Don’t get me wrong–I like IKEA. Sure, it’s a pain to assemble a bed frame using only an Allen wrench and drawings of a humanoid creature. But it’s the go-to place for affordable furniture, and they have a lot of great stuff. But maybe you’re ready for something different. Perhaps you’ve gotten lost in their store one too many times. Or maybe you’re tired of seeing the same LACK side table and POANG chair in everyone’s home. You want a little variety, and I don’t blame you. If so, here are ten other affordable furniture stores like IKEA (minus the maze). Yes, Amazon is actually a pretty amazing place to find affordable furniture. Now, their prices can be over the place. But with some filtering, and you can find great deals on furniture. I once bought a comfortable, executive desk chair for $25. That’s an extreme example, but it’s worth a look. Their daily Gold Box Deals also often include steep discounts on furniture. Yes, Sears has an online outlet, and you can find some incredible deals.
In my own search, some discounts were up to 82%. Some of their sofas–not futons–were as low as $280. The caveat is, not all items can be shipped, and some of them may not be available for pickup near you. The good news is: you can browse by pickup location to find a store nearby. If you’re into simple, minimalist design, you’ll love Muji. They’re quite similar to IKEA in price, quality, and aesthetic. Muji has locations throughout Europe and Asia, but in the States, their storefronts are limited to New York and California. You can order items online, and you’ll have to pay for shipping. But their prices are pretty affordable, so it may be worth the extra cost. Frankly, a lot of their stuff is overpriced. But some of their furniture items are comparable to IKEA prices, especially when they’re on sale. And if you check their clearance section, you can usually find some decent deals. It might be a long shot, but it’s worth asking. Some furniture stores will sell their floor models for a fraction of the price.
At one frou-frou store here in L.A., I nabbed two fancy floor model barstools for $70 each. IKEA prices, better quality. Here’s another online retailer whose prices are all over the map. Some of their stuff is, frankly, insanely expensive. But a lot of is it surprisingly affordable–and not just by comparison. Oddly, depending on the day and time, I’ve noticed their prices fluctuate. So here’s a tip: if you’ve got your eye on something, monitor it for a while. Also, consider searching in Private or Incognito mode. Sometimes, you’ll find lower prices. You probably know that Overstock is a discount surplus site, but maybe you didn’t know their prices rival even Amazon’s. I’ve found a few of the exact same Amazon products cheaper at Overstock. So make sure compare prices. Bonuses: free shipping if you spend more than $50 and a 10% off coupon if you sign up for their email list. Big Lots is another option, and you probably have a store near you.
They’re similar in quality and price to IKEA, just with less variety. You can find even better deals on their furniture clearance items online. Some of their stuff is a bit more expensive than IKEA. But, occasionally, they have sales that bring down the prices considerably. Oh, and here’s a funny story: Years ago, I bought a couch, in-store, for like, $450. A few years later, the cushions started sinking. Granted, I had a few couch guests over the years (and I did jump on it once, when I got my first job in LA). But I felt like the couch should’ve been able to handle that. When I emailed Cost Plus, they agreed. And they gave me credit, for the exact amount I paid, to buy a new couch. So they get bonus points for their amazing customer service. Etsy is a great place to find handcrafted furniture. Yes, sometimes, these prices are going to be expensive–after all, these are independent store owners. But, considering the quality, there are remarkable deals to be had.
You can find decent prices on reclaimed or upcycled vintage furniture, too. Some will argue, rightfully, that it pays to spend a bit more money on quality furniture you’ll have for years. This is definitely true. But not everyone can afford a $2,000 couch; sometimes you have to compromise. Also, if you take care of your stuff (i.e., don’t jump on your couch when you get a new job), you might still be able to keep lower-quality items for a long time. Of course, you can also get great deals on quality used furniture with tried-and-true methods: yard sales, estate sales, thrift stores, etc. Have you guys ever bought from any of the stores above? If so, would you recommend them? Are there any I forgot?Buying an IKEA bed in the USBuying an IKEA bed in the US might be something you are unfamiliar with. It will have a few parts and assembly will be necessary and I think a lot of people do not get all the parts on the first try. So this article offers a little guidance on all the parts and advice on choosing which parts to buy.
To Boxspring/Foundation or Not to Boxspring/Foundation?Well, first of all, let me explain what a boxspring/foundation is. They are actually two different items, although they look the same from the side and serve the same purpose of raising your mattress. There is one major difference, however: The foundation has wood boards to hold up the mattress, while the boxspring, like its name suggests, has springs where it meets the mattress. So what does this mean, you ask? Well, a boxspring will give you a plusher, bouncier feeling, while a foundation will feel firmer and more solid. Do I need a boxspring or a foundation? No, you can place your mattress right on the slats if you want. A boxspring has springs = softer A foundation is all wood inside = firmerBut you might not need either with an IKEA bed Slats: What Are They Good For?Slats are the wooden boards that the mattress, boxspring, or foundation rests on. The advantage of an IKEA bed is that you can use slats and a mattress alone, eliminating the need for a boxspring or foundation.
This is very useful if you are trying to move a bedframe into a tight location, like up a narrow staircase or through a small doorway. What you should consider when buying a frame is if it has adjustable What you should consider when buying a frame is if it has adjustable bedsides. It will say it on the tag and it means you can set your slats lower if you want to use a boxspring or a foundation to make the bed higher. Which Slats Should I Choose?There are three types of basic slats to choose from: Lade are pine boards that provide the firmest feel. These are the ones you would use with a mattress and boxspring/foundation or with just a mattress if you like a firm feel. Luroy slats are curved a little and made of birch wood. You would use these with a mattress alone, and they provide a softer feel. Laxeby slats are the plushest-feeling, and you would also use these with the mattress alone. Note: These come with their own wood frame, are adjustable, and need to be assembled.
They are a lot of work, but if you like the softer feel, they are worth it. Each slat or slat and boxspring/foundation combo can work with any mattress, be it spring, foam, or latex. The thicker the mattress (standard mattress thickness is about 8 inches), the less you feel the slats; the thinner the mattress, the more you have to pay attention to the slat choice. Alright sound good, am I missing anything else? The Skorva Mid BeamThe Mid beam is included in the price of the bedframe, but is a separate part from the bed and comes from a different location in the warehouse. It is a universal part for all larger IKEA beds (full, queen, and king) that is adjustable to the size of the bed. This is what lies underneath the slats and what supports them. It is a very important piece to the puzzle and the bed can't be assembled without it. There is only one type of mid beam to choose from, but just don't forget it at the store. If you are ordering online, the mid beam, if needed with your model bed, is included from the IKEA website.