# IKEA chairs - recommendations **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 2, 2007, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ikea-chairs-recommendations/390498 "2007-02-02T03:15:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2007, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ikea-chairs-recommendations/390498/1 "2007-02-02T03:15:05Z")
As everyone knows, the trick for IKEA shopping is to realize that some of it is fabulous and some of it is just shite. With that in mind, now that my STEFAN chairs are falling apart, could someone recommend a more durable model of dining room chair? I don’t have the world to spend, but I would finally like to have four matching chairs that won’t disintegrate when sat on. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2007, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ikea-chairs-recommendations/390498/2 "2007-02-02T03:42:52Z")
Is there some reason you are sticking to IKEA? Personally, I’ve had fabulous luck buying furniture on [Craigslist.](http://montreal.craigslist.org/fur/) The number of people who sell practically new furniture for cheap because they get bored with it is astounding. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2007, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ikea-chairs-recommendations/390498/3 "2007-02-02T04:09:56Z")
I guess because if someone can recommend me a good chair at IKEA, I’ll be able to rely on that and find the same thing up here, whereas I can’t usefully ask for advice if it’s on Craigslist or something else the other person can’t assure me about. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2007, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ikea-chairs-recommendations/390498/4 "2007-02-02T04:17:31Z")
Well, maybe my experience has been not only luck, but having had grandparents who were antique dealers, and thereby knowing how to poke my way around and judge a solid piece of furniture. (And perhaps also why I tend not to be such a fan of the modern IKEA aesthetic when it comes to furniture. Housewares on occasion, perhaps, but rarely furniture.) Carry on, then! I promise I’ll shut up now. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2007, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ikea-chairs-recommendations/390498/5 "2007-02-02T04:46:43Z")
Have you looked at [overstock.com](http://overstock.com)? We bought some chairs from them that are extremely well built and we’re really happy with (although quality does vary with their stuff). They have customer reviews on their products. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2007, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ikea-chairs-recommendations/390498/6 "2007-02-02T05:26:33Z")
We bought the [Bertil](http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15564&catalogId=10103&storeId=3&productId=53142&langId=-15&categoryId=15656&chosenPartNumber=20087747) chairs a couple years back since the old chairs we had were just a mess. They don’t really match the table (which is really sturdy and older than me) but I find them sturdy and have so far survived well under the tender attentions of a toddler. ---
**Author:** ![sugar\_and\_spice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@sugar\_and\_spice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugar_and_spice)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2007, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ikea-chairs-recommendations/390498/7 "2007-02-02T06:39:41Z")
[QUOTE=Eva Luna] Is there some reason you are sticking to IKEA? Personally, I’ve had fabulous luck buying furniture on [Craigslist.](http://montreal.craigslist.org/fur/) The number of people who sell practically new furniture for cheap because they get bored with it is astounding. [/QUOTE] You know, I’ve had great luck buying IKEA furniture ON craigslist. IKEA is so ubiquitous that many people will put the IKEA model info in their posting. Costs less than the already bargain IKEA price, and I save the trip out too. (I’m not near a store). Sure its used, but its just IKEA furniture anyhow. I have OLLE chairs, so to warn you I wouldn’t call those sturdy (but they sure were cheap). ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2007, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ikea-chairs-recommendations/390498/8 "2007-02-02T09:24:03Z")
[QUOTE=sugar and spice] You know, I’ve had great luck buying IKEA furniture ON craigslist. [/QUOTE] Ooo, that’s a great tip! Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2007, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ikea-chairs-recommendations/390498/9 "2007-02-02T09:27:08Z")
[QUOTE=Eva Luna] Well, maybe my experience has been not only luck, but having had grandparents who were antique dealers, and thereby knowing how to poke my way around and judge a solid piece of furniture.. [/QUOTE] Oh, could you share some tips in this regard? ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2007, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ikea-chairs-recommendations/390498/10 "2007-02-02T16:48:22Z")
We’ve had a bunch of their Kaustby chairs for a few years, and other than where the dog thought they were chew toys, they’re not doing too badly. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2007, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ikea-chairs-recommendations/390498/11 "2007-02-02T17:54:07Z")
[QUOTE=matt\_mcl] As everyone knows, the trick for IKEA shopping is to realize that some of it is fabulous and some of it is just shite. With that in mind, now that my STEFAN chairs are falling apart, could someone recommend a more durable model of dining room chair? I don’t have the world to spend, but I would finally like to have four matching chairs that won’t disintegrate when sat on. [/QUOTE] I don’t mean to dump on the OP, but the vast majority of IKEA furniture is shit, and the stuff that isn’t shit is just adequate. IKEA’s okay if you need cheap kitchen accessories or some shelving or what have you, but the furniture is generally not worth the price. Try Leon’s. You’ll be shocked at how reasonable the prices can be (free delivery, too!) At least shop around outside IKEA. I know the place as an appealing air to it and it’s fashionable to stroll around there, but if you start really looking at furniture you learn just how shoddy their products are. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2007, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ikea-chairs-recommendations/390498/12 "2007-02-02T21:40:11Z")
[QUOTE=RickJay] I don’t mean to dump on the OP, but the vast majority of IKEA furniture is shit, and the stuff that isn’t shit is just adequate. IKEA’s okay if you need cheap kitchen accessories or some shelving or what have you, but the furniture is generally not worth the price. Try Leon’s. You’ll be shocked at how reasonable the prices can be (free delivery, too!) At least shop around outside IKEA. I know the place as an appealing air to it and it’s fashionable to stroll around there, but if you start really looking at furniture you learn just how shoddy their products are. [/QUOTE] Would you have a particular make of chair at Leon’s that you’d recommend? IKEA isn’t essential, I’m just looking for a recommendation that I can actually apply at a store nearby (and Leon’s has a few on the island, so good.) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2007, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ikea-chairs-recommendations/390498/13 "2007-02-03T02:38:50Z")
[QUOTE=matt\_mcl] Would you have a particular make of chair at Leon’s that you’d recommend? IKEA isn’t essential, I’m just looking for a recommendation that I can actually apply at a store nearby (and Leon’s has a few on the island, so good.) [/QUOTE] Oh, man, I’d have to actually go to the store, and of course I haven’t a clue what would suit your existing furniture. You need to go look. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2007, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ikea-chairs-recommendations/390498/14 "2007-02-03T04:23:00Z")
[QUOTE=matt\_mcl] Oh, could you share some tips in this regard? [/QUOTE] Hmmm…trying to think how to put into words. Grandpop is dead, or I’d call and ask him, but I may try Grandmom over the weekend (I should call her anyway). It’s the kind of thing that’s easier to explain in motions than in words.