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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

#131

Post by bob1029 »

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…

> even if I'm willing to pay a bit more for something a bit nicer.

I can easily find a brand new Amish-made dining room table in my area - with same-day delivery - for under $2000.

Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#132

Post by ImPostingOnHN »

MrBuddyCasino wrote: post #62
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…

people pay more attention to the price than the quality or quantity, so when costs go up, manufacturers must keep the price the same and provide worse or less

shrinkflation is another result of this

Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#133

Post by deafpolygon »

nunez wrote: post #104
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…

Also, for most people, the difference in appearance between an IKEA nightstand and, say, an Eames one (or a custom-made one) is minimal. Like, there's a difference, but not a difference worth paying $x,000's for. Moreover, if a pet or a child destroys the table, you're out much less money, which is comforting.

Also, people are far more mobile these days. There's less of this sense of "building up a home" in this new generation - we aren't as attached to our things as our previous generations. There is also the culture of fast 'x' (not the movie, just a placeholder - like fast fashion, fast furniture, etc) and availability that people (millennials, gen z, gen alpha) desire these days.

IKEA tables are easier to disassemble and put back together (with varying degrees of success) for folks who move around. Alternatively, it's much cheaper to just buy a whole new set of IKEA furnitures than it is to replace furniture that costed 1k+.

Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#134

Post by doctorwho42 »

LastTrain wrote: post #77
MrBuddyCasino wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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…

People used to spend a lot more, per item, on clothing. The real culprit in this case is that we have become accustomed to things being cheap.

Well that also goes to diminished purchasing power

Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#135

Post by deafpolygon »

onecommentman wrote: post #121
5040 wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was recently looking for a shelving unit for vinyl records. The Ikea solution was 100$. Next step up were 1000$ home-made units on Etsy. In the end, I went with Ikea. Something in the middle would have been nice.

Anyone in the US (without a physical disability) can DIY a shelving unit for vinyl records better than IKEA for well less than $1000 USD. Takes a little time, portable power tools and box level, a few fasteners from online/DIY stores and access to premium lumber. Easy and cheap access to quality lumber in North America is one of our strong points, might as well take advantage of it. Helps if the lumber supplier does…

The know-how to do this is somewhat of a lost art with the newer generation of adults.

Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#136

Post by tayo42 »

nunez wrote: post #107
suoduandao3 wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

used furniture is a good compromise there, though it's harder to get a consistent style when going that route. Part of Ikea furniture's appeal is also that it looks like other Ikea furniture.

So we purchased a couch three times: once from IKEA, again at a thrift shop, and once more from Rooms to Go (R2G). R2G was, by far, the best option. I know that the sofa is "cheap" compared to what a "quality" couch would cost. (I paid $3200 for a three piece sectiona.) However, going into the showroom, having oodles of oodles of styles we could sit on, and giving the salesperson my card and having them take care of…

I almost bought an IKEA couch without trying it,but I managed to buy one at a local store for not much more. A few weeks later I found my self at IKEA and tried out the couch. I was so glad I didn't buy it, all of them were so uncomfortable.

Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#138

Post by bubblethink »

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…

>My biggest issue is that, like so many markets, there is a "missing middle" created by this downward price pressure.

I would wager that this is a proxy for the housing market. It's correlated with renting (majority) v/s buying (minority). And renters don't want the middle. That's pretty much how I view everything I buy. It's ephemeral.

>I think one reason Ikea is so popular is that they ride the upper end of the cheap segment.

Also, Ikea gets the mechanical designs right. I have been quite impressed with all ikea furniture that has folding contraptions. Their nyhamn futon used to be quite a steal at the old price of ~$200. The finnala sofa bed is also well made. And ikea tends to use removable fabric covers, which is also great. So ikea gets a lot of design right. The only bummer is their 1.5x price inflation since covid.

Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#139

Post by worthless-trash »

Gigachad wrote: post #110
piuantiderp wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just buy used quality stuff, find local smaller woodworkers that are getting established, etc... If you bought IKEA you are already part of the problem. Real furniture IS expensive and worth it considering you use it almost everyday.

Solid wood is an absolute nightmare to move. And I've found that most stuff from IKEA lasts quite a long time.

How long is "quite" in this reference. I've got ikea crap which is falling apart and its only ever held towels and linen, not even 5 years.

Re: Why new furniture doesn’t last long

#140

Post by bubblethink »

MrBuddyCasino wrote: post #62
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…

The clothing market for the middle seems to have shrunk. Massdrop was pretty successful in offering the middle, until they pivoted. I bought of lot of good quality interesting stuff from massdrop back in the day.
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