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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want decent priced good quality stuff?

21 replies

TheLilEngineWhoCould · 08/02/2025 18:09

Not looking for rock bottom prices nor millionaire only level just decent quality stuff that lasts
bedding - sorted with a small British company same as with a meat box
nice bed from ercol
am just so sick of stuff that’s not cheap breaking, not lasting

am moving house and lots of my stuff is getting to the very aged and knackered as 2nd hand and won’t fit in my new place so am looking at buying mostly everything new. But really struggling for where to get anything

OP posts:
Iamallowedtodisagreewithyou · 08/02/2025 22:13

I feel yourpain

Can you tell us exactly what you need to replace? different posters might have good knowledge about different types of things.

Bjorkdidit · 08/02/2025 22:18

Well we don't buy particularly expensive things and it all lasts, some of it I'd quite like it to break so I could justify replacing it.

We have 30 YO Ikea Billy bookcases that have survived a house move and in perfect condition. Our bed is also Ikea and I'd like to downsize to UK king size with storage, but again there's nothing wrong with it.

@StrawberrySquash ask for samples. If they can't do that, you have a right to return if you don't like it.

StrawberrySquash · 08/02/2025 22:31

Bjorkdidit · 08/02/2025 22:18

Well we don't buy particularly expensive things and it all lasts, some of it I'd quite like it to break so I could justify replacing it.

We have 30 YO Ikea Billy bookcases that have survived a house move and in perfect condition. Our bed is also Ikea and I'd like to downsize to UK king size with storage, but again there's nothing wrong with it.

@StrawberrySquash ask for samples. If they can't do that, you have a right to return if you don't like it.

The Billys of 30 years ago were better quality! Proper veneer; it's a wood effect now.

Angrymum22 · 08/02/2025 23:10

Collins & Hayes for sofas. They build the frame with seasoned oak. If you buy model with loose covers they can be washable and they keep the pattern at the factory for years so you can have new set of covers made. Our sofas are 30 years old and we had new covers a couple of years ago. They look brand new.
The old covers were a bit thread bare but I didn’t want new ones until DC had got past the age when they spilled everything.
Although DH isn’t much better so I have covered them with fleece throws for the time being. Also put a waterproof mattress cover on the one he uses.
DH is very attached to his sofa. We are a tall family and it was the only one that was the right height and depth that he could lie flat on . It’s 6’4” between the arms. And fits 4 sitting comfortably.
All appliances are Miele because the old ones all lasted at least 20yrs. The washing machine will probably be the next to go but that’s over 20yrs old. The new ones all talk to me via an App. And since the dryer and washing machine live in the garage it’s handy to know when the cycle is finished.

Angrymum22 · 08/02/2025 23:14

The sofas were about 4k for the two and about 2k to recover so have cost me about £200 a year so far. I was surprised that to replace them totally it wouldn’t have cost a great deal more than we originally paid. Maybe 6k, they are pretty big though and they are always doing deals.

shellyleppard · 08/02/2025 23:16

@Bjorkdidit I've had a IKEA bed frame for 21 years, it's still going strong. Brought a new mattress two years ago

MaterCogitaVera · 08/02/2025 23:18

I've been pretty lucky getting vintage furniture - a lot of stuff from the 1950s and 60s in particular is just so much better made, cheaper than buying new, and only needs a bit of furniture polish to look really good. Wouldn't do it for sofas etc, because the springs have usually gone - but a lot of my other furniture is vintage or antique.

murasaki · 08/02/2025 23:20

Second hand from British Heart Foundation, for example, can be good. They'll deliver for a smallish charge.

SleepToad · 08/02/2025 23:21

It's the same with everything these days. Bought fencing paint...worn off in less than 6 months. Dyson hoover...broke within a year. Replaced with a vax Hoover so badly designed I threw it away. And the people who design toilet seats clearly never had to clean one!

merediththethird · 08/02/2025 23:21

I like Cotswold Company for solid wood furniture. We have loads of vintage solid wood too from local facebook ads etc and it’s just beautiful.

Mmmkaay · 08/02/2025 23:24

I agree with second hand from marketplace - I've got some fabulous furniture for next to nothing. Especially chests of drawers etc. I would buy sofas new though, and would welcome ideas for decent manufacturers.

Starling7 · 08/02/2025 23:31

I've just moved and had to buy a lot as I'd sold my old furniture. Honestly the amazing beautiful quality I found on eBay and Etsy for less than Wayfair new. I got a stunning carved French bed for £300, a wonderful vintage pine glazed cupboard for £75, 5 billy bookcases - some with glass doors for £170, to update the kitchen, and a gorgeous slipper bath on claw feet for £49!
It's really worth trawling through the ads. The only items I've been disappointed with have been the few new bits which I ended up returning.

unsync · 08/02/2025 23:35

Auctions are a good source of decent furniture.

ConstanceM · 08/02/2025 23:52

What's wrong with IKEA?.
Never had anything break from them in years

sp1ders · 09/02/2025 00:04

ConstanceM · 08/02/2025 23:52

What's wrong with IKEA?.
Never had anything break from them in years

Their stuff is quite shoddy now, it's not what it was years ago.

Halfemptyhalfling · 09/02/2025 00:07

Facebook marketplace has lots of good furniture . Also look for auction houses and second hand furniture stores near you so you can see it

murasaki · 09/02/2025 00:07

sp1ders · 09/02/2025 00:04

Their stuff is quite shoddy now, it's not what it was years ago.

Show quote history

Agree with that.

Facebook marketplace can be ok, we got a two seater Chesterfield sofa for 160. Sure, we had to pick it up, and gave it a wipe down and a rewax, but bloody cheap, and lovely. I am sat on it it now.

Original poster
TheLilEngineWhoCould · 09/02/2025 06:48

virtu starting from scratch - new place so different in size and style seems like a good ppportunity
and wanting things that last so I don’t have to keep replacing
I'm pleased with Joseph and Joseph kitchen accessories, Denby mugs and plates, some bits from loaf and Ercol but that’s it’s. There has to be some decent quality out there! And yes ikea isn’t what it used to be

OP posts:
MulberryPeony · 09/02/2025 08:17

I’m not sure about the quality currently as our furniture is 20 years old from Willis & Gambier https://willisgambieroutlet.co.uk

We also bought a couple of pieces second hand because a lot of their ranges are mix and match and long standing ranges. One of the ranges in their outlet would match what we already have for instance.

Ofalltheginjoints · 09/02/2025 08:26

If your anywhere near the North East Delcor is worth a look, they do made to measure furniture it is pricey bur beautiful quality and amazing staff. I had two sofas made as I could t find what I wanted in any sofa store and had specific requirements due to my disability and it wasn't a problem

https://delcor.co.uk

Also, another vote for Willis & Gambier but my experience is from about 10 years ago

Costco get a lot of bit American furniture and it looks good quality but is big, my friend got sofas there and they are great but extremely heavy

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