To think husband can’t start hacking gifted furniture?

[MrsR2018]

We were asked/gifted some tall units from IKEA but have decided that they’re not what we would like now.

Husband wants to take it to bits and hack it into shelving that would match the rest of the furniture. (To be fair he IS good at this)

I think that’s terribly wrong to do. I think we should re-offer it back out to the family (big family) and if no takers ask if the original gifter is happy for us to pass it on for free.

He thinks once it’s passed on the previous owners have no say in what’s done with it.

YABU - let him hack away
YANBU - it’s not the right thing to do

I would do as you have suggested.

Why don't you ask if anyone else wants it, if not then let him adapt it.

I agree with him. I don't see the issue. You'd still be using it. It's not like you're going to take it to the tip.

Well it’s been passed on so I see where he’s coming from. I’d probably check with whoever gave it to me if they mind if we did it. I doubt they would though they no longer need it clearly.

He’s right you say he’s really good at this so let him do his magic and re-purpose the gifted furniture IKEA furniture isn’t exactly expensive and nor is it luxury so repurposing it it will probably make it better ha ha
Why sell it or gift it on/ give it back when you can use it

If you don’t want it, why is he adding extra shelves?

Double check with the giver to make really sure they don't expect it back at any point, then hack away!

Hand made by his grandfather or very very valuable then he would possibly be being unreasonable. But it's from IKEA! It's practically the law to adapt it.

I thought you were going to say it was some old family heirloom you’d been gifted but it’s from ikea. So let him hack away

Once something has been given to someone it belongs to the recipient in my opinion.
It's only an IKEA unit, not a family heirloom.

I agree. Once I give something away, what happens to it is none of my business.

But, OP, if the person who gave it is someone you think might get upset because your husband hacked it, then it might be wise to ask them - only to save any possible upset between you and that person. (And you’ll know for future reference if there are conditions that come with a gift from them). If you ask them, they have the choice of taking it back and regifting it. (It’s not your job to find another home for it)

It's the actual unit they've been given they don't want. OP says the dh wants to repurpose it by taking it apart and creating a new item(s) from it which they do want/need.

Usually people give furniture away because they no longer need it and don't want to pay someone to take it to the tip. It's very unlikely that the donor will care or even notice what you do with it. Unless there is a huge drip feed coming that the donor saved for a year to buy you the Billy bookcase or whatever it is.

I agree, if it was something valuable like Great grannies antique oak dresser , yes it would be wrong, but second hand mdf from IKEA. Not so much

I pushed the wrong button. I agree with you.

That is literally what the OP has said she wants to do.

I think family heirloom - no way, IKEA tall boy - go ahead, but maybe it would be sensitive to message the givers and ask if this is ok or would they prefer you to offer it up to other members of the family first.

Tbh you’ve done them a favour by taking it off their hands. Let your husband make something good of them.

Yabu!

It's IKEA, your DH is right, hack away.
If it was a heirloom piece or even just something just a bit interesting then I could see your point but not something from IKEA. The most common furniture in the world, no one is going to miss the original.

YABU

If it was a family heirloom it would be different, but it's Ikea. Check with the giver if you think they might be funny about it, but let him do his thing.

Even if had come from a family house clearance - when this happened with us we only offered out the bits we didn't want ourselves. If I didn't want it myself, I don't think I have much right to tell anyone else what they can do with it.

It's IKEA furniture, not something expensive or precious and you will still be using it after. The person who gave it to you is probably just glad it is being used. Check with them if you are worried.

It’s Ikea not antique. Your husband is right on this one- no one will care. It’s just bits of mdf being repurposed for good use.

I'd probably make absolutely certain that they don't want it back and then go ahead and do whatever you want with it.

@Aprilx

No it's not

I think that’s terribly wrong to do. I think we should re-offer it back out to the family (big family) and if no takers ask if the original gifter is happy for us to pass it on for free.