Need complete home new furniture
Mainly
Tv unit with drawer
Wardrobe
Computer table
Sofa cum bed
Coffee table
Kitchen cabinets and drawer
Small book case or show case
Should I go with IKEA or with local carpenter
Any idea on ikea durability and cost effectiveness
Ikea you get what you pay for. You can get cheapo engineered wood stuff as well as solid wood (the latter for a price) but overall the fit finish is going to be good. Local carpenters can vary wildly in their skill and ability to follow basic instructions (ask me how I know). If you’re willing to be extremely involved and check-in with the guy often and double-check his work, it might be ok. Or you can go with the new age “woodworkers" from Instagram or elsewhere you are really skilled and you’ll pay dearly for that craftsmanship (and the quality of the wood).
Ikea products are usually very good in quality for cheap.
This is to make you think that even the furniture and other high price tag products are worth it. But it’s not. For tables, wardrobes, other ‘wood’ units, ikea uses fibreboard skeleton and honeycomb paper inside like this ↓
They do claim this supports upto 100kg, but in the long term I highly doubt it.
A particular ikea wardrobe was recalled after 6 kids were killed by it tripping over. Ikea had to pay out $46mn
Go for a reputed local vendor, you get to choose what plywood they use. Can’t go wrong.
Unless you have a good reference of a carpenter,adequate time & trust. it’s better to go with ikea… Speaking from experience as I’ve done multiple interior projects.
the honeycomb type boards aren’t good but you can look out for MDF furniture within Ikea they are usually thinner than the honeycomb ones in thickness and are heavier too.
The Linnmon Series table top is notorious for sagging after sometime because of the honeycomb design. Meanwhile the Trotten table I use has the MDF type board.
I can recommend IKEA for the quality and clarity in pricing. It’s a loot if you are considering getting it made at home. The labour they charge varies. The other option is to get it made from the modular furniture makers but you have to be clear about the pricing.
I can’t say for others but cupboard and bookshelf are usually pretty good from Ikea.
I got them myself and it was relatively easy to assemble it yourself. And for other storage or miscellaneous things Ikea is great for their price range.
Anything bigger I would suggest getting a carpenter though BUT please sure they’re vetted properly by others through recommendation. Don’t go in blind.
