I'm amazed at how many people complain about the quality of IKEA products. I hate to use this phrase but..."It is what it is." To compare it to high quality furniture is comparing apples to oranges. If you want to spend $3,000 on a sofa, don't go to IKEA. If you want to spend $500 on a sofa, then go. IKEA does not market itself as high-end furniture! It's like complaining that your Hyundai compact car doesn't have bluetooth technology, a 20-CD changer and seat warmers!
On that note, I love IKEA because I understand what I'm getting when I go. Picture frames are $7 to $10 dollars. The same picture frame at Hobby Lobby or Target is $12 to $20. I know, not high-dollar items so who cares? But I needed 20+ frames for my photography, and the savings adds up.
I also love that the furniture is European-sized. Yes, I can get a 12-piece sectional sofa from Mathis Brothers, but I don't have 15 feet for a SOFA in my home. I'm a minimalist, so I like smaller, more proportionately-scaled pieces of furniture. Bigger is not always better!
I also love the modern, clean-lined design. Another feature not easily found in Oklahoma City. As another commentator stated, I don't like the "weird" so-called modern furniture that Surburban carries, and the one sofa I liked was $15,000. Seriously? It's not that I can't afford it, I just think it's ridiculous to spend that kind of money on furniture!
And not to slam Mathis Brothers or any other local company, but very little of their furniture is solid wood. It's veneer so don't kid yourselves. And just because you pay $3,000 for a dining table and chairs doesn't mean it's high quality. Besides, they don't carry anything modern and I wouldn't DARE guilt my children into keeping a hideous piece of furniture that my grandmother bought 75 years ago just because it's still in good shape! That does not make it an antique...it just makes it old and out of style!
By the way, I go to IKEA often, so for those who love IKEA like I do but don't want to make the trip, I'll go for you. Just let me know.
renovatekate@cox.net
Bookmarks