Is West Elm really much better than IKEA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, what do people think about this table: https://www.westelm.com/products/mid-century-expandable-dining-table-round-h4230/?pkey=cdining-tables

vs this one: https://www.roomandboard.com/catalog/dining-and-kitchen/tables/ventura-round-extension-tables#power-reviews-tabs

Is the extra thousand dollars worth it?

Yes. Room and Board uses better quality materials and manufactures in the U.S. Furniture from Room and Board is much better quality than West Elm.

We have had the rectangular version of that West Elm table and it is has held up well and is solid. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it again. I like R&B but not sure the price is worth it for that table since the WE is solid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, what do people think about this table: https://www.westelm.com/products/mid-century-expandable-dining-table-round-h4230/?pkey=cdining-tables

vs this one: https://www.roomandboard.com/catalog/dining-and-kitchen/tables/ventura-round-extension-tables#power-reviews-tabs

Is the extra thousand dollars worth it?

Yes. Room and Board uses better quality materials and manufactures in the U.S. Furniture from Room and Board is much better quality than West Elm.

We have had the rectangular version of that West Elm table and it is has held up well and is solid. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it again. I like R&B but not sure the price is worth it for that table since the WE is solid.

It doesn’t scratch easily?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, what do people think about this table: https://www.westelm.com/products/mid-century-expandable-dining-table-round-h4230/?pkey=cdining-tables

vs this one: https://www.roomandboard.com/catalog/dining-and-kitchen/tables/ventura-round-extension-tables#power-reviews-tabs

Is the extra thousand dollars worth it?

Yes. Room and Board uses better quality materials and manufactures in the U.S. Furniture from Room and Board is much better quality than West Elm.

We have had the rectangular version of that West Elm table and it is has held up well and is solid. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it again. I like R&B but not sure the price is worth it for that table since the WE is solid.

It looks like the West Elm is veneer over engineered wood, meaning that if it scratches or is damaged, you probably can't refinish the top. The R&B table seems like it's just wood, so you could.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, what do people think about this table: https://www.westelm.com/products/mid-century-expandable-dining-table-round-h4230/?pkey=cdining-tables

vs this one: https://www.roomandboard.com/catalog/dining-and-kitchen/tables/ventura-round-extension-tables#power-reviews-tabs

Is the extra thousand dollars worth it?

Yes. Room and Board uses better quality materials and manufactures in the U.S. Furniture from Room and Board is much better quality than West Elm.

We have had the rectangular version of that West Elm table and it is has held up well and is solid. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it again. I like R&B but not sure the price is worth it for that table since the WE is solid.

It looks like the West Elm is veneer over engineered wood, meaning that if it scratches or is damaged, you probably can't refinish the top. The R&B table seems like it's just wood, so you could.

Exactly, west elm’s case goods are all made of cheap veneers. They aren’t high quality. Room and Board uses solid woods like walnut and oak. Add in that nearly everything west elm makes is imported from Asia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, what do people think about this table: https://www.westelm.com/products/mid-century-expandable-dining-table-round-h4230/?pkey=cdining-tables

vs this one: https://www.roomandboard.com/catalog/dining-and-kitchen/tables/ventura-round-extension-tables#power-reviews-tabs

Is the extra thousand dollars worth it?

Yes. Room and Board uses better quality materials and manufactures in the U.S. Furniture from Room and Board is much better quality than West Elm.

We have had the rectangular version of that West Elm table and it is has held up well and is solid. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it again. I like R&B but not sure the price is worth it for that table since the WE is solid.

It looks like the West Elm is veneer over engineered wood, meaning that if it scratches or is damaged, you probably can't refinish the top. The R&B table seems like it's just wood, so you could.

Exactly, west elm’s case goods are all made of cheap veneers. They aren’t high quality. Room and Board uses solid woods like walnut and oak. Add in that nearly everything west elm makes is imported from Asia.

Yes, something that costs over three times as much is higher quality (probably more than 4x in practice because west elm has regular huge discounts).

[Anonymous]

No, really poor quality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's weird how nobody understands IKEA in this country. They think it's crap made for the poors or something. In fact IKEA has different lines with different solidity and because it's a European manufacturer, has far higher standards for off-gassing formaldehyde, toxins in glue, and general sustainability, than US manufacturers who basically have no regulation.

If you want strength and durability, buy solid wood furniture from IKEA (or another manufacturer) and make sure to install it correctly. IKEA will tell you exactly what parts are made from what.

If you want crap, buy the rest.

Americans don’t understand cheap furniture made cheaply? What an incredibly stupid comment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, what do people think about this table: https://www.westelm.com/products/mid-century-expandable-dining-table-round-h4230/?pkey=cdining-tables

vs this one: https://www.roomandboard.com/catalog/dining-and-kitchen/tables/ventura-round-extension-tables#power-reviews-tabs

Is the extra thousand dollars worth it?

Yes. Room and Board uses better quality materials and manufactures in the U.S. Furniture from Room and Board is much better quality than West Elm.

We have had the rectangular version of that West Elm table and it is has held up well and is solid. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it again. I like R&B but not sure the price is worth it for that table since the WE is solid.

Do you need an oval? Expandable mid-century dining tables are widely available so you could just get a real one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's weird how nobody understands IKEA in this country. They think it's crap made for the poors or something. In fact IKEA has different lines with different solidity and because it's a European manufacturer, has far higher standards for off-gassing formaldehyde, toxins in glue, and general sustainability, than US manufacturers who basically have no regulation.

If you want strength and durability, buy solid wood furniture from IKEA (or another manufacturer) and make sure to install it correctly. IKEA will tell you exactly what parts are made from what.

If you want crap, buy the rest.

Americans don’t understand cheap furniture made cheaply? What an incredibly stupid comment.

I’m not that PP, but one thing I have learned from this site is that many Americans don’t understand the difference between a manufacturer and a retailer (IKEA is both, West Elm is not although I’m sure they place orders large enough for customization).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's weird how nobody understands IKEA in this country. They think it's crap made for the poors or something. In fact IKEA has different lines with different solidity and because it's a European manufacturer, has far higher standards for off-gassing formaldehyde, toxins in glue, and general sustainability, than US manufacturers who basically have no regulation.

If you want strength and durability, buy solid wood furniture from IKEA (or another manufacturer) and make sure to install it correctly. IKEA will tell you exactly what parts are made from what.

If you want crap, buy the rest.

I have no idea what you're trying to claim. I lived in other countries and in those countries everyone knew Ikea was cheap furniture and cheap for a reason.

I agree there are different lines of durability but even the best of Ikea isn't anywhere as solid and high quality as good quality furniture. America has a lot of good quality furniture. North Carolina makes some of the best furniture in the world. It just cost a lot more and that's why people rely on Ikea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's weird how nobody understands IKEA in this country. They think it's crap made for the poors or something. In fact IKEA has different lines with different solidity and because it's a European manufacturer, has far higher standards for off-gassing formaldehyde, toxins in glue, and general sustainability, than US manufacturers who basically have no regulation.

If you want strength and durability, buy solid wood furniture from IKEA (or another manufacturer) and make sure to install it correctly. IKEA will tell you exactly what parts are made from what.

If you want crap, buy the rest.

I have no idea what you're trying to claim. I lived in other countries and in those countries everyone knew Ikea was cheap furniture and cheap for a reason.

I agree there are different lines of durability but even the best of Ikea isn't anywhere as solid and high quality as good quality furniture. America has a lot of good quality furniture. North Carolina makes some of the best furniture in the world. It just cost a lot more and that's why people rely on Ikea.

Sometimes you just don't need the heirloom quality. We spent money on a nice kitchen table and chairs that gets used tons. But got an Ikea desk for the basement for a kid craft station and an Ikea bookshelf to hold toys. They exactly serve their purpose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's weird how nobody understands IKEA in this country. They think it's crap made for the poors or something. In fact IKEA has different lines with different solidity and because it's a European manufacturer, has far higher standards for off-gassing formaldehyde, toxins in glue, and general sustainability, than US manufacturers who basically have no regulation.

If you want strength and durability, buy solid wood furniture from IKEA (or another manufacturer) and make sure to install it correctly. IKEA will tell you exactly what parts are made from what.

If you want crap, buy the rest.

I have no idea what you're trying to claim. I lived in other countries and in those countries everyone knew Ikea was cheap furniture and cheap for a reason.

I agree there are different lines of durability but even the best of Ikea isn't anywhere as solid and high quality as good quality furniture. America has a lot of good quality furniture. North Carolina makes some of the best furniture in the world. It just cost a lot more and that's why people rely on Ikea.

Sometimes you just don't need the heirloom quality. We spent money on a nice kitchen table and chairs that gets used tons. But got an Ikea desk for the basement for a kid craft station and an Ikea bookshelf to hold toys. They exactly serve their purpose.

Sure, that's fine. Not everyone wants/needs/afford top quality furniture. Ikea serves a good and useful niche.

[Anonymous]

No I don’t think west elm is that much better quality than ikea. I have returned wooden furniture from them that showed up looking crappy. On the other hand I have long lasting solid pieces from ikea. I would never buy a hardworking item from west elm (couch or bed or dining table). I think west elm offers slightly more designed/global/“wow” pieces than ikea though, which is pretty spare Scandinavian style.

Room and board is a different category altogether. We’ll made. You go to the store and everything looks nicer than it did online which is the opposite of west elm.

I really like west elm for textiles.

[Anonymous]

I have shopped at both places, and my advice is the same for both stores: if you can, go look at and touch the pieces you’re interested in in person. IKEA has some great, surprisingly solid pieces, and so does West Elm. Both also make things I think aren’t sturdy at all. Thank

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, what do people think about this table: https://www.westelm.com/products/mid-century-expandable-dining-table-round-h4230/?pkey=cdining-tables

vs this one: https://www.roomandboard.com/catalog/dining-and-kitchen/tables/ventura-round-extension-tables#power-reviews-tabs

Is the extra thousand dollars worth it?

Yes. Room and Board uses better quality materials and manufactures in the U.S. Furniture from Room and Board is much better quality than West Elm.

We have had the rectangular version of that West Elm table and it is has held up well and is solid. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it again. I like R&B but not sure the price is worth it for that table since the WE is solid.

Do you need an oval? Expandable mid-century dining tables are widely available so you could just get a real one.

It's a small space and I think an oval is going to fit into it better than a rectangle, unfortunately.