I returned to the UK with a 7 year old and luggage. We just moved into to our unfurnished flat 10 days ago. Buying furniture has been f*ing frustrating as hell. AIBU?
When the Amazon wardrobe stood up and immediately collapsed into a pile resembling a miniature ground-zero I breathed deeply, whatsapped a friend and quickly decided the cheaply made wardrobe with sharp bits sticking out in all directions had no other path in life than the tip. I requested an A-Z Amazon refund. If they deny it (as did the merchant which only refunds UNUSED items) than I'll have learned to never buy furniture from Amazon.
Trying to find a furniture shops in London on my 'furnish-the-entire-flat-while-hunting-a-job' budget seems like being limited to IKEA, IKEA, IKEA and Argos. Though I've heard Dunelm might be reasonable along with Homebase. Well I've been trying to assemble a Homebase chest of drawers for a few days now and the screws won't go in far enough for the drawer rails to work.
But what makes me really frustrated is this. I purchased a console dining table and bench from a reputable shop in London with a showroom on Tottenham Court Road. The bench is sturdy. The table is as sturdy as an inflatable Bop Bag. Returning it was met with a lot of resistance. Let me tell you, if the table tipped on my 7 year old we would be in A&E if we were lucky! I have an average space dining/living room which is fully carpeted. After the topsy-tippy table fiasco (boxed and waiting pickup) I've been scouring sites for days: dunelm, homebase, B&Q, Argos, Ikea, Wayfair...and honestly every single table has from 1-5 star reviews. Many 1 stars mentioning legs falling off, tipping, scufffing, swelling after spills! Not child-friendly! It seems very difficult to find a table that is reasonable. My budget is £300 for the table alone. My 'demands' are that it will be stable and minimalist, a height a child can sit at but I can cross my legs at... I've been looking for a white or glass top with tulip-like base (but how will I know it will be sturdy?) or 4 legs - something that can't be easily tripped on or tipped. (The modern legs sticking out in different directions is pretty but is it safe?). 100-120cm long.
Oddly living abroad was the only time I had to furnish a flat and the rooms were much bigger. AIBU to think I can find a sturdy, minimalist, somewhat durable table for £300 or less? If i'm unreasonable, can anyone tell me where I can find a table, where I can see it in a real-life or where I can order it which won't refuse to take it back once it's been out of the box? Have a table you love? Tell me!
Examples of likes below: