing a really expensive item to make you buy the less expensive item. For instance you have choice: a watch for $20, $50 of $80. You will most likely choose the $50 item. But by placing a watch for $120 the $80 seems cheap and make you feel like you got a deal. Thus, making the company extra profit.
One of Ikea's advantages is their kid sitting (do they still have it?). When my kids were little we could drop them off before entering and then pick them up when it was time to check out. It made shopping for non-kid item so much more pleasant and they had a great time.
Yes Ikea still has it :) It's called Småland, named after the Swedish county where Ikea was founded. In Swedish, it's also a pun because it consist of two words; Small Land, which you can interpret as "a country/land for the small ones" :)
From my own experience, I noticed that the best price/quality values are on the storage items and their metal or part metal furniture.
Their mid range storage boxes are generally cheaper and higher quality than things I can find in other stores, plus the design is always simple and clean.
Another thing is their furniture or decors made in galvanized steel and powder coated steel. I have their metal kitchen cart, and it's of much better quality than another one I got from Wayfair at around the same price.
I also got the Tommaryd table and the Trotten desk. Their leg construction and finish on the steel are nicer than some higher end brands I've seen, and the legs are only around $200 CAD for each table. And I feel like if I wanted, I could go to a local woodworker and have them make a solid wood top for an upgrade (or you can diy it if you can). It'll still cost much less than high end furniture, and you can swap out the top when it gets too used
Every UA-cam designer and their dog does these super lazy (IMHO) “what to buy at IKEA” videos, because I guess we’re way too stupid to figure it out for ourselves. But you’re the first one I’ve seen to tell us why or why not. Good for you! 👏👏👏
Completely agree with everything in the vid. However, it's not just ikea that does this. Every shop/company actually employs psychologists to suggest product placement to get customers to buy more products, it's actually a real thing.
I've always had to buy very cheap furniture because I've had little money due to disability. But I have started to buy more expensive pieces and paid them off monthly.
The only thing I didn't agree with was the labour thing, because honestly I'd sir there for 12 hours if it meant it was free and I didn't have any actual plans lmao. If I didn't have to put any physical money into it I will def put my time into it. When I've got no money and I've got time, that's what I'm gonna do, and actually it usually results in a lot of things being cheaper. Why pay somebody when I can do it myself for free. :)
Concise and relevant. Not a word included that doesn’t add value. Nick’s the master ❤
I have bought things that I still have for my Kia like seven years ago and they’re still intact and look great. I think it’s how you take care of your furniture is a longevity.
You bring up some really good points. Thanks for this video
LOL, that (perception of value) is what almost all stores, car dealerships, salons and others do. A bit of marketing trickery, the salesman is not our friend in any variety and that is our responsibility. IKEA is selling rugs recycled from other rugs which I greatly appreciate. IKEA hackers shows that even if a product is very basic it seldom stays that way. The Tylosand sofa is incredible, I had slipcovers shipped from Europe. Being able to switch out legs or get new covers for furniture is a plus and keeps things out of the landfills. I agree to shop sources and be skeptic. I don't know anyone who thinks of IKEA as the cheapest place or even Walmart or Dollar Tree for that reason. IKEA is also great on their warranty of products and recycling, other programs. LOL I don't get a cart anyplace. We can be okay with a mix of all things. My favorite thing to get at IKEA is lunch and the vegan soft serve. I have a card that I get a free coffee. I don't feel they are tricky at all. Entertaining video.
I think this is a really great video of advice, good caution to just check your assumptions before you buy.
Anecdotally I have a small Ikea leather couch we have had well on 6 or more years, I paid 200.00 USD for it at the time of sale. It's still super comfy, springs holding up and the leather has held up really great through many moves and pets(did get some surface level scratches but did not peel or anything yucky). That little cheapy couch is so perfect for a home office or tiny apartment and I feel like it was just such a great value to get.
For a cheapo living room sectional in the past we went to American furniture to find something, we chose one which had pillow backs and plasticy leather bond that peeled after 4 years- looked bad and couldn't keep cushions from pushing out, think we paid 600.00 at time. Total waste of money by getting that cheaper option as we had to get a new sofa and thought the Ikea morabo was the answer with the cute wood legs and option to expand the sectional sides if we wanted. We got the morabo sofa in the last 12 months, about 1400 I think? Chose it in the grey fabric which seemed to have several reviews for holding up good in families with pets. Unfortunately it's holding WAY too much dog hair and just looking not as new as it should this fast with some pilling and wear already. I'm disappointed and I paid full price for that couch to look not great.
I will say if I had gotten the leather it would have held up better, but I don't like sticking to the couch if I'm wearing shorts.
Their sofa couches are so much more comfortable than anything else, even expensive things. The slats are from top to bottom and the mattress excellent no bar in your back!
Most higher-price couches and couchbeds at IKEA have really poor-quality soft foam apart from a few gems. It's like designer clothes, you always need to check material and manufacturing.
My strategy for IKEA: I plan before, Imagine what I want my rooms to look like, and I look online, and I budget. And I also keep in mind that when I purchase something I will automatically promote more waste in the short or long run. So the question is whether that waste is worth it.
This didn't happen overnight, but it helps a lot.
Any tips for how to find couch with better quality? I find it so hard to tell what will last and when couches are actually overpriced.
We bought a few IKEA pieces and 90% we regret in less than 10 years. I've been lucky in finding items at thrift and vintage stores which need TLC or perhaps a makeover but I like the DIY aspect. Last year, we bought a mid range day bed after we tested out the low range one (very sad quality) and noted that IKEA beds, mattresses etc have slightly different rising than standard so you open up your wallet there.
One item that looks great for a short period of time is the floating shelves however it is all in the installation. It's know as drywall crush ... over time, the shelf will crush the drywall underneath and it will not be level + slope down drastically. We almost went with IKEA for our kitchen including a few floating shelves. The correct installation involves the bracket to be attached directly to wall studs and the drywall fixed around the shelving.
Thanks Nick!
Great information Nick! Thank you!
When I put the first thing in the cart my thought is "I have to stand in the checkout line now so I might as well make waiting in line worth it so get everything you think you need to make it worth the trip." Before I put the SECOND thing in the cart I have to convince myself that the first thing is something I'm committing to. From that point on I'm filling that cart up!
My friend calls it “breaking the seal.” Once you break the seal items seem to pour into the cart.
I've been in line plenty of times with just one item. Its also been short lines whenever I'm there. But I don't know that ahead of time.
"IKEA effect". This is very interesting to me. In the last 15 years or so we have bought six furniture items. Two were from Ikea and the other four were from four different retailers. Of the six pieces, two I want to get rid of. And they happen to be the two we did NOT put together ourselves. Very interesting 😊
LOL! You should also mention the Checkout Line effect. This has happened to me several times where I have gone through the store, put a few small things in my cart, made my way through the marketplace, seen the checkout lines and said, “Forget it!” Called it a day and walked out with my wallet intact. I think it gets harder to do that as the number or purchase price of the items in your cart increases. 😁
I always go twice. Once to figure out what to buy, and then a second time when there's nobody in the store to buy stuff.
That way I get to have hot dogs twice. :)
IKEA implemented mobile checkout at some UK stores, so you can scan the things as you shop, checkout on your phone, and leave without queuing. If they have it in other countries, I’d love to know.
@@Qplyy
They have had it in Norway for a while now. Not sure when it came, but it's not new.
never ever go on a weekend! Weekday around 6-7 pm is best.
This was genius. A totally new way of thinking about decorating and shopping.
I think the part where we value the furniture more because we assembled it is actually a GOOD thing, which hopefully contributes to a slower market, where other aspects of IKEA's low-cost flat pack stuff admittedly likely contributes to a wasteful fast market. I love all our IKEA furniture, and all of it is still going strong, but I knew going in which kinds of things would weather well given the materials - we don't skimp on the couches!