6 Things You Should Never Buy At IKEA

Daniel Mitchell in Home & Design

10/12/25

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IKEA has earned its spot in millions of homes around the world. It’s affordable, accessible, and full of sleek Scandinavian designs. But not every item is worth the price, or the hassle for that matter. Some things just don’t hold up, either in quality, function, or value. If you’re trying to make smart decisions with your money and your time, here are 8 things you might want to skip during your next IKEA trip.

MALM 3-Drawer Chest

It looks great in a showroom and works for light storage, but the MALM 3-drawer chest just doesn’t hold up under real use. The drawer bottoms are thin and tend to sag or pop out with heavier items like jeans or linens. The surface also scratches easily, and once the finish wears off, there’s no good way to fix it. A good chest of drawers is worth investing in if you’re setting up a new bedroom space.

LACK Side Table

At under $15, the LACK side table is tempting, but the low price comes at a cost. It’s made mostly of cardboard and plastic veneer, and it shows. Any weight or moisture damages it fast, and it wobbles under pressure. It works fine as a placeholder until you get something better, but there are stronger alternatives for not much more. This one definitely won’t move with you though. It might not even survive the season.

SUNDVIK Children’s Table and Chairs

This set is cute, compact, and sized just right for kids, but the durability is lacking pretty severely. The SUNDVIK table and chairs are known to loosen up over time. Screws come undone, and the paint chips off easily, especially with rough toddler use. You don’t want a wobbly seat under a busy kid. If you need children’s furniture that holds up to wear and tear, this one misses the mark.

The SUNDVIK children's table and chair in a child's room.

TULLSTA Armchair

The TULLSTA chair is small, lightweight, and simple to assemble. Unfortunately, it’s also stiff, shallow, and uncomfortable. The seat cushion doesn’t offer much support, and it quickly loses its shape. What starts out looking like a stylish accent piece soon becomes something nobody wants to sit in. It’s better to spend a little more for a chair that’s actually inviting to use (or, if you already have one, a better cushion).

TRIXIG Tool Kit

If you’re setting up your first apartment, the FIXA tool kit might seem like a smart purchase. A nice, convenient toolset with all the essentials. However, the quality is so low that you’ll probably need to replace it within a year. The tools feel flimsy, and many don’t work well for more than light use. For just a bit more, you can get a real starter toolset that won’t fail when you need it.

KALLAX Drawer Inserts

The KALLAX shelf unit itself is solid and reliable, but the drawer inserts are not. They’re often tricky to install, the sliders don’t glide smoothly, and the drawers don’t sit flush. Over time, they warp or sag, making the whole piece look unfinished. If you like the look of drawers in your cube shelving, try third-party inserts made to fit. There are many out there that are better quality and easier to live with.

The KALLAX drawer insert in a KALLAX shelf.

IKEA is great for a lot of things, but not everything in the store is a long-term win. Some pieces are more style than substance, and others just don’t hold up in real-life use. Knowing which items to avoid helps you shop smarter, waste less, and create a home that’s actually built to last. Save your money for the pieces that do the job right and skip the ones that leave you frustrated.