Home Furnishing Tips....Pls help

[smartmummy]

BigDevil:

We bought a Billy bookcase when we first moved into our current home, so we are talking about close to 9 years. The bookcase is still sturdy as a rock.

Do u remember the supplier name,please?

[smartmummy]

hquek:

Though I'm sure you have heard much about ikea (good/bad), I was told that some series of their sofas are very lasting (even with fat family members).

May I know the brand name of the sofa?thanks

[Champion]

smartmummy:

BigDevil:

We bought a Billy bookcase when we first moved into our current home, so we are talking about close to 9 years. The bookcase is still sturdy as a rock.

Do u remember the supplier name,please?

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/83688210/

[linden2000]

BigDevil:

autumnbronze:

And agree with you that some of Ikea's sofa models last. I have one that is still in a good condition after 10 years!!!! Its the klippan if my memory serves me right. As opposed to the Natuzzi leather that we bought barely 5 years ago.

Never bought Ikea sofa before, so can't comment.

But for Ikea stuff, it really depends.

We bought a Billy bookcase when we first moved into our current home, so we are talking about close to 9 years. The bookcase is still sturdy as a rock.

Seeing it's good value, we bought another Billy for DD as her book collection grew. This time it was a commemorative edition for dunno-how-many-years-of-billy with cute design, and at a discount.

Within a year, the bookcase warped beyond recognition.

Complained to Ikea, showing them photos of the 2 Billy's. Found out that the commemorative edition was supplied by some other supplier. Thank goodness Ikea offered to replace it if we topped up the difference between the regular price and discount price. We took the offer, but we made sure we got one that was manufactured by the same supplier as our first Billy.

The second Billy has been with us for 3 years now. Still looking good.

Hmm...I'm guessing the Billy at my place which is coming apart after 15 years of usage should be from the first supplier.

[BigDevil]

smartmummy:

BigDevil:

We bought a Billy bookcase when we first moved into our current home, so we are talking about close to 9 years. The bookcase is still sturdy as a rock.

Do u remember the supplier name,please?

Sorry, I don't.
We stood next to an Ikea sales staff while he searched his computer for info. That's how we saw that the 2 versions of Billy were supplied by different manufacturers.

[BigDevil]

linden2000:

Hmm...I'm guessing the Billy at my place which is coming apart after 15 years of usage should be from the first supplier.

So I still have 6 more years before having to shop for a new bookcase?

If you had bought your Bill that many years ago, then it should be quite safe. Can't say about the newer ones. Prices of Billy had been falling, and Ikea probably sourced them from cheaper (read: lower quality) manufacturers so that they can afford to reduce price.

[corneyAmber]

BigDevil:

linden2000:

Hmm...I'm guessing the Billy at my place which is coming apart after 15 years of usage should be from the first supplier.

So I still have 6 more years before having to shop for a new bookcase?

If you had bought your Bill that many years ago, then it should be quite safe. Can't say about the newer ones. Prices of Billy had been falling, and Ikea probably sourced them from cheaper (read: lower quality) manufacturers so that they can afford to reduce price.

Hey I am also a Billy user...but mine is later generation one...I hope it does not fall apart...... :nailbite:

[tankee]

How long is a piece of furniture suppose to last than it is consider good quality? :?

[hquek]

For sofa, I understand it was Ektorp that my friend had for her place - the one that could withstand use by pp who are on the bigger side of the scale.


For bookshelf, my Billy always sag. I got one from 'As is' few years back and it looks a bit like falling apart. But I think part of the reason is that not enough nails were used (of course the fact that I love to buy books is another).

That said, I have a Linnarp bookshelf (from ikea also http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/30180146/) - in use about 1 year plus. it's solid wood and there is a partition in the middle. not sagging even though I pack up to 3 rows of books the usual novel size (trying to keep to 2 but it's tough). Love it so much that I'm contemplating to get another (else no space for more books).

Sorry, perhaps I should have stated my preference. I am a utilitarian and try to stretch the use as much as possible. I look for solid wood types and don't quite like mdf/particleboard stuff.

[Apricot]

I personally feel that it is better to have built-in wardrobes. The reasons are that you can build the wardrobes to ceiling height so the top will not collect dust and also you can customised the wardrobes according to your needs/preference.