Where to buy mid-range furniture

[thinkfast]

I'm in the market for two (possibly three) chests of drawers - to replace 2 ikea chests of drawers that will no longer fit. We also have a very large antique chest of drawers that I'd like to replace, if I found the right thing.

I'd like something more solid and longer lasting than ikea, but don't really know where to look. I've been looking online at John Lewis but can't see anything I like. I want something that won't buckle and bend when the drawers are full. Budget up to £300 per chest.

£300 doesn’t get you very far with furniture these days. IKEA does have some very nice solid wood items, or there’s Next, John Lewis, La Redoute, M&S, Oak Furnitureland?

Local furniture shops might have Boxing Day sales on too.

I could increase the budget if necessary. What is the quality of next furniture like?

Auction. Go to your local auctioneers and keep checking their sale catalogues.

I’ve come to the view that these days there isn’t really a mid-range in furniture. You’re either getting (a) stuff that is mass produced from cheap materials, or you’re getting (b) the opposite and having to pay for it. Mid-range pricing of furniture is more about brand or style, but the quality will be firmly in (a) not (b).

Learned this the hard way after buying some bedroom furniture from Heals (their own brand) which we thought was well into the upper mid range, but which was crap and had to be replaced in less than 5 years.

Agree with the comments above to look at auctions - there are some great places that will sell good antique, mid-century, or modern furniture in regular sales, which will all likely be good quality stuff. You can also look for local furniture makers who will make things to your style - and many are surprisingly good value.

I agree with @jaundicedoutlook, furniture is usually either low quality or high quality, and there isn't much in between.

I bought two John Lewis chests of drawers - they were reasonably expensive, but I only have one now as the other one started flaking.

Also worth looking on Etsy. There are a few makers of decent furniture on there - for wooden furniture quite a few are based in Poland. We bought a small oak bench from one a few years ago and it could be made to your measurements. Very worth checking that there are lots of reviews that look genuine, however, as there is also some junk.

I was going to start a similar thread as in the same position. I have looked at local second hand and there is nothing around. There is also a local furniture shop which sells wooden furniture which is delivered fully made and there is a decent sale on too so am going to go in person for a proper look.

Look at Clearcycle on eBay. They sell returned / overstocked furniture, so you can get massive discounts on new (there's often two discount codes which stack to really get a good deal).

The furniture is graded so you can tell how marked it is. We've bought lightly-marked stuff before, but for us it's not a problem.

I’d look for a local maker. I bought locally for DC2’s room from a firm who make pine furniture and fitted kitchens. As an example, this chest of drawers is listed as £329, plus the cost of a painted finish, but you could have it waxed or stained if you wanted to. Makers like this will make to whatever size you want to.

I’m not sure how current the prices are as they look a bit out of date.

There are a couple of sellers on eBay that make pine furniture to measure.

https://www.woodlandsfurniture.co.uk/Handmade-Bedroom-Furniture/Handmade-Solid-Pine-Chest-of-Drawers?page=4

One of the eBay makers ⬆️.

Thank you! They eBay makers look great.
Heals is out of my price range really. Have been looking at my local auction and British heart foundation place for a while, but nothing comes up.
I suspect I'll have to go with ikea and replace in a couple of years time.

Roseland are solid wood.

I bought my oak chest of drawers from a local furniture store and I love it

Oak furniture land do solid wooden furniture. I've bought plenty from them and it's fine. Or look on Ebay/ FB sales for second hand.

The Idanas and Hemnes range at IKEA are solid wood and very sturdy, either of those would be my choices.

I got a solid wood chest of drawers from La Redoute and it is lovely but it was about £500 and it’s not even that big 😅

This looks perfect! Thank you. I just need to call them to see if they deliver to London.

We have Hemnes currently and they have not aged well- the bottom of the drawers is bucking and the finish is very chipped.

I got something from them earlier this year. It was definitely solid wood but not the same type so it was two colours. They were a pain about returning it.

I'm found the solid oak already assembled furniture (numerous shops about) lasts really well and is good solid stuff. To my detriment unfortunately as I'm bored of it now but it will last forever....

Dunelm can be good.

Agree with pp that Dunelm can be good for furniture and also Very.

I'd go second hand for a chest of drawers, especially at that budget, modern high street ones will not be well constructed.

Have you looked on websites like Vinterior or The Saleroom? What style do you like.