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.
Great comment. I’m lounging on a 25 year old Backamo Sofa. lol I’ve replaced the cushions, pillows, and covers but the frame is still in perfect shape. Thank goodness for Comfort Works and Bemz making replacement covers for discontinued IKEA furniture!
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 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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 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.
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!
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.
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! 😘
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.
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.
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! 😊
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!
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 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...
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.
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.. 😁
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. 😅
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
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 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.
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! 🤦🏼♀️
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
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!
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 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.
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 😊
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 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.
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).
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 :)
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.
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.
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! 😍
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).
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.
SO interesting Nick. You've given us lots to think about. Also, I'm thinking about how Drew of Lone Fox upgraded an Ikea bookcase in such a fantastic way. I don't live near an Ikea and now I'm thinking that's not so bad.
I watch the vid on Drew's upgraded IKEA bookcase; this was a contest with Architecture Digest (AD), who also had another designer upgrade the same bookcase, in his own style, of course. What Drew did was phenomenal! Everytime I see it in one of his vids, I am still blown away. Looks so high-end and very AD! Enjoy your day!
You brought up some interesting points. In regards to having to assemble the items at home, right now that is actually a selling point for me. We no longer have a minivan, so I have no way to bring home those " great deals" on Facebook marketplace. Ikea products come in flat packs that fit in my car.
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! 👏👏👏
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.
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 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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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. :)
Interesting video. I agree 100% on coffee tables. As for the sofas? They do not look even similar, and in this case, the looks may be quite an important factor. For me, the foam quality matters more than construction material because it is the first to go in my experience. Many manufacturers do not disclose this info, though. As you compare an Ikea 600 euro couch with a 1200 euro piece, you can see the difference in materials used. I like how open they are about it. Btw, the IKEA effect should be used more widely. It is brilliant. Maybe we will not trash so many good items so easily, just because they are out of style or whatever 😉 I do not regard is as a trick. It is very positive effect. Imagine Ivar combination (good solid wood) you stained, varnished or panted and arranged to your liking. It is now unique and one of a kind.
Usually alot of other furniture companies has stuff that needs assembling aswell atleast here in Sweden :) And offc time is money. At the same time its usually pretty straight forward building theese and the money it would cost in that sense would be more often. But thats just my take on it. Love the Videos you do! 😀
The cost of labour- absolutely! I used their software to design my IKEA kitchen then got their installation company to quote installing it. It came to a very similar price to my local Castle Building Supplies store, so I switched to them. My local store had a professional design my kitchen, and the cabinet sizes were more flexible, and the days my kitchen was a torn apart disaster were fewer because the cabinets came assembled and just slipped in. I’m very glad I switched. Sure I’ll assemble a bookcase, but I’m not a very good kitchen designer!
I bought that Ikea Stockholm coffee table 3 years ago and it still looks amazing. It's had dogs and kinds jump onto it and barely any Knicks or scratches. For how lengthy it is (we needed a LONG one for our big couch) I think it was a fair item at a fair price and I don't see 7s running into issues with it anytime soon :). Loo I've your vids!
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" :)
Marketing is all about Psychology. They understand better what makes us tick than we do. They can more easily manipulate us. Hence why they track and sell our data. There are books all about it. Why you buy what you buy is one.
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…
Great comment. I’m lounging on a 25 year old Backamo Sofa. lol I’ve replaced the cushions, pillows, and covers but the frame is still in perfect shape. Thank goodness for Comfort Works and Bemz making replacement covers for discontinued IKEA furniture!
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 also love assemble the furniture. My family always asks me to assemble their furniture.
@@Nick_Lewis wow!!!
@@42ayla Same. I live in a house like that too.
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Love how you give us food for thought! A gentle mindful way of saying buyer beware!
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.
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
As a Swede and long-time IKEA lover, I really appreciate this perspective and advice! Thanks!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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 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.
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!
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!
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.
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! 😘
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.
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.
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! 😊
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!
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 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...
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.
The dusty rose sweater really looks nice with your living room palette!
I have hemnes dressers for myself and my kids. We’re a military family and these dressers hold up soooo well!
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..
😁
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. 😅
I love how you anticipate a criticism or a rebuttal to whatever you're saying. priceless!
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
I love these types of videos Nick! I've learned so much as a consumer as to what to look for when shopping.
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!!😉🤗
Best Blog of yours...no_best Blog of anyone ever...thank you and Happy Holiday
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.
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! 🤦🏼♀️
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
Спасибо!
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!
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.
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.
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 😊
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.
Assembling ikea furniture is the best part!! It's like lego for adults! Buying an assembled coffee table is such an anticlimax...
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.
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).
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 :)
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!
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.
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.
I can vouch for the Sven sofa. I have it in black leather and it's surprisingly comfy.
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! 😍
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).
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.
Ya those lack tables are highly customizable and get turned into display cases and enclosures for 3D printing.
SO interesting Nick. You've given us lots to think about. Also, I'm thinking about how Drew of Lone Fox upgraded an Ikea bookcase in such a fantastic way. I don't live near an Ikea and now I'm thinking that's not so bad.
I watch the vid on Drew's upgraded IKEA bookcase; this was a contest with Architecture Digest (AD), who also had another designer upgrade the same bookcase, in his own style, of course. What Drew did was phenomenal! Everytime I see it in one of his vids, I am still blown away. Looks so high-end and very AD!
Enjoy your day!
I love what Drew did with that bookcase. Such a talent. Preferred his way more than the one the other guy did.
@@kayelle8005 I did, too! It is amazing what a little bit of color and pole wrap can do! Such a creative eye!!
Drew is one of the DIYers, that don't do crap.
I still am mindblown at how talented and independent he is.
@@FrogeniusW.G. I am, too. Now, he is renovating this gorgeous Spanish style home in LA that he bought a few months ago. None stop!!
You brought up some interesting points.
In regards to having to assemble the items at home, right now that is actually a selling point for me. We no longer have a minivan, so I have no way to bring home those " great deals" on Facebook marketplace. Ikea products come in flat packs that fit in my car.
You bring up some really good points. Thanks for this video
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! 👏👏👏
Good analysis Nick . . . to say nothing of the incredible "aggravation" of having to figure out the diagrams and THEN put the bloody thing together 😊
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.
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 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!
Great information Nick! Thank you!
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!
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.
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.
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.
Hi! I just want to say that I love your personality! I think I would enjoy your videos no matter what you talk about🥰
Great to know these psychological practices they do. However, I very much enjoy putting the furniture together and the DIY warm fuzzies it brings.
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. :)
Really great insights! Thank you so much for the comparisons in material and quality.
Interesting video. I agree 100% on coffee tables. As for the sofas? They do not look even similar, and in this case, the looks may be quite an important factor. For me, the foam quality matters more than construction material because it is the first to go in my experience. Many manufacturers do not disclose this info, though.
As you compare an Ikea 600 euro couch with a 1200 euro piece, you can see the difference in materials used. I like how open they are about it.
Btw, the IKEA effect should be used more widely. It is brilliant. Maybe we will not trash so many good items so easily, just because they are out of style or whatever 😉 I do not regard is as a trick. It is very positive effect. Imagine Ivar combination (good solid wood) you stained, varnished or panted and arranged to your liking. It is now unique and one of a kind.
Usually alot of other furniture companies has stuff that needs assembling aswell atleast here in Sweden :) And offc time is money. At the same time its usually pretty straight forward building theese and the money it would cost in that sense would be more often. But thats just my take on it. Love the Videos you do! 😀
The cost of labour- absolutely! I used their software to design my IKEA kitchen then got their installation company to quote installing it. It came to a very similar price to my local Castle Building Supplies store, so I switched to them. My local store had a professional design my kitchen, and the cabinet sizes were more flexible, and the days my kitchen was a torn apart disaster were fewer because the cabinets came assembled and just slipped in. I’m very glad I switched. Sure I’ll assemble a bookcase, but I’m not a very good kitchen designer!
I bought that Ikea Stockholm coffee table 3 years ago and it still looks amazing. It's had dogs and kinds jump onto it and barely any Knicks or scratches. For how lengthy it is (we needed a LONG one for our big couch) I think it was a fair item at a fair price and I don't see 7s running into issues with it anytime soon :). Loo I've your vids!
That Article coffee table is almost identical to my mid-century side tables I inherited from my mother 😍 …. aaaand now I miss her again 💕💔
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" :)
Love this. The psychology involved in shopping. Thank you for sharing. ❤ 🙏
Marketing is all about Psychology.
They understand better what makes us tick than we do. They can more easily manipulate us.
Hence why they track and sell our data. There are books all about it. Why you buy what you buy is one.