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Why new furniture doesn’t last long

washingtonpost.com

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Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#61

Post by reacharavindh »

stetrain wrote: post #4

My biggest issue is that, like so many markets, there is a "missing middle" created by this downward price pressure. For the most part if you want a piece of furniture (ie a nightstand), there are two categories. Either you buy the Amazon/Wayfair version made of pressboard for $100-$200, or you can find a solid wood heirloom version for $2,000+. The domestic plywood or cheaper solid wood options are no longer mass pr…

True, proper wood furniture have become more of a luxury as more and more utility is drawn from the likes of mass manufactured furniture like that of IKEA's.

I'm a weekend woodworker, and I have built a lot of things for my house like my kid's cradle, bed, our custom wardrobe, fancy looking shelves etc. However, even I think IKEA furniture has its place in my house. Our bed for example is IKEA MALM, our kitchen is made by IKEA. Some things are just not worth my time and effort and the cost of solid wood. IKEA quality is good enough and the price is right for them.

Recently, I have been bombarded with ads from some smallish furniture companies from Europe on Facebook. Dont know how the algorith decided on it, but it did. I see several companies that do few things and do them well, but not targeted at teh luxury buyer or vintage collector. They are targeted that a consumer looking for better than IKEA like you described. Perhaps, what you're looking for is coming already and you need to look deeper for now.

Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#62

Post by MrBuddyCasino »

stetrain wrote: post #4

My biggest issue is that, like so many markets, there is a "missing middle" created by this downward price pressure. For the most part if you want a piece of furniture (ie a nightstand), there are two categories. Either you buy the Amazon/Wayfair version made of pressboard for $100-$200, or you can find a solid wood heirloom version for $2,000+. The domestic plywood or cheaper solid wood options are no longer mass pr…

> There's very little in between, even if I'm willing to pay a bit more for something a bit nicer.

Same has happened in clothing. To get something other than cheap crap made out of synthetic fibers, you now have to go premium. Are people really less discerning than they used to be? Has the average purchasing power declined? Or is the problem that people don't want to commit to something that lasts for years, because they fear their taste may change?

Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#63

Post by cmckn »

donatj wrote: post #5

I had an argument with my therapist about this. My wife just gave birth to my daughter, we moved a bookshelf my grandfather built for me when I was born into her nursery and now my office is a mess, my books and such scattered. The mess is stressing me out. I am looking for a bookshelf to replace it, and told him I haven’t found anything I thought would last the rest of my life for a reasonable price. He insists I do…

Bookshelves are pretty low-traffic, so I don’t see why an Ikea one wouldn’t last as long as you needed it to. I think you’ll probably get tired of the look of it before the structure fails in any meaningful way.

Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#64

Post by falcolas »

nemo44x wrote: post #20
VincentEvans wrote: post #3

Regarding Ikea and similar self-assemble furniture - even though the assembly instruction manual does not call for it - use wood glue when assembling. It will make it A LOT stronger and it will even survive moves. One thing that didn’t make sense to me in the article is a claim that particle board or MDF is lighter than solid wood. I don’t think it’s necessarily true - I have wood furniture made of pine and cherry th…

Isn’t the issue the screws tearing through the soft wood and/or engineered wood?

Yes, making wood glue even more valuable if you want it to last.

Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#65

Post by angry_moose »

zihotki wrote: post #50
foobarian wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honestly, I wish it were plywood, it's actually MDF or other kind of pressboard.

I wonder why you consider it a problem. Mdf and variations are much more stable, don't warp due to humidity. For non-premium furniture it's a perfect choice.

And those properties make it well suited for things like cabinet panels that don't take load.

MDF has poor structural strength, next to zero holding strength for fasteners (the first thing to go on ikea furniture is always the screw holes), and is very prone to water damage.

Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#66

Post by SketchySeaBeast »

MerelyMortal wrote: post #10
donatj wrote: post #5

I had an argument with my therapist about this. My wife just gave birth to my daughter, we moved a bookshelf my grandfather built for me when I was born into her nursery and now my office is a mess, my books and such scattered. The mess is stressing me out. I am looking for a bookshelf to replace it, and told him I haven’t found anything I thought would last the rest of my life for a reasonable price. He insists I do…

It sounds like your therapist is letting their personal opinions into your session. I'm not an expert, but that sounds like a professional no-no.

To me it sounds like someone who wants internet strangers to agree with them in opposition to their therapist. Not knowing any of the other details that's as far as I'm willing to go with the assuming.

Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#67

Post by bhollander823 »

foobarian wrote: post #27
donatj wrote: post #5

I had an argument with my therapist about this. My wife just gave birth to my daughter, we moved a bookshelf my grandfather built for me when I was born into her nursery and now my office is a mess, my books and such scattered. The mess is stressing me out. I am looking for a bookshelf to replace it, and told him I haven’t found anything I thought would last the rest of my life for a reasonable price. He insists I do…

My solution was to give up and DIY. I wouldn't dare attempt anything more complicated but a bookcase is among the simplest projects to take on. The plan B which we used for some things in the house was a custom build. (Not meaning to shill or anything but they did a fantastic job and in your shoes I would explore their bookcases: https://www.dutchcrafters.com/Amish-Bookcases/cat/146 ). The prices are up there but I f…

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Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#68

Post by freitzkriesler2 »

I blame downward price pressure and globalization.

When it comes to furniture, I only buy solid wood now. Ideally used. The best place to get antiques is from rust belt towns because the prices are actually affordable. The majority of my stuff too were either street finds (California was great for good free stuff) or hand me downs.

I might check out some consignment stores back east. Anything solid wood is held onto. I will never buy awful Ikea junk again.

Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#69

Post by geodel »

foobarian wrote: post #54
Joker_vD wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mmm, chipboard. Could as well be called "cheapboard". Low quality at low cost so you can pay twice.

My biggest issue with them is they handle water very poorly. The affected piece of the board swells and warps, and never returns to original shape.

Very true. A few times I forgot wet wipes after cleaning and next day it was like wtf happened to this table.

Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#70

Post by flappyeagle »

Premise is incorrect. Furniture is great. You can pay whatever you want and get appropriate quality.

Low end ikea stuff works great if you put it together right and use some glue.

Mid tier furniture is still available — it’s just going to look very traditional.

High end is available to those with $$$ like it’s always been

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