apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

IKEA kitchens! We've installed three or four in various homes of ours and family members and I am never going back. Love them.

Also, IKEA Billy bookcases. I have not had any problems with shelves sagging and ours have been packed with books for years.

I quit shopping at Pottery Barn years ago (and I'd been shopping there since the 70s when they only had one little store in NYC on the upper east side) because their wood items were not sanded smooth.

Very informative post! Thanks. I was about to order a roman shade from Pottery Barn but this post has dissuaded me.

I would like to add curtains and Ribba frames from Ikea and lamps from Crate and Barrel.

Personally, I would never make big-ticket purchases like furniture, beds or kitchen cabinets from Ikea. But smaller-size items like organizers, pillows, folding chairs---sometimes Ikea is the cheapest, best way to go.

Also, I would pass on anything kitchen-related from Ikea (glassware, knives, dishes).

I own the Parson's Desk from West Elm.

I *like* the desk. Don't love it, and for two reasons.

1 - the drawers are very shallow. Except for a few pencils and pens, they're utterly useless. I have papers crammed in there, which I would throw out, but it's not like I could put anything useful in there.

2 - I purchased the desk in a limited edition color, a kind of burnt orange pumpkin-ish color (I bought it in the fall). I used to keep my desk chair up high, and over time, I chipped away some of the orange finish on the front of the desk. I went to West Elm hoping they had something to fix it, but they didn't. If you buy the desk, purchase it in solid wood or in a color they always have, so you can exchange it.

West Elm storage bench: AVOID. The veneer cracked while we were putting it together!

I LOVE our flatware (Twist) and dishes (Claire) from Crate & Barrel. I also really like Pottery Barn's picture frames, both wood and metal.

I used to like the style of West Elm and bought several pieces, but had bad experiences with their customer service.
My bed - 3 years old - broke. Its been 11 days now and 5 delivery and installation attempts - and they still have not replaced it.
Getting them to replace it has been a nightmare - they assume they are doing you a favor by replacing their products that break.
First tiem they sent the delivery outside of the times I had specified my building allows.
Second time they delivered a rejected piece (to replace my already broken bed). Third time they frogt to load the truck. Fourth time they delivered the bedframe but not the headboard. Fifth time - today - they did not instal the headboard correctly - it is shaking and will likley break off in a week.
After telling them I had used up all my medical leave and would now have to take unpaid leave - their atttitude was that if I wanted the bed I should wait till they decided they could send it to me.

Bottom line: I still do not have a usable bed, and no idea if I will ever get one.

Lesson: I should have gone to Crate and Barrel.

Anyone else have this experience with West Elm?

I agree with the RH towels... and I swear by Target shower curtains and Shabby Chic sheets, and Ikea lighting, plants, wardrobes and hackable odds-n-ends.

Almost everything else in my home is antique, garbage-picked, recycled, second-hand or vintage. In other words: Old.

And that's the reason I don't buy from most chains - all that new stuff just doesn't look right with my "junk".

I would also say that I've had great success with my Ikea kitchen ware (glass bakeware, graters etc) which were cheap, and has held up well. And the house plants I got from Ikea were half the price of the ones at Lowes and Walmart, and have held up against my black thumb twice as well.

i have always had lots of luck with crate and barrel dishes, everything I have bought from there has held up well for the price (especially because I usually just buy from their outlet...)

someday i hope to try their furniture!

I don't think I'll ever part with my Room & Board bed (would you count Room & Board in your list of "big chains"?). It's now in its third home and although it isn't really my style anymore, it's in perfect condition and I haven't seen anything I like better either.

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=861&category=rm_bedrooms&subcategory=bed

I know a lot of folks look down their nose at IKEA. Perhaps the naysayers are lucky enough to have a lot of money to spend on outfitting their living space. Or maybe they have several close by modern furniture stores at their disposal. And if all else fails, perhaps they have the luxury of locating great finds on their Craigslist or local hip thrift stores.

But that's not reality for a lot of us living well outside New York, Chicago, etc. I have a small budget, maybe two very expensive modern furniture stores quite a distance away, and Craigslist and the few thrift stores around are full of ugly, abused country-style furniture. Online stores are convenient but price-wise usually out of reach. The fact that we have an IKEA at all out here is nothing short of a godsend for those of us with a modern sensibilities who reside in a more rural setting. So yeah, it's worth it to me to have a decent looking place that I like without breaking the budget or resorting to a style I cannot call my own.

It's all right not to like IKEA, but can we keep the hating for choosing it down to a dull roar please? The person you're criticizing may have very limited options.

I'd like to second the Billy bookcase vote, I've had seven of them crammed with books for years and there's not even a hint of a sag. For the price, you can't beat 'em.

So people are snobbish about PB and C&B? Who knew? (Unfortunately, I've never been to an Ikea, so I can't say anything about that.)

We've got a low coffee table (which we use as a tv table, room below for the dvd and such) that we got at PB maybe ten years ago, and it's been great. I think it was $300, and it is well-made and sturdy. I also got chenille drapes there about the same time, and they've worked out great as well. I purchased them there after looking around at many local stores, which didn't have what I was looking for. I've gotten other, smaller items there over the years too.

And Crate & Barrel? It's the Mothership for all things table and kitchen related. Maybe a lot of people can afford to pooh-pooh these 'mainsteam' places, but I am not one of them.

I've relied on Target for a cute selection of frames and mirrors. I just can't see spending the inflated prices for nearly identical items at PB and other places.

Also, I'm like a kid in a candy store when I go through Ikea's organization and storage section-- such great stuff!

IKEA kitchens have Blum hardware and hold up better than most Kraftmaid or Merriliat cabinets. Neighbor has installed 3 sets in rental houses and they're standing up to renter abuse just fine (4 years now).

I got my first Billy bookcase at age 5 (i'm in my mid-twenties now) and it is still in use after being loaded with books for years. I think for the price, the billy series is a great buy.

I'm biased though, because I can't afford anything more expensive than a Billy, so perhaps I don't have much to compare.

I do have a rug from PB which I purchased on sale when it was @ 1/2 off - but when I vacuum it sheds wool fibers like nobody's business...

(As far as the PB dinnerware and flatware listed above - I've found far better pricing on Overstock and even on Horchow during their 30% off sales for flatware: I recently purchased a 53-piece stainless-steel service of Towle Stockholm from Horchow - marked down to $127 during a recent sale)

I do have a West Elm bedframe, nightstand and a winged upholstered headboard as well as some towels and duvets - all both bought on sale/closeout.

I have several Velvet Drapery panels from IKEA (Sanela?) but in retrospect, I could have gotten a better deal by purchasing discounted cotton velvet fabric off the internet at $10/yard or less. I have a Kaffatorp coffee table for $49 (closeout when discontinued), a PAX Wardrobe system (I HIGHLY recommend these), a Docent wall system (waiting to replace it one of these days - it's so lightweight that it probably wouldn't survive a move), some closeout/discontinued round footstools w/ lambskins tossed over as covers, and a $12 metal table base from the "As-Is" section that's holding up a glass table top I got for free from a cheesy metal patio set someone in my building was tossing.

I've found the solid wood items from IKEA are surprisingly sturdy. I have a kitchen cart that has been through a move and is in great condition. The task and table lamps are pretty good, even the super-cheap (under $20) ones. Their textiles aren't bad either. I like the duvet covers (good value, not luxurious but soft, 100% cotton and attractive), cushion/pillow covers (washable!), everyday table linens, and curtains (lots of white sheers). Other things: baskets, plants, mirrors (cheaper than most places), frames, glassware.

The particle board stuff is not bad as long as you're not too rough with it (it tends to fall apart if you move it too often).

The key is to inspect cheap, big-chain store items as carefully as you would more expensive stuff. Price is not always an indication of quality.

From IKEA I have LACK bookcases in my office, they are well made and can hold a lot. They were easy to install too.

I have one Billy Bookcase and not fond of the detail, where you can see the holes like a peg board in the interior sides. Also, more flimsy compare to LACK.

I have no other furniture from these chains and most likely would never buy furniture from them.

I have two lamps from Pottery Barn that I am very happy with, they are the simple milk glass ones in white and the price was right, they mix well with my one of a kind pieces.

The only tableware I have ever bought from these chains are wine glasses from Crate and Barrel outlet.

I have some storage bins and trays for my office from West Elm. I think West Elm in general is very poor quality.

I have bought a couple sets of sheets and towels from Target. I have a white duvet cover that is still in perfect condition I bought two years from IKEA.

I would add to the list the draperies at Restoration Hardware, even though some of their color combinations are sort of dated, for the price of their finished silks they can be re-dyed to suit. I would add to the list of absolutely do not buy the rugs at Crate & Barrel, an overwhelming amount of pilling and shedding on the two that I've gone through over the years.

For inexpensive sundries Ikea is generally fine, but I would never turn to them for anything larger than a bread box. West Elm is only a marginal step above Ikea, I bought a shelving unit from them years ago against my better judgement and had to scrap it after one year after sagging took over.

Ikea dishes rock and the price is unbeatable. I was worried about it and asked a friend that had them. She said she and her husband have had theirs for years and they look new. I know they entertain a lot, too, so the dishes would have taken some abuse. Mine are a year old and still look great. Not sure why anyone would say to stay away from them.

I'm a kitchen geek, and IKEA is my heaven. I think their 365 series kitchenware is fantastic. The non-non-stick saute pan is fab - I have 2! The prices are great, and until I can afford to invest in AllClad, I am sticking to IKEA. We also have quite a few plain white dishes from IKEA and C&B, both of which we love. As far as furniture is concerned, take IKEA with caution and do your research. I have a few pieces I cannot live without, but most have not lasted. Our C&B couch, however, was an investment and completely worth it. I feel the same way about our Room & Board armchairs. We basically chose to go without for a bit longer and invest in those pieces.

Maybe I'm on another planet, but I think every source (chain or otherwise) has good finds and bad products. And even within a product category like sofas, a store might have some good examples and some that should be avoided.

So I try and determine what's important to me in whatever I'm looking for, seek out options from a variety of stores, talk to friend and look online for reviews, and then make a decision.

You absolutely can't beat Ikea Kitchen cabinets when it comes to quality for value. Every single other option we looked at would have been three times the price for similar quality. And the blum hardware costs twice what ikea charges from smaller kitchen manufacturers. I've been thrilled with that purchase. I've also had great luck with Ikea kids furniture. We have the Gilliver crib which is solidly constructed and very nice looking, the table and chairs pictured above, and one of my favorite baby purchases ever, the Antilop highchair which is a phenomenal value at $19.99. Lightweight, solidly constructed, easy to clean and unassumingly stylish. That thing has taken all kind of abuse and still looks great.

I have a pottery barn coffee table which is in perfect shape after 8 years of hard use. I'm planning on selling it soon because it isn't really my style anymore, but it is a quality piece and I'm sure someone else will enjoy it for many more years to come. I used to have a painted black bookcase from them though and that didn't wear nearly as well. The finish rubbed off and it didn't hold up to 2 moves very well.

Can also recommend the "Maison" dinnerware from Crate & Barrel. It's been around for years - we've had ours for over 15 years! It's timeless (albeit more modern than the PB dishes shown above) and durable.

Even amongst these big chains, my impression is that they can be "ranked" in terms of quality and price:

Room & Board
Restoration Hardware
West Elm (close to below)
Crate&Barrel (close to above)
West Elm
Ikea

and the larger/more expensive the item, the more likely you are to get what you pay for regardless of whether it's a bed or a fork. I'm more likely to buy tea towels and glasses from Ikea, whereas a couch I'll try to save up and get from R&B.

Also, FWIW, I really like PB's linens.

I've found it's best to avoid anything at West Elm you have to assemble -- the instructions are bad and things don't quite fit as they should. On the other hand, I've had great luck with the Ready to Assemble line at C&B and highly recommend it.

As for Pottery Barn, their bedding is good, but their linens/towels are awful (I've had tearing, piling and color loss after just one or two washes!) -- so I'd suggest buying your duvet/shams at PB, but splurge on the higher priced towels and bedding at Restoration Hardware.

Also, PB rugs are a good bet for the money, and a big step up from West Elm's or C&B's.

Oh...and I bought curtains at Pier one that are fabulous. I got two for less than $60 and they are really good quality and look great. I think I've gotten more compliments on them than almost any other decorative item in my home believe it or not.

I also have been really pleased with the hardware and lighting/ceiling fans I've purchased from Restoration Hardware. Worth the investment. But the sheets I bought on clearance there were a total bust. They washed horribly and never compared to the set I got from overstock for less than half the price.

whoops, the first "West Elm (close to below)" on the list should be Pottery Barn.

I love that West Elm Parsons desk in pictures--there have been some beautiful colors shown on AT (the sliver in this picture, the light blue in another), but I haven't been able to find these at the store. Where do you find them? Thanks!

Target is really starting to up the quality of their products. I have had really good luck with bedding and towels there lately. They have such a lovely section of home decor items that quickly cycle through. When they get marked down, they priced better then ever. I bought the cutest end table there made of metal and wood for $14.99 marked down from $49.99.

I must not be hard on furniture, because I have a pine dining table and a black laminate dresser and TV cart from Ikea that I've had for over ten years and they're still going strong. Also, I have a sofa, bed, and storage bench from West Elm that are a little over a year old and look brand new--not much time, I know, but they seem pretty sturdy. My Ikea lamp has not held up well, but it's still usable. My West Elm rug did shed for about 6 months, but now it's fine. I can't even afford Pottery Barn or C&B, let alone quality furniture, but I'm managing to survive nonetheless. Oh, and my Ikea dishes lasted me about 15 years, until I eventually managed to break most of them.

I steer clear of anything from IKEA that needs to be sit on, or laid down on.....too many bad memories there!

But....my Billy bookshelves just wore out after 10 years, several moves and holding tons of books and records.

I can't do West Elm.....I try, I browse....but never buy.
It seems cheap and badly made. Weird shapes and sizes too....I hate that square chair they sell.

CB2 is fun......I like the LA store and got some cute Warhol plates in the NYC branch that I like more than I thought I would. I'm contemplating a few things from there.....it seems like it's good quality.

Target is best for sheets, duvet covers, towels and little things....some of that early Thomas O' Brien stuff has worked well for me....and it's always the "WOW" price that makes it complete....ya gotta cruise the end caps!!

Everything I've bought from Z-Gallerie is GREAT! I love my bed (nice and sturdy), love my stools, my curtains and my bathroom mirror.....they have great stuff!

I think Restoration Hardware is worth it....I've been shopping for a train rack for the bathroom and they have the highest price.....but quality and proportions that surpasses everyone....l've really gotten into them as of late.....they seem to have a passion for home stuff that others don't.....they really have some great floor lamps.

QUESTION FOR FELLOW AT READERS: Can anyone tell me about the quality of World Market (Cost Plus World Market) beds? I am considering buying one but I can't get to a store, so I can't see it in person for myself.

If you've owned or have seen/used a World Market bed -- especially a canopy bed -- can you tell me if it was:

sturdy?
attractive?
durable?
any creaks/squeaks/wobble factor?

Thanks!

Ikea: kitchenwares, (especially knives - just as good as the expensive ones I have), area rugs (the jute rugs are a fraction of the price anywhere else), flower pots, lamps

C&B: dishes, glassware and table linens (even better from the outlet which is now online as well as brick & mortar)

Pottery Barn: picture frames, duvet covers

Target: bath towels, cookware

I think that the one thing that will turn me away from a store, whether it's a chain or boutique is customer service. I have been having a TERRIBLE time with a couch that I ordered from Restoration Hardware that arrived in the completely wrong color and fabric and the RH customer service reps have treated me like it was my fault -- that after charging me over $1500 for the 50% deposit -- without one apology or kind explanation. I will never, ever shop RH again no matter how wonderful the quality of their pieces.

agree 100% on Ikea Billy bookshelves. Also have the Bjursta dining table, which has leaves that store underneath, great for a small space, and the expedit entertainment center. The storage boxes, esp. Kassett, look good and fit perfectlly into other ikea furniture.

from west elm, love the walton sectional and dining chairs.

target has some interesting and cheap wall art and decorative items like candles and storage bins

I like the pottery barn linens, especially patterned pillow shams and some of the dishes, though most PB stuff I get at thrift stores.

Overstock.com is surprisingly good, I found an ottoman that folds into a guest cot.

Thank you for opening this discussion because I have a long list of items to complain for POTTERY BARN.

I will never buy anyting big from PB. Quality is very poor. Looks good but you'll be fooled.

I had a rug paid $600 it shed a LOT and when it was done shedding it started to smell so bad than I couldn't keep it in the house.
I purchased 1 rug for the kids room, when I cleaned I could see closely human hair woven in it. Very discusting!
4 sheer cotton drapes - I hand washed them....so much lint came out of it I could not believe it.
I bought a grand sofa paid $2400 and after 1 year right after warranty 2 springs broke and guess what they said when I called them? 'Out of warranty' and the repair would have cost me $350. The 'washable' linen slipcovers faded so bad that my sofa looked like 10 years old. I used only for an extra year and swore to not buy from them.
Outdoor umbrella broke in less than 1 year.

SO, trust me PB is deceiving!!!!!! Go to Restoration or Crate &B or flea markets. You get more for your money!

I just bought a red PS locker-style credenza from Ikea. I knew going in that it was likely a cheap piece of junk, but I just wanted something fun and funky to hold up my tv. Well the doors sag, but otherwise it looks like it will do the job for a while, and it is *very* cute.

Have some bedspreads from Ikea that I like, and a couple lamps that have proved serviceable. Once I bought a clock there. It never worked. I mentioned this to a friend, and she said, "oh you're not supposed to buy clocks at Ikea, they never work."

I wouldn't buy real furniture from any of these stores - too trendy, catalogue-y. I'd rather go to Ethan Allen and buy a classic piece made of actual cherry (or whatever). Or craigslist. Or I'd make the pilgrimage to Ithaca to shop at Contemporary Trends.

"I love that West Elm Parsons desk in pictures--there have been some beautiful colors shown on AT (the sliver in this picture, the light blue in another), but I haven't been able to find these at the store. Where do you find them? "

Craigslist and Garage Sales - because they're discontinued.

Have to agree with everyone who loves their IKEA kitchens. The one we installed in our old house was the best. I'm curious to hear if anyone has had a bad experience. When we can finally afford to redo the kitchen in our new house, we'll most likely go back to IKEA unless the quality has changed drastically. It's such a good option if you want to DIY.

Also, we bought a (WHITE) Angby sofa and loveseat sleeper from IKEA about 8 years ago and it still looks great. It was all we could afford at the time and I was a bit wary, but they're still super comfortable and the slipcovers could not be easier to clean. I'm going to swap out the legs with some turned ones from Lowe's to give it a new look.

And not to go on and on about IKEA, but the curtains are so great. The more expensive ones use really nice, heavy fabric and I love the long length (high ceilings). I also love that they come with the hidden tabs for hanging since I like that look better than the rod pocket.

And the dishware is great too!

I'll stop now.

Ooh, PB rugs! I have 5 of them, and value-wise they beat the pants off my other rugs. Yes, they do shed a lot for the first few months, but after that, soft cushy perfection.

I really like our RH duvet set, and I don't know what I'd do without my Billy bookcases.

sofas: admittedly, i'm a sofa-snob. most of the sofas carried by PB, RH and C B are made by mitchell gold (less the case than before MG started to go "big" with their own brand) or by one of a handful of trade furniture makers... and while pretty, are not constructed for the long haul, even with the "kiln-dried" frame moniker (*all* woodworking woods are kiln dried -- you can't use undried lumber in manufacturing, even when you're ikea. hardwood, as opposed to pine or fir, is good, though). for longevity, look for more sturdy 8-way-hand-tied coil bases as opposed to the "no-sag" springs used by the cheaper manufacturers if you're looking for a sofa to (1) stand up to kids and (2) be around for 25 years. per "dad wisdom" (earned after 30 years in the furniture biz), a PB sofa is "50% sofa and 50% branding" (meaning for $1500, you're getting a $700 sofa in quality). for the dollar, R B makes higher-quality goods, but even these pale in comparison to pieces from local, more-custom shops. here in SF, zonal in hayes valley has (had... i'm hoping they're still open) a wonderful line of very well-made upholstered goods designed by them and made to their quality specs by richter furniture in LA. trouble is, with the explosion of "name brand" retailers, the general quality of furniture is going down (and/or is harder to get to for the general public who know only the above brands). but i'm rambling...

CB2's Darjeeling dining room table is a dream, with more heft and personality than similar tables 3 times its price

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=202&f=4662&viewall=1

RH's towels are indeed fluffy, but lose their color way too easily for the price.

I'd love to add to the comments!

The majority of the "Big Chain" items I own are from Ikea. I enjoy the style of most everything they have aside from their lounge chairs. Their prices also suit my two-years-out-of-college-just-married lifestyle.

I bought a bedroom "set", consisting of the Malm bed, a malm dresser, and a Mikael desk from Ikea when I was in my second year of college. The bed has moved (disassembled and reassembled) 3 times and I will probably replace it the next time I move. The dresser is not holding up as well, the bottoms of the drawers pop out if too much weight (jeans) is set on them. The desk held up well, although I sold it just about a week ago to allow room for some "cat shelves", Ikea's Jarpen.

The biggest purchase I have made from Ikea was the kramfors sofa. I've had it for almost 2 years and it is holding up very well, even to clawed kittens. I also have a couple of discontinued credenzas that have a few chips here and there, ceiling mounted light fixtures, lack shelves, billy bookcases, and an expedit tv unit. There's probably much more, but I'm trying to keep this short.

From West Elm, I have a bedding set. Huge disappointment. The cotton was rough to begin with, but I didn't mind. It wasn't until I made the 200 mile trip back home that I realized the duvet cover was a different color than the shams. I also have a plain, white drapery panel from West Elm. It's a roughly woven cotton, but that's the look I was going for.

The only thing I have every purchased (and returned) from Pottery barn was a drapery rod. It was great quality, but didn't end up being the look I was going for.

For my wedding, I registered at Crate and Barrel and received a bunch of stuff I wouldn't have purchased for myself. Their plain, white dishes are wonderful and the wood salad bowl set and appetizer plates are great as well.

Ikea shelving and storage boxes of all kinds. We do have the Hemnes bed and it has held up really well. It seems like a solid Ikea furniture series. Other than that all our things are craigslist, thrift store, hand me downs, and a few antiques. When we can afford to buy a new sofa though it will probably be from CB2.

if you are buying an item from a 'big box' store, you have to know it is not going to last a lifetime.
that said, i have an 8 year old pottery barn basic sofa that has been well used by my family of 7. we sit/jump/eat/sleep on it every day and except for a bit of thinning padding on the armrests, i am so pleased with it. it looks and feels just a bit softer than the sofas on display at pb. the original slipcover is beginning to fray a bit, and i have washed it in my home washer every six months or so. i think i paid $1000 for it, so it was well worth the price. i couldn't have gotten an ottoman from ethan allen for that.
we have numerous billy bookcases in our home, and while i wish they had less 'plasticy' looking color choices, they have held up well also. no sagging of shelves, and they are well laden with books!
i think you should use caution in suggesting that people avoid big box stores. for many of us, home decoration is an important and yet tiny portion of our lives and it just doesn't make sense to spend big bucks on furniture, curtains or dishes.

I'm a fairly descriminating buyer and I've found much of furniture at C&B. They've got wonderful solid wood dining tables as opposed to many of PB and RH's tables which use MDF. C&B's couches are great too. Of course you get what you paid for...so if you buy a less expensive couch, it will last you 5-7 years but if you buy their higher end lines, you can easily have it for 10 years. I've had mine for 5 now and it looks like we've had it for 1 year. We use it every day and it's held up so well. I personally don't expect a $1500 couch to last a "life time" but I suspect the frame on mine would last that long. The last a lifetime couches are ones that costs upwards of $7000 by George Smith. Compare the price and judge accordingly...

ikea: much of what we have is @ either end of the spectrum: stupid-expensive or from ikea... and if choosing wisely, they blend well. as stated, the lack line is a good value (dollar to longevity) as is the malm line -- especially in the oak veneer. our ikea kitchen looks and feels/works like a kitchen 3X the price (maybe 5X) when clocking in at $6K for cabinets countertops ( $7K for appliances = a very cost effective kitchen). a real ikea sleeper is the melltorp table @ $70, it easily performs like one 5X the price. the kulla and samtid lights are also some great fill-in pieces, methinks. the $90 kulla looks right at home next to my eames lounger and rolly side table.

I've had really good luck with the Malm dresser line from IKEA. Smooth tracks, no sag, have made it through 3 moves and 4 years and are still going strong. Only issue is the veneer will pull up if they get wet, so use a coaster.

I will never again purchase furniture from ikea. I bought a Pax wardrobe. I thought I was putting it together wrong, but it turned out that the case was out of square. Some items were great. I had a coffee table I liked, so I purchased the matching bench. The bench wobbled so badly that noone could sit on it. A lot of things wobble like the dining room table. My last furniture purchase from ikea was the pax wardrobe.

I purchased Almafi leather couches from Macy's 5 years ago. Love them. My next couch will come from Macy's. Also from Macy's towels, bedding, kitchenware, and the best buy of my life, an espresso machine.

I have blinds from Target, spiderman shower curtain, and most of the bits and pieces around the house.

I have never purchased anything from PB, C&B, or WE. Lately my major purchases have been from Craigslist including an entertainment center and an American Upholstery sofa bed.

West Elm window stuff is beyond awful; I second the negative reviews on their rugs (shedding.. shedding... more shedding). Really nice throw pillow covers at good prices though!

Pottery Barn gets good reviews on rugs and quilts from me (super sturdy, no shedding, nice finishing), bad reviews on lighting and lampshades (weird proportions in person)

Bad luck with CB2 powdercoat furniture-- shoddy and poorly designed. But their lacquer trays are nice.

Anthropologie-- worst curtain rod ever made. And generally shoddy quality... i have a really high "return rate" there but I keep buying because it all looks so cute in the catalog... sigh.

There's a near-total Ikea ban in our household, we've had such awful luck.

So yeah, flea markets/craigslist/eBay are the way to go until we can afford really nice things.

My husband had a lot of big-box furniture when I moved in with him, and most of it didn't hold up five years.

HOWEVER, the Ikea kitchen that was installed before we moved here is still in great condition. I would never have imagined that it would be so durable, but it is. I'm actually going to Ikea tomorrow to help a friend pick out stuff for a new kitchen, and I'm not at all a Big Box fan.

Restoration Hardware is great for bathroom lighting and towel racks, etc. that look much more expensive (think Waterworks and Urban Archeology) than they are and function well.

I have items from several of these big box stores.

Ikea-I've had my Ektorp sofa for almost 5 years and I'm pretty happy with it. It's a sleeper and a great size for my apartment. And I've been able to change out the slipcovers. I used to have the solid wood small dining set ($129 for table and chairs). Not the most comfortable but a very solid bargain. I like Ikea's glassware, dishes and cookware, too.

Target-I am a huge fan of their woven blinds. I also have their towels, shower curtain and several picture frames. I find, for accents, they're great.

Crate and Barrel-I have some of their kitchenware and I like it, but not much else. I do like their vases and other accents.

I don't shop at Pottery Barn. I've heard nothing but horror stories and frankly, their style makes me yawn.

Bookmarked. Great reference!! Will add my comments soon...

Ikea Malm Line. Dresser and bed have moved 4 times with me and there's not a scratch or problem with any of them. I only look at things from Ikea that look like tanks, because that usually means they have more than 1-2 screw holding them together.

Like I said, I've loved my Malm stuff for the past 3 years now.

Also, those IKEA PS cabinets are outstanding.

My relative who works for the triumtive (PB, WS and WE) used her employee discount for my William Sonoma dishware. It was still pricey but totally worth it.

Reidel wine glasses at Target cannot be beat for quality and price.

"...our quick list of 'safe products'"

Truth in advertising!

Safety is nice in fire escapes and observation platform railings. Everywhere else, it's akin to having West Elm's "designers" hold your face down in the Euro Square Pillows. There. Comfy?

Call it Catalog Normal -- but just don't call it your style. It's as much your style as a speed limit sign is your own personal reminder.

I think people need to relax a little about the 'big chains'. It's really what you choose that makes all the difference. Don't want crappy IKEA or West Elm stuff? Don't buy it. Be just as scrutinizing at these shops as you would be searching for second hand goods. My vote goes in for IKEA kitchen schlock. I love it all! Except for the cheap wine glasses. They break at the touch of a feather unless you coddle them like a newborn. Who has time for that? But the table linens, pots & pans, and the kitchen carts are awesome!

love the ikea bjursta table, we got ours used from craigslist in the oak veneer which is no longer carried... even though we bought it a year ago and it was a couple years old it still going strong, looks brand new, and feels solid!

love the expedit and malm dressers from ikea, as well as their kajsa curtains which we just got.

we usually get all our bath stuff from target- shower curtains, accessories, towels etc. as well as bedding. LOVE their itso fabric bins which fit like a glove in the expedit.

its good to hear so many praises on the ikea kitchens as we are purchasing a new home and plan to go with ikea cabinets once we get our tax credit, we checked them out a couple weeks ago and loved them!

I've been happy with my big chain purposes. So long as my home doesn't end up looking like a page from their catalog, I don't see the harm.

And heck, is it really so bad if a room does look like a page from the catalog? Especially if that person doesn't have the know how to pull a room together, it's a great way to live in a finished place without making expensive mistakes.

Love Target, mainly for linens, bath, accessories. My only PB purchase was from a garage sale: love the white iron PB canopy bed for our guest room. Very sturdy, several years old, still in great shape. It's made with high headboards and can be used as reg. twin or canopy. Beautiful! Would I love it as much had I paid $700 instead of $75? Not likely. Half of the joy is getting a great deal, refinishing or making it myself.

I love the PB living rooms book. They list all the paint colors used, along with which products you can buy from them. I made a bed based on one of their sofa pics where they used a twin futon for the seat cushion. Very cool, lots of DIY ideas.

I purchased the Pottery Barn Greenwich sofa and chair, gently used off Craigslist over 2 years ago. I have 2 large dogs and 3 brothers who slept, laid, and otherwise semi-tortured the furniture and I've been pretty happy with the way it held up. While normally, I wouldn't really want to purchase big items from a big box, I was on a tight budget and got it for a 1/3 of the price, in the beige no less!

I also have a coffee and end table purchased on clearance from Pier One and once again, surprisingly it held up pretty well. While, I don't have the Crate & Barrel flatware and dishes, we had a friend who did and I thought the quality was fantastic.

Lastly, I've been really impressed by the Martha Stewart linens from KMart. My mom has purchased numerous, towels and sheets and we've yet to be disappointed, with both the 3- and 5-star. In fact, we've gotten a lot of MS from KMart, pans, hangers, etc. and have been really happy with the quality.

I think if you go to the store and check out the furniture to see how solid it is, you're better off.

We have several really good IKEA purchases in our home - rugs, chairs, shelving and really only one bad one: a lamp. Our budget is very minimal and honestly, I get tired of "this isn't good enough for me." I realize IKEA isn't super high quality, but for most of the world, it's just fine. $400 is a lot to spend for a piece of furniture for us and requires more than a bit of savings. And EVERYONE else that I know (with the exception of my grandparents) are in the same boat.

I've gotten bedding and towels that I absolutely love at Target. I like Ikea for inexpensive extra chairs, and for cute small storage.

Add me to the Billy fanclub. I wouldn't look anywhere other than IKEA for storage solutions. Storage is one of those things that needs to fit the layout of a place *exactly*. IKEA's are hard-wearing (what do people DO to their furniture that it "falls apart"???), inventive, suprermely flexible, and fairly economical. What's not to love. Don't spend a lot for a bookcase. Buy at IKEA and pump the money you saved into your 401(k) and/ or Roth.

I buy sheets and egyptian cotton towels at Khols, Target and sometimes at Filenes Basement, TJ Max and Costco.
Pots and pans, dishes, glasses, silverware: Ikea, Bad Bath and Beyond, C&B and CB2. For furniture and accessories, I mix Craig's List, City Opera Thrift Shop, Housing Works, Ikea, Ebay, Urban Outfitters, Antropology and the antique warehouse www.grannysatticnj.com.

Yet another vote for Billy bookcases. We've accumulated more than a dozen over the past 20 years and they've held up quite well. (Not perfect, but much better performance than the teak veneer "scandinavian modern" bookcases they replaced.) Expedit has also been a winning design in our household, although you have to be careful of the finish as it's not veneered. Our Malm bed is a winner and our cherished Gulliver crib, is now waiting for grandchildren. We've had 3 Ikea sofas over the past 20 years - with the last one still in reasonable shape 10 years on.

Despite this praise, when it comes to Ikea furniture, caveat emptor is the watchword. You have to do your homework, as the quality and durability of Ikea products varies greatly from one item to another.

Echoing the other fans of the Billy Bookcases. I have two of them with nyckelby doors and I just adore them. They've held my magazine files for two years with no sagging. I also have two Lack shelves on their side to create a captain's bed and they've survived in great shape.

I hope to upgrade someday but for now big box suits me just fine. I have a dresser from Crate & Barrel I use as living room storage, coffee and side tables from Pier 1, the Logan media center from Pottery Barn and a cute pub table from Linens N' Things, among other pieces. They've all served their purpose well.

Add yet another to the Billy fanclub.

Granted, our druthers are such that we would rather have books and music and films than furniture and our means are such that what we have is mostly a matter of roadside finds/last-legs-antiques that we've painted in a lively manner and will use until crumbled to dust. As we've lived like this for decades it's not likely to change.

When IKEA arrived here about five-six years ago, we pounced on the Billy bookcases. Have 12 of them that are loaded with books and are doing great thus far. As one might well imagine, with our having 12, these were life savers for us.

Big YES to:

IKEA Bjursta dining table -- we have it in oak veneer which has since been discontinued and we think it must have been too expensive for IKEA to manage at its affordable price because the table is GREAT --- comparable to tables I've seen for quite a bit more. It's great in sturdiness and design, and seems very resistant to nicks and scratches.

IKEA Kitchens --- installed one in an apartment and cabinetry and hardware have withstood the test of time. Maybe it's just a rumor, but I've heard that this cabinets have been highly rated by Consumer Reports.

IKEA Billy bookshelf --- we actually found one on the street that someone had put out. We've had it for 10 years without problems.

IKEA light fixtures --- we have several chandeliers, pendants, ceiling lamps that are far more stylish than anything else we could find that wasn't more than $300 a pop.

We also have IKEA silverware and some cookware and it seems much more solid than anything else we could actually afford.

I am not sure I would buy futons or upholstered chairs from IKEA, but for the rest, there are tons of decent quality products at IKEA.

Not gonna lie.. I tired out after reading most of the comments so I just skipped to the bottom to add my 2cents, so if anybody said these already - my apologies!

I'll start with griping - its the first thing that came to mind haha. My husband & I got married June 08 & registered with Target. The main things I'd like to complain about are (1) the dishes (target home collection) (2) the bedspread (not sure what line its from, but they still sell it right now, its the one that comes in a variety of colors but are all the same set), & (3) the towels (once again, I believe they are target home)

The dishes we bought in August of 2008 & are already basically scratched up & look years older than they are. I wish I never bought them. While most people opt for fine china when they get married, we thought we were being more sensible when we bought these cool leaf patterned 'stoneware' ones from Target - it instead not even a year later looks like shotty dishes from a college apartment.

The bedspread & duvet were $100 each. To me- that is expensive. And let me tell you BOTH of them have threads coming out of them. Starting to look tired & tattered. The matching sheets are constantly wrinkled looking, so much that you can't see the detail. In contrast, for my freshman year of college 6 years ago I bought a $50 kmart special martha stewart bed in the bag & the comforter still looks rockin' compared to my $200 worth of target bedding.. GRRR ( the $60 for the sheets!)

The towels... well they are doing what towels do. Except they are about a year old & look like they are about 5 years old. They weren't especially fluffy. I wouldn't call them scratchy, but fluffy = no no no!

I'll *NEVER* buy Target bedding again.
I'll *NEVER* buy Target dishes again.
I'll *NEVER* buy Target's cheap towels again.


The sad thing is... I still love Target. I think I need therapy.

I am a vintage hound but regularly shop at all these retailers. Though I do sometimes feel like I'm selling out when I buy their goods. I like Pottery Barn for window hardware, curtains and natural fiber rugs. I own the shelter back sofa from West Elm. I bought it for 50% off last Christmas, and it seems to be holding up well. While in the store recently I asked an employee if a piece was solid wood. She looked at me like I was crazy and said, "If that was solid wood it would weigh like 3000 lbs." It was a night stand. That kind of put me out, and I haven't been back since. I like C&B's furniture collection. I own a pair of nightstands from there, and they seem to be doing fine. RH is too expensive for me but their stuff is beautiful. I think the key to shopping at places like this is to mix their items with antique and vintage finds. I'm also not a fan of buying "art" and decorative accessories from these places. They just seem kind of generic to me.

Glad to see the positive comments about Ikea's Billy and kitchens because I was considering both for the house.

For the "safe" list I would add:

Pottery Barn lighting. It was the best quality for the money, very solid and timeless looking.

Pier 1 throw rugs and pillows. Maybe I don't vacuum enough or something, but I've never had problems with their rugs. By the time they start to look tatty, I'm ready for a new look.

I also like their baskets--lots of sizes for fitting into odd nooks and crannies. Same is true for World Market.

Target's Thomas O'brien towels are wonderful. I spent lots of time feeling up towels in stores and these were the softest. And after a year, they're still fluffy.

I also just bought some Target wineglasses that feel expensive but aren't-- so I won't feel awful when I break them.

I always buy cheapo IKEA wine glasses for our dinner parties. At $2 a pop with an extra large bowl, you can't beat it! I can't tell you how many times it took of guests breaking Riedels for us to switch to good old IKEA. Now we keep the nice stemware to ourselves....

But I would NEVER again buy any IKEA furniture (except of course those Billy bookcases). We bought a futon for a guest bed, what a joke, we have to apologize non-stop any time someone stays on it since it is so uncomfortable!

It's sort of amazing---how different people's experiences can be. We have a sofa from West Elm (2 years) and several large jute rugs (4 years), all holding up exceedingly well. We have a little square breakfast table from Ikea (4 years) that holds up just fine. And our World Market dining table (1 year) is more than fantastic. I also vouch for water glasses from Ikea (4 years).

Gotta tell you - I love Crate and Barrel. Everything I have gotten from them has held up better than stuff I have gotten from the other Big Box stores. It does help that there is an outlet nearby...

Love Target as well - the store's Modern line of towels is very afordable and has held up well for the past couple of years. Also, to be honest, a lot of great rip-off items similar to stuff from Crate and PB.

Ikea is great for inexpensive decorative items (frames and art, vases). I also have terrific galavanized garden pots to give a modern twist in my backyard and mugs that have lasted for years (50 cents each!). Also, great cheap organizational boxes and shelves (Lack and Billy - no sag here).

I live in an apartment full of ikea, and as a grad student, it's a lovely thing. The Lack/Expedit stuff is great, and all our expedit bookcases have held up to moving well.

I've also done well with Ikea curtains, picture frames and bedding. Their more-expensive sheets are lovely to sleep on, and the the medium-price ones are a bit coarser but the extra weight made them idea for embroidery.

My roommate brought a BJÖRKUDDEN table and chairs. The table is great, I roll out dough on it and it cleans up easily. Chairs are a bit light, or maybe just top heavy. I've never felt as if they'd break, but they tip over easy. No problem for us, but maybe not for people with kids.

And although I had my reservations about it when we got the apartment, I've really come to appreciate my roommate's Beddinge futon. It's a futon, you really can't pretend otherwise. But all my guests have said it's a pretty comfortable bed, and it's really durable and moves great.

Also the Leksvik stuff. We have a little console table and my aunt has the coffee table and dining table and it's all held up well.

Will it hold up like my mother's auction house finds that she bought right out of college? Maybe not. (Why don't they have auctions anymore? E-bay I guess, but you can't see the quality of the stuff.) Then again, my mom has a wingback sofa that has held up for 25 years, but she really doesn't like the style and has spent the past five years debating the virtue of replacing it or reupholstering it.

What I wouldn't buy again is home office furniture. My vika annefors/vika gruvan desk combo hasn't held up at all. The top is supposed to just rest on the bases, but the little rubber pieces slip out and then the surfaces rub against each other and scratch and peel the veeners. Also not so impressed with my roommate's Goliat desk; it felt like it was going to break when we moved.

But I did put together a couple of Gallant desks for my aunt and they seemed a lot sturdier and more solid.

Also my fornuft silverwear has spots and my dinera bowls have chipped easily, but all the gadgets and glass stuff I've bought is great.

I've got two sets of porcelain dishes from C&B, and they've held up REALLY well. I've broken a couple of pieces over the years -- but some of it has been dropped on the floor more than once. One set is about 20 years old and the other maybe 8. I want to emphasize that these are porcelain which is much more durable than earthenware, no matter where it comes from.

jplee, I have two pieces of furniture from Cost Plus/World Market. One is a solid wood bookcase that is in great shape -- the finish is fading where it's exposed, but it is smack in the window, and I've had it maybe 7 years. I'm thinking about buying another one.

The other is a wood folding chair that I've had for more than 30 years. No kidding. I got it when I was about 9. For years it was the only desk chair I had. It might as well be new its still so sturdy.

I think you can be confident in buying furniture from there.

I don't buy much at Ikea. I think a lot of it is overpriced and the quality is poor. I do have a floor lamp from there that I bought as a temporary measure (way too long ago). It works okay, but I've replaced the fuse in the dimmer switch about four times. The canvas sweater bag hanging in my closet was a steal and has held up well. I'd concur with others that its good for smaller items or stop-gaps until you can figure out what you really want.

I'm not being snob about it; I don't have much $$ to spend either. But I don't think Ikea is good value for the most part (except for the meatballs...). I think you can get better quality at Target and at a cheaper price. And I'm just as disdainful of the quality:price relationship at places like C&B and Pottery Barn. Most of it is way overpriced for what it is.

I don't get the anti-Ikea bias against all the other big chain bi box stores. Yes, I agree small and local is better but in the world market today, not feasible. (stepping onto soapbox-sorry) Just because Ikea keeps prices low doesn't mean their stuff is shoddy. Heck, ask the employees nicely and they'll tell you if any problems exist....they don't care since unlike every other furniture store, they aren't paid on commssion!
Anyone ever noticed Ikea offers 10-25 year warrenties on some of their merchandise? The lady who lost her PB sofa to a sprung spring--if it'd been an 9 year old Ektorp, Ikea would have fixed it or replaced it.

I also have to point out that working for most furniture companies means medical benefits or paid time off are usually reserved for managers only. Ikea offers this to ALL employees. What other retail business gives a part-time worker sick pay, let alone paid vacation time?!? People, stop acting like buying from Ikea is a shameful thing! Supporting companies that treat their people well is a good thing! Getting solid furniture out of the deal is a nice bonus too...

That said, safe Ikea lines:
Hemnes, Billy, Lack, Ecktorp, Malm, Pax, Leksvik, Norden, Bjursta, the old Vattern bathroom line, ALL the kitchen cabs, Galant, Sultan (love the seperate pillowtops!), the higher priced Mysa and Gosa quilts and pillows, Motto plates and bowls, Dragon flatware, Senior cookware, Ikea 365 knives and mugs are all favorites with us.

Sorry about the soapbox. I've worked for a lot of different retailers and Ikea was far and away the best when it came to treating their people well. Paid ma/paterinty leave is a priceless thing in this day and age for anyone, let alone a grunt floor worker.

Lots of useful information here. I've never bought from Ikea, but I am considering installing a small kitchen in an apartment for my sister, so it's useful hearing that it stands up well.

I've shopped at Pottery Barn over the years and have no complaints. But I don't buy furniture there! My sister just sent me a new duvet cover (badly needed) in a faded pale blue toile from the current Pottery Barn catalog. It was so beautiful and soft to the touch!

Pottery Barn sales are useful to follow online. You can get things that you may have wanted but were out of reach for as much as 50% off if you are patient.

Crate and Barrel always stocks useful, simple, inexpensive cotton tableclothes in a variety of sizes and colors. They're heavyweight and stay on the table just fine. They usually stock matching napkins. It's always good to hit them for that at Christmas or at other times you might have people over for dinner.

Some of the tableware designs at Crate and Barrel are out of this world. They stock simple white china designed by Eva Zeisel. I have the dinnerware I want, but if my home is ever destroyed by a fire, I'm going straight to Crate and Barrel with my insurance money and buying this china.

I also sprang for a fifties-inspired triangular glass bowl Crate and Barrel offered. It's the fruit bowl in the kitchen. Although it's not crystal, it has a nice heft. It was $55.

By the way, one of the reasons the Pottery Barn stainless steel flatware looks and sells so well is that it is a stainless steel copy of one of the oldest American sterling silverware patterns still in use -- Old Maryland Plain by Kirk. The silverware has been continuously sold since 1835. You can pick up Old Maryland Plain sterling silver spoons on ebay for not a whole lot of money. It's a pleasure to have a few sterling silver spoons around for breakfast -- the yoghurt just seems to taste a little better. It's hard to find complementary knives or forks on ebay, because the style of the blade of the knife changes over the years. The blade is never sterling silver, so it gets pretty beat up. I don't know the story about the absence of the forks, but fork designs have gotten smaller over the last century, so that may be it.

A new sterling silver place setting -- with knife, fork, and spoon in contemporary sizes -- in Old Maryland Plain is approximately $550.

Back to the chain stores. I did a lot of my Christmas shopping at Pier One. (It was a recession year, after all.) The buyers are imaginative and I found a lot of fun and useful gifts for not too much money. Everyone seemed happy with what they got. There is a lot of junk in Pier One, and I doubt I would buy anything but wicker furniture there, but the buyers keep a sharp eye out for appealing bargain gifts.

I think why some of us get sick of all the IKEA and West Elm and Pottery Barn (should I go on) stuff is it honestly isn't a deal. I could do much better spending a couple hours in some thrift stores, family owned businesses, yard sales, etc. Hell if I must on decorating, I'd much rather go to a dollar store then spend $100 on a framed print that I'll more than likely get sick of within a year or two.

Great post! Thanks for the above commenter who mentioned CB2's Darjeeling dining room table--I've been looking at that in the catalog, and it's good to know it's sturdy.

We've had mixed experiences with West Elm. We have the jay desk and hutch, which are quite nice and sturdy. But we also ordered the scoop barstools, which were scratched all to hell the first time someone with a back pocket button sat on them.

From Ikea, my teenage daughter has the Malm bed and long dresser, as well as an older Malm hand-me-down desk. All in great shape and very sturdy. I think Ikea is also a great place to get vases, small planters, picture frames, etc.

My only purchase from Crate and Barrel was a Porto metal bed, and it's very sturdy, we love it, and the price was not bad.

Since others have mentioned Target, I have to admit that I love anything I've purchased in stores, as long as it did not require assembly and could be viewed out of a box--dishes, kitchenware, sheets, etc. However, we gave up on their larger furniture long ago because, after several tries, we realized we never got a box that wasn't damaged the first time (and sometimes even the second or third time) around. If they up their quality control on furniture, I'd definitely shop again.

Add my voice to those praising the BILLY.

Also, I don't know what they're called exactly, but I have some basic white shelves from Target - like a billy, but Target-brand. They must be about 12-13 years old, been holding books for that long, and still holding up wonderfully!

Just wanted to say that this is one of the best articles I've seen on AT DC yet. Very exciting and informative and I'm looking forward to more like this!

I have the Ikea Hemnes dresser. I love it. After growing up with a dresser whose drawers constantly stuck and got off track, I waited for 10 years to buy a dresser. I wanted really smoothly rolling drawers. Hemnes' drawers are like a dream. I bought the drawer organizer set, too. My undies have never been more orderly.

However, I also bought a West Elm buffet/credenza (not sure the name)--I don't recommend it. It's very attractive, but the quality is awful--It's essentially hollow--just pieces of veneer pieced together to form a block. And the veneer isn't smooth, so it has already splintered in a couple of places. And when assembling it one of the pieces didn't fit together correctly, so I hand-sawed it to fit in the slat. (Yes, I would've returned it but I live several hours away from the nearest store, and it would've cost me over $100 to ship it back and get a new one shipped.) It looks pretty bad. Luckily, it's up against the wall, so no one knows but me. But it just galls me that I spent that much and I had to resort to makeshift carpentry.

jplee-- about World Market... I think their furniture is almost always attractive. I've seen several beds there that I've liked. And the non-apolstered furniture is hardy. My boyfriend and I bought a couch from World Market 1 year ago. I looks like it's about 8 years old. It functions fine--but the cushion quality and apolstery both look bad.

But for wooden furniture, I'd say they make good stuff. My mom has a dining room table from there and it's very sturdy, and has held up really well.

So happy to read all the positive comments about Malm and Hemnes. I've been considering both for an upcoming bedroom re-do.

I'd like to praise Ikea rugs. I have a Hellum that is 6 years old and a Vitten that is 8 years old. Both are 100% wool. They're beautiful rugs, they steam clean fabulously well, and both of them look brand new. I paid $89 for the 5' x 8' Hellum (I think it's $129 now) and under $200 for the Vitten, which is an 8' X 10'. I think I could have paid 3 or 4 times as much elsewhere and not been half as satisfied. If you're considering rugs, I highly recommend anything at Ikea that's 100% wool. (I can't vouch for the other materials.)

My friend is still raving about her Ikea kitchen 5 years after installing it, so add a vote for that as well.

As to Ikea furniture, I don't know if I got lucky or if their higher end stuff is better quality. My Karlanda sofa bed and chair are 10 years old and still look and feel brand new. I've had new slipcovers made for them, mind you, but only because I got tired of the color. The original fabric still looked good after 5 years of heavy use.

Add a vote for those Billy bookcases. Mine are loaded and still holding up after 10 years.

something about Ikea I've noticed, their quality has really improved since the early 90s. I still have stuff I bought then (bookshelves, dressers) and other stuff I've "donated" (sleeper sofa, entertainment center), but the newer stuff holds up MUCH better.

Without getting too involved in the IKEA debate, which seems to happen every other week here on AT, all I have to say regarding IKEA's cookware. I have now seen TWO very famous TV chefs purchasing IKEA's wares for both their TV shows as well as their personal use...

While I'd admit they're not the most glam, I've had Ikea Billy bookcases for several years now and they've held up very well even loaded with my huge national geographic collection. I'd recommend them to anyone looking for a solid set of bookcases that are versatile and inexpensive.

big lots tv stands, walmarts parson tables Both have taken a beating from my girls and still live to tell about it. They also take paint nice when its time to repaint them (I have done this cause after 4 years they chipped). I also LOVE my belgin rug from amazon.com (that has lasted over 6 years and managed to stay great even with 3 sometimes 6 cats).

Avoid Resto sheets and bedding. They dye them with vegetable dye (towels also, but they stand up better). It's great for the environment, and makes them super soft, but they fade within a washing or two. I've gone through two sets of cloud blue sheets that are now white. I never use bleach, but they look like they've been bleached. Employees say it's a constant problem. I've given up and I'm going with something cheaper next time.

I think any thing made of actual wood from Ikea is great. And I second the statement about their knives--I have a chef's knife from them that I got for less that $5 and it's terrific--just needs to be sharpened every so often, like all knives. Also, the ergonomic bread knife is great--using an regular serrated knife to slice bread feels weird to me now.

I was never a fan of Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel--their prices always seemed too high for what they were selling (this is coming from a starving artist type, though).

Room & Board: Sleeper sofas with memory foam mattresses

C&B: Kitchen stuff

Pottery Barn: "Hotel-style" towels in white (thinner and less prone to pilling; white never fades and can be bleached)

Ikea: Expedit storage units (good for offices and basements); solid wood (Leksvik) nightstands; glassware; chair pads; CFL lightbulbs

Target: Bedding, curtains, lamps, dishware, cutlery, random decor items

Pier 1: Patio furniture, toss pillows, random decor items

World Market: Rattan, toss pillows, random decor items

Williams-Sonoma: High-quality appliances

Another vote for Ikea's 365 line (GREAT pots!) and Billy bookcases.

Target has surprisingly good house-branded sheets: I bought one set in a "I need some NOW" sort of way when I moved, and went back for two more.

We have really enjoyed lighting and furniture purchased from Restoration Hardware. The trick is to wait for the sales or if you are fortunate enough to live near an outlet like we are. At about 30% of usual price our camelback sofa, buster chair and lamps are holding up well (2 years old, daily use including a 60 pound dog and still look new).

We have two Ikea bookcases (Smadal) and were not expecting much but are really pleased with how they look and function. The only complaint is they are pre-drilled for doors we didn't purchase and the holes are a little unsightly, but not using the doors was our choice. We also have had great luck with Ikea glasses (tumblers and wine glasses). I do not find them to be any less durable than Crate & Barrel, etc.. And a fraction of the price. The storage items (boxes for CD's etc) and simple frames cannot be beat in my opinion.

Crate & Barrel has been a good place to find serving pieces, vases, etc and our everyday silverware came from there (cirrus) and after 5 years also looks brand new.

Target has become our go to place for linens - love restoration Hardware but find those way overpriced. We let the dog on the bed - she isnt getting on a $300 duvet.

For towels, TJ Maxx or Homegoods is the way to go - you can get much better quality for the best price though the RH towels are nice for a splurge.

Every single Pottery Barn item we purchased has been returned and we just stopped going there about 5 years ago. I think they are only marginally better than Target at an extreme markup. Browse the catalog for ideas if that is your style and shop elsewhere.

Room & Board just came to Atlanta, so we are looking forward to trying it to add a few more modern pieces to our home (when we can afford it) that is mostly RH style plus family or antique-mall antiques.

Potty Barn's stuff looks great in the catalog but truthfully the construction and materials do not justify the price. All furniture has a hefty "shipping fee" tacked on. So a simple pine, four shelf bookcase will cost around $480. You'll get a pair of these and there will be dings, puttied areas and the two shelves will be of different heights. I had a boyfriend that would *not* go shopping for furniture and we wound up picking out most of the house from the catalog. When we broke up I made sure he took all the Pottery Barn stuff.

IKEA on the other hand is much, much cheaper and about the same quality but with an environmental/fair labor promise. I've kept all my IKEA stuff and found it's much easier to integrate into my changing style.

Oh, and while we're at it. I bought two, expensive "Kinetic" standing lamps from Restoration Hardware. They claim that you've got to be satisfied and imply there is a near lifetime guarantee on their stuff.

After eight months, the gaskets on the lamps used to hold the height in place wore out and they would not refund or replace. They ex got these too.

KimWT -- The fiance and I personally own a lot of furniture from Target - first place and well our budget isn't high. Only one single item we have bought we had to take back and they put up no hassle on exchanging it.

List of successful furniture from Target:
-exact model of the poang chair - scored it for $85
-two cabinets with doors and shelves - $45 apiece
-futon - $169
-two bar stools - $20 apiece
-kitchen table and four chair - $99 for all
-small ottoman - $30
-side table - $40


We've also bought good quality furniture at Meijer before.

I like Pottery Barn for it's dishes and bowls and pillows. I have a couple of pillow inserts, so I'll buy the covers and change them. I've never bought furniture from them, but I did buy a sisle area rug, jute rug and a woolen shag rug. The shag rug, like mentioned, has that rubber backing smell which can be annoying. The other rugs are fine. I like Target for the frames and kitchen stuff. I think they have a great selection at great prices. My sofa is Ethan Allen and I have a couple of RH chairs. I like RH lamps and shades, also. In October, where I live, there's always a lighting sale and you get some pretty good deals. I have a couple of lamps from Ethan Allen, but...they're a disappointment. One floor lamp has a broken holder for the bulb (don't know what you call it), but I can get a bulb in...it's just loose and wobbly. Another table lamp I noticed, when changing a bulb, seemed to break a little when replacing the bulb. For the price, go with RH or PB. Even Walmart has some cute lamps. Mostly, I have some antiques and consignment shop finds throughout. I never bought any furniture from Ikea only because of all the assembly that has to be done. I have no patience for it...hate assembly! Fun thread...interesting reading!

Love, love, love my WE Parson's desk. I have it in white but I've seen really bad scratches on the darker colors (in the store) like brown.

Also, Billy is wonderful. Love how it just blends in and lets your books, accessories, personality shine.

Right now saving for CB Petrie sofa. I KNOW it has been shown all over god's green earth but I have searched high and low for years for something similar and just as comfortable. And no, Macy's Corona does not compare.

Also have to ask: what are people doing to their furniture that it falls apart??

And maybe I love Ikea so much because I'm that one nerd who actually looks forward to putting furniture together. Ha!!

I think most chains stores have something good to offer. I like Ikea for their bookcases,shelves, and narrow side tables (most places sell wider side tables that are hard to fit into narrow spaces) I like crate and barrel, room and board, rooms to go, and gothic cabinet craft (gothic is a great place for excellent quality real wood furniture) for their furniture pieces. I like CB2 and Pier1 for accessories and lighting. My home has a mixture of purchases from all of these stores.

While I like the look of west elm I have to admit most of the comments from friends who have purchased products there have not been favorable when it comes to the furniture pieces, so to date I haven't purchases anything form there yet. They do have this medina stand and tray, and a pintuck duvet and pillow sham set that I'm interested in though.

Generally, chain stores offer the kind of trendy decor items I'm not interested in. However, I look to some for quality kitchen and bath items; C&B, Ikea and Target have proven themselves to be good places for both. Additionally:

C&B sheets are wonderfully soft but held up for only four years (is that a long time or not at all?).

Target: Great for bathroom and curtains. It's true about the quality of the window coverings - I didn't expect my curtains to be lined for the price! Also good for cheap, mildly stylish picnic dishes. Plus, our outdoor, frosted-bulb string lights have lasted a few years.

One note about Ikea: 10 years ago I put together a solid wood coffee table. Not only has it held up without a wobble, but also the wood has mellowed to a nice patina.

When it comes to furniture, I go local retailers or my grandmother's attic. It's true that furniture isn't made like it used to be and I'd hate to take a chance on a chain without thorough investigation.

Oh crap, I forgot to add - Pottery Barn is Boring and Ugly! Galvanized steel this summer - really??

I have a BEAUTIFUL hardwood dining set from Target. I can't say enough about how substantial this set is. And I got a steal of a deal....on sale online, plus a 15% discount, plus a $10 coupon AND free shipping.....$450 delivered on a $800 set. "American Simplicity" is the name.

JCPenney's online outlet is the best place for window treatments.

Pottery Barn - great luck with a daybed and quilts. I've also done well with a full-sized mattress (so cheap). I've had terrible experience with zippered pillow covers that won't zip. I fall for new patterns and keep experiencing the same problem.

CB - All cabinets and tables have held up, but they all arrived fully assembled. In 20 years, I've noticed that a piece will go out of style before it dies. I just make sure I really like the style they offer. My jelly glasses are 19 years old - and fit the new red lids.

Target - Great luck with Target rubberwood furniture (cheaper, sustainable, sturdy). Terrible luck with office storage (the holes never line up).

Restoration Hardware - Bad customer service experience the first time I purchased. I won't go back.

Company Store - Everything holds up well, but goes on sale as soon as you purchase. Sale items never stock the size you want.

Plow&Hearth - Eucalyptus outdoor furniture holds up well four years after purchase. Hooked wool rugs haven't fared as well.

FLOR - the tiles still look crisp in a room where two pukey cats sleep during the day. Each tile has been scrubbed and dried at least twice. Of course, the tiles reeked of plastic for the first week after I installed.

Drexel- The chairs retain their shape and there is good support throughout, but the legs nick easily.

After posting that I wouldn't buy furniture at Pier One, I went in there to buy a bottle with a stopper (which I couldn't find) and noticed they had some furniture on sale. I ended up buying a metal frame two-shelf console table, with faux aged mirrored shelves with well done glass etchings in each corner of the mirrored shelves. It was on sale for about $85.00 and for some reason it just seemed charming and reminded me of the things I loved about my grandmother. (I know that's weird, but it's how I felt.)

I have very inadequate bathroom storage, so that's where I put it. I loaded up the bottom shelf with extra towels, and put two matching African baskets (also from Pier One) on top to contain my vitamins and other pills. It fit the space perfectly, is utilitarian, and looks wonderful. The piece was made in India and the quality seems very good. Very sturdy and pre-assembled. So I am going to eat my words.

Also, another poster said he or she was considering the West Elm moroccan coffee stand. Yes, I was particularly taken with that, too, and so must a lot of other people. I ordered the version with a basket instead of a brass tray and it's back ordered until August.

By the way, has anyone else noticed that Martha Stewart seems to have taken over the housewares department at Macy's Cellar? Talk about world domination! Half the department is characterized by merchandise under her signal blue banner.

Good post, people. I've learned a lot. Billy book cases and good kitchens from Ikea. Lesson learned. One of these days, I'm driving up to Round Rock and shopping Ikea.

I had a lovely ektorp sofa that went away with my old roomate, the bed was comfortable enough and we got it in the as-is section so it was cheap. other than that, i'm not too in to the ikea aesthetic (or really, the aesthetics of any of those stores mentioned). i have a bjursta table that seems solid enough, i'm not happy with my bed (the one that looks kinda like a malm, but cheaper? maybe i should have just gotten a malm). ikea lamps are ok if you get the ones that can use regular hardware store bulbs, not those special ikea bulbs. I've lived with billy shelves before that i was very happy with, they are solid even if they look kinda plasticy. my ikea sheets hold up well. The big-box purchases that I am happiest about are my Terje chairs from Ikea, three years old and still looking like new (totally awesome chairs), and my thomas o'brien towels from target.
I am not happy with the Jane desk that I got from Pottery Barn Kids. Maybe if I'd stuck with the adult store I would have gotten better quality. I was holding out for the perfect thrift store desk, but my semester was starting in a week and i needed something immediately. I picked Jane because I liked the shape, it was cheaper than the stuff in regular PB and it came in my color. it was only three parts, but putting it together took forever and the veneer started chipping after less than a month. It's pretty from a distance, but I'll be very very careful the next time I shell out for something from a place like that.
the best piece of furniture i have is the ethan allen dresser that i found on the street in south philadelphia in a blizzard two years ago, followed by my nine dollar armchair from salvation army. my little aphorism; in the search for perfect furniture, it pays to invest time more than cash.

I'm very happy with my C&B Sloan leaning bookcases. Affordable, easy to assemble and nice to look at. The only West Elm item I own is a rug that acts as a magnet for all sorts of debris. I find myself constantly vacuuming it. In general, I think C&B is pretty reliable.

Anyone have an opinion about the Ikea 365 box of white dishes? I do think Ikea has some nice things if you are discerning.

Target - love the Thomas O'brien towels 2 yrs strong! But I have a Dwell Studio area rug that is beautiful yet continues to shed LOTS 6 months later..

I heart Craigslist!