Many people prefer to get products from IKEA due to their affordable prices and easier assembly, but it does not ensure the durability of their furniture items.
How Long Does IKEA Furniture Last? IKEA furniture can last for almost 3 to 10 years, depending on its construction, usage, and placement. For example, bed frames can last longer than couches and cushions, while writing desks and bookcases have shorter lifespans. However, a few tables and chairs can last longer when they are kept with care and maintenance. Furthermore, you can increase furniture’s lifespan by replacing the damaged parts, and finishing or painting can make them newer.
The manufacturers and buyers determine the longevity of products as raw material, and construction is equally important as the maintenance and correct usage of the product essential.
What is the lifespan of IKEA furniture?
IKEA furniture has high demand due to low prices, as low-income people can easily purchase beautiful items for their homes.
However, their products have a shorter lifespan and remain intact for only 3 to 10 years. Bedframes do not get damaged for almost 7 to 10 years, even if you have used them frequently.
You can expect a wide variety of furniture at IKEA stores, but they are not durable for more than 10 years. Couches have a shorter lifespan than bed frames and last almost 3 to 7 years.
The cushions will lose their firmness and softness or become saggy over time, and you have to replace them after 3 to 4 years of usage.
In addition, the desks can last for around 5 to 6 years if they are made of high-quality metal and wood.
The IKEA tables, including coffee tables and side tables, will last for 4 to 6 years that can be increased further by replacing their broken legs with new ones.
Furthermore, the kitchen and bathroom cabinets can retain their structure for around 5 to 8 years, and the damaged parts can be replaced easily.
The mattresses have a long-term warranty, which is good as you can sleep on the soft and cozy platform until it does not get flat and return it for replacement when it loses firmness.
Why does IKEA furniture have a short lifespan?
Many people complain about the short lifespan of IKEA furniture, but a few are satisfied as they have paid less for the particular item and do not expect it to last longer.
Self-assembly seems attractive as it allows assembling the products and making adjustments according to feasibility and requirement.
However, some people are not good at assembling things and damage their parts while adjusting all the pieces together.
It also raises concerns about assembling procedures as they can easily break due to lightweight as many of their products, like MALM beds have been reported to be involved in accidents.
IKEA uses pinewood and particleboard to manufacture furniture that is easier to use for constructing the parts of furniture and improves delivery, but products do not last for long.
Furthermore, the products have less weight which is good from the delivery aspect, but they could not remain stable on the floor and get damaged after falling.
What factors determine the lifespan of IKEA furniture?
Many factors determine the lifespan of IKEA furniture, including its placement location, as outdoor items are prone to damage due to exposure to air elements and UV light.
The UV light and dirt accumulation can make them less durable as the wooden furniture begins to crack or warp after a few months or a year.
The frequent movement of the sofa and bed frame increases the risk of damage as they can break while shifting to a new room after getting a hard hit from the wall.
Moreover, the weight holding capacity helps know the maximum weight limit that an object can hold, and you have to put a weight within this limit.
It can break immediately or begins to damage slowly due to wear and tear when you put weight more than its limit.
The choice of assembling material also affects their longevity as you have to use glue with better adhesive properties that can keep all parts together for a long time.
In addition, the construction material also matters as a bed or sofa frame cannot be constructed with low-quality wood as these are heavily used products.
The maintenance of the furniture determines its longevity, as you have to maintain or clean the items regularly if they are present in high-traffic areas.
Excessive usage can also lead to quick damage as some products are not made for frequent use, unlike sofas and dining tables which are made of high-quality wood as they remain in extra use.
Furthermore, furniture items with multiple parts will get damaged earlier than those having lesser parts as small pieces are joined by glue or nuts to form larger structures, making them prone to breakage.
What type of IKEA furniture lasts long?
Many IKEA furniture items do not last for long due to poor assembly and using low-quality materials.
However, a few of their products are more durable and last for many years due to their unique construction and high-quality material.
An IKEA black storage table is durable and performs multiple functions as this wired table has a metal tray on the top that can carry a book, while the lower region can have blankets.
Moreover, IKEA consoles and cabinets can last longer, and you can place a TV for many years and install them in the kitchen or bathroom.
The mattresses cannot remain useful for a long time as they give off a weird smell and get saggy over time. Also, their bookcases are made of particle board that is not sturdy.
The bamboo table has better strength and durability that can be easily used in dining spaces.
So, IKEA tables, chairs, and storage cabinets can last longer when they are not heavily used, but their bookcases, beds, and sofas are of no use after 8 to 10 years.
How do you make IKEA furniture last longer?
You can make IKEA furniture last longer by maintaining it properly, as it needs to be cleaned frequently; otherwise, dust and grime can reduce its lifespan.
Moreover, use good quality glue while assembling the pieces of particle board to make them look more impressive and professional.
The use of better adhesives can prevent wobbling and make it look better. Also, cheap products can last long if you pay attention to their better cleaning and usage.
It is better to replace the damaged parts with new ones as IKEA provides every part separately to upgrade the damaged furniture, as you can return the broken legs of a sofa or table.
In addition, you can easily stabilize the drilled holes by filling holes with a wooden wedge and creating a new hole to stabilize a wobbly table or a chair.
Proper finishing of the wooden material and the use of attractive paint can prevent the risk of damage and help make your old products newer.
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