IKEA's best and worst buys, according to experts

I challenge even the most reluctant shopper to go to IKEA and not buy something completely random for their home.

IKEA do many things well, indeed they’ve built a furniture empire on the back of their simple flat-packed furniture and no frills decor designs.

But as with any brand that size, you can’t get everything right and this has certainly resulted in some dud items over the years. 

Here are a list of items you should avoid purchasing from IKEA, and not just because you can’t be bothered putting them together yourself. 

Mattresses

If it’s a good nights sleep you’re looking for, avoid IKEA mattresses. While there’s no complaining about the prices – which range from $90 to $1000 – the mattresses regularly receive complaints for being too firm. A review based on 224 consumer experiences, gathered from 68 sources, found IKEA’s latex, foam and spring options warrant disappointing owner satisfaction grades, from B- to D. The industry site said: “A main complaint for IKEA spring mattresses is sagging and development of body impressions which can cause discomfort and back pain.”

Christophe Pourny, author of The Furniture Bible: Everything You Need to Know to Identify, Restore & Care for Furniture, told Realtor.com that IKEA mattresses should be avoided at all costs. 

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Tacky decorative accessories

“The key to a great shopping experience with IKEA is to focus on basic items or staples in the room, such as sturdy office furniture and chairs,” says Pourny. Controversially, he says shoppers should avoid mass-produced and bland accessories. “You can add more of your individual personality with a few flea market finds,” he says. “That way you’re creating a space unique to you.” 

Malm dresser

These may be good at storing all of your mothball jumpers, but they’re potentially deadly. Earlier this year, IKEA had to recall 29 million Malm dressers in the US after they were linked to the deaths of six toddlers. They weren’t recalled in Australia because they don’t fail Australian safety standards and can be secured to a wall, but the product’s reputation has undoubtedly been tarnished. Other IKEA products that have been recalled in Australia include a high chair and Roman blinds. 

A $1 hot dog from the cafeteria

Sure it’s good value, but at what cost to your immune system? Use your own judgment on this one. 

In saying all of this, many IKEA products have been best-sellers for years and popular among those who want inexpensive Scandinavian simplicity. Here are some IKEA favourites that you should not avoid. 

Billy

IKEA’s best selling item of all time is the humble Billy bookcase. It’s cheap, it’s simple and it’s customisable – perfect for when you finish a book series or buy another crate of vinyl.
The Billy bookcase is IKEA’s best selling product of all time. Photo: IKEA. 

From ceramics to melamine to very low-priced glassware, IKEA do kitchens well. If you’re catering for a lot of people, their large sets are ideal and won’t break the bank. Similarly IKEA pots and pans are great for a share house as they’re cheap yet still functional.

Knotten Standing Desk

IKEA has a huge range of assemble-yourself-desks, but this was a stand-out from the 2017 catalogue. Great for those working from home on their latest masterpiece. 

The Knotten Standing Desk. Photo: IKEA.

 

This brand icon recently celebrated its 40th birthday. While IKEA have a lot of stylish armchairs, make sure you check you’re getting what you’ve paid for. Last year IKEA received criticism and a ”
Shonky Award” for selling “leather” couches on its Australian website that were actually made using polyester and polyurethane.