If you walk into my house, it looks like it came out of an IKEA catalog - because it really did.
I have an obsession with home decor, so it's safe to assume that I'm a huge IKEA fan. Their products are affordable, easy to assemble, and the store is super fun to spend time in.
But all that love came crashing down when I learned the truth about IKEA furniture. I've always known that their products are not top of the line, but at least you're getting the bang for your buck. Well, so I thought...
The furniture company prides itself on simplicity, but what if their products are too simple? Like what if they are not all they are made out to be.
Literally.
James L. Sutter from Seattle posted a photo on Twitter of a table he bought from IKEA. When he sawed it in half, he was shocked by what he saw.
"I always knew that Ikea furniture was fake wood - particle board with a veneer on top. Fine, whatever. But last night I sawed into my desk and discovered the particle board *itself* is a lie," he wrote. "FOLKS IKEA WOOD IS LITERALLY CARDBOARD."
"(To be clear, I don't have a problem with this: it's cheap, light, and works. But it was extremely surprising!)," he added.
However, not everyone is so surprised by this discovery...
Reactions
Social media users were quick to jump on the bandwagon, and find other faults with the ready-to-assemble furniture company.
"I was helping someone carry my wife's IKEA desk down some stairs and a corner of it literally snapped off in my hand. I was at the lower end, so the desk fell on me. If I hadn't been on a landing turning the corner, I'd probably be dead," wrote one Twitter user.
"I have an ikea desk and I've smashed it so hard with my elbow and my fist while gaming that if it was made out of cardboard it would have a huge hole in it. The desk is self built from an wooden desk panel from Ikea," another commented.
Other people are applauding IKEA for its transparency, since the product description does state that it's a "honeycomb structure recycled paper filling."
"That honeycomb structure is actually stronger than particle board (unless you cut it in half.) Its also far more eco friendly. They use the particle board for the parts that need to hold screws," wrote one user.
"In my design university there's a whole department that builds chairs and other stuff out of very smartly folded paper. It is extremely sturdy. Why is that a lie? I guess everybody's happy if stuff is recycled and light weight "“ if it works and none stated otherwise, of course," another wrote.
Here's what IKEA had to say about it:
IKEA's Statement
IKEA issued a statement after the tweet went viral: "At IKEA all of our products are designed with form, function, sustainability, affordability and quality in mind. In order to minimize waste, we strive to use materials in the most efficient way.
By using a strong honeycomb pattern paper filling inside some products it allows us to produce more pieces using less raw materials and at the same time reduce the price for people without compromising on quality. Product material information is clearly displayed in store and online."
After hearing both sides of the argument, I'm not really sure what to think about their furniture.
On one hand, the packaging did technically say the product is not entirely made of the type of wood you'd expect. But on the other hand, it's a little deceiving. IKEA makes us believe that their products are affordable and that they use good quality materials.
At the end of the day, if we're not happy with a product, we'll just return it, and most likely be able to get our money back.
I haven't had any trouble with my furniture yet, but I'm going to be more careful to read the product description.
