Red Ring Tupperware Party, Autumnal Equinoctal Edition (24)

Our furniture could be described as "Early American Thrift Store." We have pieces from everywhere. We have sectional sofa that came from a middle-grade furniture store that has been pretty much destroyed by the cats, a all wood dining table that belonged to my parents, and a coffee table from a thrift store. The entertainment center came from Walmart and the bookshelves were left behind by Heather's parents and brother.

We have several pieces from Ikea, including a small sofa and chair that fold out into beds. Our bed frame is also from Ikea, but the bed is a Select Comfort. My dress is a wood one I have had since I was a child and Heather's is an Ikea item given to us my a former tenant.

Heather's desk was from Ikea and it's the worst thing we've ever bought from them. The top hutch was two inches too small and I had to rebuild it to make it fit. My computer desk came from Staples and the radio desk is a computer desk from somewhere I can't remember.

Like I said, it's come from everywhere with no attempt at a particular style...

Ikea has lots of great ideas and innovations, they just lack on the overall quality. It is tough to beat their cost, even for what you get. I have bought a few things there over time. One of the worst things to do, especially with stuff screwed together, is to move it to a new home, as the fasteners in the particle board they use can't handle the stress well. If you are real careful, or just take it apart, it will do better.

Ikea is great for students and parents with kids.

because you know both the studenta and the kids will trash the **** out of things.

we have an ikea couch, it is awesome cause we can buy slipcovers for it and change them whenever we want!

BearLeeAlive wrote in post #16699052
One of the worst things to do, especially with stuff screwed together, is to move it to a new home, as the fasteners in the particle board they use can't handle the stress well. If you are real careful, or just take it apart, it will do better.

I have found that if you put a dab of Gorilla glue and a drop of water into the fastener hole, it locks up a whole lot tighter and does not come out or get wobbly with age. With the dressers, I glue the corners of the drawers and glue on the back. THeir fasteners are nice because they are quick, but your right, they are not meant to keep things secure for long periods or frequent moves.

Skrim17 wrote in post #16699245
we have an ikea couch, it is awesome cause we can buy slipcovers for it and change them whenever we want!

Exactly, one for each season.

Can't speak for Ikea quality, I can honestly say I have never even seen one of their stores, much less one of their products.

I have never been in an Ikea store. People seem extremely polarized about them, most either hate them or love them.

Most of our furniture was thrift store or yard sale bargains. Last few years we have been replacing pieces from a customer furniture builder locally.

they are okay. Nothing grand about them, nothing bad about them.

So it is cheap wood furniture. What more do you want?

It serves a super purpose, a simple shelf etc. Not like i own a bloody dubai palace that i need gold tables etc.

Harm sort of sums it up but there are a few gems. Swedish meatballs, xmas ginger cookies, lingenberry jam, and every once in a while some of their cheap stuff is actually quite decent. I got a solid maple butcherblock table that's a solid maple. THey also have some decent blankets, rugs, lots of storage solutions and some of their lighting solutions are unique. Nothing really special but not a bad place wither. Beats the snot out of the crap they sell at wallymart, target, and other cheap stores like that for about the same price.

gjl711 wrote in post #16699249
I have found that if you put a dab of Gorilla glue and a drop of water into the fastener hole, it locks up a whole lot tighter and does not come out or get wobbly with age. With the dressers, I glue the corners of the drawers and glue on the back. THeir fasteners are nice because they are quick, but your right, they are not meant to keep things secure for long periods or frequent moves.

Not a bad idea with the glue, it would solidify the mating surfaces. That would help a lot, but mostly you are dealing with cheap particle board, so even then the glued fastener (along with a chunk of the board) could break out. I installed a bunch of their cabinets for a customer, and instead of the little finishing nails holding the thin backs on, I used an air stapler with divergent staples in it. Holds real good.

Yea, most of their stuff is veneer covered particle board and anything you can do to keep it together helps.

but it does the job, that is all i have to say. Just because it is IKEA stuff, doesn't mean you treat it like crap when you take it home. The thing will last, and last well, until you're ready to buy/afford that solid mahogany dresser, or shelves.

Oh, one more thing, they have kick-a$$ cinnamon rolls.

they sure do!

i will agree with that one, JJ